Learning how to do business at KidBiz

Story and photo by Donna M. Webb
Grand Island Dispatch, June 15, 2007

Standing with some of the students who attended the KidBiz training session are these adults, who are involved with planning the June 30 KidBiz sale (back row, starting fourth from the left): Joanne Kud, Chamber of Commerce president; Mike Heftka, KidBiz training coordinator; Town Supervisor Peter McMahon; and teacher Cheryl Chamberlain.

“Learn something, have fun, and make money.” These are the three goals of KidBiz, according to Mike Heftka, the training coordinator who led a session for budding entrepreneurs on Tuesday at Connor Middle School. About 30 students came, along with their parents, to prepare for the 11th annual KidBiz event. It will be held on Saturday, June 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Town Commons in conjunction with Island Happenings, which showcases adult entrepreneurs, and continues an additional hour until 3 p.m.

The event will be hosted by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce and the Grand Island School/Business Alliance. Chamber President Joanne Kud and past president Beverly Kinney attended the training session, as well as Supervisor Peter McMahon and high school business teacher Cheryl Chamberlain. McMahon is the newest bronze sponsor of KidBiz.

Youth from the third through eighth grade will sell items such as books, toys or collector’s cards and various refreshments and homemade treats at KidBiz. This is the first year that the event has been opened up to older students. Previously, only third- through sixth-graders could take part. “There was a decision made by GISBA. The educators actually felt it would be a great way to help the older kids collaborate with the younger ones in a mentor-type relationship,” Heftka said.

The KidBiz planning committee consists of Heftka, Chamberlain, Jim Sharpe, and members of DECA, the business and marketing club at Grand Island High School. Chamberlain is the club’s adviser. Two ninth-grade girls who are members of DECA, Courtney Justus and Amanda Camizzi, will be set-up coordinators for KidBiz. They will direct the participants to their specific display areas, collect the 50-cent “rental fee,” hand out business “licenses,” help the youth with setting prices, and be available to answer questions. Chamberlain hopes that, in the future, KidBiz will become a DECA project; it could be used to fulfill their goal of “civic consciousness,” she said.

The students who came to Tuesday’s training session learned many things about how to operate their mini businesses come June 30. In addition to informing them about supplies for their tables (a money box, coins to make change, bags for customers, and an appealing business sign), Heftka stressed the importance of a smiling face and good customer service. He explained the quality of service potential buyers get directly influences their decision to buy or not. “Some experts estimate that businesses lose as much as 30 percent of their potential revenue because of poor customer relations,” he stated.

The students heard about how they should ask for their customers’ opinions, keep their promises, apologize when they make a mistake, and always be courteous and welcoming. The young entrepreneurs who attended the training session may be just a fraction of those who eventually apply for their “license.” “We have averaged just over 100 (youth) in each of the past few years,” Heftka said. Chamber office manager Laura Anderson believes that number will be higher this time around. “We’re expecting at least 120 to 140 kids this year,” since older students will be allowed to take part.