Young Entrepreneurs showcase skills at Elevate Branson

The Elevate Kids program at Elevate Branson wrapped up their last day of class on July 23, by inviting their families to join them for special activities. In addition to celebratory picnics, the day included a Young Entrepreneurs Showcase, where students displayed their business ideas at tables featuring a variety of products and services. 

Students in grades three and four spent part of their summer schedule learning basics of business, with age-appropriate adaptations of the same concepts taught in the Elevate Entrepreneurs program. For the final day’s showcase, each table had posters created by the students, giving information about the product or service. Students used Good Behavior Bucks earned over the duration of the program to purchase from the following businesses: 

• Lemonade stand 

• Snow cones 

• Caricature drawing/painting 

• Pet rock decoration station 

• Dance lessons (right on the spot!) 

• Build a toy, using provided pieces 

• Origami 

• Bracelet making 

Extra volunteers on hand to assist the students included young people from an Oklahoma YMCA.           

At the end of the showcase, students were coached in tabulating receipts and calculating profits, with the Lemonade Stand topping receipts at 28%, followed by Snow Cones and the Toy Stand. The students also discussed possible reasons why the businesses were more or less successful and what snags they encountered. 

“We learned lots of real-life business lessons,” said Elevate Entrepreneurs director Chris Hunter. “For example, when businesses were really busy, we raised rates and learned about demand. When we sold out of toys at the Toy Stand, we learned about supply. And when kids ran out of personal spending bucks and wanted to take from the business's till, we learned about embezzlement!”

Based on enthusiastic student response, Hunter said it looks like there will be another Young Entrepreneur event next year! Learn more about the various Elevate Branson programs, including the “grown-up” Elevate Entrepreneurs class, and check out upcoming events, at www.ElevateBranson.org.