Carson High School business students enter their own ‘Shark Tank’

Students at Carson High School had the opportunity this week to demonstrate their entrepreneurial skills with their own version of the hit television show “Shark Tank.”

The students in William McHenry’s business classes presented their entrepreneurship ideas in front of nearly two dozen community business partners Thursday and Friday, in hopes of winning a cash prize and gaining feedback on their possible business ventures.

“Welcome to the Carson High Shark Tank where our students will present to local business leaders in hopes of a good grade and $300,” McHenry said to the audience Friday.

Business leaders from companies across Carson City came out to support the students, including US Bank, In Plain Sight Marketing, Greater Nevada Credit Union, Adams Hub and Sierra Financial Advisors. The sharks listened to the students’ presentations describing their business plan and then provided suggestions and critiques to improve the idea.

“The kids love it, I have had so many (say) ‘this is so cool, it is so fun,’” McHenry said.

The students competed in teams of one to three from McHenry’s Principles of Business and Marketing, Entrepreneurship I and Entrepreneurship II classes. All of McHenry’s business students presented their ideas in class and the top three ideas went on to compete in the Shark Tank this week in one of six rounds over the two days.

“I was a fan of Shark Tank and so instead of writing out a business plan (like previous classes) I thought we should play this out at school,” McHenry said. “…I think so much of school is grind work. School is important but how many are going to use linear systems outside of class? But everyone will deal with money and be somehow involved in business so it is nice to be able to do something that applies to their lives.”

Students’ ideas ranged from death-themed coffee shops to non-profits to help feed the homeless.

“The ideas are just magnificent,” McHenry said.