Young Minds, Big Business: Elementary Students Take the Lead at Student Entrepreneur Event

At Dena’ina Elementary School, the next generation of small businesses and Fortune 500 leaders aren’t waiting for graduation, or even high school; they’re already turning their hobbies and passions into cold, hard cash, trading their backpacks for business cards during the school’s first-ever Student Entrepreneur Night on January 29.

24 booths of students-helmed businesses were set up as they, overseen by their parents, sold everything from tasty treats and sourdough starts to handcrafted book markers and stickers.

And while some kids had plans for the money they were making, others were undecided and planned to save the money for something big later on.

The businesses ranged from crafts, book marks, felt work, stuffies, etched glass pieces, candy, 3-D crafted items, wood, sourdough, and fudge. Rock Solid Dog Kennels were on hand to offer sled dog rides.

The idea came from teacher Christina Weiland, after seeing the success of similar events at Pioneer Peak and Larson Elementary Schools last year.

“It’s a learning experience, but I’m hoping everyone had fun, too.”

The event served as a fundraiser for preschool programs, which came from the booth rentals, while the students got to keep the profits for themselves.

“The kids came up with business names, posters, prices, it’s all them,” Weiland said, acknowledging that some needed support from parents, but for the most part, the students were doing it on the work on their own.

Of course, it wasn’t all fun. There was learning involved that overlapped different subjects, including math, reading and art. But also turning ideas into action, fostering creativity, problem-solving, boosting confidence, and socialization skills

“This was a really cool event and I’m excited to bring it to the school this year,” said Weiland.

Weiland says that the event also gives some of the students a purpose, a realization that they might have a new interest, an out-of-the-box idea to share, or even a new way to raise funds for a goal.

“I wanted money so I could buy something cool,” said Callahan Wilber who, alongside his brother, Russell, was running a bakery booth, aptly named RC Bakery. The boys baked and sold cookies, brownies, muffins.

Their mother Clarissa said the event was a great idea. “This is great for skill building. It is amazing.”

Parker Gossett, who was hard at work creating more bracelets and necklaces to sell, is not new to the entrepreneurial game as dad Tim explained that she and her friends also set up an outdoor booth in Talkeetna during the summer, says she doesn’t know what she will do with any money she makes, just plans to save it.

The same goes for second-grader Brylee, who was selling dozens of bookmarkers that she and her mother crafted at home, and was planning for the long-term. “I’m just basically saving money and I’m going to find something cool later in my life to buy.” She said without hesitation that she would participate next year. “It’s fun.”

“It’s a learning experience, but I’m hoping everyone had fun, too,” said Weiland.