Tuesday, January 25, 2022
A school-based enterprise is an amazing learning lab. Just ask Holmen High School marketing teachers and DECA advisors Heather Breske and Haley Hesselberg, who set the stage for 20 seniors to plan and run a week-long holiday pop-up store in their school, a Holmen tradition since 2009. "It's team-taught, and we facilitate it," says Breske, "but it's student-driven."
Proceeds go to an individual or family connected with Holmen and chosen by students. This year's proceeds went to the Ryan and Nora Nelson family, both graduates of Holmen. Ryan passed away suddenly in August, leaving his wife and three children, one with special needs, who all attend the school.
Students began planning for this season's model store, Bundled Up, in September during Entrepreneurship Class. Students involved in the project were all seniors with high grades, and they had to be voted in. The pop-up store was located in the flexible learning space next to the year-round in-school store (also run by students). They set their fundraising goal at $10,000.
"It's a big responsibility," says Breske. "You need maturity."
As an instructor, adds Hesselberg, "You have to think outside the box. You have to give up control."
The store staff were divided into departments found in most retail operations: management, promotions, human resources, operations/interactive media, and sales. As planning progressed through the fall semester, the class visited several area small businesses. They got a firsthand understanding of the many tasks that go into making a store successful—lessons that helped them direct their own planning.
"One of the best ideas a student ever had was how to get a 'naming rights' sponsor," says Breske. Kwik Trip was the first overall sponsor in 2018, and they've continued in that role, adding significantly toward the fundraising goal every year since.
The store had 19 vendors, including crafts, home décor, tumblers/mugs, soap, head bands, candy and food, Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, school apparel, and more. "Students met with vendors and negotiated contracts," says Breske, sharing an example of the hands-on nature of the class. "They get to apply what they've learned."
The store slogan, "There's Snow Place Like Holmen," was well-chosen as the area's first snowstorm delayed the soft opening on December 10. Despite the snow, the students made it happen that afternoon. "It's amazing how they can pull it together," says Hesselberg.
"It's satisfying seeing the students achieve," adds Breske, "And it's rewarding and impactful to make a difference in the community."
And did they ever. The store made just over $12,000 for their recipient family!
Congratulations to the Holmen marketing teachers and pop-up store student staff for a successful 2021 project!