Kelley Indianapolis joins Herron School of Art + Design, and Office of Community Engagement to host a summer business camp for high school students
Starting a business is an exhilarating yet challenging journey. To prepare the next generation of entrepreneurs, the IU Indianapolis Entrepreneurship Boot Camp, formerly known as BOSS Camp, offers local high school students an immersive, week-long dive into small business ownership.
Held in early June on the IU Indianapolis campus, the camp brought together 17 students, ranging from incoming ninth graders to graduating seniors, from Arsenal Tech and Shortridge high schools for an intensive introduction to entrepreneurship. The students spend the week with experts who lead courses on what it means to be a small business owner, the elements of an entrepreneurial mindset, and how to develop a strong business plan.
The boot camp is a collaborative initiative between the IU Indianapolis Office of Community Engagement, the Kelley School of Business Indianapolis, and the Herron School of Art + Design. It provides a holistic learning approach by combining business acumen with creative design and practical implementation, hosted in a creative space that’s essentially in the student’s backyard in downtown Indianapolis.
Under the guidance of Barb Cutillo, director of experiential learning and lecturer in management at Kelley Indianapolis, students delved into essential business skills, such as visioning, research, planning, marketing, pricing, and budgeting. Herron instructors provided creative insights into product design, branding, and prototyping. Students used 3D printers, laser cutters, printers, and VR technology to create product prototypes and advertising materials for their businesses.
“It was refreshing to see a wide variety of students join our program. Some students have already graduated high school and are planning next steps, while four or five students were returning for a second camp experience,” said Cutillo. “These students are bright, driven, and professional throughout the process.”
Cutillo also enlisted Kelley faculty members from various business specialties to help students develop ideas, conduct concept and product research, compare pricing and competitors, produce prototypes, and develop a business plan, complete with logo designs and marketing ideas. On the final day of the camp, students pitch their business plans to judges for cash prizes.
By sharing their experiences and providing practical advice and instruction to the students, local small business owners and faculty experts play a crucial mentor role that helps students bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. One entrepreneur spent roughly 15 years in corporate supply chain management at Rolls-Royce before earning her MBA and starting her own business. Another owns three businesses, has published multiple books, and runs a podcast. Kelley faculty and staff members Mark Mayer, Nolan Taylor, Angela Andrews, and Derrick Williams-Bacon all volunteered their time and expertise.
Students practice workplace professionalism and earn a “salary” in the form of a $350 stipend, which they can use to invest in their business ideas. An additional cash prize also awaits the winners of the pitch competition. Pitch day arrived on the final day of camp, with each student presenting their business concept in a poster session to a panel of judges consisting of the same local business owners and Kelley faculty. Each student was tasked with answering the judges’ questions on their business concept and design.
After a close competition, the winners were:
- First place ($200): Zaniah Davis for Z’s Kitchen
- Second place ($100): Marcella Lee for Soul Kitchen
- Third place ($75): Jocelyn McReynolds for Jay’s Exquisite Hair Co.
- Fourth place ($50): LaPree Key for Lo Key Realty
- Audience Choice Award ($150): Melanie Leocadio and Laila Brookins for Juicy Jewelz and London Glass for Gentle Steps Child Care.
Teaching entrepreneurial thinking at a young age fosters a growth mindset and equips students with the resilience to handle failure. According to Cutillo, entrepreneurship education helps students view failures as learning opportunities, which is essential for personal and professional growth.
“The program teaches skills that are transferable to any career or trade a student pursues, regardless of their career goals. They learn basic marketing, proper research, and how to invest, which are necessary for any successful adult. But at the heart of it, the camp teaches and reinforces a growth mindset, which is, from an emotional intelligence perspective, a critical skill to practice regularly. The real differentiator in the growth mindset is how you handle failure, and that’s what I hope each student takes with them,” said Cutillo.
The bootcamp also connects campus with the local community, making higher education and entrepreneurial opportunities more accessible for high schoolers. Many students felt comfortable on the IU Indianapolis campus, seeing it as an extension of their community and helping to ease their transition into the program.
“One of our program goals is community outreach, connecting potential students with the university environment. It’s not just about recruitment but making them feel at home in a college setting,” said Cutillo. “Another component we’ll be advocating early next year is organizing student mentor involvement. It’s invaluable to have students who have completed this camp recommend the experience to others.”
The week was successful from the students’ perspective, with 94% of students rating the camp as positive for their future careers and applicable in their schooling.
Looking ahead, Cutillo hopes to incorporate more detailed sessions on brand and product design with Herron instructors and additional marketing sections from Kelley faculty. She’s also considering peer-to-peer feedback sessions where students can pitch ideas to each other and offer constructive critiques.
“When we start planning for next summer, I plan to incorporate more practice pitches and peer feedback sessions would be invaluable for the students’ learning experience. I also can’t help but thank Teresa Bennett, [assistant vice chancellor for the Office of Community Engagement] for her many years of dedication and leadership of this camp. She has organized this camp since 2019 and influenced the outcomes of many students. I hope to continue to build on this legacy.”
The IU Indianapolis Entrepreneurship Boot Camp is more than a summer camp; it’s a launchpad for future entrepreneurs. By blending business knowledge with creative design and practical application, the boot camp prepares students for the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. It also fosters a culture of innovation and resilience.
Camp sponsors, whose generosity allows the camp to continue, include Fifth-Third Bank, Lilly Endowment, and the Indianapolis Foundation.
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