From Classroom to Careers

Entrepreneur Course Turns Business Dreams into Reality

Many students who enroll in Entrepreneur I and II at Liberty Hill High School walk in with the same expectation—that it will be a blow-off class with a few tips on starting a business and an end-of-year project to check off. What they find, however, is far more life changing, beginning with the classroom itself, which feels less like a traditional classroom and more like a launching pad for dreams, life lessons, and a teacher-student bond that doesn’t end at graduation.

“It’s not as much about entrepreneurship. I learned about the business world, but it was more about life lessons and how to act in the business world and how to treat people,” Katherine Philpott says. She is one of 52 students in grades 10 through 12 who have participated in Entrepreneur I and II during the 2024-25 school year. All were guided by Steven Schiff, who brings a wealth of real-world knowledge to the classroom with his experience working for Proctor & Gamble and starting multiple businesses.

The program begins with a brainstorming session known as a “Bug List,” where students identify everyday problems or annoyances in their lives—things that “bug” people—and then work to develop solutions for those issues. From there, students dive into market research, identifying competitors and defining their team roles. Each student takes on a specific responsibility, such as CEO, CFO, customer relations, marketing, etc. The class teaches them to understand their customer, design effective marketing strategies, source manufacturers, and develop financial plans, all while emphasizing the importance of leadership and collaboration.

Speaking Up

For many of the students, strong communication skills became one of the most valuable lessons. “Public speaking was not easy for me at all. I hated it,” says Zane Wright, adding he has since become more confident about making presentations in front of an audience. He helped his team create a mobile car washing and detailing service, Bright Club, which is designed to partner directly with businesses and car dealerships to save customers time and hassle.

Jakyla Banks says the class also taught her how to leave a strong first impression. “Because of Mr. Schiff, now I know how to introduce myself and have people remember me—that’s how you’ll be successful in the business world.” Her team’s project, JobLab, created a mobile app that connects people aged 15 and older to everything from quick cash jobs like lawn mowing and babysitting to full-time career opportunities, as well as offering access to certifications and training.

That ability to communicate confidently and leave a lasting impression was on full display during Pitch Night—an event where students present their business ideas to the community in a Shark Tank-style format. The event is open to the public, and more than 200 community members attended this year’s showcase in April, including a panel of judges featuring City of Liberty Hill Communications Director Katie Amsler, Liberty Hill EDC Project Manager Yvonne Castillo, and local business owners Young Han and Robert Lee. Steve describes Pitch Night as “a combination of covering all of the necessary components in building a business, coupled with the ‘been there and did that’ real-world experiences I share with the students.”

ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN ACTION

Following are this year’s innovative business ideas brought to life by Liberty Hill High School’s aspiring entrepreneurs:

FIRST PLACE—Switch It Shoes: Athletic shoes with interchangeable soles for different sport’s needs.

SECOND PLACE—Pawer Shower: An outdoor pet shower attachment offering heated water and soap dispensing. 

THIRD PLACE—JobLab: A mobile app helping people 15 and older find jobs, from quick gigs to full-time positions, and access training and certifications.

Bug Bye Naturals: A natural garden spray that deters bugs without harmful chemicals.

Eagle Eye Golf: Golf balls equipped with tracking devices to help golfers locate lost balls and improve their swings.

Lumeon: A solar-powered charger that extends phone battery life, complete with multiple plug options.

Bright Club: A mobile car washing and detailing service partnering with businesses and dealerships.

Elegant Vow: A women’s clothing brand focused on stylish designs and perfect fits.

Easy Throw Co.: A solar-powered trash can opener that makes taking out the trash easier and keeps bins smelling fresh.

Wake Me Up: A caffeine additive designed for breakfast foods like yogurt, cereal, and milk.

Time to Check: A mobile app that reminds users to perform routine tasks like changing smoke detector batteries and filters.

Budget Bites: A healthier, more affordable alternative to traditional school lunches.

Titan Gear: A customizable gym bag that reflects the owner’s personality.

The top three winners will receive funds from the Liberty Hill Education Foundation to continue forming their businesses by filing an LLC, seeking legal advice, and creating samples and marketing materials.

Readers who are interested in learning more about the Entrepreneurship program and students’ business projects can contact Steven at sschiff@libertyhill.txed.net or Liberty Hill ISD’s communications director, Rachel Acosta at racosta@libertyhill.txed.net.

“Other classes teach you how to be an employee and learn what someone else wants you to do. But this class teaches you how to work for yourself. Not everyone wants to work for someone else and build someone else’s dream. Some people want to work on their own dream.” — Entrepreneur 2 student Haylee Blean