Sales Savvy Students Build Their Own Businesses

About two dozen future entrepreneurs are gearing up to launch their new businesses this month.

The debut of the TREP$ Club is all set for May 22. These students have been working hard for months, coming up with their own product ideas, and name for their business and now they are working to spread the word and get ready for the big sale, says club advisor Kara Doyle.

Doyle says this is the first year the TREP$ club has come to the Middle School. She had been previously working with fourth and fifth grade students in the TREPS Club at the Euclid School for the past few years. Dawn Robitaille, a parent, has been volunteering her time helping out with the club. She says she really loves what the experience does for the kids.

On Friday, the students met after school with Doyle and Robitaille to discuss some of their plans for the big sale day. The students will be posting flyers about their sale and inviting everyone to come by and see what their businesses will have to offer.  Tables will be set up outside the school along the Boulevard side. In the event of rain the sale will be moved to the cafeteria, Doyle told the students. The sale runs form 2:45 to 5:30 p.m.

Some of the students have partnered into one business and some of the others have gone on their own. Several students provided a sneak peak into what their business will offer. Vanita and Su call their business B.K.M.R.K.Z. They make handmade bookmarks that pay tribute to many of the things kids love today such as the Hunger Games movie and the pop sensation One Direction.

Lauren will have hair feathers and accessories for sale while Maddie and Sheridan are making their own headbands. Jackie and Sophia are launching their Ducky Bucks business selling duck tape wallets. Ramneet will sell cake pops. Also in the baking business are Gina, Olivia and Sarah who will offer their Creative Cupcakes in flavors like French toast and Smores.

Nick and Michael have teamed up on their comic book making business venture they call Oodles and Doodles Comix, Inc. Edison is creating his own game which he says will be a great for the summer. It brings together the elements of Frisbee and basketball play, he says. Eric says he is developing his T-shirt iron-on business.

Two of the students have put their business minds into offering service instead of a product. Tenzin will offer information on her dog walking services and Caela is starting her own babysitting service.

Doyle explained the students really get to experience what it’s like to run a business. It’s up to them to figure out how to get the money they need to start which usually they can borrow from a parent, she explained. The money they make at the sale is theirs to keep, she said, adding that sometimes the students may donate what they make to a charity.

The students also develop and design their own products and are responsible for advertising as well. Doyle encouraged all the students to invite their friends, families and anyone they know to the sale.