First conceptual draft of the business

This is the first pass that I did to really put my idea down on paper. This is not an original idea as I have been doing a version of this throughout my work with the Wonderment. It is just the first time I have taken ownership of the process for a venture that I would like to work on for the upcoming future. It has all the elements that I love; developing teenagers, creating projects, community impact, and collaborating with really fun people. This does help me start the process and that is what I need at this time.

I can discuss the project with Audrey, who has agreed to work with me during the first few months. I can also discuss with potential students to market the project. I can pitch it to former students that can give me testimonials. All in all this has been a good start.

Still working on a name – teen visionaries is just a placeholder – words that I am playing with right now – radiant, confidence, connections, energy 

The Vision:

Coaching/Training teens to lead experiential learning projects in their communities. This would be done with training modules for entrepreneurial process and business skill training, personal development, mindfulness activities, reflection activities and local and national cohort/mentor conversations.

Outcomes/Deliverables:

 

For the teen:

Entrepreneurial and innovation skills

Confidence, resilience and emotional intelligence (people) skills

Community connections

Executive function skills

 

For the school/organization

Hands on experiential learning program that is mainly done for you, the app does the heavy lifting.

Innovative new after-school activity

Community engagement – service learning opportunity for schools

CAS program for the IB curriculum – school wouldn’t need to hire a teacher

 

For the families 

Executive function 

Confidence & awareness of skills

Developing purpose and passions

Useful for applications to college or alternative paths

Connections for family 

 

Business Model

Funded by school or local organization

Corporate sponsorship opportunity

Potential for parent paid option

 

Proof of concept: (only 3) 

 

Rony/Keivan’s Peru project

Cloe/Conrad’s ecobrick project

Sebastian/Rochelle’s mangrove project

Manuel’s community garden

Hazel/Mileidy nursing home

 

Impact: – (below)

 

Questions that showcase

• Engagement with community 

• Development of project management skills

• Development of emotional intelligence

Testimonials from above students (some should be several years out from your class to show long term impact) – again, students could be the ones mentioned above. Bianca Javogue would also be a good one.

 

Demand:

 

Competition:

https://venturelab.org

Outline of program: (Modules)

 

Self: 

• Who are you and what makes you tick?

• Explore students passions

• Explore areas of strength

• Explore areas for growth

• Executive function skills – does this go here?

Community

• Community survey – what does the community need?

• Interviews with local residents

• Where do passions/strengths and community needs intersect? 

• Mentors/getting started by networking in the community

 

Project

• Feasibility study

• Market research

• Gantt Chart

• Budget

• Sourcing of materials

• Human resources

• Support/Networking

• Strategic planning

 

Mindfulness throughout the process

• Continuous reflection of work throughout duration of the project

• Daily focus/motivation tools

• Cohorts of similar projects with leader to guide reflection and next steps

• Executive function – does this go here?