MSJ DECA and LEO team up for Blazers Entrepreneurship Fair

By Staff Writers Jessica Cao & Michael Qin

Lila Bringhurst Elementary School’s spacious Multi-Use Room (MUR) echoed with the distinctive chatter of a miniature marketplace as elementary students prepared for a busy afternoon of selling products to parent and student customers of the Blazers Entrepreneurship Fair. Though many began with shy glances, the encouragement from parents and potential buyers soon created an excited bustle of confidently articulated pitches. At 5-7 p.m. on February 6 , MSJ DECA and MSJ LEO Club partnered with the Lila Bringhurst Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to inaugurate a learning and fundraising opportunity for the school and its students. 

Across the 74 student booths, students sold a wide variety of items, including handmade art, paper crafts, pottery, accessories, keychains, toys, 3D-printed items, books, stationery, slime, soaps, candy, baked goods, and ticket slots for prize activities. The entrepreneurship fair was not only a critical growth opportunity for the young students to improve their speaking and business skills, but also a fundraising event for the school. Each student booth was charged $25 for a selling permit, and both money from sponsors and permit fees contributed to the funds for a fourth-grade class field trip to Sacramento, exploring trains and government buildings in order to support students’ studies in American social science through hands-on learning and real-world experience. 

MSJ DECA members dedicated months of preparation time to assist elementary student entrepreneurs in actualizing their innovative business ideas, meanwhile, MSJ LEO officers defined roles, streamlined workflow, and coordinated volunteering. “We’ve been [very] impressed. [Our mentor] gave us three tips that were spot on, [and recommended to] sell things in a bundle. She greeted my kid [at the fair] and walked around [to help sell t-shirts],” Bringhurst parent volunteer Karen Chiu said.

Around 40 MSJ students attended the fair as volunteers and mentors to elementary entrepreneurs. DECA members set up tables and chairs, directed foot traffic, managed check-in, and handed out interactive activities to students. Mentors found the experience especially rewarding. “I’ve been … giving them ideas on how they can promote their products, how they can present it, and different bundles they can offer,” MSJ DECA Vice President of Leadership Senior Riya Agarwal said. “It’s been quite rewarding to see after four years of DECA, I’m actually able to help other people sell their own things. Seeing young kids start entrepreneurship is quite inspiring. And I’m glad that I’m able to pass on the skills I’ve learned.”  

MSJ LEO and MSJ DECA have collaborated to host similar community-based events in the past, such as the Towel Bears service event in the first semester. “The most fulfilling part was definitely seeing the kids happy and making their purchases, because this is probably most of their first time selling. Every time we collaborate with DECA, we always get very high engagement. We would love to host another event or participate in another event like this, because our members can gain a lot of new skills and meet new people,” MSJ LEO Secretary Junior Ashley Kang said. Both clubs look forward to collaborating with Bringhurst’s PTA and are interested in turning the Blazers Entrepreneurship Fair into an annual event, making entrepreneurship and service opportunities more easily accessible to students.