April 20, 2022 – Students at John E. Ford K-8 are learning how to be their own boss thanks to the school’s Entrepreneurship Club.
Through sessions on production, marketing, pitching, and financing, students learn how to develop a product for the marketplace. For example, they are now working to produce friendship bracelets that can be sold at a pop-up shop at the school.
“I started the club because I wanted the kids to know there are other options for them besides college,” said Shana Ingram, who is the school’s assistant principal and the sponsor of the club. “I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so I know it’s a viable option.”
Ingram launched the club with education materials she received through a private grant from Biz World.org, a company that engages youth in entrepreneurship programs. The students are divided into business teams that earn “financial capital” to run their business. Each team includes a chief executive officer and vice presidents of design, production, sales, marketing, and finance.
Students like fifth-grader Sabella Gibson say this club helps them envision themselves as entrepreneurs in the future.
“I’ve learned that you have to have patience with your colleagues, and you need to have strategy,” Gibson said.
