Entrepreneurship is the newest trend among young adults, as many have begun creating their own brands and products. The appeal of controlling your own income and work schedule has Madison students taking an interest and many currently run their own businesses.
From sweet treats to slime, you can buy anything from these students. Madison’s entrepreneurship classes are very involved in student-owned businesses and host many projects for these students to participate in throughout the school year. For example, the Entrepreneurship 1 students take part in a holiday market in December so that students could sell their products, while Entrepreneurship 2 students manage two ongoing businesses at Madison: Warhawk Customs and the Madison Spirit Box.
Eve Sanford (’24) is currently enrolled in Dual Enrollment (DE) Entrepreneurship at Madison. According to Sanford, a typical entrepreneurship class starts with a lesson, which teaches the students a new skill and a practice assignment, usually a worksheet, project or group activity. In December, the project they were given was a holiday market. This project allowed students to get hands-on experience designing, creating and advertising a business that sold their products.
“The hardest part of creating our business was advertising our business in a way that would directly appeal to our target audiences: high school students and teachers,” Sanford said.
Sanford’s group created Slime for the Seasons, a one-time slime business intended for high schoolers and teachers to buy for themselves or gift to others for the upcoming holidays. Sanford believes this project was challenging, but successful. Her business sold out of their product and she gained very valuable skills such as managing finances, working with a team to reach one goal and advertising for a business. Her inspiration came from making slimes during her childhood, a not uncommon path for entrepreneurs.
“We wanted to keep our brand aesthetic, cute and trendy while also making our customers nostalgic for their elementary school slime phase,” Sanford said.
Sara Lo (’24) and Salma Simab (’24) run Cocolimes Sweet Shop, a local dessert shop that sells sweet treats for any occasion. Their business started with similar intentions as Sanford, it was something they grew up doing together. During the pandemic Lo and Simab wanted to fill all the new free time they had, so they decided to start selling their desserts. Since then, they have kept their business running.
“We thought we could make some extra money, keep ourselves busy, and pursue something we were passionate about,” Lo and Simab said. “In a time when social contact was limited, small things like cookies and cupcakes brought smiles to people’s faces.”
As enjoyable as this business has been for both of them, they also believe they have gained valuable skills that they can use in future jobs. One of these skills is how to be an entrepreneur. Lo and Simab believe that they would not be who they are today without CoColime.
“Cocolime has prepared us tremendously for our future,” Lo said. “We are both interested in pursuing business and this has definitely encouraged us even further. It has taught us skills of communication, work ethic and organization.”
The Entrepreneurship classes at Madison also teach these skills and are a big hit for student business owners. Many business owners who are enrolled in these classes believe they have gained many useful skills when it comes to running their businesses. Whether it’s financing, advertising or working with a team, these classes are helpful and enjoyable for students.
As you are completing your academic advising this year, consider signing up for one of the many entrepreneurship classes offered.
“I have loved both of the marketing classes I’ve taken as they have set me up for success and taught me helpful life skills that I can apply to many aspects of my life, both in and out of school,” Sanford said.