Clearlake Candles School-Based Enterprise

Introduction

• Clearlake Candles: SBE started from the Project 10 STEM mini grant

• Staff: 2 teachers, 2 Instructional Assistants, (and 1 SLP one day/week)

• Students: 23 Team members in the BLAST

program (Brevard Learners Achieving Successful Transition)

Demographics

BLAST Team

Members

Ages 18-22

Independent

Supported Participatory

Various Abilities

• Special Diploma • Deferred Diploma • Met all grad requirements

Our Products

• 20 Fragrances: Classic, Summer, Fall, & Holiday

• 4 Sizes: 2 oz, 4 oz, 8 oz, & 12 oz

• 5 Container shapes:

• Plus Unique & vintage containers

Round tins Hex Mason Tureen Cube

Our Products

SBE Project Goals

• Team members will properly utilize instruments, equipment, and materials necessary for a candle-making SBE

• Staff will fade modeling, verbal, & physical cues while providing visual supports so team members can gain optimal independence

• Team members will work as a team to identify & solve problems of the SBE

• Team members learn about & experience all the various aspects of running a business (taking inventory, ordering needed materials, production, selling products, customer service etc.

STEM Based

Following steps in an operational

flow chart

Measuring

Describing physical changes

Candle process: Making a plan

Candle Plan • Color • Fragrance • Container • Quantity

STEM Based: Purchasing & Inventory

Ordering supplies

Shopping Inventory

Receiving

STEM Based: Inventory

Stocking Labeling Inventory

Matching

STEM Based: Pricing & Transactions

Candle pricing: Unit cost

Receipts Balancing SBE account

Candle process: Wicking

Applying Wick stickers Wicking

Candle process: Labeling

Making product labels

Applying product labels;

Matching label to fragrance

Applying safety Warning labels

Candle process: Pouring the candles

• Building confidence & enjoying work • Learning independent work skills • Moving from one task to the next without prompts • Attention to detail • Taking pride in a job well done

Candle process: Trimming the wicks

Key Benefits

• Leadership skills • Mentoring • Planning & Goal setting • Cooperative Learning & Working • Employment/Vocational skills • Social/Personal Skills • Reflection & Learning from Mistakes • Building Confidence & Enjoying Work

Key Benefits: Development of Independent Work Skills

Plan Produce Reflect

Key Benefits: The Process, Scaffolding, & Student Ownership

*Profit as of 4/27/18

Clearlake Candles

Source

Deposit +

Debit -

Balance

Grant total awarded $1813.71 $1813.71

Total sales $1575.27 $3388.98

Total purchases $1921.29 $1467.69

Year 1 Ending Balance* $1467.69

Where do the profits go?

CBI: Leisure

Groceries: Cooking & Daily Living

Reorder supplies

• All staff with same goal: student learning gains & optimal independence • Allow for mistakes. Process not Production is key

Scaffolding

• Hot wax & hot water • Electrical appliances • Safe/productive staff to team member ratio

Safety

• Bookkeeping procedures & deposits (currently accepting cash/check only), off-site bookkeeper

• Time for P.O. approval/processing (must plan well ahead) • Profit sharing

Financials

• Opportunity for school-hour sales • Social media/advertising/marketing

Sales

Achieving our goals

• Visual supports

• District support

• Collaboration w/ SLP

• Repeated trials/reflection/making changes

• Having fun!

• Family support

• Increased level of independence for all team members

• Customer interest in product

• Aligning CBI with SBE goals

Unintended Outcomes

Future plans

• Peer mentors/executive interns from nearby high school/local college

• Production video

• Website/online sales

• Craft shows, local retail opportunities

• Expand line of fragrances & container styles

• Profit sharing

Contact Information

Veronica Marren BLAST Program Instructor

Clearlake Education Center 1225 Clearlake Rd. Cocoa, Fl 32922

321-633-3660 ext. 431

marren.mveronica@brevardschools.org

Clearlake Candles