Studio Maintenance has gone on longer than normal the past couple of weeks, and the heroes have discussed different solutions to conquer this problem. At last week’s town hall meeting, they voted to not start close until the studio is completely clean. Due to this vote, close has become shorter, which has disappointed them. During a close this week, they held another discussion and voted to solve the problem. Here is what they decided:

1. Throughout the day, all the heroes must work on picking up anything they use.
2. Hold one another accountable to picking up throughout the day.
3. When studio maintenance begins, all heroes need to first clean their desk.
4. Once their space is clean, they will meet in Squad Groups to clean assigned spaces in the studio.
5. When the Squad Group believes the assigned space is clean, they will ask the Studio Maintenance Champion to approve it.
6. Once the Squad Group completes all assigned spaces, they will ask other Squad Groups, “How can I help?”

It has been incredible to see these heroes have come together to solve this problem with the desire to keep the studio sacred.

Lastly, it is finally here – The Children’s Business Fair! As you know, the heroes have been planning and preparing for this event over the past four weeks. It all began with an idea to form a company, develop a product, and lead into some deeper knowledge about what it means to be an entrepreneur. They also figured out their break-even analysis and projected sales. This past week has been all about preparing for their “Grand Opening” tomorrow! There is excitement, along with nervousness, in the air. At launch on Wednesday, the heroes came up with ways to overcome their nerves. Below are their suggestions:

1. Pray
2. Prep
3. Think about pros and cons
4. Deep breaths
5. Paper clip in pocket
6. Think positive thoughts
7. Count slowly
8. Have a mint
9. Take a break
10. Bend your knees

Have you asked your hero:

1. What their mission statement is for their business?
2. How much it costs per unit to make their product?
3. How much they need to sell to break-even?
4. How much their total net profit could be?
5. What they did at Launch today with their neighbor?
6. How many days until the Children’s Business Fair?

 

Heroes listening to Mr. Blain share his story as an entrepreneur.

Heroes sharing their shadow art.

Business Fair Simulation with the ELS Buddies.

Celebrating a hero’s birthday with the entire J.A. community.

Last week we watched a video with Kirk Cousins (Vikings Quarterback) sharing about his role as a leader, the importance of trusting the Holy Spirit’s leading over his own ideas, and the desire to serve God in all he does. What a great way to kickoff something new taking place in the elementary studio – Squad Groups.

Heroes have been placed in a group with an appointed Squad Leader for the entirety of this session. This is a way to intentionally equip heroes as leaders, as well as provide heroes with someone they know they can go to first to seek help and guidance. Just as the Viking players look to Cousins for leadership on the field and in a huddle, heroes can look to Squad Leaders for support and guidance.

The responsibilities of Squad Leader include:

1. Reading weekly leadership articles and/or devotions provided by the guide.
2. Meeting weekly with the guide and other Squad Leaders.
3. Helping heroes in their Squad Group when/if needed, along with helping heroes outside of their group.
4. Helping heroes find someone who may be able to assist them if they are unable to provide guidance.

Heroes in their squad groups during project time.

As we approach the business fair, the heroes accomplished an incredible task in preparation for the business fair! They figured out their total expenses, break-even analysis, and total net profit. All the heroes are working on articulating those numbers in order to show a deeper understanding of what it means to be an entrepreneur. Just watch Shark Tank and you’ll discover knowing your numbers is just as important as having the knowledge and passion for your product.

Have your asked your hero:

1. How many days are left until the business fair?
2. What their mission statement is for their business?
3. What heroes will be going on the news to talk about the business fair?
4. How many products they need to sell to break-even at the business fair?
5. Who the new art guide is?

Heroes making abstract art with the new art guide.

Journey Academy was so blessed to welcome a special visitor this past week. Many of you had the pleasure of meeting Ellie and hear her speak about her experience as a pioneer in education. She was part of the first graduating class at Acton Academy in Austin, Texas. We are beyond thankful for her insight and wisdom she provided throughout the week!

Ellie (from Acton) sharing her Hero’s Journey

This past Wednesday the heroes created a masterpiece during their art session. What made this art time unique was the fact that they would sell their creation to ELS heroes during project time rather than keep it. The heroes stepped into the shoes of an artist, transformed the studio into an Art Market, and practiced hooking potential buyers.

