Entrepreneurship Everywhere

Sample Entrepreneurship Education
Programs in the United States

TENNESSEE

Bradley Central High School

Heather Keller, Instructor,
Marketing Education
Bradley Central High School
1000 South Lee Highway
Cleveland, TN 37311
423-478-8895

Focus: Entrepreneurship in marketing education

Geographic Area: In-school program

Age Level: High school students

Key Partners: Advisory board of local entrepreneurs, Kauffman Foundation scholarship

Abstract: This entrepreneurship program is one of many strands offered under marketing education. Throughout the entrepreneurship course the students relate the foundations of marketing to entrepreneurial endeavors. Through first hand experiences from local entrepreneurs, the course provides students with the opportunity to explore business ownership, economic concepts, and leadership skills all centered around our free enterprise system. Throughout the course students learn to explore, analyze and evaluate their own entrepreneurial spirit.

The entrepreneurship program is one of the primary preparations for students to compete successfully in regional, state, and national DECA competitions. Entrepreneurship has influenced students to further their education as well as developing relationships with local business and industry leaders.

Jubilee Project, Inc.

Steve Hodges, Director
Jubilee Project, Inc.
123 N. Jockey Street
P.O. Box 657
Sneedville, TN 37869
Tel: 423-733-4195
Fax: 423-733-1624
Email: jubilee@naxs.com
Web site: http://home.naxs.com/jubilee

Focus: Low-income, women, farm-based, and youth business entrepreneurs in rural area

Geographic Area: Hancock County, Tennessee, and 7 surrounding counties in Tennessee and Virginia

Products and Services: Training Products: Basic course in small business, workshops in marketing and food product safety, computer training in basic computer/Windows 95, introduction to email and the Internet, desktop publishing, introduction to spreadsheets for businesses. Counseling Products: business counseling and referral, business financing referral and loan application assistance, business plan development counseling. Other Products: Business incubator space; access to fax, copier, computer, scanner, laser printer; access to Kitchen Incubator rental space for food/farm product development and production; peer microenterprise loan and group support program.

Age Level: Adults, older adults, youths ages 14–18

Key Partners: USDA, TVA, Clinch-Powell Enterprise Community, Hancock County Executive, Hancock County Schools, Hancock County Industrial Board, United Methodist Churches in Tennessee and Virginia, Appalachian Sustainable Development, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, Economic Ventures, Tennessee Network for Community Economic Development, East Tennessee Community Design Center Ruralnet Program, East Tennessee State University Kellogg III Program, Public WebMarket Project of the Access to Markets Program of the Association for Economic Opportunity

Abstract: Jubilee Project is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1991 to bring community and economic development to what was then the lowest-income county of Tennessee. In 1991 it carried out a six-month needs survey of local community members, then began work in youth development and health care development. In 1992, Jubilee began work in economic development. In 1993 it began doing entrepreneurial training with youths, and organizing local artists and craftpersons into a cooperative that continues to thrive. Entrepreneurial training with adults began in 1996.

The purpose of the entrepreneurship/business incubation program is to facilitate long-term empowerment of youths and adults by providing comprehensive services including training; counseling; mentoring; access to business facilities, resources, loans, support groups or cooperatives; development of marketing materials and Web sites; and other services. About 63 percent of those served are low income; 65 percent are women; 23 percent are youths.

Northeast State Technical Community College

A Practical College Small Business Degree Program Customized to Produce Successful Entrepreneurs

Garry Grau, Business Management Department Head and Assistant Professor
Northeast State Technical Community College
P.O. 246, Highway 75
Blountville, TN 37617-0246
423-323-0319
Fax: 423-323-0220
Email: GLGRAU@NSTCC.CC.TN.US

Focus: Community college students

Abstract: Northeast State Technical Community College has created a "real world" approach to teaching small business management with an associate degree program targeted for start-up or established entrepreneurs who seek the tools for success. This program is in its fifth year and has produced entrepreneurs in a host of businesses in areas such as antiques sales, motorcycle sales and service, computer technology, professional recruiting, woodworking, tax preparation, and retailing.

