Entrepreneurship Everywhere
Sample Entrepreneurship Education
Programs in the United States
GEORGIA
Chapel Hill High School
Michael Perry
Business Teacher
Chapel Hill High School
4899 Chapel Hill High School
Douglasville, GA 30135
770-947-7501
Fax: 770-947-7512
Email: mperry@pdragons.com
Web site: http://www.pdragons.com
Focus: Student teams create a business plan in computer applications using Microsoft Office applications. This project provides hands-on experience in applying skills learned with Microsoft Office applications. It exposes your students to other areas of the business curriculum and helps recruit students for future business classes. This class gives students the HOW and WHY to use the Microsoft Office Tools for success in the business world. I have taught Microsoft Office using this approach at both the high school and college level. Build a Business include a "hands-on" capstone computer simulation entitled "GoVenture - Live the Life of the Entrepreneur" published by Media Spark.
Geographic Area: Georgia
Age Level: The course is a mandatory class for 9-12 high school students in a suburban high school near Atlanta Georgia. The students range in demographics from lower socio-economic to high socio-economic status. The majority of the students are middle socio-economic status. The majority of students are college-prep. Students are majority white with blacks being the largest minority group. The number of Hispanic students at our school is growing, but still represents only single digits of our total.
Abstract: The program was developed as a comprehensive project entitled "Build a Business" which teaches entrepreneurship, marketing, advertising, finance, management and teamwork. This is a project created and refined over the years. "Build a Business" is a complex long-term project that features short and long term goals.
Short-term goals include:
- Brainstorm ideas for the business plan and complete the planning guide.
- Brainstorm each student's role in the planned business and complete the planning guide.
- Brainstorm each student's responsibility in the project and complete the planning guide.
- Use both guides to draft a letter informing the project supervisor, me, about the project.
Long-term goals include:
- Begin developing team skills in my students.
- Recognize how their individual work contributed to the team's work.
- Learn to solve problems, set goals and accomplish a task in a team environment.
There are individual reports from students in the form of memos that tell me about the student's progress and memos from the team that inform me of the team's progress. I have individual assignments for each team member in Word, Excel and Power Point. Parts of the Excel and Power Point individual work are included in the team's final written report and presentation.
FranchiseOpportunities.com
1085 Powers Place,
Alpharetta, GA 30004
888-363-3390
Fax: 770.619.3021
Web site: www.FranchiseOpportunities.com
Abstract: Stakeholders include entrepreneurs, self-starters,
future and present business owners and operators, business-to-business
suppliers, accounting firms, law practices, financial institutions,
bookstores, publishers, and assessment providers.
FranchiseOpportunities.com provides an Internet portal for high-quality
franchising and business resources in a secure, collegial, professional,
and ethical business environment.
Mission: To identify, create, and distribute valuable resources in
franchising and business in order to initiate and sustain prosperity
for our current and prospective stakeholders.
FranchiseOpportunities.com is founded by business professionals building
on over 30 years of experience. FranchiseOpportunities.com is highly
practical, creative, innovative, and technologically sophisticated based
on successful practices and current research about franchising and business.
Georgia Junior Achievement
Tanya Applebaum, Coordinator
Junior Achievement
6152 Westchester Place
Gainesville, GA 30506
770-297-1222
Focus: State training of volunteers to provide Junior Achievement programs
Geographic Area: Greater Hall/Gainesville City School Systems, Habersham, and Lumpkin County School Systems
Age Level: high school, middle school, and elementary school students
Key Partners: local businesses serve as volunteers as well as students from local universities
Abstract: The Junior Achievement Satellite office began in the spring of 1998 in Hall County and Gainesville Schools. Initially they had 56 classes and have 170 classes requested this year. Junior Achievement began as an after school program but in the past 25 years has shifted to a curriculum-based program with age appropriate, hands-on programs K - 12 grades and an international program.
The Junior Achievement program wil instill in students a clearer understanding of the relevance of education to the achievement of their long term personal well being, and will provide schools an integrated systematic approach to economic education. The curriculum is tailored to the learning skills of students K-12 through the use of Junior Achievement's traditional "hands-on" delivery approach. Trained volunteers will teach the classes to students in cooperation with their teacher. The volunteer provides real-life experiences, helps bring a different perspective for students, and shows the community is interested in them as individuals.
Junior Achievement can serve as a change agent to give students the tools they need to be workforce ready, and inspire them to make choices that will allow them to improve their own lives. JA programs take a pro-active position in providing students with the practical knowledge critical to making the transition from school to work, and ultimately to being productive members of the workforce.
Georgia REAL Enterprises
Dr. Paul DeLargy, Director
1160 Milledge Ave., Suite 220
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 546-9061
Fax: (706) 549-0567
Email: paul@gareal.org
Web site: www.gareal.org
Focus: Experiential Entrepreneurship Education in schools (K-16) and community organizations. Adaptable for after-school, out-of-school, and camp contexts.
