At least, to a group of business-savvy teenagers we did.
On March 14, a group of 23 bright young students in Calgary, AB hosted a "MarketDay" during which they raised $928.18 by marketing and selling their own homemade wares. They voted on which Canadian charity would receive their hard-earned cash - and Food for the Hungry Canada won!
MarketDay Adventures, created by Leona Marks, is a fascinating curriculum designed for grades 6 - 12 that introduces teenagers to the ins and outs of entrepreneurship in a real setting, complete with hands-on experience, that can be taught to a wide range of young people. This particular group of generous teenagers are home school students who all participate in a weekly "Community Connections" program where they get together for group activities focused on art, music, PE, drama, etc.
It was a perfect climate to introduce MarketDay. In a span of just nine weeks, the students were led through the rigours of choosing a product (often self-made), researching and marketing it, creating a business plan, budgeting, and advertising. The course culminated in a real storefront with real products, customers, and sales in a market setting. And at the end of the day, the students held real money in their hands.
But this process isn't just about learning how to make money; MarketDay goes beyond traditional entrepreneurship models by teaching the students about global poverty issues. At the same time as they're learning budgeting and advertising, the students are introduced to the challenges that the poor face in the developing world. They learn how entrepreneurship, mirco-loans, and the development of sustainable economic programs and businesses can help the poor sustainably alleviate their own poverty (sounds awfully familiar...).
Through MarketDay, students learn that people need a hand-up, not a hand-out, and that entrepreneurship can give people the chance to work their way out of poverty with dignity and hope. And they learn the social responsibility aspect of business as they are taught how to choose a "charity" to support that matches their business model.
On March 14, they opened 10 stores to the public. Customers enjoyed ice cream floats and sweet treats, shopped for survival bracelets and fire starters, browsed through book marks, key chains and necklaces, perused fun gift cards, modern decorator blocks, beautiful candles, creative picture frames, and, of course, duct tape products. One particularly gifted artist sold his award winning art as cards and prints.
At closing time, the students counted out all their loans, paid all their expenses, and still had nearly $1000 to donate to their Charity of Choice.
We at FH Canada are humbled and delighted that we were chosen by these young entrepreneurs in Calgary to be the grateful recipients of their generous donation to further the fight against poverty and equip more of the world's poor with the skills and resources to develop their own small businesses.
Help more people around the globe become successful entrepreneurs:
LEARN MORE
 |
| THESE BOYS ARE READY TO MAKE A SALE! |
On March 14, a group of 23 bright young students in Calgary, AB hosted a "MarketDay" during which they raised $928.18 by marketing and selling their own homemade wares. They voted on which Canadian charity would receive their hard-earned cash - and Food for the Hungry Canada won!
MarketDay Adventures, created by Leona Marks, is a fascinating curriculum designed for grades 6 - 12 that introduces teenagers to the ins and outs of entrepreneurship in a real setting, complete with hands-on experience, that can be taught to a wide range of young people. This particular group of generous teenagers are home school students who all participate in a weekly "Community Connections" program where they get together for group activities focused on art, music, PE, drama, etc.
It was a perfect climate to introduce MarketDay. In a span of just nine weeks, the students were led through the rigours of choosing a product (often self-made), researching and marketing it, creating a business plan, budgeting, and advertising. The course culminated in a real storefront with real products, customers, and sales in a market setting. And at the end of the day, the students held real money in their hands.
But this process isn't just about learning how to make money; MarketDay goes beyond traditional entrepreneurship models by teaching the students about global poverty issues. At the same time as they're learning budgeting and advertising, the students are introduced to the challenges that the poor face in the developing world. They learn how entrepreneurship, mirco-loans, and the development of sustainable economic programs and businesses can help the poor sustainably alleviate their own poverty (sounds awfully familiar...).
Through MarketDay, students learn that people need a hand-up, not a hand-out, and that entrepreneurship can give people the chance to work their way out of poverty with dignity and hope. And they learn the social responsibility aspect of business as they are taught how to choose a "charity" to support that matches their business model.
On March 14, they opened 10 stores to the public. Customers enjoyed ice cream floats and sweet treats, shopped for survival bracelets and fire starters, browsed through book marks, key chains and necklaces, perused fun gift cards, modern decorator blocks, beautiful candles, creative picture frames, and, of course, duct tape products. One particularly gifted artist sold his award winning art as cards and prints.
At closing time, the students counted out all their loans, paid all their expenses, and still had nearly $1000 to donate to their Charity of Choice.
We at FH Canada are humbled and delighted that we were chosen by these young entrepreneurs in Calgary to be the grateful recipients of their generous donation to further the fight against poverty and equip more of the world's poor with the skills and resources to develop their own small businesses.
Help more people around the globe become successful entrepreneurs:
LEARN MORE
 |
| GORGEOUS HOMEMADE CANDLES |
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| SELLING HIS PRIZE-WINNING ART PRINTS |
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| WHO COULD SAY NO TO THESE FACES? |
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| THE MASTERMINDS BEHIND THE CREATIVE PICTURE FRAMES |
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| BRACELETS, ANYONE? |
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| SHOPPING DEFINITELY MAKES YOU THIRSTY |
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| MODERN HOME DECORATING BLOCKS |
