innovate arkansas

During the 2007-08 school year, both Northside and Southside High Schools in Fort Smith created a year-long entrepreneurship business class that allowed students to learn about writing a business plan. Students also experienced what it was like to present their business ideas in front of a loan committee and the challenges of actually opening and running their own businesses.

On April 15, the students presented an overview of how successful their businesses were and what their experiences were like. Northside High School had five business teams, and Southside had four business teams finish the program. While the students enjoyed the challenges of running a business, each student noted how much work and time running a business really required.

After the students presented their business summary, an awards luncheon was held at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith's Baldor Technology Center in the Boreham Conference Center. Two teams were awarded $500 scholarships to UA Fort Smith. Pig Tales Publishing and The Foundation were the winning businesses. Pig Tales Publishing is a company that engaged in producing customized children's books, and The Foundation specialized in dance and video game contest event organizing.

The classes in both schools for next year's program have already doubled, offering more students an opportunity to learn critical business skills. Meanwhile, this year's program would not have been possible without the help of Fort Smith Public Schools, Beall Barclay & Company, the City of Fort Smith, Control Technologies, EnableVentures, First National Bank of Fort Smith, Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, Hanna Oil and Gas, OG & E, Simmons First National Bank, Warner, Smith, Harris and the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.

(This article was originally published in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center at Fort Smith's May 2008 newsletter, EntreWays.)