At St. James High School, the School-Based Enterprise (SBE) program is giving students hands-on experience running their own business, Tiger Express Apparel. This innovative course provides real-world business learning opportunities where students manage all aspects of their apparel business, from inventory control and product design to financial tracking, sales, and marketing.
Tiger Express Apparel is a business created by the students, for the students. It empowers them to take full ownership of their work, giving them valuable insight into the responsibilities of running a business. Whether they’re deciding on new products, tracking financial information, or marketing to their peers, students in the SBE program gain skills that will serve them well in future careers.
To be eligible for the SBE class, students must have completed at least one prior business course and be a member of DECA, a co-curricular business organization focused on preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. DECA’s core values—competence, innovation, integrity, and teamwork—align perfectly with the skills developed through running Tiger Express Apparel.
This year, the students in the SBE program took on a special project: designing and producing staff shirts for the entire district. Managing a large order like this allowed them to apply their learning on a bigger scale, including everything from product design to meeting production deadlines. Working together, they were able to see the tangible results of their efforts while building connections with the broader school community.
School-Based Enterprises like Tiger Express Apparel are an example of how education can transcend the classroom. These student-run businesses provide practical experience that prepares students for their future careers, fostering critical skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and real-world financial management.
Through SBE, students at St. James High School are not just learning about business—they're living it.
For more information on the School-Based Enterprise program or Tiger Express Apparel click here!