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Budding Entrepreneurs Hone Their Skills at ODA Summer Academy

ODA Upper School students ventured into the exciting world of entrepreneurship during a hands on summer course.
This summer, 10 ODA students attended the challenging Business and Management course taught by Mr. Marc Roberts. Mr. Roberts led his students on an exploration of the world of business and entrepreneurship, covering a wide range of topics to include the nature and types of business, human resource management, marketing, production management, accounting, and finance. As is the model with many classes at Out-of-Door, course material was acquired through project-based learning, helping students to explore and develop leadership skills and team building experience.

Each student was tasked to create a business plan using all of the resources, tools, and knowledge acquired during the course. Gaps in the market were identified through market research and brainstorming led to a wide array of products and services for possible future execution. 

Students presented their final business venture concepts via virtual presentation. They described the process they used to research and identify their proposed product or service, then explained why they thought there was need in the market, their promotional and pricing strategies, potential competitors, HR structure, and how they would obtain financing to get started. Many unique and inventive ideas were shared, ranging from a healthy food box for young students with busy parents by Maria Shaw ‘23, a staging company for homeowners in the market to sell run by Devon Van Hoesen ‘24, and a breakfast themed restaurant and market with a focus on healthy, affordable fare created by Thomas Vicente ‘23. 

Mr. Roberts was impressed with the depth of research and detail that his students put into their projects. He said that many ideas presented were  absolutely viable ideas for future implementation and encouraged his young entrepreneurs to continue on their path to successful business ownership.
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The Out-of-Door Academy

LOWER SCHOOL |  Historic Siesta Key Campus  |  Pre-K – Grade 5
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LOWER SCHOOL |  Lower School Campus on Clark Road  |  Pre-K – Grade 1
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MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOLS
  |  Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch  |  Grades 6 – 8 |  Grades 9 – 12
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