Think Like A CEO!
What do a business idea, a team of students and a panel of judges have in common? They're all part of the entrepreneurship experience at Vestavia Hills High School! The class gives students the opportunity to explore the process of starting and developing a business. Through hands-on projects, collaboration and real-world business concepts, students experience what it takes to develop an idea and bring it to market.
Taught by Mr. Davenport, the course begins with a simple question: What problems do people face that could be solved with a new product or service? Students identify frustrations in their everyday lives or challenges they notice others experiencing. After sharing and voting on ideas as a class, students form teams and spend the rest of the school year developing potential solutions.
However, coming up with an idea is only the beginning. Throughout the course, students conduct research, interview potential customers, study competitors and identify target markets. They also learn how to develop marketing strategies and consider the financial aspects of starting and operating a business.
Marek Mangina, a student in the class, said one of the most important things he learned was how much planning goes into making a business successful. "I learned that most businesses often take years to start making a profit and that a lot don't even make it," Mangina said. "I also learned everything a business might need to be successful, like finding a market/target audience, what sets a product apart from its competitors, and what it costs to make the product and then how much should you sell it for."
The class also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication. Many assignments involve presentations, giving students opportunities to practice public speaking and explain their ideas to others. Students also learn that a successful business requires more than simply having an interesting product. They must understand the problem they are solving and convince potential customers that their solution is worth investing in.
Aadi Agarwal, another student in the course, said the class changed the way he thinks about selling a product. "The most valuable lesson I learned was the idea that writing down a problem solves 50% of it, because many times problems stem from lack of organization," Agarwal said. He also explained that he realized a person could sell almost anything if they present it as a solution to a consumer's problem rather than simply another product to purchase.
One of the most memorable parts of the course is the annual VHHS Final Pitch competition. At the end of the school year, student teams present their business ideas to a panel of community judges in a Shark Tank-style event. After spending months researching and developing their concepts, students have the opportunity to pitch their ideas and respond to questions from the judges.
Last year's winning team, which included Agarwal and Mangina, developed Heliosfer, a solar-powered air conditioning unit designed to fit into a car's sunroof. Their idea addressed the issue of pets being left in unattended vehicles and the potential dangers of rising temperatures inside cars. The proposed device would use solar energy to cool the vehicle independently of its electrical system. It would also allow users to monitor the temperature inside their cars through their phones and use an internal camera to check on their pets.
Beyond the final project, Mr. Davenport hopes students leave the course understanding that entrepreneurship is not something they have to wait until adulthood to pursue. Even as high school students, they can identify problems, develop solutions and potentially start businesses before graduating. "I want students to leave the class believing that they can take action on their ideas rather than simply waiting for someone else to solve a problem," Davenport said.
Whether students eventually pursue business ownership, attend college or enter the workforce, the course aims to develop skills that extend beyond entrepreneurship, including critical thinking, creativity, communication and initiative. By the end of the year, students gain a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes of a business and what it takes to turn an idea into something more.
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