The SKC Story

It all started with a cup of Flipping Coffee…

SKC Founder and Executive Director, Amber Wakem, gives credit to her daughter, Harper, and the lessons she learned as a young entrepreneur, for the idea behind Start-Up Kid’s Club.

A few years ago, while their family was gearing up for a community garage sale, Harper, aged 8, decided she wanted to be involved. When asked how she suggested a lemonade stand. After a few open-ended questions, Harper pivoted her idea! She realized that adults don't care for lemonade at 7 am---they want coffee!  

With that, Harper set off to create her product "Flipping Coffee". Her first step was to research what people liked in their coffee and did this by visiting a local coffee store and surveying customers. LESSON 1: DO YOUR MARKET RESEARCH

Harper then discovered that in order to bring her product to market and grow it she needed to hire an employee. After a careful vetting process, she selected a good friend who had the skills to develop and grow her vision. LESSON 2: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

In the end, Harper’s vision made over $100 profit in just a few hours---roughly two dollars more than the state minimum wage when divided between the two. LESSON 3: GOOD MARKET RESEARCH + STRATEGIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT = SUCCESS

Reflecting on her daughter’s entrepreneurial journey and the lessons she learned, Amber, a former teacher, began thinking of its pedagogical impact. By engaging higher-level thinking skills like product marketing, business development, cost average, and the utilization of branding, her daughter was able to take those skills and translate them into classroom success and confidence. Which was something that she had previously struggled with as a young dyslexic student.

It is because of this experience, the Start-Up Kids Club was born. To this day, our main goal stays-- to give ALL kids the power to shape the world by broadening perspectives and enhancing life skills through the community, connection, and experience.