By: Sergio Delgado Romero.
Entrepreneurship teacher. Colegio Hebreo Unión - Barranquilla
At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, Colegio Hebreo Unión prepared a project for the 12th Grade students. The academic activity "SENIORS SHOP" was created; students focused actively by participating in a practical manner. The idea was for students to put their knowledge and learning into practice in a real way, implying the real meaning of entrepreneurship. This would be a unique opportunity for them to create, grow and learn. It was to start their own business, beginning at the initial planning process all the way to customer service. The Store fosters an environment of collaboration and teamwork, strengthening social skills through cooperation, problem solving and joint decision making, thus, discovering and working towards shared goals.
Students worked with their entrepreneurship teacher and implemented a business plan that included all essential elements: defining the vision and mission of the business, making market research and analysis to define the products, generating a marketing strategy (face and virtual) and sales, and then coming up with a plan that covered operational aspects (purchases and inventories) and finances. This would imply teamwork in order to cover shifts in Primary and High School break times, eventually creating a plan for business growth. The students assumed an active and responsible role in the planning, organization and execution of the necessary actions to achieve their educational and/or professional objectives. Individual activities were assigned taking their likes and dislikes into consideration .
Additionally, this project not only represented a commitment to the community but it also contributed to social responsibility. The students just didn't offer quality products, they also shared part of their profits with needy persons , thus being aware of the need to live and act with a purpose.
Our store is not only a business; it is a center for student learning and personal growth. They learn how to prepare themselves for future challenges, acquiring confidence and determination. At the same time, they promote the school's institutional values of autonomy, respect and justice.