JA Be Entrepreneurial®
JA Be Entrepreneurial introduces students to the essential elements of a practical business plan and then challenges them to start an entrepreneurial venture while still in high school. JA Be Entrepreneurial consists of seven 45-minute volunteer-led sessions. Students will learn about advertising, competitive advantages, financing, marketing, and product development.
Session One: Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Students are introduced to the elements of successful business start-ups, myths and facts about entrepreneurship, and early product development.
The students will be able to:
- Recognize the elements of a successful business start-up.
- Evaluate myths and facts about entrepreneurship.
- Consider product development options.
Session Two: What’s My Business?
Students continue to develop their product or service idea by analyzing various sources of successful entrepreneurial ventures, culminating in their selection of a product or service as the basis of their business plan.
The students will be able to:
- Recognize the importance of carefully selecting their product or service before starting their business.
- Apply their passions, talents, and skills to a market needs assessment to determine the basis of their business plan.
Session Three: Who’s My Customer?
Students examine how market needs and demographics contribute to successful entrepreneurial ventures.
The students will be able to:
- Recognize the importance of analyzing their market.
- Apply a needs assessment to the market available to a specific product.
Session Four: What’s My Advantage?
Students learn the importance of intentionally selecting and applying competitive advantages to an entrepreneurial venture.
The students will be able to:
- Define competitive advantages and recognize them in other businesses.
- Demonstrate the importance of selecting competitive advantages that give their product and market an edge on the competition.
Session Five: Competitive Advantages
Students apply competitive advantages to entrepreneurial ventures.
The students will be able to:
- Evaluate competitive advantages.
- Select competitive advantages that drive a developing business venture.
Session Six: Ethics Are Good For Business
Students learn to anticipate ethical dilemmas and consider consequences in making ethical business decisions.
The students will be able to:
- Evaluate short- and long-term consequences in making ethical decisions.
- Express that being ethical can be good for business.
Session Seven: The Business Plan
Students apply the six elements of successful start-ups for their products and services.
The students will be able to:
- Compile entrepreneurial elements into a sample business plan.