Business Starter: The Essential Course Every Student Deserves by Sherina

Business Starter: The Essential Course Every Student Deserves by Sherina - June 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could introduce one elective as a required class in every school and college, it would be a Business Starter course — an entrepreneurial education program designed to equip students with the skills, mindset, and confidence to launch their own businesses. In a society where job markets fluctuate, industries evolve, and economic independence is often tied to ownership, students need to be taught not only how to work for others but how to create opportunities for themselves. A Business Starter class would teach students practical business skills, financial literacy, marketing, leadership, and the fundamentals of building a business from the ground up — and it would shift the narrative from employee to owner.

The importance of entrepreneurship has become increasingly clear in recent years. The rise of side hustles, small businesses, and online enterprises has shown that with the right skills and tools, anyone can create additional income streams or build a business that supports their lifestyle and passions. Yet, most traditional school curriculums prepare students to find jobs rather than create them. By making a Business Starter elective a required course, we would empower students to think creatively, solve real-world problems, and generate economic opportunities not only for themselves but also for their communities.

The course would cover essential topics like business planning, market research, identifying target audiences, financial management, and digital marketing. It would also teach students how to register a business, understand legal structures like LLCs and sole proprietorships, create simple business budgets, and manage customer relationships. Guest speakers could include local entrepreneurs, digital creators, and community business owners who could share authentic, relatable experiences about building something from scratch.

As a single mother, college student, and entrepreneur myself, I know firsthand how valuable this type of knowledge would have been early in life. I was never taught how to draft a business plan or how to identify market gaps, and I had to navigate entrepreneurship through trial and error. Starting my staffing agency and luxury lifestyle brand was one of the most empowering decisions of my life, but it came with challenges I could have avoided with foundational business education. This experience inspired me to advocate for entrepreneurship to be taught alongside traditional subjects like math and science, because it has the power to transform lives economically and personally.

One of the most powerful aspects of a Business Starter class would be the emphasis on mindset. Beyond technical skills, students need to be taught resilience, risk-taking, strategic thinking, and the importance of embracing failure as part of the entrepreneurial journey. Many people are capable of starting a business, but fear of failure or lack of confidence holds them back. A class that nurtures confidence and cultivates an entrepreneurial spirit would be life-changing, especially for students from underserved or economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Another important element of the course would be financial education. Too often, entrepreneurs struggle not because they lack great ideas but because they lack money management skills. A Business Starter class would teach students how to manage profits and expenses, plan for taxes, separate personal and business finances, and how to scale a business sustainably. This knowledge would not only serve them as business owners but also improve their personal financial literacy, creating better money habits for life.

Furthermore, the class could encourage community-based projects where students develop a business idea that directly serves their neighborhoods. This would foster a sense of social responsibility, teach students how to identify problems within their communities, and challenge them to be part of the solution. For instance, students could create youth mentoring programs, start community-based clothing lines, or launch home-based services that address local needs. These projects would allow students to learn by doing — the most effective form of education.

The long-term benefits of requiring a Business Starter class are undeniable. Students would graduate not only with academic knowledge but with the skills to create jobs, support their families, and build generational wealth. They would be equipped to navigate economic uncertainty with confidence and would feel empowered knowing they don’t have to rely solely on employment opportunities but can create opportunities themselves.

Additionally, this class would address broader social and economic inequalities. Many marginalized communities have been historically excluded from wealth-building opportunities. By teaching entrepreneurship to all students, schools would contribute to closing the wealth gap and fostering a generation of independent thinkers, innovators, and leaders.

In conclusion, a Business Starter elective deserves a permanent place in the required curriculum because it offers students practical, life-altering skills that extend beyond the classroom. It teaches financial literacy, leadership, critical thinking, and economic empowerment — tools essential to thrive in today’s world. This class would redefine what it means to be career-ready and give students the confidence to turn their dreams into tangible realities. Whether students choose to pursue business full-time or use their skills for side projects and passion ventures, the impact would be profound. It’s time to stop limiting education to job preparation and start teaching students how to build the lives they want, on their own terms.