The core small business classes deal with every aspect of a small business, including business planning, taxes and licensing, marketing, financial analysis, operations, and human relations. The other associate degree courses complement the practical, workable emphasis of this program approach. Frequent guest speakers and input from a local advisory committee maintain the courses’ focus on providing the United Statesable essentials for the budding (or experienced) entrepreneur.

This unique degree program has been sanctioned by the Tennessee Board of Regents and recently received national accreditation by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. The local Tennessee Small Business Development Center and Service Corps of Retired Executives refer their clients to this practical program. In turn, the department has teamed with these groups to produce spin-off workshops, such as a "Street MBA" certificate, for entrepreneurs not able to accommodate the time for a degree program. Requests for the format of this successful degree program have been received from colleges in Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Virginia.

Oneida Special School District

Nancy Williamson
The Oneida Athletes Trading Card Company
Oneida High School
Oneida Special School District
195 North Bank Street
Oneida, TN 37841
423-569-8912

Focus: Entrepreneurship in School-to-Careers programs

Geographic Area: In school program

Age Level: High school students

Key Partners: Urban/Rural Opportunities Grant, school administrators.

Abstract: The School to Career Program covers pre-K through 14 across the county, encompassing two school systems, eight separate schools, and several thousand students. Entrepreneurship is introduced in the three components….Career Awareness, Career Exploration, and Career Opportunities.

The Oneida Athletes Trading Card Company is an outgrowth of the School to Career classes and Career Orientation to Video Technology classes at Oneida High school. The students study the basics of entrepreneurship and apply the information. Students research high school athletes, photograph and interview sports program participants, survey the marketing area, plan and order supplies, create the trading cards, determine the cost per unit, market the product, and determine the profit, and perform book-keeping for the company. Teachers mentor the operation and allow class time to manage the business.

Tennessee Plan for Entrepreneurial Education in Secondary Schools

David Weber
Small Business Services
Department of Economic and Community Development
Rachael Jackson Bldg.
320 6th Ave. N. 7th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-0405
Email: dweber@mail-state.tn.us
Web site: www.state.tn.us/ecd/busserv.htm

Abstract: The program constitutes an expansion of a current program being offered at Austin East High School in Knoxville. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development has contracted with Knox County Schools, a public entity, for the services of faculty from Austin East High School to expand the program to other secondary schools in the ARC Region and to develop a "School of Excellence in Entrepreneurship," modeled after the several Governor’s Schools of Excellence program that has been proven successful.

Expanding the program requires several components: 1) a training and support component for teachers who will bring the course of instruction to their schools; 2) the actual course of instruction; 3) development of community business support; 4) establishment of the summer School of Excellence.

Teacher Training and Support: Entrepreneurship has not been adopted widely in the state due to a lack of training for teachers interested in adopting the program; lack of availability of satisfactory lesson plans; and a lack of ongoing program support for teachers. Portions of the grant will be used to remedy these conditions. The lesson plan (approximately 900 pages in length) is prepared and ready for duplication. Austin East faculty will recruit, train, and mentor teachers desiring to adopt the entrepreneurship course. The TN Department of Economic and Community Development, Small Business Division, will act in a supporting role, mentoring teachers and identifying and providing information resources to teachers.

Some grant funds will be used to enable teachers to network with other teachers using email and Internet Web sites. This ability to communicate easily is important, as most teachers spend their days in the classroom and are not available for telephone conferences. One barrier to increased use of the entrepreneurship course has been the lack of familiarity with the subject matter on the part of teachers. The ability to mentor teachers as they conduct their first courses is felt to be important in order to help participants develop positive teaching experiences so they will not drop entrepreneurship in favor of courses with which they are more familiar.

This effort will complement an ARC initiative, the ARC Telecommunications Initiative. Under this initiative, Austin East High School has installed videoconferencing capability.

Course Description: The course consists of formal coursework approved for credit by Tennessee Department of Education. It will be taught as an elective to juniors and seniors. The schools will use the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management textbook approved by the State of Tennessee and currently on the textbook adoption list.

