On May 7, Boston Latin School students sold self-created products from their companies as part of the Junior Achievement Company Pop-up Program.
Led by Mr. Jim Levesque, Director of the Deitch Leadership Institute, students embarked on a challenge to create innovative and unique products that would be of interest to the BLS community. Some of these companies included press-on nails, pins, origami and potted plants.
By joining this program, students were able to partake in business, make a product they were passionate about and become educated on significant aspects of business. Michael Goldstein (III), who made pins with sports teams’ logos, notes, “One of my key takeaways was how to apply strategic thinking to real-world business challenges.”
Students went through a comprehensive process to create their businesses. Involvement in this program began with a commitment to seven classes taught by a Santander Bank volunteer with a curriculum that prepared students for planning, launching and operating their businesses.
The first step was to brainstorm a list of ideas that would catch a potential buyer’s eye and be produced with a budget of 50 dollars. Once their idea was finalized, students were able to make decisions in determining the price and quantity of their product. From there, students were able to make their items and develop a marketing plan for their product.
During this process, many participants faced challenges. Shuyin Chen (IV) worked with her peers to create press-on nails. She explains, “The most challenging part was making the actual product because […] it took a really long time to make each nail. In the end we almost ran out of time.”
After overcoming many obstacles, students successfully created their company and were ready to begin selling their products. When the day came, each company had their product displayed on a table in the dining hall. Students came in and out to view the items that sellers had to offer.
In order to boost their sales, sellers made three payment methods available: Venmo, credit card and cash. With the variety of skills learned throughout the program, the company owners were able to interact with buyers and successfully sell their products.
Nicole Lin (IV) purchased an ube brownie mix from one of the businesses. She says, “I think it’s a great way for students who want to start a business later in their life and just to use their passion or their hobby.”
At the end of the day, the students made a total of 100 dollars while gaining crucial perceptions of the business world.
