Tell us how you became a facilitator of entrepreneurship classes.
German Khatkevich: School No. 1367 has been participating in the “Entrepreneurship classes in a Moscow school” project since 2021. We had not only the necessary resources, but also a request from students and parents: the project receives quite a few applications every year. The children note that the knowledge gained in the entrepreneurship class is really important, necessary and useful.
You teach children and run your own business – is it difficult to combine the two?
German Khatkevich: I wouldn’t say it’s difficult. In any case, when you’re a curator, you’re immersed in both economics and financial education. Knowledge and tools emerge that can be used in practice.
Does owning and running your own business help educate schoolchildren?
German Khatkevich: On the one hand, we use the knowledge I gained as a curator of the entrepreneurship class project in our business. On the other hand, Yulia and I share practical business experience with our students.
For example, we accompanied students from our school to the Atlanta business club. The kids defended their projects there. This is a fairly well-known club in Moscow, where business sessions for schoolchildren are often held. It’s great that there are communities like this! This is an opportunity for students to communicate with leading experts in the city, professionals, scientists in the field of economics and entrepreneurship, and potential employers. Some of the kids, of course, are no longer engaged in business, but are making money. There are similar examples in our school. One student from the entrepreneurial class has implemented his business model: he buys sneakers in China and sells them through social networks. In the 10th grade, I was already earning my first little money. But his reach on social networks was quite low, and Yulia advised him on how to identify promotion tools and target audience. He implemented all the recommendations in the business model, achieved good results, and continued doing business in the 11th grade.
What is the first thing you teach children? What basic skills should a new entrepreneur have?
German Khatkevich: In September we tell the kids: “You came to receive theoretical knowledge, but your main task is to understand how it can be applied when developing a project. It is important that while studying finance and business, the basics of entrepreneurship and economics, you understand how to use the knowledge in your business.”
We do not start the development of a business project by offering a choice, or even with the child’s words: “I want to do this.” We have built a special methodology: the formula for a successful project is the child’s interest plus the response of the public. Of course, we analyze market trends and calculate profitability. As a rule, we invite specialists from universities to these brainstorming sessions so that they can discuss ideas and give their opinion. Basically, existing entrepreneurs recommend paying attention to those brands and niches that are not currently on the market.
Which projects can become a business? Do student projects have entrepreneurial potential?
German Khatkevich: It is quite difficult to say at first whether a business idea will turn into a business. Much depends on the initial situation of both the child himself and his family. Our task is to create conditions for absolutely every student, taking into account his individual needs. It is not that everyone follows a common plan and everyone does the same. The individual educational path, on the one hand, is focused on the development of a business project, on the other hand, on the university where the child will continue his education.
How do you keep students motivated?
German Khatkevich: We form motivation and a conscious approach to learning at the level of basic general education. We invite everyone who wants to enroll in a pre-vocational class to master classes. We also regularly organize meetings for parents where we discuss educational prospects.
There is such a promotion: a study day at the university. This year, the kids were able to feel like students of the Financial University; they had lectures and excursions. Already at school, they begin to approach knowledge more consciously. That is, you study not only to know a lot, but also to apply this knowledge in the implementation of your own business.
Do you keep in touch with your alumni? What are their successes?
German Khatkevich: Yes, it is important for us to know where our graduates went and we keep in touch with them. Most of them are the universities they knew during their school years: REU, State University of Management, Financial University, Higher School of Economics. The guys say that the transition from school to university was not stressful for them, because they had already been there and saw the opportunities it provided. There are those who choose a similar direction. This is much less common, of course, but it is also a choice of the student, which we respect. However, it is worth noting that the social skills developed in entrepreneurship classes will be useful to you in any direction, they will help you solve everyday problems and choose the right path.
