Students in Visions’ Future Business Leaders Club recently showcased their creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial spirit at the 3rd Annual National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) High School Business Pitch Competition, powered by Junior Achievement of Sacramento.

As part of the competition, students were challenged to develop and pitch an original business idea. Each team created a one-page business plan and a slide deck, delivering a five-minute pitch to judges. Presentations were required to clearly outline the problem and solution, explain how the product or service works, identify the target customer, detail marketing strategies and financials, specify funding requests and intended use of funds, and highlight how the business would give back to the community through corporate social responsibility.

All of the student teams representing Visions did an amazing job, and among the standout presentations was the winning pitch by Yassmine S. and Lyrik R., who built their concept around Yassmine’s passion for crocheting. Their business idea focused on expanding her current work into paid live, individual, and group crochet lessons offered through Zoom or YouTube, along with the creation and sale of beginner-friendly starter kits. Looking ahead, the duo shared a bigger vision: opening a café that would host live crochet sessions, offer food, and sell handmade products. As part of their commitment to community impact, they also plan to use a portion of their funds to create therapy balls for Visions students of all ages.

“Every student was a winner to me,” shared Independent Study Academy Vice Principal and Future Business Leaders club advisor Andera Leuschen. “These students demonstrated creativity, dedication, and teamwork. They were able to turn an idea into a real business concept. One student shared how she spent two sleepless nights preparing for the competition. Watching them collaborate – disagreeing respectfully, problem solving together, and never giving up on each other – made my heart sing.”