A New Program of the Business Education Committee Roanoke Valley Student Small Business Academy

Assets and Needs Every student in the Roanoke Valley has leadership potential Approximately 30% of students in the Roanoke Valley are not graduating from high school in four years o A report by the Aspen Institute suggests that nationally, many of the factors leading students to drop out are related to the school curriculum not being relevant to student interests Not all students are leaving high school adequately prepared for college and the workforce o A business owner in Roanoke Rapids told me that the #1 area for growth in his workforce is problem-solving skills Organizations like the Chamber and many others are uniquely positioned to help

Small Business Academy Goals Empower high school students in the Roanoke Valley with the entrepreneurial knowledge, skills, and mindsets necessary to start small businesses in their communities and become leaders in our local workforce Improve promotion and graduation rates, instill the importance of post-secondary education, and foster self-esteem Increase the economic vitality of the Roanoke Valley region

Program Overview Selected “Aspiring Entrepreneurs” will meet in 15 after- school sessions held once a week for 90 minutes. Facilitators, trained by NC REAL and the HCC Small Business Center, will deliver a hands-on curriculum in conjunction with local business leaders, helping students develop the knowledge, skills, mindsets, and tangible products necessary to start their own businesses. Students will create business plans and enter them in a “business plan competition” at the end of the semester. Each student will have the opportunity to earn approximately $250 in seed money to start their business.

Program Timeline September-November 2011 o Solidify partnership with Weldon High School o Recruit and train two facilitators (one teacher, one business leader) in partnership with NC REAL and HCC SBC o Recruit and select ten student participants o Recruit guest teachers December 2011 o Conduct orientation for selected students and parents/guardians

Program Timeline, cont’d January-May 2012 o Students participate in 15 after-school sessions and two field trips conducted by trained facilitators and guest teachers from the local business community May 2012 o Conduct small business plan competition and award seed money ($250/student) and/or CADA funding o Conduct year-end celebration for students, facilitators, volunteers, and families

Program Budget: $8000 ItemJustification Budgeted Amount Facilitator Training$1500 training + $180 sub teacher$1700 Facilitator Stipend17 $35/ea.$600 Student Transportation15 $100/ea.$750 Volunteer Mileage750 Field Trips to Businesses2 $100/ea.$400 MaterialsBinders, certificates, supplies$800 Food/BeverageStudent meetings & special events$600 Volunteer GiftsGuest speakers & facilitators$250 Student Seed Money10 $250/ea.$2500 TOTAL$8000

$8000: A Small Price to pay to UNLEASH LEADERSHIP

Lessons Learned: Small Business Academy Design Creating a program from scratch – even one that seems simple – is more complex than I anticipated Costs add up quickly HOW you collaborate matters Many small initiatives can lead to big results

Lessons Learned: The Roanoke Valley Community Ruby Gerald, Coordinator, WorkFirst Cathy Scott, Director, Halifax County Economic Development Dr. Ervin Griffin, President, Halifax Community College Michael Felt, Director, Halifax Dept. of Social Services Debbie Hardy & Dr. Donna Hunter, Members, Halifax County School Board Magda Baligh, Director, Halifax-Warren Smart Start Halifax County Criminal Court (Judge Brenda Branch) Quick stops at the Union Mission & Systems of Care Halifax Rep. Angela Bryant, General Assembly & Visions, Inc. Community members from Littleton, Scotland Neck, and Hollister

Questions and Thanks!