TEA Schedule & Curriculum

TEA Schedule/Curriculum

See the 2019 Business Plan Competition Event Program Book

The TEA curriculum is specially designed for the active teenager's mind. It offers the best in teaching theories, a “learn by doing” approach that combines theory, group learning projects, and practical lesson plans. The key is active learning and participation by the teenagers. They learn together. The exercises and group projects make learning more fun, engaging and memorable. Students write real-world practical business plan presentations and are coached/mentored by successful entrepreneurs. The best business plan presentation team wins $1,500 to help seed the new business. Our emphasis is on actually starting a real business (not hypothetical) and how to really launch. The Lean Startup process is taught with a focus on the Customer Development Model. Students are encouraged to test their business hypothesis and to fail fast, learning quickly what doesn't work in order to focus on what does work. It’s the entrepreneurial mindset that we are developing in these future business leaders.

To better understand what the TEA schedule looks like, see our Sample Schedule of the Week

Teen Entrepreneur Academy Textbook

All academy students receive their own copy of this entrepreneurship textbook we use that was specifically written for the high school student:

The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business by Steve Mariotti

It doesn't matter how old you are or where you're from; you can start a profitable business. The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business will show you how. This book is filled with real, inspirational stories of young people finding success in the business world -- from superstars like Microsoft's Bill Gates and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy to young people who are just starting out. It provides a practical, step-by-step pathway, including everything you need to know to start your own business, from creating financial statements to developing marketing techniques.

You'll also discover the tremendous entrepreneurial opportunities that are readily available through the Internet. This book will show you how to:

Prepare a winning business plan
Register your business legally and easily
Understand finance and keep smart records
Conduct market research that really works
Use the Internet to reach customers around the world
Build a socially conscious company that gives back to the community.

Plus, you'll find dozens of ideas for businesses you can start today! Owning your own business can positively change your life forever. With The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business, nothing can stop you from getting started now.

About the Author

Steve Mariotti is an entrepreneur and author. He is the founder of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). He founded NFTE in 1987 after his work as a special education teacher in some of the toughest schools in the New York City school system showed him that student interest in learning could be increased through the lens of entrepreneurship. Since its launch, Mariotti has led NFTE to reach more than 350,000 young people through programs in 21 states and 10 countries.

Mariotti, a native of Flint, Michigan, is an alumnus of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He has also studied at Harvard University, Stanford University, and Brooklyn College.

Mariotti's work has been documented on national TV, including ABC Evening News and 20/20. He has co-authored more than 30 books on entrepreneurship that have sold over a million copies.

Teen Entrepreneur Academy