This year Plainfield South along with the rest of the Plainfield schools launched their own version of a Shark Tank class. Incubator fosters an environment where students create their own companies and create a product to then sell, or pitch, to a group of investors at the end of the year. This year there are five companies within Plainfield South’s Incubator program: Money Map, Phoenix Claw, Pop Box, Sooth N’ Scent, and Essentially Fresh.
Each company has its own student CEOs who were voted to lead by their other classmates. This year includes Mohammad Ahmed, Nicholas Gawlik, Akira McKinley, Akira McKinley, and Hunter Trepac. McKinley specifically works for Sooth N’ Scent, which makes a product made of half lotion and half cologne to appeal to male consumers.
“I think our product will sell well since it’s a product that isn’t really found on the markets and appeals to the male audience,” Mckinley said.
During class students are able to present their ideas and research on a TV set up by the supervisor Brenna Roti. Roti teaches the class during 1st period in room 230 and provides potential questions future sharks may ask them. Roti also prepares visits between the students and local business owners. Said business owners come into class about 2 times per month to discuss the process of owning and running your own business with the groups. Each student lead company has their own personal mentor in the form of these independent business owners.
“They are getting real life experience, they get to work on building their networking, and working with each other and public speaking skills to be able to explain a business plan out loud versus putting it on paper. They have to pitch the product, pitch their business and how they’re going to be successful,” said Roti.
Towards the end year, the Plainfield schools will host an free event where you can see the students present their products and companies to the aforementioned “Sharks”. After these pitches the sharks will vote for the product they like the most and the students will be rewarded scholarship money. Then the “Sharks” or business owners will invest into making the winning company’s product into a real item that will be sold to the public.
The event is open to everyone, and takes place May 6, 2025 at Community Christian Church 24035 W. Riverwalk Ct. Plainfield, IL 60544 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“Come Check us out May 6th, We’re going to have a lot more exciting stuff up and running . If you haven’t stopped by our classroom 230 if you’re a junior or sophomore you can be taking this class next year, definitely recommend you come to the classroom and check us out,” Roti. said.