At Alma Fuerte Public School, a local K-8 charter, middle schoolers manned booths at their recent Student Business Fair to introduce products and test out their sales pitches.
Along the way they found there’s more to running a business than having a great product.
“Some of the students wanted to have a beauty shop with makeup,” said teacher Josue Guillen. “They were required to research the safety precautions needed and other requirements they didn’t know to consider.”
“For the food vendors, each student had to take the food handlers course. It surprised them that without those certificates, their businesses could get shut down. We teach them that a true business is not just a transaction. There’s so much more that comes with it,” said Guillen.
“We try to understand what their interests are to see if they can make a business out of their concept with their given skills,” he says. “We teach them how to budget, how much they have to spend for the materials they need, and how much manpower they need. If you need help, can you afford it? How do you set a price in order to make this business profitable? When they leave middle school, they have a business plan under their arm.”
Here’s a peek at the resulting businesses.
Business: Diego’s Hugs
Diego made his economic business plan after the end of the school year in June.
“Over the summer, my friends and I were feeling lonely without each other. We wanted something to remember each other by, to remember the time we spent together at school. So, I made these items to share with each of them, so they don’t have to feel lonely,” said Diego.
His favorite design is the mushroom keychain, and his little brother Ethan agrees. These entrepreneurial students haven’t figured out their career goals yet, but Diego’s favorite class is science.
Business: Adirah’s Beautiful Jewelry
Owner of Adirah’s Beautiful Jewelry booth, Adirah was happy to show her wares, which she created on her own.
Business: Pop N’ Go
In true entrepreneurial spirit, twelve-year-old Alana isn’t even a student at the school but took advantage of the business fair opportunity to create and promote her own popcorn vending business, Pop N’ Go.
Sales were brisk at her station, where her mom and dad were helping.
Business: Leggy
Designer Lillian created her Leggy jewelry concession because “jewelry is popular and nice.” At age nine (and a half, she points out), her managerial skills have already manifested. She created the designs and then directed her mom how to make the pieces.
“My career goal is to open my own little shop,” and in true Ab Fab fashion, “just sell beautiful things.” Alternatively, she “may open a thrift store.” Her favorite subject is math.
Business: Tamales del Alma
Influenced by the culinary program at the school, Sebastian and Camilla want to be chefs.
LNP is reminded of Chef de Cuisine Jorge Delgado at the Langham Huntington Pasadena Hotel, who started his career by helping his mother sell tamales on the streets of Tijuana.
Sebastian and his younger sister Camilla decided to make a tamale business based upon their mom Alma’s coveted recipes.
Their mom, Alma, proudly acknowledged she’s raising wonderful kids.
Business: Righteous Succulents
“This school is good for people who need special help,” says Hadassah, named after righteous Queen Esther, according to her dad, who was helping with the booth. The name invites us to live every day with happiness and success.
“The school encourages me to help others, too. Everybody in this school is friends, and they help one another,” said Hadassah.
Her favorite subject is math, a skill she uses to help with the business.
