Monday July 20th, 2015

First Day of camp!! 

This was an exciting day, our class got to know each other, discussed our goals, got into teams, and started working on our business plans. We'll continue to work on our an area of our business each day with a goal of presenting what we've learned at the end of class on Friday for our new business seminar! We encourage all parents and friends to come along and see the students portfolio's which will include their business plan, brand image, marketing plan, as well as their business cards and flyers. 

Introduction 

• Class structure and overview 
• Class expectations 
• Student survey

Class Structure, Overview, and Expectations

• Class discusses daily objectives and schedule, as well as the final class goal and purpose. 
• Students are expected to participate and work with other classmates in lesson activities. 
• Students can expect to learn about starting a business and have a portfolio at the end of the week to showcase.
• A little about Ms. Adrienne and Ms. Adrienne's business experience. 

Student Survey

Students complete a short survey in class to help gauge their interest in business, their business goals, as well as their interest in design. 

New Lesson - The Plan

• Lecture on what it takes to start a business, making a business plan, and examples of familiar business brands/ images. 
• Class learns what important questions to ask when thinking about starting a business
• Why are we starting this business? What is our purpose, mission, milestones, and goals? (See Business Plan Worksheet handout, pages 1 - 4)
• What type of business are we looking to start? What image are we trying to convey with our brand, products, services?
• Who are we serving or helping (shareholders, audience, target market)?
• How are we different than our competitors? Are better, equal, worse? What are we adding? Is there a gap we are trying to fill?
• Where are we based, located, serving? 
• Where is our money coming from? How much do we have now, how much do we need to do x, y, z? Do we need a loan? What's the best way to get money?
• Examples of brand images, marketing campaigns, and strategies of familiar companies.  

Lesson Activity - Start-Up

• Students split into teams of 2 -3 individuals. 
• Business Plan and Developing Business Idea Worksheets handed out to each group. Worksheets prompted students to think about their business type, make a business plan, select team roles, outline budget and finances, discuss the business size, decide target market and create a marketing plan that includes brand images and logos, discuss business purpose, mission, milestones, and goals, business ethics.
• Students work out their business plans in their teams and discuss their decisions in class with the other teams. 

Look Ahead at the Week's Objectives 

• Discuss how each day will go and what they are to expect from class, and what is expected of them.