This week, the students in Euclid High School’s Entrepreneurship Career Tech program had a unique opportunity to learn directly from a successful entrepreneur. London Mitchell, founder of "One Chance the Brand" and the focus of a recent feature on WKYC, visited the program to share his insights and challenge students to think big about their futures as business leaders.
Mitchell, a young entrepreneur known for his creative vision and commitment to uplifting others, spent two days guiding students through the fundamentals of launching a business. During his first visit on Tuesday, he spoke about developing a business concept, brand identity, and plan. He emphasized the importance of a clear vision and a strong business pitch, highlighting the elements required to create a successful and sustainable venture.
Wednesday was all about action. The students, inspired by Mitchell’s lessons, paired off to brainstorm and develop their own brands, concepts, and business plans. Their goal? To create a pitch compelling enough to win over a panel of judges, including Mitchell himself. The stakes were high, but the enthusiasm in the room was contagious as students worked together to refine their ideas.
On Thursday, the moment of truth arrived. Mitchell returned to the classroom, this time accompanied by two of his entrepreneurial friends, to evaluate the students’ business pitches. Five groups presented their ideas, each showcasing creativity, problem-solving, and a knack for innovative thinking.
The pitches featured a wide range of exciting concepts:
Knocknock
A restaurant concept aimed at delivering both food and laughter through a joke themed menu and a comedic staff.
VivaScholarships
A software platform designed to connect minority students with college scholarships tailored to their needs.
Clothing Capsule
A vending machine business for airports, featuring locally sourced clothing and designs.
TechAesthetics
A company focused on revolutionizing computer cases with sleek, modern, and customizable designs.
Street Rollers
A food truck offering imaginative egg rolls and refreshing lemonades.
Each team delivered a five-minute pitch, explaining their business concept, branding, target market, and the investment needed to bring their ideas to life. After each presentation, the judges provided constructive feedback, offering valuable advice on ways to refine and strengthen their pitches.
In the end, ClothingCapsule emerged as the overall winner, with its innovative approach to promoting local fashion in a unique setting. StreetRollers took second place, and TechAesthetics secured third. The judges were impressed not only by the creativity on display but also by the professionalism and effort each team put into their presentations.
Mitchell was particularly struck by the students’ talent and potential. He praised their ability to think outside the box and develop concepts with real-world relevance.
The experience didn’t just leave an impression on the students; it also inspired Mitchell. Before leaving, he announced his plans to return around spring break to hear more developed pitches. This time, he hopes to bring actual investors who could potentially fund the students’ concepts, turning their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
As a token of his appreciation, Mitchell gifted each student a chain from his brand, "One Chance the Brand." The gesture was a reminder of his philosophy: everyone has one chance to make their dreams a reality, and it’s up to them to seize the opportunity.
The visit from London Mitchell and the subsequent pitch competition provided an invaluable experience for the students. They not only learned about entrepreneurship from someone who’s walked the path but also had the chance to apply their knowledge in a real-world scenario. The event exemplified the power of mentorship, collaboration, and hands-on learning in inspiring the next generation of business leaders.
Euclid High School is proud to provide opportunities like this that spark curiosity, build confidence, and prepare students for future success. Congratulations to all the participants for their hard work and creativity, and a special thank-you to London Mitchell for sharing his expertise and inspiring our young entrepreneurs.
