News Releases
Sundling Students Launch Greenhouse Business
 Seventh-
and eighth-grade students at Walter R. Sundling Junior High
School are learning the joys and trials of being entrepreneurs in
an after-school club sponsored by teacher Rick Nowak.
The “budding” business, Jus’ Geraniums, will be offering
its product—various colors of potted geraniums ready for planting—beginning
at the school’s May 6 open house. The business’ entire stock
will be liquidated by the end of the school year, and the stockholders
expect to earn an actual dollar return—as well as many valuable
business lessons.
Nowak developed the idea for the business venture last summer. In
the fall, he asked staff members and others to bring him geraniums
from their gardens before the first frost, to be wintered over in
the school’s greenhouse. Cuttings from these plants would be nurtured
into new plants ready for sale.
In January, he began to recruit student participants, winding up
with about 30 who were interested. The group elected an executive
board, including a president, secretary, treasurer, and vice presidents
of maintenance, production, procurement, advertising, and treasury.
The next step was to create company stock, which the group decided
to value at $1 a share, then sell stock to other students. Each
of the vice presidents was granted an incentive inducement of 25
shares of stock.
Sale of the stock, along with a 30-day loan from the school’s magazine
drive funds, provided working capital. Two area nurseries—Mia’s
Gardens and Kinsch Village Florist and Garden Center—assisted by
selling supplies, including pots, potting mix, and additional geraniums,
at discounted prices.
Eight students were “hired” to work in the greenhouse, although
their wages were deferred until the company makes a profit. Once
stocks are liquidated and the loan is paid off, profits will be
used to pay these hourly employees first, then the executive board,
and finally, the shareholders.
“The students are making all the decisions,” explained Nowak. “They
take it very seriously. They’ve had to fire people, and the executive
board even had to let some vice presidents go because they weren’t
doing their part. They’re worried now because they are in debt,
but they really like the idea that they could actually make some
money.”
Jus’ Geraniums hasn’t yet set prices for the plant sale. Nowak expects
the students to do research to be sure they are competitive with
stores in the area.
“In 34 years of teaching, this is the most fun I’ve had,” the teacher
says. “I’m meeting with them every night after school. It’s been
a great learning experience—for the students and for me. I’m hoping
we’ll be able to do it again next year!”
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