The Hockaday Experience
Innovation and Collaboration
Student Bookstore Entrepreneurs
https://hockadayfourcast.org/27476/community/people/making-bank-in-the-bookstore/Hockaday's bookstore sells more than school supplies and sweatshirts!
There are currently eight students selling items ranging from stickers to crochet toys to baked goods. Franny Ombrello (Class of 2028) sells freeze-dried candy. “My family had a freeze dryer, and we used it a lot when we first got it, and we kind of stopped using it,” Ombrello said. “We were going to get rid of it, but I was like, ‘No, this is a great business opportunity!’”
Students who are interested in selling in the bookstore work with bookstore manager Dara Williams, Director of Innovation and Collaboration Laura Day, and Chief Financial Officer Katie Leto. They create a business plan, packaging, and signage, and monitor sales weekly to restock. Some products rotate weekly, and some are permanent.
Reflecting on what prompted her interest in business, Ombrello attributes much of her inspiration to Hockaday. “There were a lot of Lower and Middle School entrepreneurial opportunities,” Ombrello said, fondly recalling her Lower School experience of designing and selling bags as a class.
Ombrello notes that a pivotal moment in the transition from Middle to Upper School at Hockaday is the ability to purchase goods from the Bookstore. “That probably affected my excitement to also contribute to the food options,” Ombrello said.
Read more here.
The Hockaday School
Within the private school community, The Hockaday School is an independent college-preparatory day school for girls from grades PK–12 located in Dallas, Texas. Students realize their limitless potential through challenging academic curricula, arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs so that they are inspired to lead lives of purpose and impact.
The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.
The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.