Golden Hill’s fourth and fifth graders learned about everything needed to sell a product and run a business, as part of the TREP$ (short for entrepreneurs) Marketplace program. 

In this six-week afterschool program, advised by teachers Heather Beneat and Linda Shute, students learn how to run their own small business and discuss all aspects of that process, including product development, advertising and costs. Beneat noted that students must take the program seriously and finds that they love creating products, sometimes working on a completely new idea when their first one does not pan out. 

“We talk about ‘How are you going to get the money to start it up?’ and ‘Do you have to take a loan from your parents?’ … we talk about loss and profit,” Beneat explained. “It encompasses everything because you’re speaking, you’re writing, plus you’re using your mathematical skills.”

These lessons cumulated with a marketplace April 23 where the young entrepreneurs, donning aprons, sold their wares which included dog toys, bath and body scrubs and flower boxes, to name a few. Most students earn a profit that they get to keep and following the marketplace, the advisers hold one last class with students to discuss what worked and did not work with their business models. 

“They have to do everything, we provide the knowledge and the table,” Beneat said of the students. “We always end on a high note … it’s a really great program.”

Abby Scheuermann, who sold body care products was delighted to be a part of TREP$.

“I enjoyed making all of my products and it was an experience I will never forget,” she said. 

Patrick Verblaauw, who sold all natural sprays, said participating in TREP$ last year helped him tremendously for this year’s marketplace.

“I used my previous Trep$ Marketplace experience to make just the right amount of product,” he shared.