Building Business Skills Beyond the Classroom
First Class Entrepreneurs gives young people an opportunity to explore entrepreneurship through practical lessons, real-world examples, mentorship, problem-solving activities and hands-on business challenges. Building Business Skills. Creating Possibilities.
What students explore
- Entrepreneurship: problem-solving, customers, business ideas
- Money: revenue, expenses, profit, startup costs, pricing, budgeting
- Marketing: customers, product selection, branding, offers
- Sales: communicating value, pitching, objections, follow-up
- Operations: inventory, purchasing, customer service, consistency
- Decision-Making: opportunity, risk, limited information
- Professional Skills: email and phone etiquette, time management, accountability, presentations
An initiative for roughly ages 14–18, focused on education, exposure and mentorship. It does not promise jobs, income, scholarships, funding, internships or business ownership.
A possible six-week framework
A potential framework only. No cohort or start date is currently scheduled.
Week 1
Think Like an Entrepreneur
Week 2
The Money Behind the Business
Week 3
Customers, Products & Marketing
Week 4
Operations & Sales
Week 5
Build Your Business
Week 6
Young Entrepreneur Showcase
Hands-on challenges
Educational exercises: Location Challenge, Product Challenge, Profit Challenge, Marketing Challenge, Business Pitch. Students may also build a simple business plan. Where appropriate and with required permissions, students may participate in site visits, Q&A and presentations. First Class Entrepreneurs may be offered through school or organization cohorts, small groups or individual interest participation.
First Class Entrepreneurs — Interest Form
Interested in learning more about entrepreneurship? Tell us a little about yourself and why business interests you.
Bring First Class Entrepreneurs to Your Organization
For high schools, career centers, youth and community organizations, and career-readiness programs.