Your Student-Run Business is an Essential Laboratory

Imagine you are touring a new school as a prospective family–as you walk around the campus, the admissions team raves about the programming offered and how they are differentiated from other private schools in the area. When they get to the swim program, they stop and explain how in-depth their instructors get on each stroke and maximizing efficiency in the water.

“So,” you ask, looking around, “where’s the pool?”

“Oh,” they say, with a proud look, “we don’t actually get in the water with our swim program–we focus on the theoretical.”

As ridiculous as this example is, it is likewise a complete miss if a school offers entrepreneurship as a class or a program without creating the opportunity for a student-run business on the campus.

Having a student-run business creates a necessary laboratory for students to test, in real time, the ideas and strategies inherent in the entrepreneurial mindset. At the core, thinking like an entrepreneur means solving problems, and a business as a laboratory presents problem after problem that can be solved with systems thinking.

Imagine the classic student-run coffee bar:

Problem - we’ve run out of cups. Solution - we need a system to track inventory and we need to train our team on implementing this system.

Problem - there is inconsistency in our drink quality throughout the day. Solution - we need a stronger training program and better accountability.

When students have a laboratory to test their systems approach to problem solving, they begin to understand the difference between reactive and proactive thinking. In addition, they are able to create long-term goals which, with the right amount of follow through, directly contribute to the development of grit.

In short, having a student-run business on your campus is about more than adding a stop to your admissions tour–it is about creating an unbelievable student learning experience.

Ready to start a business on your campus?

Learn More about the 2025 CHCA Entrepreneurship Symposium

It’s official–the 2025 CHCA Entrepreneurship Symposium is returning on March 6-7, 2025, and this event is perfect for heads of school, principals, curriculum directors, and lead teachers–we highly recommend bringing at least three people from your school.

Anyone who signs up during the month of October can use the early bird discount (code is EARLYBIRD)  to receive 10% off the registration fee. Don’t wait to get your spot at this limited seating event–last year’s event sold out.