Back to Business: High school program sees students run their own business

“It is authentic there is nothing artificial about it. Students understand that there are no half-hearted efforts here because people are buying products and people are expecting quality with the money that they spend. So they really do understand that this is a real-life experience and this is a real business that we are running here,” Richi said.

From laser engraving to vinyl cutting, the program teaches kids real-world skills on how to build and sell products that cater to the prairie rose family. Products range from Eagle Butte sweatshirts to t-shirts, even water bottles and cutting boards. They are then posted on their online store, Badlands Cre8tions.

“Oh it’s way more fun than math class. Way better,” said student Kannan Stickel.

Stickel has been in the course for a few years.

“I like how it is very practical. We have what we call Mentor Mondays where we actually get real business owners to come in and talk about the challenges and opportunities of running a real-life business,” he said.

Some students like Grade 10 Student Eli Anderson are even taking the leap towards business ownership themselves.

“I came up with some characters in Grade 7, and now I am launching a t-shirt, and stickers and a water bottles business of my own,” he said.

Lately, Anderson has been busy putting together his designs.

“It’s not that hard. You draw the characters, then you bring them to Adobe Illustrator. You cut lines and then you print them and put them on a shirt,” he said.

All to create that business of his dreams before he even graduates. Thanks to some help from his school.

“It means a lot because I couldn’t do it on my own,” he said.

by Tiffany Goodwein

Back to Business: High school program sees students run their own business

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