The question that small business owner Terrence Kenniff posed to the class of Entrepreneurial Studies I students was simple, yet challenging – something that was still eluding him as he worked to grow the foot traffic of Coco, a Sea Cliff-based truffles confectionery and coffee house. Develop a business plan which will create a more mutually beneficial relationship between the teachers, students, and parents of North Shore High School.
Over three weeks, students in two collaborative groups conducted field research by visiting his business and surrounding area, deploying surveys, researching other case studies, and contacting professionals at North Shore High School.
At their final presentation in front of teachers Molly Foresta and Amy Delaney, Assistant Head of School Jen Halliday, and parents, students offered a number of ideas – from growing an intern program within North Shore HS; creating Pop-ups at NSHS events and games; providing a truffle-making class; adding fun board games and video arcades to the store, sponsoring themed drinks and cup designs; hosting social media challenges, and reaching out to influencers.
"Why do I want to go to Coco's over Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts?" posed one student. "It's all about building community connections and creating a bond with the entire community of Sea Cliff," added another student, who also offered the idea of attending events, including art shows at North Shore High School. "When you build trust with the community, then that will lead to them trusting you more than a huge conglomerate."
Following slide decks and back-and-forth questions that probed cost-benefit ratios, Mr. Kenniff expressed his gratitude and appreciation. "Trust, bond, relationship – those are words that all of you used frequently during your presentations and I believe strongly in these concepts. More often than not, people push a button and someone leaves a pizza on the ground; that's not community. You guys have done a great job of trying to reintroduce that."
Student advice for Coco also ranged. "Keep up with the trends on social media," urged one student, as they also extolled the merits of influencers. "When I see my friends post about something, that makes me want to try it more than if my Dad posts about it," a student said with a smile. "Internships can give students a peek inside the working world and what it means to start your own business," explained another student as her team pitched the idea.
The semester-long Entre 1 class is team-taught by History teachers Molly Foresta and Amy Delaney. The class involves three challenges posed by different types of businesses and organizations and students have a mere three weeks to research, brainstorm, and design their solutions and presentations.
"This was incredibly well done," praised Mr. Kenniff to the students and their attending parents. "The professionalism that has come through in these two presentations is mind-boggling and it's a testament to your work and your fine teachers. You've been able to focus your brains to look at things on a macro level, but also come down to examine the finer details."
Photography by Alvin Caal/Friends Academy