With the sun shining and tables with small businesses lining the elementary school courtyard, the entrepreneurial spirit could be felt this Monday and Tuesday morning at CDS. Fifth-graders culminated their business and economics unit this week by bringing their business idea to fruition. After learning all aspects of operating a business, students worked with their teams with to create their own business.  Working together, the team of entrepreneurs determined what goods they would produce and got to work. The process including creating a chart with their business partners to see what interests they have in common when determining what type of business they would be starting. 

Before creating their business, students worked to figure out the market and what was trending. Through surveys of elementary students grades one through four, students were able to figure out what was likely to sell. They took their survey results, tallied and graphed the information, and then set to work developing their businesses. Required elements included a name for their company, as well as a mission statement. They also needed to work with their partners to create a commercial advertising their business, which would be presented to the entire elementary student body. 

Another aspect of the student business project was to create a budget. Each business was allotted sixty dollars to purchase all the items needed to successfully launch. They also needed to have enough products to service 250 customers. 

With the unit culminating with Young Entrepreneurs' Day, all elementary students flocked to the elementary courtyard to spend their tickets. It is a fun-filled day providing students with real-life experience in the business world. At the close of Young Entrepreneurs' Day, the fifth-grade students calculate whether their business earned a profit or experienced a loss.  The money earned from this valuable learning experience is used to fund the action piece of the fifth-grade Exhibition.  

Below are some of the student reflections from their experience.

I enjoyed being able to interact with other elementary students, and I felt so excited that as soon as they bought our product, they put it on. I learned that even though it is hard to be a business person, seeing our customers smile when they buy your product truly makes up for it! (Tilly M.)

I learned that being a business person is hard work. (Olivia R.)

My favorite part of Young Entrepreneurs' Day was being able to meet all of our customers. I learned to never underestimate business people and to appreciate them - it is harder than it looks! (Sophia O.)

I enjoyed helping customers, and I would tell my children if they set up a business, make sure they set up where people can see them. (Natalia P.)

I enjoyed making our products and when we had bunches of customers wanting to buy our keychains. I would teach my children about running a business and to appreciate working parents. (Lilly J.)

I enjoyed making people happy. (Ambria W.)

I enjoyed seeing all of the little girls and boys putting on our necklaces when they bought them. I learned that it is hard to be a business person. (Adelle B.)

---

Thank you to all the fifth-grade teachers for facilitating this day and the fifth-graders for sharing their fabulous businesses and their reflections.