During our debriefing from the Art Market the heroes shared their disappointments, highlights, and what they will implement differently at the Children’s Business Fair. Below were some of the comments:

1. I turned a puff ball into a “Fidgety thing.” Using a buzzword can bring in customers.
2. I played with what I created since I turned my art into a toy. This made the ELS heroes want to play with it and buy it.
3. It was disappointing to see heroes walk buy and not buy something I worked hard on. I learned to go up to people and try to bring them closer to my booth to see what I am selling.

Open for Business – Art Market

Today we had a Hero Talk by Kelly Rozema. She would describe herself as an entrepreneur by accident. She wanted a sign in her kitchen, which lead to orders from around the country and partnerships with local shops. The heroes had the opportunity to “weed” a sign just like her employees do. At the end of her time with us, she reminded the heroes to dream big and pray big. How fitting!

Hero Talk

Have you asked your hero:

1. If a Hero’s Journey is ever completed?
2. What was the most difficult or disappointing part of the Art Market?
3. What was the most rewarding part of the Art Market?
4. What Squad Groups are?
5. What part of their Business Plan they completed this afternoon?
6. The 3 A’s we did at close today? (Hint: Appreciation, Apologies, and AHA moments)

The ELS heroes have accepted the challenge to develop grit. They have convinced each other that effort counts twice than talent. Many heroes chose perseverance as the most important character trait for them to succeed. And although at first they did not know what resilience meant, they were confident that they were resilient because they do not give up easily, despite any obstacle that might keep them from reaching their goals.

Grit is not so hard to get for our heroes since they have already chosen to have a growth mindset. Our new heroes are quickly grasping the difference between growth and fixed mindset. All the heroes who have been immersed in a growth mindset last year are helping their new friends understand the importance of a growth mindset. The heroes continue to encourage one another take on new challenges, to learn from their mistakes, and celebrate each other’s successes.

With grit and a growth mindset, it is not surprising that the heroes would have so much courage when facing dilemmas that challenges their faith. During their Bible readings, in the second chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, they have been reading about Paul’s courage in sharing the gospel. When the heroes imagined themselves in situations that may test their faith, the heroes were full of courage as well. They resolved to remind friends to pray before eating even when they are at a birthday party, to read the Bible even outside of school, and to tell friends about Jesus even when a friend may say they just want to play instead of reading the Bible. And with a growth mindset, many heroes came up with solutions to various dilemmas they discussed. Such as, if another friend just wanted to play video games or use their iPad instead of reading the Bible, one hero suggested that he would invite his friend to watch Bibleman who is cool and uses Bible verses to defeat his enemies. Even in a scenario where they were threatened to not get invited for a playdate again if they keep talking about Jesus, a hero said she would tell the parents, not to tattle on her friend, but to tell them about Jesus too.

When faced with the challenges of the Entrepreneur Quest, the heroes showed no fear in starting their own businesses. Rather they were filled with excitement, not from the money they would make or in pleasing people, but from experiencing freedom in creating something on their own. From the first day of the quest, they were so thrilled to plant the Magic Seeds of Entrepreneurship: make something with his or her own hands, sell it to another hero, and experience the freedom and responsibility of having a little extra spending money as a reward. They were buzzing with excitement as they created a product that they were passionate about and they believed others needed. Some heroes even chose to work together with shared interests and agreeing on a product they would like to sell to their friends. Many times they loved their product so much that they spent their own money to buy it. One hero decided she would make more that one product which led to more profit, allowing her to be able to buy more items from the store. Another hero truly believed in his heart that his friends would really love his product and did not want to burden them with losing the only dollar they have to spend, so he said he would give it away for free. As they created their products, through their conversations, one would notice that the heroes were motivated by making a high quality product that would serve the needs of their customers, with no mention of the profit they would make from the sale. They were so determined to make their product better so when they ran out of time for the day, they decided that they would continue working on it, “the next day, and the next day, and the next day.”

