High School Entrepreneurs Launch a Venture

It all started with an empty room full of old paint, chairs, and tables. Mater Brickell Academy’s Business Club executive board alongside their advisor decided to take on the challenge of creating a business in school. They aimed to “go beyond the textbook” and actually know how to run a business. Students Gabriella Diaz, Cesar Lopez, Melina Marte, Justin Fayad, and Lauren Kirby Navarro came in the summer every week to build the tables, set up the cash registers, make inventory lists, brainstorm marketing strategies, and create what is known as the “Business Food Lab,” a student-led culinary business on a high school campus.

Students have been involved in the entire process of the start-up, from the concept to the execution. Students start prepping the empanadas, tostadas, and coffee as soon as 8:30am, sell from 10:15-12:15pm during all their lunch periods, and cleaning and process the financial paperwork from 12:20pm-1:50pm. Students are assigned leadership roles to ensure that the proper inventory is tracked and everything is ready for the next opening day. It is a business made by students for students. The students, ages 16-17, and their club advisor, age 25, launched the food lab on Friday, October 25th. It has generated thousands in revenue, proceeds which go to the Business Club for their school competitions. Further profits will be awarded to future start-ups the club members have already ideated, from pressure cleaning companies to a printer that runs off of ink made of coffee beans.

Business partnerships such as Sushi Sake have also partnered with the students to ensure that not only they have products, but also extended a helping hand with giving students internships. Future partnerships include the Farm Stores, of which has already given students an inside scoop into their employee training process and exposure to some of their affiliate brands such as TOMA empanadas. The students, all from diverse backgrounds such as Venezuela, Spain, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, have used their unique cultural experiences to bring in different flavors to the food lab and ideas for the processes and operations of it.

These students have also been involved in other endeavours such as competing in Future Business Leaders of America, of which 16 qualified for states this year. This means they will be travelling to Orlando to pitch their food lab idea in competition against the entire state! They are also active participants of Its4theKids, a non-profit organization that helps children in need. Mater Brickell Business Club students have visited the Lotus House children and have done creative projects with the kids such as making slime and coming dressed as Santa Claus! The student commitment to both non-profit and for-profit work has made them stand out as teenagers who are still willing to give back and help the community!

They hope to continue building business partnerships and promoting business literacy through their entrepreneurial ventures.

High School Entrepreneurs Launch a Venture

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