From December through May, more than 80 Blue Jays in grades 8–12 explored business, entrepreneurship, investing, and personal finance through a new after-school Intro to Business course. Students met in Ignatius Hall, where they learned directly from experienced business leaders and entrepreneurs while gaining practical life skills, exploring potential career paths, and building confidence in navigating the financial world.

The course was led by James M. Huger, CEO of Premium Parking, and Richard Barnett ’94, Partner and Head of Distribution at Castlelake. Drawing on their experience in entrepreneurship, investing, and business leadership, the instructors challenged students to think critically about money, markets, and the decisions that shape successful businesses. Each session combined instruction, discussion, practical exercises, and real-world examples, encouraging students to ask thoughtful questions and engage with concepts they could apply immediately.

The four-session program covered a broad range of topics designed to prepare students for financial success. The first session, Money – The Fundamentals of Financial Literacy, introduced students to capitalism, free markets, and the economy. The second session, Pricing and the Free Market, explored career planning, salary expectations, budgeting, saving, banking, and the basics of stocks and bonds. In the third session, Growing Your Money, students learned how wealth can grow over time through investing and long-term financial planning. The final session, Starting and Managing a Business, challenged students to think like entrepreneurs as they examined business structures, location selection, buying versus leasing, risk management, and profitability.

Beyond the classroom lessons, students also had opportunities to build relationships with peers, mentors, alumni, and business professionals. Each class concluded with networking and a complimentary chicken sandwich dinner, creating a relaxed environment where conversations often extended beyond the evening’s lesson. These interactions provided students with firsthand insight into careers, leadership, and the realities of running a business.

Students who completed all four modules and passed a short in-person assessment earned a certificate of completion and received a $150 stock investment to begin building their own investment portfolio. The experience provided a practical application of the concepts learned throughout the course and encouraged students to take ownership of their financial future.

The impact of the course was perhaps best reflected in the students’ own words. For some, the program sparked new entrepreneurial ambitions. As one student shared, “The course has led me to hold the possibility of being an entrepreneur more seriously.”

Others walked away with a greater appreciation for long-term financial planning. “It showed me the benefits of investing young before it’s too late,” one participant noted, while another reflected on the value of receiving financial guidance early in life: “Getting good financial advice at a young age can help in the long term.”

Perhaps most importantly, the course helped students connect classroom concepts to everyday life. As one Blue Jay explained, “This course helped me better understand how money and the real world works.”

By the end of the four-class program, students left with more than a certificate and an investment account. They gained practical financial knowledge, expanded their professional networks, and developed skills that will serve them well in college, their careers, and future leadership roles. More than an introduction to business, the course gave Blue Jays the opportunity to build confidence, think critically about their futures, and prepare for life beyond Carrollton and Banks.