
Educating Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs Today
Jr. CEO is a six-week digital business education course that teaches kids the basics of starting their own business and is being offered by the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce. The program has been developed with the theme of how to open a lemonade stand business. At the end of the program students will open their lemonade stand (or another concept that they created) at the Plaza next to La Plaza during “Jr. CEO Business Day,” Saturday, April 1, 2023.
The program was developed to communicate information at a Junior High learning level and covers five main categories: Business Fundamentals (Forming a business plan, setting up a bank account, etc.), Cost Models, Safety & Food Prep, Marketing & Customer Service, and Money Management. Each virtual session will be facilitated by Josh Cross, Chamber of Commerce President/CEO as well as a local business leader as a guest speaker.
Tuition is $25 per student.
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Jr. CEO Program Dates
Kick-Off & Weekly Sessions Held Via Zoom At 6:00 PM
- February 8 – Virtual Kick Off Meeting & Q/A
- February 22 – SESSION 1 – Fundamentals for Setting Up Your Business
- March 1 – SESSION 2 – Cost Models
- March 8 – SESSION 3 – Safety and Food Prep
- March 15 – SESSION 4 – Marketing and Customer Service
- March 22 – SESSION 5 – Savings and Money Management – CoastHills
- April 1 – Jr. CEO Business Day – The Plaza next to La Plaza
- May 21 – Graduation/Celebration – The Ravine Water Park

The 5 Sessions In The Jr. CEO Program

Session 1: Fundamentals for Setting up Your Business
The first session focuses on the basics of officially starting the business. Developing a business name, business structure, filing paperwork for their DBA, their business license, setting up a bank account, etc.

Session 2: Cost Models
Students are taught how to form a business plan by using a cost model for their hot chocolate stand: What ingredients are needed and how much of each ingredient is needed for the recipe. How to source ingredients, cost of goods sold, selling price point, profit margin, etc.

Session 3: Safety and Food Prep
Before the business starts selling to customers, safety protocols and food prep guidelines must be in place. This session goes over the importance of food prep, safety, and the importance of having guidelines and protocols.

Session 4: Marketing and Customer Service
With the business officially up and running, it’s time to market the brand and bring in customers! This session walks students through some marketing basics and best practices, and the importance of having exceptional customer service.

Session 5: Savings and Money Management
The sales are coming in! Now what? This session will address the importance of savings and money management. How much do you use to re-invest in the company? How much should be put into savings/reserves? This session will walk students through a plan on how to manage their profits.

Jr. CEO Business Day | April 1st
At the end of the program, students will open their lemonade stand (or another concept that they created) at the Plaza next to La Plaza for “Jr. CEO Business Day,” Saturday, April 1, 2023.

Graduation Celebration |
May 21st From 1-4 PM At The Ravine Water Park
It’s time to celebrate the hard work and learning these young entrepreneurs have done! Join us for a spectacular graduation celebration on May 21st from 1 – 4 PM at the Ravine Water Park located at 2301 Airport Rd, Paso Robles.