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ENTREPRENEURS
Program Overview
Entrepreneurs is a research project-based curriculum that focuses on creativity and risk-taking in business. Students view video interview segments featuring successful entrepreneurs in various areas of business. These interviews serve as a springboard for students' own research. A list of online resources is provided to support student research.
Viewing/Facilitation Strategies
- Introduce the Entrepreneur topic and video segments. Ask students to share examples of their current knowledge about starting a business.
- View the video segments as a class, in small groups, or individually.
- Facilitate student selection of one of the research projects listed below which fits their interests and grade level.
Student Academic Standards
National Business Education Association Achievement Standards
- Identify unique characteristics of an entrepreneur and evaluate the degree to which one possesses those characteristics.
- Develop a marketing plan for an entrepreneurial venture.
- Apply economic concepts when making decisions for an entrepreneurial venture.
- Identify and use the necessary financial competencies needed by an entrepreneur.
- Identify, establish, maintain, and analyze appropriate records to make business decisions.
- Develop a management plan for an entrepreneurial venture.
- Describe how cultural differences, export/import opportunities, and current trends in a global marketplace can affect an entrepreneurial venture.
- Describe how ethics, government, and different forms of business ownership affect the entrepreneurial venture.
- Develop a business plan.
- Students gather and use information for research purposes.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit
The video segments feature Martha Stewart, Frederick W. Smith and Lawrence J. Ellison, three classic examples of the entrepreneurial spirit. Each had a dream that they were not afraid to pursue, even when others laughed at them. Chose an entrepreneur and read their interview in the Gallery of Business. How do they differ from other business people? Use the Research Links to find out about other entrepreneurs in history, such as Madam C.J. Walker, who started her own line of hair care products in 1906 and was one of the first women in the United States to become a self-made millionaire. Compare and contrast three entrepreneurs, including one featured in the video segments. What was the event in their backgrounds that motivated them to make certain career choices? In her interview, for example, Martha Stewart says that she has always been "on the lookout for those good, simple solutions to everyday problems." If you were an entrepreneur, what sort of commodity or service would you provide? How would you market it? Make a business plan. Create a business card, website design, online banner ad and a PowerPoint presentation with which to attract prospective shareholders.
Hermes Radio Play
In addition to being the messenger of the gods, Hermes is also known as the Greek god of commerce and the market. His distinguishing characteristics are creativity, ingenuity, cunning and knowledge. Some might even say he was the first entrepreneur, having launched his career as a cattle rustler when he was one day old and coming up with the idea for the alphabet, the lyre, astronomy, boxing, measures, weights, the cultivation of the olive tree and gymnastics, among other things. Use the Resource Links to find out more about Hermes. Then, write a script for a three minute radio play in which Hermes appears as a modern day entrepreneur. Make sure to include some sort of conflict and resolution in your play, and since this is a radio drama, you will need to create sound effects. Direct fellow classmates as they read your script. Finally, record your play and broadcast it for the class.
Student Academic Standards
National Business Education Association Achievement Standards
- Identify unique characteristics of an entrepreneur and evaluate the degree to which one possesses those characteristics.
- Develop a marketing plan for an entrepreneurial venture.
- Apply economic concepts when making decisions for an entrepreneurial venture.
- Identify and use the necessary financial competencies needed by an entrepreneur.
- Identify, establish, maintain, and analyze appropriate records to make business decisions.
- Develop a management plan for an entrepreneurial venture.
- Describe how cultural differences, export/import opportunities, and current trends in a global marketplace can affect an entrepreneurial venture.
- Describe how ethics, government, and different forms of business ownership affect the entrepreneurial venture.
- Develop a business plan.
- Students gather and use information for research purposes.
Projects and Investigations:
Starting A Business
What defines an entrepreneur? Martha Stewart, Frederick W. Smith and Lawrence J. Ellison, who are featured in the video segments, offer three classic examples of the entrepreneurial spirit. View the video segments. Next, read the entire interview of your favorite entrepreneur in the Gallery of Business. Come up with a comprehensive business plan for your own entrepreneurial venture. Imagine you have a fixed some of $25,000 to start with. Use the Resource Links to find out about how to start your own business, investigating the legal documents and tax responsibilities that a first time business owner needs to be aware of. How much will you need to spend to set up office space and/or purchase raw materials? What market are you targeting? How may current trends in the global market place affect your venture? Develop a management plan, a marketing plan and a detailed budget proposal for your business. Present your comprehensive business plan to the class as if they were your potential shareholders.
Entrepreneurs Past and Present
Chose one of the entrepreneurs featured in the video segments and read his or her entire interview in the Gallery of Business. Then, using the Research Links, find three more entrepreneurs, such as Madam C.J. Walker, who started her own line of hair care products in 1906 and was one of the first women in the United States to become a self-made millionaire. Compare and contrast your four entrepreneurs, charting their differences and similarities, as well as the events that lead them to make certain career choices. In her interview, for example, Martha Stewart says that she has always been "on the lookout for those good, simple solutions to everyday problems." Design business cards for your four entrepreneurs. Include name, type of business and a catchy motto and graphic that expresses what each business is about. Finally, chose your favorite historical entrepreneur and create a website design for him or her. How do you think this entrepreneur's products or services would be received in today's economy? Think of ways to update the business to make it more viable today and include these ideas in your website design.
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