The course will cover subject matter appropriate to the operations of small businesses, areas such as marketing, sales, finance, and basic management skills. To encourage the actual development of student businesses, a venture capital fund of $50 per student will be available to each instructor. The moneys will be provided to the students in the form of a loan, with repayment of the full amount due before the end of the term.

The program will initially be expanded to five other secondary schools in two additional school districts: Blount and Sevier. Brochures, flyers, and possibly a videotape will be produced to persuade more instructors and schools to add entrepreneurship to their curricula.

Community Support: In addition to the academic emphasis, the program intends to identify and integrate school-to-career strategies and formulate partnerships with local business leaders. School-to-career initiatives can provide funding for approved activities. These partnerships will result in student mentoring by area entrepreneurs, speakers for classes and special presentations and fieldtrip opportunities. The program intends to rely upon the business community in the out-years for financial support.

Schools of Excellence: The Tennessee Board of Education operates Governor’s Schools of Excellence for academically promising youths each summer. These schools cover such areas as international relations and the arts and sciences. In 1998, students from Austin East attended short camps with 4-H members. It is the grantee’s intent to establish a school of excellence in entrepreneurship as a stand-alone school along the model of the existing Governor’s Schools. This school will give program participants opportunities to learn in greater detail the role of entrepreneurship in the regional and national economy.

Entrepreneurship Program Expansion: The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development will act as partner to the Knox County schools in the expansion and growth of the program. It is the intent of the department to promote the program statewide.

In addition to academic instruction, the department will seek the establishment of regional competitions where business plans and product innovations can be recognized. Eventually, the entrepreneurship program will seek designation as a Governor’s School of Excellence and accept participants from across the state for the summer camp.

University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service,

Alan Barefield, Associate Professor
University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service
P.O. Box 1071
Knoxville, TN 37901-1071
865-974-7306
Fax: 865-974-7448
Email: abarefield@utk.edu
Web site: http://web.utk.edu/~agecon/

Focus: Providing potential and current business owners and managers with the information necessary to own and operate a profitable business.

Geographic Area: Tennessee

Products and Services: Entrepreneurship curricula, business management and marketing programs, computerized financial record-keeping programs, technical assistance in the areas of financial management, marketing, and general business management and analysis.

Age Level: School-age children through adults

Key Partners: Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Chambers of Commerce, County Governments, Small Business Development Centers

Abstract: The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service maintains a presence in all Tennessee counties and has, as one of its primary missions, a charge to promote economic development within the state.

Selected initiatives include:

• Exploring Entrepreneurship: a curriculm designed to assist potential entrepreneurs in determining whether they have the personal characteristics and knowledge necessary to profitably operate a small business.
• YE$: The Youth Entrepreneurship curriculum is designed to promote entrepreneurship education among high-school-age children. It covers such topics as the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur, choosing a product or service to office, developing a business plan, etc.
• Agricultural Development Center (ADC): The ADC is charged with assisting entrepreneurs who are interested in or are currently adding value to agricultural products. Business plan development, business analysis, marketing studies, and production assistance are just a few of the products and services offered.

Vanderbilt University
Entrepreneurs in Action

R.Wilburn Clouse
Vanderbilt University
Peabody Box 514
Nashville, TN 37203
615-322-8059 (office phone)
Fax: 615-343-7094
Email: wil.clouse@vanderbilt.edu
Web site: http://entrepreneurship.vanderbilt.edu

Focus: Partnership between university and local schools

Abstract: Our Mission: We see entrepreneurship education as a vehicle for creating a learning environment that fosters entrepreneurial activities and develops the mindset for thinking outside of a structured setting. Such a learning environment is designed to teach students how to live and work outside of bureaucracy, learn to dream about new ideas and new ventures, to push the edge of the "envelope," and to see entrepreneurship as reality. By promoting creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, we hope to nurture a new generation of entrepreneurial thinkers.

Entrepreneurs in Action is a program currently running at the middle-school level in the southeast region of the United States. This approach to entrepreneurship education involves a number of case studies that are delivered on the Web site of the Forum for Entrepreneurship Education ( http://entrepreneurship.vanderbilt.edu) for a wide range of educational levels, from elementary through university. The cases are centered on real problems in the local community and depend on the interaction between the student and local "online experts" who have given of their time to insure that the students get a feel for real world decision making.