Geographic Area: Georgia
Products and Services: comprehensive professional development program for instructors (institutes, in-service seminars, site visits); experiential, activity-based entrepreneurship curricula with integrated technology and student workbooks for high school/post-secondary ("REAL Entrepreneurship") and elementary/middle schools ("Mini/Middle REAL"); materials and support for establishing successful local and statewide programs; evaluation and documentation of student demographics, learning outcomes, and business development results; School-Based Enterprise module/training.
Age Level: children (Grades K-8), youths (Grades 9-12), and adults of all ages
Key Partners: At the local level: entrepreneurs, small-business assistance providers and community development advocates through a community support team created by each local program. Organizational partners: REAL Enterprises
Abstract: Founded in the early 1980s, REAL Enterprises' mission
is to help individuals, schools, communities, and rural America grow
through hands-on entrepreneurship education. REAL is committed to preparing
youth and adults to be active, self-sufficient, and productive citizens
and effective contributors to community and economic development by:
creating and sustaining a national network of dynamic entrepreneurship
educators supported by effective member organizations, providing high
quality hands-on entrepreneurship curriculum and training for K–16
educators, advocating for experiential education and entrepreneurship,
and documenting REAL's effectiveness for students and teachers. REAL
serves and supports schools and teachers through nonprofit national
and member organizations throughout the United States, six of which
serve states in the ARC service region.
How it works: At the high school/post-secondary level, REAL guides
students through the process of creating small businesses of their own
design. The process includes self-assessment to determine students' potential and existing marketable
strengths, community analysis to identify needs and trends in the local economy, researching/writing a comprehensive business plan for a student's
chosen enterprise, and start-up support for participants who choose to open and operate enterprises.
Additionally, a community support team of entrepreneurs and others from the local
community assists each local program. REAL has been successfully integrated
into existing post-secondary degree/certificate programs and has demonstrated
its ability to create successful businesses.
In elementary and middle schools, Mini/Middle REAL helps students explore
entrepreneurship in the context of a fully functioning in-school community
(with a "merchant's mall," government, revenue, and court system), understand
the economic implications of career and lifestyle choices, and apply
entrepreneurial practices to school-based enterprises and community
needs.
The Mountain Partnership Loan Fund
Grace Fricks, Loan Fund Manager
Mountain Partnership Loan Fund
A project of: Appalachian Community Enterprises
1727 Turner's Corner Road
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-348-6609
877-434-6609 - toll free
Fax: 706-219-4976
Email: fricks@alltel.net
Web site: http://www.acenorthgeorgia.org
Focus: Providing microloans with training and technical assistance
to at-risk or low-income entrepreneurs.
Geographic Area: 12 ARC counties of northeastern Georgia (Fannin,
Lumpkin, White, Franklin, Hart, Stephens, Rabun, Towns, Union, Habersham,
Banks, and Elbert.)
Age Level: Entrepreneurs age 18 and over
Key Partners: Community Bankshares Inc., North Georgia Technical
College, North Georgia College and State University, University of Georgia
Small Business Development Center, Appalachian Community Enterprises,
Inc.
Abstract: In November of 1999 Appalachian Community Enterprises,
Inc., a private nonprofit organization based in northeastern Georgia,
established the Mountain Partnership Loan Fund, a microloan fund for
at-risk or low-income entrepreneurs. With seed money funded with a federal
grant through the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Mountain Partnership
Loan Fund developed a revolving fund that provides a unique loan source
for individuals or very small businesses who may not have access to
traditional sources of financing for the purpose of starting or growing
their enterprise. The fund will loan up to $5,000 to individuals who
do not qualify for convention loans and who are willing to receive business
and technical support.
The Mountain Partnership Loan Fund works in partnership with businesses
and educators to develop educational vehicles and support structures
to encourage the financial success of microentrepreneurs in northeastern
Georgia. Business technical assistance and ongoing business education
is provided through partnerships with North Georgia Technical College,
North Georgia College and State University, and the University of Georgia
Small Business Development Center. People with disabilities are encouraged
to apply. Technical assistance and support from human service organizations
is used as appropriate on an individualized basis.
North Georgia College & State University
Georgia Appalachian Development Center
Kimberly R. Foster, Director
Georgia Appalachian Development Center
North Georgia College & State University
Dahlonega, GA 30597
706-867-2814
Fax: 706-864-1686
Email: kfoster@ngcsu.edu or adc@ngcsu.edu
Web site: www.gadc.ngcsu.edu
Focus: Providing technology training for small businesses, community based agencies and individuals.
Geographic Area: 16 county region in Northeast Georgia
Products and Services: Classes and seminars on web design and creation, internet marketing, funding sources, and one-on-one assistance for those who take one or more of our classes.
Age Level: Teenagers through Senior Citizens
Key Partners: Appalachian Regional Commission, Local Area Chambers of Commerce, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, ICAPP and Local Area Development Authorities.
