Students in Midway High School’s Practicum of Business Management class are learning firsthand what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
Over 10 weeks, students created three businesses—a clothing brand, a food service cafe, and a video company—utilizing school resources and facilities to bring their entrepreneurial ideas to life.
“It gave us a little taste of starting a business,” senior Eli Vallejo said. “It gave us a glimpse of what we need, what to expect, and how we would help it grow.”
The class also hosted a series of guest speakers in partnership with Startup Waco, a local nonprofit dedicated to fostering economic growth by supporting entrepreneurs and providing programs and resources to local businesses.
“When the speakers came in, they had a similar story to us,” Senior Isaac Castillo said. “They were just regular people that had an idea and took off with it. They didn’t have a lot of money, and they also told us about their failures; it’s just a part of the process. When I hear a humble story like that, it inspires me to do the same.”
The class project concluded with a pitch event hosted by Startup Waco, where each group presented their business journey and potential for success.
“This event showcases the hard work and creativity the students have poured into their business concepts,” Practicum of Business Management Teacher Dede Moore said. “They have been given experiences through Startup Waco that they would pay thousands of dollars for in the future.”
In addition to sharing their personal experiences with the class, speakers from Startup Waco provided students with valuable advice on several aspects of their businesses, such as promotion and pricing.
“It helped us market ourselves more and be able to get our name out there and get more people to come in,” Vallejo said. “It makes me really feel like it can go farther than just being here at Midway.”
By developing marketable businesses at 17 and 18 years old, students in Mrs. Moore’s class are gaining practical experiences that introduce them to the possibilities of entrepreneurship.
“You don’t have to put a lot of money in, or you don’t have to be this already big, known name—anybody can start a business,” Castillo said. “It’s really as easy as just starting.”
