Tell me more ×
Answers OnStartups is a question and answer site for entrepreneurs looking to start or run a new business. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 5 down vote favorite

I am a High School Business teacher and I have had a couple of students ask to start an Entrepreneurship Club. I have looked everywhere and cannot find anything at the State level for high school. Tons of stuff for college but the age group limits what we can and cannot do at the high school level. If anyone has anything and would love to share, I would GREATLY appreciate it!!!!!

Thank you!

share|improve this question

3 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

Great idea! I was class president in high school and would have loved to start a business club. If were to become a highschool teacher, I would definitely do that now.

Looking back on my former self (I'm 23 now) this is would I should have learned in high school based on what's happening to me now:

  • Read some books together about starting a business. I recommend Founders at Work, How to Win Friends and Influence People, and Delivering Happiness to start. Those will keep you busy.

  • Basics about business (Revenues - expenses = profits, how to get customers, how to maintain customer support, how to scale your business, etc.) That stuff is exciting and will give anyone interested in your business club a leg up when they get into business school.

  • Lastly, nothing teaches you how to do something than having to do it. Why not just start a business? Sell breakfast sandwiches and make the kids do the order, customer service, clean up, scheduling, etc. You could have them start a t-shirt company. It does really matter what you sell, as long as you incorporate what you're teaching into the program. I think this would be most exciting for kids, and teach them how to work on a team and respect the hard workers, and not necessarily the "popular" kids.

As for resources on where to start...I can't help you there. I'll keep looking though. Good luck!

share|improve this answer
Great points, especially the 3rd one. Ironically, I had a conversation minutes ago with my 13 yo nephew about my early work days. He is thinking about getting a job when he turns 14. I started out mowing lawns. My first summer when I was 13/14, I made over $2k. I put an ad in the newspaper and had more business than I could handle; I turned business away constantly. I said, "I wished I would have had an ounce of entrepreneurial spirit back then because I would have hired some kids to work on my crew and continued to take in more business." If only I would've had an entrepreneurship club. – Clint Feb 9 '11 at 3:59
Having a job as a young kid really makes you realize that adults earn money and it is not allotted equally in life. That was a great lesson I learned early on. The more customers I had on my paper route, the more tips I got. The more cans I collected, the more redemption money I earned. Paul Graham has a great essay in Hackers and Painter about this subject called "Mind the Gap" – Andy Cook Feb 13 '11 at 23:19
up vote 0 down vote

Sell breakfast sandwiches and make the kids do the order, customer service, clean up, scheduling, etc.

wow, simple things, important experience.Everybody good at it.

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

I've volunteered for Junior Achievers in the past. That seems like a pretty great organization. Maybe you should look at starting one of these in your community.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.