Business, Marketing & Entrepreneurship
The Business, Marketing & Entrepreneurship program is a one-year Career and Technical Education (CTE) program designed to prepare students for careers, postsecondary education, and entrepreneurial opportunities in business, marketing, management, sales, finance, and related industries. Through classroom instruction, project-based learning, and authentic business experiences, students develop the knowledge, leadership skills, creativity, and workplace competencies needed to succeed in today’s competitive and rapidly changing business environment.
During this one-year program, students receive instruction in:
Foundations of business and entrepreneurship
Marketing principles and strategies
Business ownership and startup development
Business planning and business models
Branding and brand development
Advertising and promotional strategies
Digital and social media marketing
Market research and consumer behavior
Sales and customer service
Retail and merchandising
Product development and pricing
Financial literacy and business finance
Budgeting, revenue, expenses, and profit
Business communication and professional etiquette
Management and organizational leadership
Business ethics and responsible decision-making
E-commerce and emerging business technologies
Career exploration and employability skills
Leadership development, communication, collaboration, and teamwork
Instruction is delivered through a combination of classroom learning, collaborative projects, business simulations, case studies, and hands-on entrepreneurial experiences. Students apply business and marketing concepts to authentic situations while developing products, creating marketing campaigns, analyzing consumer needs, managing finances, solving business challenges, and presenting their ideas to real audiences.
DECA School Store
A key component of the program is the DECA School Store, which serves as a hands-on learning laboratory where students have the opportunity to operate and manage a real school-based enterprise. Students apply classroom concepts while participating in merchandising, inventory management, pricing, purchasing, marketing, sales, customer service, financial management, promotions, and daily business operations.
Through the DECA School Store, students gain practical experience in what it takes to successfully operate a business while developing accountability, professionalism, teamwork, leadership, and decision-making skills. Students will use sales and customer feedback to evaluate the effectiveness of business strategies and identify opportunities for continued growth and improvement.
Work-Based Learning
Eligible students may participate in Work-Based Learning (WBL) experiences with local businesses, entrepreneurs, retailers, marketing agencies, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and other community and industry partners. These supervised experiences provide students with opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings while strengthening business skills, workplace readiness, professional communication, leadership, and valuable industry connections.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be prepared for entry-level employment, internships, entrepreneurship, industry credentials, and postsecondary education in business administration, marketing, entrepreneurship, management, finance, accounting, advertising, communications, sales, retail management, and related fields.
Instructor: Eric Griggs
Email: egriggshugan3@ycschools.us
