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Twenty businesses opened their doors to customers at the annual Califon School TREP$ Marketplace on Friday, March 24, 2017. Each of the business owners spent the past few weeks developing their businesses from just a simple idea into their final version the night of the Marketplace. Students learned many things about entrepreneurship throughout the process.
During the TREP$ program, students were able to learn how to develop their ideas into potential businesses, advertise their product or service, price their product to help them “break even” or make a profit, and set up their displays to truly promote their product. During the process, the entrepreneurs were able to meet with local business owners and TREP$ alumni to discuss their ideas and show off samples of their products. The students were then able to refine their original business ideas before submitting t heir final business plan for approval.
On the night of the Marketplace, customers were able to purchase many items from multiple businesses. While all students did a fantastic job, some of the night’s highlights and most talked about businesses included hand sewn pillows from The Pillow Pantry, herb gardens from Nora’s Garden Emporium, and custom made local items from Califon Rocks!
The TREP$ initiative is designed to serve as an inspiration for young people to think creatively and to put their ideas into action by creating a business. “Educating our young people about entrepreneurship and reinforcing the value that entrepreneurs and innovators bring to our economy is critical to America’s long-term prosperity – more so now than ever before,” said Carl Schramm, president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
According to Kauffman Foundation research, 41 percent of children ages 9 -12 say they would like to start their own business. “Young people have a natural desire for the independence and control that comes with owning a business and being their own boss,” Schramm said. TREP$ co-founder, Hayley Romano, added, “TREP$ takes that desire and turns it into a concrete learning experience from which the kids benefit in so many ways.” Pamela deWaal, Romano’s partner, agreed. “Entrepreneurship education through TREP$ is an empowering self-esteem builder that gives kids a greater sense of control over their lives and futures,” deWaal said (who stopped by to meet and interact with our Califon students). “With the support of the community, the young participants of TREP$ will learn the value of creativity, motivation, and hard work.”
Thank you to all that came out that evening to support our young entrepreneurs in the Califon community! Thank you to the local business owners who have shown support for the program! More information about the program can be found at www.califonschool.org or www.trepsed.com . You may also contact Matt Zimmerman (mzimmerman@califonschool.org ) or Marie Heyduke (mheyduke@califonschool.org ), the TREP$ Advisors from Califon School with questions and comments.
Last modified: January 2, 2019