This work centers around connecting learning with the framework of the learner, while using the Internet as a content delivery system. Rather than replace a school's existing curriculum, these problem-based learning modules augment the presentation of subject areas that might formerly be kept separate, such as math, language arts, science, history, music, and art. Using an entrepreneurial problem as an overarching theme, this instructional approach involves "whole-part-whole" teaching and "just in time" learning. Presently under testing at middle schools, the same approach will be tested at the elementary and high school levels later in the year.

Accordingly, the project is expanding from the southeast to at least two additional states. Schools presently or soon to be participating in studies are from Tennessee, New York, and Louisiana. Each of the authors addresses the topic as it relates to his or her study area in each educational level. Since the project is based on the Internet, a demonstration of its features is possible if Internet connections are available.

Volunteer State Community College

Roland D. Whitsell, Associate Professor Business
Volunteer State Community College
1480 Nashville Pike
Gallatin, TN 37066
615-452-8600 Ex 3305
Email: rdwhitsell@aol.com

Focus: Community college and/or four-year college/university

Abstract: One learns about business from books and from the experiences of others. One learns business by doing it.

For more than 10 years I have required all of my Small Business Management students to write a business plan as their term project and present it to the class as their final exam. If the student currently owns and operates their own business, they write a business plan for their business. If the student does not currently own and operate a small business, he or she must start a real business and then write a business plan for their own business.

While many students are actually operating a small business without realizing that they are small business operators, others are surprised to find that the assignment is real. We divide up into small groups, and each group must answer the question "How can one make $1,000,000 in 5 years starting with $5,000.?" Each group has one week to develop an answer.

After we discuss what can be done, we get to the question "What will you do?" We then start with a discussion that leads to a definition of a small business. This is where we discover that many of the students already own and operate a small business. I get questions like "I mow lawns to make spending money. Can I use that as my business?" Because it is not a full-time business, they do not recognize it as a real business. Once we establish what it means to own and operate a business, we get everyone involved in some business of their own and move through the course. We start each class by asking each student to summarize their activities for the past week and their plans for the next few weeks. Suggestions and encouragements are given. This frequently turns into a group consultation session. It is positive motivation for all.

TEXAS

Acton MBA in Entrepreneurship

Tracy Balboa
Acton MBA in Entrepreneurship
515 Congress Avenue, Suite 1875
Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: 512-703-1232
Email: tbalboa@actonmba.org Web site: www.actonmba.org

Focus: College graduates interested in pursuing an MBA degree

Abstract: The Acton MBA in Entrepreneurship is a one-year, 80 hour a week program that revolutionizes how tomorrow’s business leaders are taught. Our award winning, case curriculum promises to teach students to learn how to learn, learn how to make money, and most importantly, learn how to live a life of meaning. In addition to our curriculum, the program brings in outside entrepreneurs in our Thursday Lunch series, provides plant tours on Fridays, and at the conclusion of the program provides 6 week to 6 month Externships with local companies in Austin, Texas. Taught entirely by successful entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, the Acton MBA in Entrepreneurship is a program where only the strong survive. With up to ten entrepreneur-teachers and forty students, the Acton MBAE has the lowest teacher-student ratio of any MBA program in the nation. We are a fully accredited MBA program through Hardin-Simmons University, but located in Austin, Texas.

Our program is useful for teachers & program leaders because they, themselves, may be looking to continue their entrepreneurial education or may know someone who wants to.

Forum for Women Entrepreneurs Institute- Texas (FWETexas)
Venture Quest

Deborah Comer, Program Director
FWE-Texas Institute
6560 Calais Drive
Dallas, TX 75254
972-960-0902
Fax: 972-960-2812
E-mail: Deborah_Comer©hotmail.com

Focus: The EWE-Texas Institute's goal is to work with girls in seventh and eighth grades to give them access to classes, workshops, clubs and camps in order to teach them about high-growth entrepreneurship and creative problem solving with an emphasis on technology solutions. Through our program called Venture Quest, we hope to help build a base of future leaders in entrepreneurship and technology.

