Igniting the Entrepreneurial Mindset in our Youth!
From Risk to Opportunity
How we view ourselves and the world around us impacts our ability to dream and achieve.
What is Operation CEO
Operation CEO is a fun-hands-on six-week after-school and summer camp program that ignites the entrepreneurial mindset in youth ages 8-18 from low-income backgrounds.
Why is Entrepreneurial and Financial literacy education important?
Children form opinions and habits at an early age and help them understand basic financial and economic principles and concepts as they grow a strong foundation and sequential preparation for handling their finances. As students understand how the world works, they can make real-world connections to what they are learning in school. Students exposed to an economical way of thinking and personal financial concepts at age-appropriate levels can more easily apply sound decision-making skills, develop regular saving and spending habits, and link education success to career and life success. Eighty-four percent of students who participated in Operation CEO say they want to own their own business one day.
How Does Operation CEO Work?
Students are placed in small teams and are taught how to build and run a business. Teams do research, design solutions, and pitch their business ideas by the 6-week program. After each team pitches their business idea, they open for business and make a real profit!
What do students learn?
Entrepreneurial Mindset Skills
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- Introduction to business
- Product creation and new inventions
- Financial literacy and budgeting
Student Achievement
- Creative and critical thinking
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Leadership skills and public speaking skills
- Lateral and higher-order thinking
- Responsibility
Career Exploration
- 21st Century Career Skills: product ideation, marketing research, technology
- Sparks interests in attending college
- Career ideation
Our Model
Grind + Growth partners with schools, community centers, and youth development organizations to bring entrepreneurship education to underserved and under-resourced learners.
Through creating their business idea, Operation CEO students build the skills needed to plan and launch a startup. Most importantly, students develop an entrepreneurial mindset. They learn to think and act like entrepreneurs, demonstrating initiative and self-reliance, flexibility and adaptability, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration, creativity and innovation, opportunity recognition, and future orientation. This skill set can lead to success in any career.
Our Initiatives
- Support social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development through entrepreneurial education
- Reduce risky behaviors during out-of-school hours between 2 pm-6 pm
- Promote physical health
- Provide a safe and supportive environment for children and youth
Operation CEO Curriculum
We offer a differentiated, age-appropriate curriculum separated into lower elementary (grades 1-2), upper elementary (grades 3-5), and middle/high school (grades 6-12). This is a proven curriculum with incredible results! Operation CEO encourages youth to focus on an idea and apply it to make it their own. Our flexible curriculum teaches and brings business studies to life through hands-on experimental learning based on real-life scenarios. Participants are guided through four modules: Basics of Business, Developing Your Business Idea; Developing a Financial Plan for your Business; Communication and Public Speaking Skills; and participate in a business pitch competition. Participants are matched with business role models for one-on-one business development and coaching before presenting their final business pitch.
PITCH DAY VIDEOS
Operation CEO can teach children & youth entrepreneurial education thanks to generous donations. Want to help?
Want your students to participate in the Operation CEO program, summer camp, or after-school program at your school? Please fill out our interest form, and we’ll get back to you within 48 hours.nt
Contact Us
Learn about the many ways you can support Grind + Growth’s mission
Contact Us
6 Cardinal Way, Suite 900
St. Louis, MO 63102
contact@grindplusgrowth.com
(314)-246-9568
Office Hours
Monday-Friday
9 am-5 pm (CST)
Educate & Inspire 