On a recent afternoon, students at Austin’s Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders were busy prepping for the lunch rush. They were running their own food truck, a project that has been part of their curriculum since the start of the school year.
The Vision Behind the Project
The idea was born out of a desire to teach entrepreneurship and leadership skills to young women who might not have access to these opportunities otherwise. The project was led by teacher Bryan Gordon, who wanted his students to take ownership over every aspect of the food truck operation. This included:
- Menu Planning
- Marketing
- Cooking
- Finances
Gordon emphasized the importance of allowing students to make mistakes without fear of failure or punishment. “We wanted our students to understand that even small failures can be opportunities for growth,” he said. “We didn’t want them to be afraid of trying new things or taking risks.”
Teamwork and Practical Experience
The project required teamwork among the students. Everyone played an essential role in ensuring the success of their venture, whether it was:
- Cooking meals during lunch breaks
- Handling customer service duties during peak hours
Through this hands-on experience, they gained practical knowledge about how businesses operate financially. They learned:
- Daily operational costs
- Profit margins
- How to manage unexpected expenses (like needing new tires)
Life Skills and Business Management
In addition to learning valuable life skills such as communication and problem-solving through collaboration, the students gained insights into business management, including:
- Budgeting
- Marketing
- Customer Service
By giving his students ownership over every aspect of the food truck operation, Gordon provided them with a unique opportunity for growth and development outside of traditional classroom settings.
Importance of the Program
For many young women in low-income communities like East Austin’s Dove Springs neighborhood, entrepreneurship is not always an option due to a lack of access to resources such as funding and mentorship networks. This program is crucial as it gives these girls real-world experience running their own business under supervision while still having full control over the decision-making process. This practical experience prepares them better than any textbook could.
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