Entrepreneurship Club Heads to Chicago!
Determination is the key to operating a successful business as per the experience of this year's Entrepreneurship class. Obstacle after obstacle was encountered with the vending business (Project S) and each time the class was able to jump the hurdle. With going to Chicago being the goal, problem solving skills led them to success.
Officers this year are: President - Jacob Bowman
Vice President - Nic Bair
Secretary - McKenzie Campbell
Co-Treasurers - 1st Sem. - Faith Schmalstieg & Jack Courtney
- 2nd Sem. - McKenzie Campbell & Jack Courtney
Inventory - Maria Coffey & Jordyn Johnston
Stockers - Rebecca Boyd & Sam Rainey
Advertisers - Zachary Coleman & Cassidy Tullis
Activities Director - Wyatt Hermann
Security - Jacob Copeland
In August these partners had to pay an outstanding bill of $1340.74 in addition to buying the start-up snacks to fill the machine for the 2014-15 school year. In September they had to pay half of the purchase price ($850) of the machine since it was rented in prior years. In October, the second half of the machine payment ($850) was made. After all of this, we finally began to see a profit, and we could see the possibility of going to Chicago. November rolled around, and the class began to plan the trip to Chicago. One of the biggest costs that the class had to consider was transportation, so the class began to look at multiple options, including school vans and the Amtrak train. December came, and the class began to decide what attractions they wanted to visit while in Chicago.
A new year came, but the challenges for the class continued. In January, the class checked on tickets for the Amtrak train, and total round trip prices had nearly doubled. The class also began to finalize where they wanted to visit while in Chicago. February arrived and the class finalized everything for their trip after getting BOE approval. The class decided to take school vans because it was the cheapest option. The class also booked three attractions to visit, The Shedd Aquarium, The Museum of Science and Industry, and Willis Tower, all online in another effort to reduce costs. March came, and the trip was a blast. The class watched a show at Shedd Aquarium, learned about everything imaginable in The Museum of Science and industry, and looked out over Chicago at 1,451 feet. The class is currently working on leaving at least $300 in the account for next year’s class, a feat that they will easily achieve.
All in all, the 2014-15 Entrepreneurship class faced many obstacles. This class kept pushing through at every turn, and learned several valuable lessons about finding the best deal, and learning how to stretch every hard earned dollar they made. View a few photos of the Chicago trip.