innovate arkansas

Research shows that students exposed to entrepreneurial concepts show improved test scores, learn how to become a better employee through understanding business concepts and prepare for the future possibility of opening and running their own business. Continuing the outstanding results from the 2007-08 pilot year, Northside and Southside High Schools are implementing the Fort Smith High School Entrepreneurship Program by doubling the number of students in the course at each school.

Through this program, student teams will gain real life experience by actually starting and running their business during the school year. Students are required to submit a formal business plan to a mock loan committee, market and sell their products as well as manage their finances. Through this process, students learn about money management, business management, marketing, sales and more.

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center at Fort Smith is seeking assistance from the local business community by sponsoring one or more teams at a cost of $500 per team (sponsorships are tax deductible). Each sponsor will receive recognition for participating in the program, be invited to participate on the "mock loan review committee" and participate in an end of year awards event to recognize the efforts of the students. Sponsors are also encouraged to mentor teams and help them through their business experience.

For more information about how you can be a part of this program, contact Michelle Stockman at mhall@iecfs.org or (479) 242-3300.

(This article was originally published in the October IEC newsletter, Entrepreneur UPDATE.)