“Sharks” provide solid advice to business students

“Did you think of how much production would cost?”

“Are you targeting students, teachers, or parents?”

“Make sure to be clear and talk about the product up front during your pitch.”

“The font you used for your visuals is very difficult to read, it’s important to use an easy-to-read font.”

Those were only a couple of the questions asked, and a tidbit of the advice provided as Huntsville High School Grade 9 business students took part in a mock “Shark Tank” event at The Hub on June 4.

Four groups of students presented some very interesting entrepreneurial ideas during the Shark Tank to local business owners who operate at The Hub.

Throughout the semester the student groups have been working together to develop the idea, do market research, determine costs and funding needed, and more.

The best idea of the day, which really got the crowd buzzing was a website called Findr that catered to helping teenagers find employment. It’s something that many in the crowd felt could get started right now.

The other ideas presented were the Cuff Guard for baggy pants, the Echo Box 1 vintage record player style Bluetooth speaker, and the Quick Lock to help sign into school Chromebooks faster.

Teacher Liz Angell, who helped organize this event with The Hub, was ecstatic about how it unfolded.

She would love to see continued collaboration with local entrepreneurs to help build the student’s life skills, particularly in a business setting. The Grade 10 curriculum will go deeper into financial details, integrating accounting, and more.

“The entrepreneurial business program is a new part of the core offerings from the board of education,” explains Angell. “This is really cool because they get feedback from real business owners and not just a boring teacher. We’re really excited and we’d like to keep this relationship (growing).”

Erin Horvath, The Hub co-founder, was very happy to hear the pitches of what she describes as “four unique and very interesting, and surprisingly viable, business options.”

Five of The Hub’s members acted as “Sharks” and provided valuable feedback. Additionally, the audience, which included students, two local media members, and other businesspeople, created a good atmosphere for the event.

“We had a great time giving the wonderful feedback from folks that are professionals in their industry,” said Horvath. “Having the opportunity… to engage young entrepreneurs, to create generations of people who are looking for ways to enjoy the living that they make.”

There were definitely a few aspiring entrepreneurs in the Grade 9 groups. By growing their solid ideas through advice from professionals and a little bit of trial and error, they could be joining the business ownership ranks sooner than later.