Inspired by a teacher who used essential oils in her classroom to provide a calming environment, two teens from Dean Morgan Teen Club presented a “diffuse-a-pen” as their product idea at the latest Shark Tank simulation. Members from the Teen Center at the Main Club and the Dean Morgan Teen Club recently participated in a 10-week program aimed at developing young entrepreneurs. Youth learned the value of developing a functional team, the in’s and out’s of budgeting, and the basics of developing a product that can meet consumers’ needs.

The last night of the program, teens participated in a Shark Tank simulation where they pitched a product prototype and business plan to a panel of esteemed judges.

Product ideas varied from earbud holder to an essential oil diffuser pen. Each product pitch was judged on criteria such as problem/solution, startup costs, and overall presentation.

The presentation with the highest overall score won a grand prize of $100 cold, hard cash. Though only one team won, each youth walked away with the skills and knowledge to make their dreams the foundation of their future.

“What we learned from this experience is that we are more capable than we thought,” said the duo of Addie H. and Krysta D. “We didn’t know that we had it in us to come up with a new product and then build it from scratch.”

YouthBiz is a product of Young American’s Center for Financial Education and is offered once a year for teen members.