Abstract: A presence on the Internet can help a business increase its exposure and therefore increase market share and sales. A community-based agency that has a presence on the Internet has the ability to communicate more effectively with those that it serves, which in turn increases efficiency.
North Georgia College & State University's Georgia Appalachian Development Center offers classes, workshops and seminars designed to help businesses and community-based agencies develop websites and e-commerce capabilities to better serve their customers, increase market share and sales, and improve efficiency. In addition, the GADC provides one-on-one assistance for prior participants through the University's ICAPP program.
Southwest Atlanta Youth Business Organization (SWAYBO)
Executive Director
SWAYBO
3687 Dover Blvd., SW
Atlanta, GA 30331
404-691-4111
Focus: High-school-age students
Abstract: SWAYBO is a nonprofit volunteer organization that
teaches African-American children age 7 to 18 years how to operate
a business. SWAYBO provides classroom training on economics and entrepreneurship.
They also conduct community service projects and travel as a group.
Capital is provided through a youth bank created and run by youths. It
is operated in one location in Atlanta by Ed Mennifee, the founder of
SWAYBO.
Success is defined as the ability of youths to achieve their goals,
master the curriculum, and eam money for the group travel. Young people
are involved in the planning and goal setting for SWAYBO; community
and business involvement is minimal.
According to a February 1992 article in Black Enterprise, of
the 367 youthswho have joined SWAYBO over the last 20 years, Mennifee
can track 70 who graduated from high school while they were still in
the program, 67 who went on to college or trade school, and five who
currently own businesses. Three joined the military. Mennifee
said, "Everything matters to us. There are two types of business—personal
business and commercial business. If you don’t get your personal business
in order, you can’t do anything commercially."
Stephens County High School
STEP - Stephens Technology Entrepreneurship Program
Grace Duvall, Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator
Stephens County School System
STEP - Stephens Technology Entrepreneurship Program
6438 White Pine Road
Toccoa, GA 30577
706-886-6825
Fax: 706-886-8765
Email: gduvall@stephenscountyschools.com
Web Site: www.stephenscountyschools.com
Focus: Provide entrepreneurial learning opportunities for students
Geographic Area: Stephens County, Georgia
Products and Services: Entrepreneurship classes for high school students, the establishment of a on-site computer business which provides computers and service to the school system
Age Level: High school students in grades 9 - 12
Key Partners: The Stephens County/Toccoa Chamber of Commerce, Local Banks (The Bank of Toccoa and Northeast Georgia Bank), The Stephens County Office of the Georgia Department of Labor, and North Georgia Technical College
Abstract: The Stephens Technology Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) will provide the instruction and experience necessary for students to develop and sustain a business. The school will offer one Entrepreneur class each semester. This class would use established entrepreneur curriculum and training methods. Students from business education classes (accounting, business applications, etc.) and from the technology education program would be recruited to participate, as well as other students interested in entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship students would develop a business, based on the concepts taught through this curriculum, that would entail assembling and selling computers. Students would be taught all aspects of entrepreneurship, and would develop and run the business. Based on a successful implementation of this concept, the school system will agree to purchase at least 50 student-built computers annually. These funds would return to the program to purchase computer parts for the next year. This would add sustainability to the other benefits of the program.
Through the experience of developing and running a business, students would learn how to do a market survey, develop a five-year business plan, compute profit and loss, and many other valuable skills. Those students with A+ computer repair training would also benefit from having more hands-on experience in building computers.
Students will also be encouraged to stay in school through the utilization of a mentoring and volunteer program. The mentoring coordinator will recruit, train, and schedule volunteers to work with the STEP classes and the school at large. Special emphasis will be placed on using business representatives to mentor entrepreneurship students, however, many other at-risk students will also benefit from the mentoring program.
YMCA Camp High Harbour
Ken O'Kelley
The SALT Team Missions
YMCA Camp High Harbour
200 Main Street, Ste. 108
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-532-2267
Focus: Youth leadership development
Geographic Area: Metro Atlanta, North Georgia, and North Alabama
Age Level: 16 - 20 years
Key Partners: Metro Atlanta YMCA
Abstract: The SALT Team Missions (Service, Adventure, Leadership, and Technical Training Skills) is a program that brings future young leaders, businesses, churches, and schools together to serve communities in need. Outstanding teens are chosen to participate in the program and attend the summer camp.
Objectives of SALT are:
- To reflect the YMCA's Judeo-Christian Heritage of being open to and serving all.
- Train high school students to mentor others in the SALT qualities: Service, Adventure, Leadership, and Technical skills in order to serve the needs of local, national, and international communities
- Train young leaders in critical elements of entrepreneurship opportunity recognition, venture creation and operation, and creative thinking
- To improve understanding of local community, improve school matriculation rates or attendance, increase youth-based enterprises, and participation of the local business community.
The SALT Team is organized in five levels so that members increase in responsibility over time. The leaders serve as camp counselors for over 5,000 YMCA campers each year. First year members pay a fee, and the teams make money by recruiting new members. Some even are finding help in paying their way through college.
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