Dr. Jensen, Meghan, Becca, Erika, Caleb, and I took a visit to the Stann Creek Junior Ecumenical College to be the judges for their business competition. The Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College is a comprehensive community college offering a wide range of academic programs with emphasis on Arts, Business and Science orientation.
The business students we were evaluating split up into two groups and had to create a real life business plan. The first group made a “Butterfly Tour”. Their business pitch was to clean-up an abandoned forest right near their school and make a path through the forest. The tour would include bird watching, knowledge about different types of trees and a butterfly house at the end. The team also planned to have a kids playhouse and a snack bar selling fresh fruit juice and salads. The team designed uniforms, a model of the envisioned butterfly tour, business cards, and brochures. The second group wanted to create a “Gourmet Coffee Shop” which would be located in the heart of Stann Creek and offer multiple coffee drinks and pastries. The group also had calculated profits for the day, menus, a model of the coffee shop, and designed uniforms.
After each group presented we had to deliberate as judges as to which plan seemed more realistic. After a while of judging we decided to award it to the Butterfly Tour because their startup costs were a lot more affordable and their business plan was more in depth. It was very interesting working with an upper level group of kids who have such big dreams of having their own business. We awarded both groups with Arkansas Razorback t-shirts and I’m glad I got to be part of their competition.
-Julie
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