Youth Business Retreat in Review

SAISD juniors and seniors participated in the Youth Business Retreat held at the UTSA Downtown Campus on May 18-19, 2004. The retreat was a joint partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency, the UTSA Minority Business Development Center, Junior Achievement, Northwest Vista College and the SAISD. Students completed a Personality Inventory (True Colors) that provided insight into their dominant personality style. Students formed teams based on their dominant “color” and then were charged with creating a new product and hosting a launch party for their product. Products were presented to the class and presentations were analyzed based on dominant “colors” of each group. Students realized the importance of identifying and understanding the strengths and styles of team members, peers and co-workers.

Students also participated in the Junior Achievement TITAN program that introduced critical economics and management decisions through an interactive web-based simulation. Students applied their business knowledge through an on-line competition based on the fictional Holo-Generator. While simulating “business quarters”, students entered decisions on price, production, marketing, capital investment, and research and development. The impact of their decisions lead to either success or failure of the team-owned Holo-Generator companies. The competitions were exciting and the strategies for sales, production and profits were creative!

All participants received a copy of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens for summer reading. Connections were made between the 7 Habits, True Colors and the importance of nurturing a Personal Bank Account for a lifetime. Additional sessions focused on Junior Achievement’s Personal Economics activities related to exploring personal skills and interests, career options, and personal and family financial management.

The retreat targeted entrepreneurship and the goals and qualities necessary to become a successful business owner. Imagine “all the places you’ll go” as a young and successful entrepreneur! Create a plan and work your plan for a lifetime!