Abstract: A report published by the American Association of University Women, Tech-Savvy: Educating Girls in the New Computer Age found that girls are grossly underrepresented in tech careers and upper level computer classes. By targeting girls in the seventh and eighth grades, we are reaching them at a critical point when they can still be influenced and inspired to pursue high school and college courses (and ultimately selecting careers) in the high tech and life sciences fields. Through Venture Quest, girls will gain knowledge, experience, and confidence in entrepreneurship, business, and technology that will direct them into careers in math, science, and technology, thus significantly increasing the number of women entering these fields.

Teachers, executives and administrators, whose girls currently represent diverse cultures and social and economic backgrounds, will nominate the candidates for the program. Our goal would be to maximize this diversity within the Venture Quest Program.

Initially, the pilot program will support 150 young girls in the seventh grade. Candidates for the program will be sourced from EWE-Texas member CEOs and a variety of middle schools and strategic organizations, such as Girl Scouts, YWCA, Girls Inc., The Women's Museum, What Mom Never Knew and Independent Means. In the second year, the pilot program will support 150 girls in the seventh grade and 150 girls in the eighth grade.

The curriculum content for Venture Quest will be delivered through a combination of live and online edutainment programs. The curriculum content is being designed in module-based formulas so that it can be easily replicated in the form of workshops or studio programs, after school programs, school elective programs, and camps. All of the offline-live programs will be complimented by an online interactive clubroom where girls interact with each other, with guest experts and explore multidimensional rooms designed to promote individual business and leadership skills. Business skill sets that will be learned include: Entrepreneurial, Business Structures, Enterprise Management Marketing Management, Operational Management, Financial Management, and Practical Business Application. Skills gained in professional and personal growth include: Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Articulating Ideas, Decision Making, Team Work, Creative Thinking, Organizational Skills, Taking Initiative, and Self Analysis in identifying their unique skills and strengths.

Venture Quest also aims to foster the Developmental Assets as identified in the study conducted by the Search Institute, a Minneapolis-based, nonprofit research and education organization specializing in children and youth issues. The study was conducted in cooperation with the Dallas Public Schools. More information can be found on the study at http://www.searchinstitute.org/assets.

The FWE-Texas Institute has a long-term perspective of creating a lasting, fundamental change in the girls that we serve. By utilizing computers, the Internet, and other technology mediums in our Venture Quest Program, the girls will gain permanent skills that can be used throughout their school. personal. and professional careers. Success will be measured by the following results: the number of girls who go on to high school and take the required college preparatory math and science classes; who utilize the Venture Quest Program online clubroom to continue learning and interacting; who take Advanced Placement Tests for business, technology and science; who are awarded application to Magnet High Schools for their interests and achievements in math, science and technology; who qualify as finalist in the National Business Plan Competition; who successfully raise venture funding from the investment-community.

Texas A and M University

Texas Teens Exploring Entrepreneurial Minds
Texas Agricultural Extension Service

Wilma Hall, Extension Associate
Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Texas A and M University
306 History Building
College Station, TX 77843-6496
979-862-1780
Fax 979-845-6496
Email: w-hall@tamu.edu
Web site: www.TTEEM.tamu.edu

Abstract: Texas Teens Exploring Entrepreneurial Minds is a state strengthening program based in three very diverse counties (Bexar, Brazos, and Starr). It is designed to equip at-risk youths with the knowledge and skills needed to become self-sufficient through entrepreneurial education while increasing the ability of families to become self-sufficient.

The program has supplied the counties with computers and Internet access for the youths. The connectivity has enabled the project to share greater accessibility with Extension and non-Extension resources, fostering greater and more effective impact. In one county we offered an entrepreneurial camp that was conducted by KidsWay.

