BUILDING INDEPENDENCE THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

By Arthur Knapp DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Carl Reif came to Regis Jesuit with a lengthy resume spanning marketing work for the Philadelphia Archdiocese to risk management for clients like the U.S. National Parks. In his words, he’s “done every part of business” in his career. With his experience, the last place you might expect to find him is in a high school, but Regis Jesuit is exactly where he wants to be. “If I could do it all over again, I’d be a teacher from the start,” he says.

But the students in his Entrepreneurship class are clearly benefiting from all those years of experience outside the classroom. They are learning business fundamentals and practical skills that will give them an edge in any field.

“I like the business mindset of the class. Mr. Reif challenges us to think about things differently,” says Samson Gholston ’23.

Near the end of the spring semester, the class of mostly senior boys and girls presented business plans to the class in a “Shark Tank” style format, albeit with a bit less flash and a lot more substance. The students stood confidently in front of slick PowerPoint presentations showcasing their proposed businesses’ logos, marketing plans, market research, projected profits and expected growth potential. After each presentation, Mr. Reif and the class fired off questions you’d expect from a potential investor. They’d ask about known competitors, market share and corporate ethics.

“I’m teaching for real life,” Mr. Reif says, “They’re doing things they’ve never done before.”

And real is exactly how this class feels. Mr. Reif believes the best learning occurs in scenarios that are organic and unplanned. When a technical glitch cuts off a presentation, it isn’t a brief delay, it is an opportunity for students to problem solve and react as if it happened in a pitch meeting.

“One student’s mistake is a great learning opportunity for the entire class.” Mr. Reif says, “They’ll make mistakes in their life, so why not make them in a classroom first?”

This focus on problem solving is essential to the formation Regis Jesuit provides to all our students. RJ graduates are preparing to tackle issues affecting people and the natural world, and this course gives them the business skills they need to be successful leaders.

Beyond building business proposals and problem-solving, Mr. Reif’s Entrepreneurship course teaches RJ students applicable life and business skills like time management, self-advocacy and dealing with failure.

“I like that I get to figure things out myself and put my creativity into it,” says Rachel Hilty ’23, “Mr. Reif is supportive through everything, he truly wants us to be better at business.”

In talking about the course, Mr. Reif emphasizes building independence and maturity. The course has a unique structure that requires students to manage their own time, just as they will have to do in their future careers. And it isn’t just Mr. Reif teaching these students. He brings in industry experts and alumni to share their experience and answer questions from the students.

In just one semester, he sees students gain confidence in themselves, build skills that will serve them throughout their lives and become young adults poised to lead.

“I see greatness in all of them, more than they see in themselves.”