WEST SHORE – This spring, Junior Achievement of British Columbia (JA) partnered with the WestShore Chamber of Commerce to bring real world business knowledge into eight Grade 6 classes at Spencer Middle School. Members of the WestShore Chamber volunteered their time to introduce students to business so students could create a business of their own from inside their classroom.
“We get to learn now what it would be like to handle a business and be the boss,” Grade 6 Spencer Middle School Student.
JA’s A Business of Our Own is a five-part program that guides students through the process of planning and operating a small retail business from within the school. Students work together in teams and with guidance and mentorship from the business community, they gain hands-on business planning and operations experience.
“JA programs like A Business of Our Own help to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders,” said Deborah Wakeham, Regional Manager of JA British Columbia – Vancouver Island. “What these students learn from local business professionals will help to support the future of business in the community and throughout the region.” And from the Chamber’s perspective, hopefully encourage future Chamber members!
Students select a product, a location, arrange a promotional campaign, oversee the financial aspects, and eventually operate their business. A Business of Our Own is provided by JA at no cost to the students and I’d like to thank the following Chamber members who volunteered in the classroom to facilitate the JA lessons and share their knowledge and experience with students: Jackson Wagner of North of Hadrian’s Kilts and Celtic Clothing; Stephan LaPierre of Stelap Consulting & FrogWash; Valorie Logan & Kari Brewer of Vancity Credit Union – Langford Community Branch; Mike Reilly of Freedom 55 Financial & Quadrus Investments; Alexander Drury-Singh & Jonah Neukomm of Student Works Painting; Jessica Salema of Cabello Salon and Daniel Hegg of Stantec Consulting.
“I like Junior Achievement because it prepares us for the future and teaches us what to expect if one of us ever opens up our own business. It’s important to know about this stuff. It’s made me confident that I can open a business of my own someday!” Grade 6 Spencer Middle School Student.
2016 marks the sixth year that JA has brought A Business of Our Own to students at the Spencer Middle School. Junior Achievement is the world’s largest not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating young people about business. JA programs serve youth in grades 5 through 12 and are designed around three pillars: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. For more information, please contact Deborah.wakeham@jabc.org
For more information on the WestShore Chamber of Commerce, please go to www.westshore.bc.ca, and thank you to Deborah Wakeman for her substantial contribution to this article.
– Julie Lawlor is the Executive Director at the WestShore Chamber of Commerce.
You can reach her at 250-478-1130 or jlawlor@westshore.bc.ca.