Texas Agricultural Extension Service,
Target Texas Business

Pamela J. Brown, Assistant Professor
Extension Consumer Sciences Specialist
Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Route 3 Box 213AA,
Lubbock, TX 79403
806-746-4055
Fax: 806-746-4057
Email: p-brown@tamu.edu
Web site: http://fcs.tamu.edu/entrepreneurship

Abstract: The Texas Agricultural Extension Service serves extension educators and adults and youths throughout Texas interested in exploring entrepreneurial opportunities.

Target Texas Business (TTB) is a broad title that provides several avenues to teach entrepreneurial education in an outreach format. Training for extension educators is a 'train-the-trainer' approach to reaching 254 counties in Texas with business start-up education. The TTB program uses "Ca$hing in on Business Opportunities," a nationally developed Extension education publication that provides content, activities, handouts, and overheads for educator use.

TTB also includes a quarterly newsletter by the same name as a method of keeping Extension's network of educators up-to-date. Educational programs are usually planned and presented by a team of county educators and local resource people (i.e., SBDCs, bankers, etc.) to interested clientele. The TTB program also includes a youth component through a project called T-TEEMS, Texas Teens Explore Entrepreneurial Minds. In addition, training addresses entrepreneurial alternative agriculture.

The TTB program has been operational for four years. In that time, over 85 Extension educators have participated in entrepreneurial training and subsequently offered local citizens entrepreneurial education through workshops, seminars, and newsletters, reaching over 11,000 individuals in 84 counties. Extension agents participating in entrepreneurial training report greater confidence in teaching business start-up.

The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College

Rapid Deployment of Entrepreneurial Training on U.S.-Mexico Border

Mark Sorensen, Ed.D., Director of Continuing Education
The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
80 Fort Brown
Brownsville, TX 78520
956-574-6619
Fax: 956-541-1325
Email: msorensen@utb1.utb.edu

Focus: Four-year college/university

Abstract: This is a very successful entrepreneurial training program implemented for 60 and 65 high school students in 1999 and 2000. Students developed their own real small business in just seven weeks in this program.

Math lessons were integrated into the entrepreneurial activities when the students calculated profit margins, budgets, and cost ratios for business plans and other business reports. Reading lessons were taught as the students researched products and services, read secondary data during project feasibility studies, or read technical manuals. Writing lessons were included when the students wrote business plans and marketing studies. Career guidance in business and entrepreneurism was given during business career fairs, mentor relationships, and on-site business trips.

Techniques that were implemented to ramp up and "ramp down" the complex entrepreneurial training in just a seven-week timeframe are important. Lessons were learned that will be helpful to other entities interested in implementing practical entrepreneurial training with extensive academic training in reading, writing, and math embedded into the small business curricula.

Mark Sorensen is director of continuing education at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. In 1991–95 he was vice president for the Brownsville Economic Development Council in Texas.

Ysleta Independent School District

Student Entrepreneur Center: A Twenty-First Century Campus

Jimmie Faye Beall, Director
Student Entrepreneur Center
Ysleta Independent School Dist
8455 Alameda Ave
El Paso, TX 79907-6003

Focus: Elementary and junior and senior high school, community-based organizations, and private-sector partnership

Abstract: This program is an exciting "twenty-first-century venture" focused on the development of student workforce readiness and entrepreneurship skills, and will highlight the development and implementation, which involves students, business leaders, teachers, and parents. The Student Entrepreneur Center focuses on active student and community partnerships to provide entrepreneurship opportunities. Strategies for workforce preparation, global mindset development, and increasing levels of technology literacy for students, teachers, staff, parents, and the community will be presented.

As a major educational initiative, the Student Entrepreneur Center is a curriculum and hands-on laboratory. Students learn basic elements of business and then focus these elements on the development of numerous businesses and apply them in a marketplace. The performing and visual arts area is also a part of the center's vitality, using creative energy and innovation to launch new businesses in those areas. Academically, students engage in a curriculum that complements and dramatically extends current business course offerings.

Emphasis is on ownership, management, and other skills necessary to run a successful global enterprise. The second aspect of the center is the "International Mercado." The mercado is the laboratory where students apply knowledge to the "hands-on" experiences of running their own business. Students practice entrepreneurship as they market and sell their own products, which include arts and crafts, foodstuffs, and/or services.

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