So the heroes will continue facing challenges on their Entrepreneur Quest. Many have already shared some business ideas or have even starting working on their products. The attached business plans list some ideas they have so far and they will keep updating this information within the next couple weeks as we learn more about being an entrepreneur. Please use this information as you complete the Grand Rapids Children’s Business Fair online application for your hero’s business and feel free to make changes to their business plans according to your planning at home.

Entrepreneur Quest 2018

Week 1  September 4-7 Business plans	Three magic seeds of entrepreneurship Business fair application Company name and logo Entrepreneur vocabulary Goods and services worksheet
Week 2 September 10-14 Product development	Product name Materials / supplies list Product sample Cost planning Price point Money math worksheets
Week 3 September 17-21 Marketing strategies	Advertising strategies Competitors research Product slogan Advertisement videos Supply and demand worksheet
Week 4 September 24-28 Children’s Business fair preparations	Business fair invitations Business fair booth plans Business fair posters Table decor art Entrepreneur’s pitch 9/29 Children’s Business Fair

 

Entrepreneur Quest – Week 1: 9/4 – 7

Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Bible verse	1 Thessalonians 2:2 God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, in spite of great opposition. Imagine you are at a your friend’s birthday party and everyone starts eating without praying first. Would you invite them to pray with you, pray quietly on your own, or start eating too since everyone else is eating?	1 Thessalonians 2:4-6 We are not trying to please people but God who tests our hearts. We were not looking for praise from people. What would you do if your friend tells you that if you keep talking about jesus, she will not invite you for a play date again?	1 Thessalonians 2:8 We were delighted to share with you our lives. Who has shared their lives with you? Why is that important to you?	1 Thessalonians 2:12 Encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God who call you into his kingdom and glory Your friend has been working so hard to get her badge but it is taking so long. How would you encourage your friend? What advice would you give a friend who experienced failure?
Launch Growth mindset	The thing Lou couldn’t do by Ashley Spires Hero’s contract signing Growth vs. Fixed mindset There are some things i’ll never be good at. When i make a mistake, i try to learn from it. I feel embarrassed when other do better than me. I enjoy getting out of my comfort zone. I like showing others that I’m smart and talented. I feel inspired by the success of others. I feel good when i can do something others cannot. It's possible to change how intelligent you are. You shouldn’t have to to try to be smart. I enjoy taking on new challenges.	How to Catch a Star By Oliver Jeffers   Would you rather avoid failure to look smart or risk failure to learn and improve?	Hana Hashimoto sixth violin By Chieri Uegaki Do you believe if you have to try or put in effort, then you’re not very smart or talented?	Ish by Peter Reynolds What would you do if someone criticizes your work? How would you feel?
Relaunch	Imagine this: you have a shiny, red, magical machine. In an opening at one end, you put the wild and crazy ideas that you have. Out of a conveyor belt at the other end pops real solutions that solve real world problems. Maybe it’s an iPhone app that helps you to talk to your dog, a medicine that makes you immune to bug bites, or a cup that keeps hot chocolate hot until the last drop. The machine is your mind and your hard work. You can turn a great idea into something real, but it takes a special formula: something you love to do + a problem or need you see in the world = your calling. What is something you love to do? What problem or need would you  like to solve? 14 year old CEO How did you come up with your business idea? Would you give someone else your idea if they offer to give you $30m?	Children’s Business Fair 2017 What excites you the most about creating a business? Making money Helping others Having more freedom	Company Logos guess the logo game If you were investing in a company, would you be more concerned with making money or by whether or not the business was really making a difference?	Which of these qualities/skills of an entrepreneur will you practice? Courage: not afraid to try new things or take risks. Listening: being a good listener in order to understand values, needs and suggestions of others. Perseverance: being willing to work hard to get what he/she wants.
Project time Business plans	Three magic seeds of entrepreneurship	Goods and services worksheet	Company name and logo Logo maker	Business fair application Entrepreneur vocabulary
Close Growth mindset reflections	Did you work as hard as you could have?	Did you spend enough time to do quality work?	How did you regulate procrastinations, distractions, and temptations in order to complete your work?	Hero bucks bank accounts Do you feel that you should get a reward for every good work you do?