Pitch to Profit: Student Entrepreneurs Bring Businesses to Life

Ideas Become Inventory

The project began with sparks of inspiration as students crafted their product ideas into thoughtful business plans. Through market research, product development, and pitching their concepts to potential investors—including classmates and staff—the student entrepreneurs gained hands-on experience in every step of the business process.

After the initial business planning and research, students brought their ideas to life. The business offerings ranged from microchip necklaces to 3D figures to custom jewelry. In the process of building inventory, students learned about the cost of goods sold, overhead expenses, and pricing strategies.

Fair Day Sales

Students set up shop in the Learning Resource Center and sold their products to students and staff throughout the day. “While not every business turned a profit, my hope is that this entire process has taught them to think like an entrepreneur. Failures are not fatal, and pivoting can lead to new opportunities,” shared Entrepreneurship class instructor Michelle Haythe.

The mini-business Fantastica, created by Savanna O’Brien, a Digital Media Design senior from Southeastern High School, walked away with the highest profit margin of the day. Inspired by her business tagline, “Be Your Own You,” shoppers were encouraged to express their own personalities through her unique inventory of items including handmade jewelry, keychains, and stickers.

Proceeds from each business’s sales will fund startup supplies for next year’s Entrepreneurship class businesses.

Events like the Entrepreneurship Fair provide a meaningful experience for students to test their skills, embrace challenges, and grow as professionals. CTC gets students ready — Career Ready, College Ready, Life Ready.

Participating Student Businesses

• Printables - 3D printed rings and figurines
  • Liam Sweeney - a Software Programming Technologies senior from Greenon High School
• The Wood Shop - wood crosses
  • Caden Hoffman - a Carpentry senior from Tecumseh High School
  • Sebastian Howard - a Cybersecurity senior from Tecumseh High School
  • Jacob Gibson - a Carpentry senior from Tecumseh High School
• Charming & Co - customizable bracelets and badge reels
  • Neva Johnson - an Engineering & Architectural Design junior from Springfield High School
  • Yuri Chavez - a Computer Graphic Arts senior from Tecumseh High School
  • Katelyn Boles - a Cosmetology senior from Northwestern High School
• Fantastica - Be Your Own You and express your personality through fashionable accessories like jewelry, stickers, and keychains
  • Savanna O'Brien - a Digital Media Design senior from Southeastern High School
• Flickering Fantasys - All-natural candles
  • Matthew Price - a Forestry & Park Management senior from Southeastern High School
• Plunch-oh - Punch Pillows that you can punch and sleep comfortably on
  • Griffin Sweeney - a Cybersecurity senior from Greenon High School
• Merry Moments - Festive holiday ornaments
  • Braden Malone - an Engineering & Architectural Design junior from Northeastern High School
  • Tatum Morris - a Health Occupations junior from Kenton Ridge High School
• Chiplaces - Unique necklaces featuring computer CPUs
  • Ronald Sullivan - a Software Programming Technologies senior from Tecumseh High School
• Fizz Fresh - Handcrafted sodas
  • Jacob Self - a Forestry & Park Management senior from Greenon High School
  • Jadyn Davis - a Forestry & Park Management senior from Springfield School of Innovation
  • River Gingrich - a Software Programming Technologies senior from Tecumseh High School
• RockyRoad - Hand-painted rock friends
  • Hunter Brady - a Job Training senior from Northwestern High School
• BCK Cocoa - Hot chocolate mason jar sets
  • Kaiden Crossley - a Carpentry senior from Shawnee High School
  • Caleb Roberts - a Carpentry senior from Kenton Ridge High School
  • Brennan Workman - a Carpentry senior from Southeastern High School