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Have you ever felt like navigating the business world is like running a never-ending obstacle course? Well, we've got news for you! Prequel's Summer Program (formerly BETA Camp) is here to help teenagers flip this dynamic on its head. Think of it as Shark Tank for ambitious teens, where you put your ideas into action and learn how to succeed in the real world. Prequel empowers teens to become entrepreneurs and action-takers.
Meet Suma Dendi, a chess player turned entrepreneur who turned her dreams into reality with the help of Prequel. From playing chess to mastering the business game, Suma's journey is a great example of how teens can make a real-world impact decades ahead of their peers. Her story is an inspiration for aspiring young founders.
From 0 to Revenue: Creating a Productivity Tool Suite for Teens with ADHD
At Prequel, Suma learned how to develop her entrepreneurial skills and how to pitch her ideas to experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Learning to pitch is a core startup skill.
She was fortunate to collaborate with other driven teenagers who shared her passion for helping other teens maximize their productivity and potential. Her team honed in on a huge problem: helping teens manage their time and stay on track. In entrepreneurship, identifying a real problem is the first step.
In Prequel's Summer Program, Suma and her team created a productivity tool suite for students with ADHD. It's like a superhero for focus, helping students stay on track and organized. This ADHD productivity tool addresses a specific student need.
“We added various features like a parking lot and guided meditation, things like that. Basically, a whole tool suite that can help you in any way possible to manage your productivity.”
Suma and her team sold their toolkit on Etsy and realized there was a high demand for ADHD productivity tools. The product helps students organize their thoughts. For example, they have a parking lot where you can dump all your random musings and ideas or scribble down your thoughts and come back to them later. It's like a brainstorming session without a fancy conference room. Gaining market validation through early sales is crucial.
At Prequel, she learned the importance of building fast and iterating quickly. Her team built an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) and went straight to market to get their first customers. Takeaway: You don’t have to have everything polished right off the bat. Instead, get something out in the market, get feedback, and iterate.
This lesson helped Suma create a product that she knew others wanted, maximize her time, and get to real revenue faster!
More than a startup: building real-world skills at Prequel
One of the key benefits Suma sees from being part of Prequel's Summer Program is that it has helped her develop her interpersonal and entrepreneurial skills. Prequel focuses on this holistic skill development for teens.
The program taught her how to ideate her business, test it, and receive feedback from customers. This type of structure is valuable in developing her grit. Building resilience and grit are important for entrepreneurs.
“I would convince parents to support their children in doing Prequel because it's a program that offers extremely unique value. The skills that you learn are different from school, like developing businesses, and developing your confidence.”
Suma says that being part of Prequel is a whole different ball game from going to school. It gives a different and unique experience that cannot be translated.
One of the key lessons Suma learned during her time at Prequel was the importance of having the right network. She now knows how to network like a boss. This program not only helped her develop her business skills but also helped her build her confidence and stand up for what she wanted. She also learned the importance of asking for help and not being afraid of rejection. For young entrepreneurs, networking and confidence are crucial.
What Can Teen Entrepreneurs Learn from Suma's Experience at Prequel?
In conclusion, if you’re a high school student looking to dive into the world of entrepreneurship, Prequel's Summer Program is your ticket. The program offers an unmatched experience that helps young entrepreneurs develop their skills, expand their network, and explore their potential. Prequel is essentially a launchpad for teen innovators.
Suma learned a lot from working with other teenagers who want to start their own businesses, and the skills and process to start a company in the future.
“You're really the average of the five people you spend the most time with. And having those five people be Prequel peers and mentors is truly a gift.”
And let’s not forget the invaluable opportunity to expand her circle of contacts and mentors who lead Prequel workshops, from industry professionals at Airbnb, Tesla, and Google, to Fortune 500 leaders and startup CEOs. She made connections with other ambitious teens that would make LinkedIn jealous. Access to industry mentors is a key Prequel advantage.
So, if you're an ambitious teenager who wants to make a difference in the world, apply for Prequel's Summer Program and start your entrepreneurial journey today!
