by Taylor Timinskas, ’18

For the 2017-2018 academic year, a new club was introduced to the Upper School. The Entrepreneurship and Business Management club provides a new platform for our students to create their own start-ups. The club uses a year-long process to help individuals or teams to develop, launch, and improve their own businesses with the goal of being financially successful. Each member has the opportunity to explore any business plan of their choice that solves some existing problem or fills some consumer want or need.  Although entrepreneurship is known to be a risky and challenging process, its benefits– no matter if you succeed or fail– can make for fun learning opportunities.

The club members are currently in the development stage and have already come up with some brilliant ideas. Some ideas include a pop-up concession stand, a microchipping implant to monitor blood pressure, and an app to customize city travel experiences. With such a smart and creative membership, the ideas are all exceptionally unique– although consequently challenging. A lot of hard work is going to have to be put in, and each business plan has to be flexible. Along with that flexibility comes increased independent time to work outside of club time. Eventually, the club hopes to host the school’s first Business Fair when the entrepreneurs are ready to present or sell their product or service right here in the Cary Academy community. Having a supportive base here would make a big difference for these growing businesses in their beginning stages. These exciting ventures have helped form the foundation for a collaborative, immersive community that will help entrepreneurs grow here for years to come, and there is always an invitation for any student interested in becoming a member.

Although this is the main focus of the club, its most important learning curve is the development of the innovative life skills that entrepreneurship teaches students. Problem solving, innovation, creativity, and leadership all stem from the entrepreneurial process. By increasing the opportunity for students to develop these skills through this club, a positive difference can be made for both current academic ventures and eventually in the working world.