Steward’s Entrepreneurship Studies program offers Upper Schoolers opportunities for hands-on learning and skill-building, plus the possibility of earning a diploma endorsement. The opt-in program, now in its tenth year, connects students with successful local entrepreneurs. About 62 students regularly attend Entrepreneurship Studies meetings on campus, and nine seniors are on track to receive the endorsement on their diplomas.

Entrepreneurship Studies program advisors Angela Coppola and Jen Maitland recently collaborated with Bryan Innovation Lab Program Specialist Amy Nobile on a field trip to Ninja Kombucha, which Mrs. Nobile and her husband, Brett, own. Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage known for its probiotic health benefits. 

Students visited Ninja Kombucha’s storefront on Brookland Park Boulevard in Richmond’s Northside to learn about the business and take on a real-world design challenge. Mr. Nobile, the company’s founder, gave students a brief overview of how he got into making kombucha and how the business has evolved over the past 12 years. Students heard about the successes and challenges Ninja has experienced along the way, including the biggest challenge they were tasked with ideating around: How might Ninja Kombucha increase foot traffic to its storefront?

Students learned that Brookland Park Boulevard continues to grow and gain momentum, with new storefronts, monthly Walk the Block events, restaurants, art studios, and bookstores. With so much happening in the neighborhood, Ninja has an opportunity to grow its direct-to-consumer sales, increase profit margins, and expand the business by getting more people to purchase directly from the source.

Students split into two groups for a behind-the-scenes look at the business. One group toured the brewery with Mr. Nobile, learning about the fermentation process, how kombucha is made, and how it is packaged and prepared for sale. The other group stayed in the taproom with Mrs. Nobile to learn about the benefits of kombucha and the different flavors Ninja has developed over the years. They also participated in a small tasting to get a better understanding of the product.

Braden Smith ’27 said, “Seeing how much work and care goes into running a small business, from brewing to selling, helped me appreciate what it takes to get a product from process to customer. I feel lucky we got to see that side of it up close.” 

After both groups had experienced the tour and tasting, they gathered in the taproom to brainstorm potential ideas to increase foot traffic. 

“They asked thoughtful questions, engaged enthusiastically in the ideation process, and came up with lots of interesting possibilities,” noted Mrs. Nobile. “Many students remarked afterward that this was one of the coolest field trips they had ever taken! Ninja Kombucha’s storefront is ready for its next chapter, and our students have a real opportunity to help shape what that looks like.” 

Braden said, “When my group brainstormed pitch ideas, we focused on Ninja’s ‘happy hour’ potential, positioning it as a non-alcoholic alternative for that time of day. We considered how it could appeal to people looking for a social drink option.” 

Mrs. Maitland added, “Our budding entrepreneurs found it so interesting to see Mrs. Nobile, one of our own Steward teachers, involved in a business of her own.” 

Now that they’ve been given the challenge of how Ninja Kombucha might increase foot traffic to its storefront, students will spend six weeks working in groups of four to six to research and prepare their pitch for a pitch contest in Steeber Commons on October 27. Students will present their ideas to Mr. and Mrs. Nobile, who together will decide on a winner!

Ms. Coppola noted, “We are so impressed by our students’ enthusiasm for this project. They are living out Steward’s core values of civil discourse, innovation, and inspiration when they team up, exchange ideas, and create. We can’t wait to see what’s next!”

“I’m grateful for how much the Entrepreneurship Studies program has taught me, especially when it comes to working with others,” said Braden. “I’ve learned to collaborate and communicate with all kinds of people, some I already knew well and some I didn’t, which has pushed me to be a better teammate no matter who I’m working with.” He added, “The program has also given me more confidence in public speaking, especially while preparing for the pitch contest. I think these skills will help me long after high school.”