On March 12th, Carrollwood Day School's Elementary Courtyard transformed into a vibrant marketplace, buzzing with excitement and creativity as our fifth-grade entrepreneurs showcased their businesses. Tables lined the halls of the courtyard, each representing the culmination of weeks of hard work, collaboration, and innovation.
As part of their business and economics unit, students embarked on a journey to turn their business ideas into reality. They worked together to brainstorm, identify shared interests, and decide on the products they would create and sell. But before crafting their goods, these young visionaries conducted market research, surveying students in grades one through four to identify trending interests. They analyzed their findings, graphing results to guide their product development decisions.
Each business team carefully constructed a business plan, complete with a company name and mission statement. They produced commercials to promote their products, presenting them to the elementary student body to generate excitement for the big day. Budgeting was a key component of the project. Each business was given a $100 budget to purchase materials and cover fees. This allowed them to produce enough goods for 250 customers while simulating real-world startup expenses, such as booth and supply rentals.
The excitement reached its peak on Young Entrepreneurs Day, as elementary students flocked to the courtyard to spend their tickets and support their peers' businesses. The event not only provided a fun-filled experience but also offered invaluable lessons in financial literacy, teamwork, and adaptability.
The student businesses were a hit, with each team bringing their unique vision to life:
The Blazing Dice crafted an entire game set, complete with a logo, instructions, cards, and even a keepsake finger puppet. Their hard work paid off: “We wanted to create an enterprise, and we succeeded.”
Cosmic Cards attracted swarms of buyers, their booth alive with energy. “They liked our commercial,” the team proudly shared, reflecting on their successful marketing strategy.
Catapult Co. thrilled their customers with handcrafted catapults. “Boys and girls love our catapults, and catapults are mechanics. So boys and girls are loving mechanics! We have sold 105 tickets worth in the last five minutes!”
Cute Candles discovered an untapped market through their research. “We did our research and found out that candles were something that had never been sold before at YED. And people voted that that’s what they wanted. We are almost sold out!”
Loom Warriors exemplified strategic planning, proudly sharing, “We only spent $60 of our $100 budget!” as they used a break log to organize their work schedule.
Sticker Studios added an element of surprise with their tiered sticker packets — legendary, rare, epic, and common. “People want the legendary stickers because there were only five made, so they keep buying!” they exclaimed, embodying their company’s mission to “Be a risk taker!”
This immersive experience is just one of the ways CDS nurtures future leaders. Our students also participate in JA BizTown, a hands-on program that introduces them to the complexities of running a city, managing finances, and understanding commerce. This partnership with Junior Achievement enhances their entrepreneurial education, giving them practical insights into the business world and reinforcing the skills they develop during their classroom projects.
At Carrollwood Day School, we are committed to preparing students for success from a young age. By blending real-world experiences like Young Entrepreneurs Day with programs like JA BizTown, we inspire our students to dream big, think critically, and develop the confidence to become the innovators and changemakers of tomorrow.
Click HERE to see more pictures of Young Entrepreneurs Day, and HERE to learn more about the businesses our students created.