Financial Flair Activity 6:
Runnin' It

Activity Objective: Girls explore starting their own business.

Toward Leadership Outcomes:

Through this activity, girls will:

  • Develop a strong sense of self—Girls have confidence in themselves and their abilities, feel they are able to achieve their goals, and form positive gender, social, and cultural identities. (Discover)

Experience Overview:

  • 5 min. Introduction (Talking Points)
  • 20-25 min. Runnin' It
  • 10-15 min. "Do the Math" Chart
  • 5-10 min. Reflection/Discussion

Supplies Needed:

  • Pens or pencils (enough for each girl)

Prepare Ahead:

  • Bring girls' lists of jobs, careers, and hobbies from last club meeting (Financial Flair Activity 5).
  • Make copies of the "Do the Math" chart. (Click here for "Do the Math" chart.)
  • Read over the entire activity before meeting with girls.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

» Introduction (Talking Points) (5 minutes)

  • Say something like: "In today's meeting, we are going to pick up from where we left off last time and really have a chance to discover where your potential as an entrepreneur lies." (If necessary, review definition of entrepreneur.) "Did you know that almost 70 percent of girls surveyed by Junior Achievement said they would like to start their own business? (You can check their Web site at http://www.ja.org for additional information about Junior Achievement.) Does anyone know a teenager who has started her or his own business? What do they do? Who did they get to help them?"

» Runnin' It (20-25 minutes)

  • Distribute pens or pencils.
  • Distribute girls' lists of jobs, careers, and hobbies from the last club meeting (Financial Flair Activity 5)
  • Ask girls: "Look at your list of jobs, hobbies, and talents—is there anything you described that could become your own business? For example, if one of the jobs on your list does not have the words 'my own' anywhere in it—like 'my own restaurant' or 'my own line of clothing'—see which things on your list you could add the phrase 'start my own' to. Now add the phrase 'my own' to anything on your list that you can."
  • Separate the group into pairs. Each pair should brainstorm three new business ideas based on their personal lists. Encourage girls to be creative and think outside the box—for example, if a girl is good at writing or likes poetry, she might consider starting a magazine. When they have their business ideas, they should come up with a catchy name for each business.
  • If time allows, ask each pair to share the name and a one-sentence description of one business idea.

» Do the Math (10-15 minutes)

  • Distribute copies of the "Do the Math" chart. Ask each pair to pick one business idea and complete the handout. Tell girls they have about 10 minutes for this activity.

» Reflection Discussion (5 minutes)

Ask girls:

  • "Think about all the business ideas presented today, or those that you included on your list. Do any of these business ideas meet a community need? What is the need and how could the business help?"
  • "What topics or information are you learning in school now that could inspire a business idea?"
  • "Does someone in your family or in your network of adults own his or her own business?" If so, ask where their business ideas come from.