TREP$ is a program with the mission of “empowering students through entrepreneurship.” This fall, a group of Mendham Borough students in 4th through 8th grade learned the basics of business, including product development, marketing, and sales. Their efforts culminated in a TREP$ Marketplace on the evening of December 5th.
Mendham Borough TREP$ students had 27 collective businesses between 4th graders from Hilltop Elementary and 5th- 8th graders from Mountain View Middle School. The students all created table displays for their various products such as wands, creative writing, jewelry, holiday decorations, sensory items, pottery, and services. From the moment the clock struck 6:00 pm, students and parents walked through the door to show their support. The room was filled with excited shoppers and many of the businesses sold all of their products well before the close of the marketplace.
Several young entrepreneurs also chose to donate a portion of their proceeds to causes they considered important, such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Autism NJ, and local animal shelters and food banks.
Ella Pit, a 4th grader reflected, “ It felt wonderful when people wanted to buy my products. It felt good because I knew they liked it.”
5th graders, Hadley Moores stated, “It was a fun experience where I got to run my own business! It was nice that I was successful at that.”
Max Krolikiewicz, another 5th grader added, “It was a fun time and a great learning experience!”
