Business & Finance
Sun, November 30, 2025
High-School Finance Lesson Sparks DesignSprint App That Connects Freelance Designers with Local Businesses
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Published in Business and Finance on Sunday, November 30th 2025 at 10:15 GMT by The Plain Dealer Cleveland- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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Budding Entrepreneurs: High‑School Finance Lessons Blossom for Brothers into Business Success
When Alex and Daniel Martinez first stepped into their senior year of Riverside High, they didn’t know that a routine economics lesson would spark a venture that would soon be a staple of the local community. What began as a simple assignment about budgeting and interest rates has evolved into a thriving business that showcases the power of hands‑on financial education for teenagers.
A Classroom Catalyst
The story starts in Room 212 of Riverside High, where sophomore teacher Ms. Lena Raines introduced her students to the fundamentals of personal finance. “We wanted to give students tools they could use in the real world,” Ms. Raines explained. “And what better way than to turn the classroom into a startup incubator?”
Raines’ approach was straightforward: students would identify a gap in the local market, draft a business plan, and present it to a panel of judges that included local entrepreneurs and community leaders. The class’s first project was a paper‑clip stand, but it quickly grew into a more ambitious challenge: “If you were to start a small business today, what would it be, and how would you manage its finances?”
It was at that moment that Alex and Daniel, two 17‑year‑old brothers who had been friends since kindergarten, decided to combine their love for technology with a practical business idea: a mobile app that connects freelance graphic designers with local businesses needing quick, on‑the‑spot design work. The app, named “DesignSprint,” would charge a commission on each project and offer designers a simple invoicing tool, cutting out the need for costly middlemen.
From Lesson to Ledger
Ms. Raines’ finance lessons were the backbone of DesignSprint’s early development. The brothers learned how to:
- Calculate Net Profit and Gross Margin – Alex explained, “We used the formulas from class to project that we could cover our server costs and still make a profit after paying the designers a 30% commission.”
- Set a Break‑Even Point – Daniel ran a spreadsheet that showed the app would need at least 150 jobs per month to start turning a profit, a figure they could use to gauge marketing effort.
- Manage Cash Flow – They practiced projecting cash inflows and outflows on a quarterly basis, learning to anticipate “dry” months and plan accordingly.
- Understand Interest and Investment – Raines introduced the concept of compound interest, which inspired the brothers to set aside a portion of their earnings into a small “growth fund” to finance future feature development.
The school’s financial literacy program also connected the brothers with a local small‑business mentor, Maria Gonzales, owner of a boutique printing shop that had successfully navigated the shift to digital marketing. Gonzales praised the brothers’ use of the classroom lessons: “They’re not just using numbers; they’re making decisions based on data. That’s what makes a business thrive.”
Launch Day and Growth
With the business plan complete and an initial budget of $1,200 (drawn from a small grant awarded by the school’s “Future Leaders” competition), Alex and Daniel launched DesignSprint in January. Their marketing strategy was simple: a flyer campaign in the city’s co‑working spaces, social media outreach to local design forums, and a “first‑job discount” for early users.
Within two months, DesignSprint had processed its 200th transaction, surpassing the break‑even point. The brothers reinvested $600 of their earnings into a paid version of the app that included a portfolio feature for designers, making it easier for businesses to vet candidates. A second round of the school’s competition offered them an additional $500 in seed money, which they used to hire a part‑time developer.
The business model proved adaptable. While the initial focus was on design services, the brothers added a “quick branding” package that bundled logo creation, social media graphics, and a brand style guide for a flat fee. By July, DesignSprint’s monthly revenue had grown to $3,500, with a net profit margin of 22%.
A Community Success Story
DesignSprint’s impact extends beyond the brothers’ bank accounts. By providing a reliable platform for freelance designers, the app has helped local businesses in the downtown area stay competitive without committing to long‑term hires. Small cafés and boutique shops that once outsourced design work to costly agencies now enjoy fresh, custom branding at a fraction of the price.
Alex reflects on the broader significance: “We never imagined our little school project would make such a difference. It’s a reminder that when you give students the right tools, they can create something that serves the community.”
The school has taken notice. Riverside High’s principal, Mrs. Emily Thompson, has announced plans to formalize the program into a standing “Entrepreneurship Lab,” allowing future students to launch businesses with financial backing and mentorship. “We’re proud of Alex and Daniel,” Thompson said. “They exemplify the spirit of innovation we hope to nurture in every student.”
Expert Take‑Aways
Ms. Raines, who now oversees the school’s expanded business program, emphasizes the importance of financial literacy: “The students learn that numbers aren’t just abstract. They’re the lifeblood of any venture. The key is to teach them how to apply that knowledge creatively.”
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) echoes this sentiment in its “Youth Entrepreneurship” initiative, which recommends that high‑school students gain exposure to budgeting, profit and loss statements, and funding strategies. According to the SBA’s 2024 report, students who engage in real‑world financial projects are 35% more likely to start a business before college.
Future Plans and Long‑Term Vision
Alex and Daniel are already eyeing the next phase. They plan to develop a feature that connects designers with small‑scale event planners, broadening their market base. Additionally, they intend to host monthly “Design Sprint” workshops in partnership with the city’s library to teach budding designers the basics of business and financial management.
Both brothers are also considering a scholarship program for younger students in Riverside High who want to launch their own projects. “We want to give back,” Daniel says. “If our story can inspire even one more kid to believe that they can run a business, it’s worth everything.”
The Takeaway
Alex and Daniel Martinez’s journey underscores a simple yet powerful lesson: when high‑school students are given practical, hands‑on financial education, they can translate classroom concepts into real‑world success. Their app, DesignSprint, not only demonstrates entrepreneurial spirit but also offers tangible benefits to the local economy, proving that the seeds of financial literacy planted in a classroom can indeed blossom into a thriving community enterprise.
Read the Full The Plain Dealer Cleveland Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/budding-entrepreneurs-high-school-finance-lessons-blossom-for-brothers-into-business-success/ar-AA1Rqbqf ]
