Business Students Meet Business Leaders

Starting this school year, the seniors in the Toms River South Business Academy were encouraged to attend the monthly member networking event held by the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Peck (Principal of the Academy), and other teachers who are a part of the Business Academy, are hoping to send groups of these seniors every month to experience what the Chamber has to offer.

The experience has been very enjoyable as students got to meet business owners and learn about what they do. This ranges from what got the owners interested in their fields, to how their “start up” process went, as well as what they do as a company. They all told their own stories and explained how they got to where they are today.

The way we got to know the business owners was from “speed dating” and before you question it, it’s not what you think it is. Students sat at a table with 3 other business owners and each of us had 2 minutes to introduce ourselves and explain what our business was.

Considering we are high school students, there is a good chance we do not actually own a business (I know for sure I don’t). We instead would talk about our business plans that were written in Business Academy Practicum 1.

These business plans will be presented to members of the Chamber of Commerce in a “Shark Tank” style competition in pursuance of scholarship money. The top 3 best business plans will be given this scholarship money.

After the first round of speed dating each person took a popsicle stick with a number on it. Proceeding to find the table with that number on it and start the “speed dating” process all over again. You would not be at a table with somebody you already sat with, which gave the opportunity to meet more people and learn more about their endeavors and the business field.

Thanks to Mr. Brilliant and the Chamber of Commerce of Toms River for allowing us to experience this great opportunity!