Schools

A Taste Of Business

Marshall High students culminate semester with global entrepreneurship week and 5-Star Market, to be held Dec. 9 and 10

Entrepreneruship students at Marshall Academy didn't just learn about how to start their own businesses this semester – today and tomorrow, they're running those businesses on their own.

More than 80 students from Marshall's DECA chapter, part of the national non-profit organization that fosters student interest in marketing, management and entrepreneurship, will set up student-operated "businesses" Dec. 9 and 10 at the "5-Star Market" in Marshall High School's cafeteria.

The event will feature students selling cell phone and media cases, brand name perfumes, winter hats, necklaces and bracelets, earrings, scarves, sunglasses, among others.

Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It allows our DECA members who are in these classes to try out their marketing skill and promote what entrepreneurship is,  to both their fellow students at the school and outside of school community,"DECA advisor Jen Hendrickson said.

The market followed the program's global entrepreneurship week in November, where students learned about the history of entrepreneurship, franchises, branding and  current market conditions, through activities and from local business owners.

Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Throughout the semester, students worked to do market research, and at the end of that week, the students traveled to New York City's wholesale district.  Each pair of students had $50, provided by the FATE foundation, to purchase items to sell at the market.

"It's a phenomenal opportunity to take what we're talking about in the classroom and apply it in a real way," Hendrickson said. " They have a fantastic time going through that experience."

When they returned, they had two weeks to develop a business plan,  promote their product and set prices in preparation for the fair.

After paying back their initial investment of $50, students will split profits from the sale will with the DECA program, which will donate some of it to charity and keep the rest for future activities and competitions. 

It taught students to develop a buying strategy, purchase inventory and negotiate prices, Hendrickson said.

This is the second year that DECA has done the program, and in that time the participation has doubled. By taking the Marshall Academy class associated with the program, students are also dual enrolling at Northern Virginia Community College. They earn one high school credit and three college credits, Hendrickson said.

"We're going to continue to see that kind of growth happen," she said.

 

The 5-Star Market will run from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. on Dec. 9 and 10 in the Marshall High School cafeteria.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here