Our non- profit program
ESP/PIE—Every Student Shares The Pie/Participating in Entrepreneurship


The dream of many students is to become self-employed. Results of a US Department of Commerce study show that youths' strong interest in starting a business derives from the freedom associated with being their own boss. According to a Gallup Poll study done in conjunction with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 7 out of 10 high school students say they want to start their own business. Entrepreneurs generate ideas; produce goods, services and jobs; and produce the economic activity that drives the local economy. Despite the widespread acceptance of the key role small businesses and entrepreneurs play in our economy, many institutions of learning are not preparing our young people for careers as business owners. They are overwhelmingly being prepared for a life of working for someone else. In today’s rapidly changing economic climate not everyone is going to be able to find that "good job with a good company." That is the reason ESP/PIE™ Program will be effective. The ESP/PIE™ program is formulated to make inner-city students and college students aware of the possibilities offered by entrepreneurship and prepare them with the basic skills to seize those opportunities.

Strategic Goals:

• Promote and encourage student-leadership, economic awareness, economic sufficiency and entrepreneurship.
• Promote cooperation and communication among inner-city K-12 students from the Dallas Independent School District and the community for the economic betterment of the entire community.

Objectives:

(1) To increase student knowledge of leadership, conflict resolution and achievement in economics and entrepreneurship.
(2) To disseminate effective instructional materials, and promote the value of economic understanding while helping students comprehend the modern world and assist them in making decisions that shape their futures in becoming entrepreneurs.

Learning Outcomes

• 100 % of inner-city high school students will be able to identify and apply basic leadership and conflict resolution skills.
• 100 % of inner-city high school students will understand the essential need for economic sufficiency in the 21st century.
• 100 % of inner-city high school students will demonstrate a basic understanding of economics principles and entrepreneurship.
  
  
  Additionally, by the end of the PIE™ program each student will have:

• Solved the entrepreneurial equation — K+A+C=E3
• Examined what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur and leader
• Explored the basic skills for entrepreneurial achievement
• Practiced creative applications
• Identified the tools needed for business management
• Reviewed and analyzed a credit report
• Created a personal budget
• Set goals and developed a strategic action plan
• Identified members of their business team
• Made a list of the licenses and permits needed to operate a business
• Reviewed accounting systems for record keeping
• Examined different types of taxes
• Reviewed marketing strategies
• Evaluated business insurance needs
• Reviewed the 4 legal business structures
• Identified sources for financing a new business
• Examined 10 easy steps to successful business planning
• Discussed the importance of the Neighborhood Business Center (NBC) and E-commerce
• Utilized problem solving techniques
• Practiced presentation, communication and interviewing skills
• Gained hands-on business experience
• Planned for future progress