Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship Concentration

The concentration creates a guided pathway for each girl to explore the world of entrepreneurship and business. Through entrepreneurship coursework, activities, and competitions each student will earn a credential demonstrating her completion of a comprehensive exploration of entrepreneurship. Students pursuing the concentration are supported in launching businesses and nonprofits wth funding and mentorship.

Entrepreneurship & Skill-Building in Action

Our students solve real-world problems through competing in business plan competitions, starting companies and working with local businesses. Whether running our student coffee business, pitching the next big idea in the Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum thinkBIG! Summit, or interning with an entrepreneur, there are endless ways for each girl to find her voice.

One Coffee Circle

One Coffee Circle is a student-operated cafe at the Lyman Campus. Upper School girls operate every aspect of the business including creating new drinks, marketing, designing merchandise, and serving customers. Students learn how to apply their classroom learning to an actual business and all Upper School students are welcome to join the One Coffee Circle team.

Protégé Career Exploration

Laurel Upper School students may pursue their passions through career exploration with local businesses through the Protégé Program. Each semester, girls intern in industries such as medicine, law, architecture, banking and non-profits.

The Capstone Experience

Capstone students focused on starting a business venture or not-for-profit organization work closely with the faculty in the Entrepreneurship program as they go through the process of idea generation, feasibility, planning, and launch. A key element of the collaboration between the programs is Entrepreneurship’s assistance in resource acquisition and the introduction to leaders in business and innovation.

Veale Foundation

Upper School students compete in the Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum thinkBIG! Challenge business plan competition. The contest asks students to create a business plan in either the small-business or innovation categories. Past entries include El Puente (2022 winner) a non-profit supporting Spanish language students, Magic Soap (2023 runner-up) a business making color-changing soap, and Good Chick (2024 runner-up) an allergen free food truck.

Laurel Shark Tank

This business plan competition for Upper School girls invites Laurel alumnae and parents to serve as judges. Students present detailed business plans and compete for cash prizes. Business included a photography service, fashion line, and a parallel parking device. Nonprofits entries addressed issues such as anorexia education and support for those living with diabetes.

Young Entrepreneur Institute

Entrepreneurship at Laurel is open to every age. Primary, Middle and Upper School students participate in the Young Entrepreneur Institute Pitch Contest annually. Each contestant must present a business idea via an elevator pitch. Girls in grades 3-5 learn how to craft a pitch in the afterschool club Gator Creators. Working in the Collaboratory, these girls create a wide array of inventions to solve problems in their communities.

Social Entrepreneurship

This Upper School elective course provides an overview of the business world while teaching entrepreneurial skills and financial literacy. The course blends classroom instruction with asynchronous learning to create a flexible learning experience. Students craft business plans, pitch ideas and compete in entrepreneurship competitions. Laurel’s Collaboratory and 150-acre Butler Campus are incorporated into the class to allow for hands-on learning. Additionally, students may earn college credit through the course.

Directed Study: Entrepreneurship

This Upper School elective course provides an overview of the business world while teaching entrepreneurial skills and financial literacy. Students craft business plans, pitch ideas and compete in entrepreneurship competitions. Laurel’s Collaboratory and 150-acre Butler Campus are incorporated into the class to allow for hands-on learning.

Student Investment Committee

Generously supported by Gries Financial Partners, this group manages a $10,000 investment fund. Girls learn how to research investments and manage a portfolio under the guidance of Laurel alumnae and parents.