These High School Students Didn’t Just Learn Business—They Built It

On April 22, innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit were on full display as Junior Achievement of Southern California hosted its second annual JA Company Program Company of the Year competition at Hub101 in Westlake Village.

For the second year in a row, Junior Achievement of Southern California hosted its JA Company Program® Company of the Year competition, bringing together three student-run businesses from Westlake High School for a dynamic, real-world entrepreneurial experience.

These weren’t simulations. They were fully developed companies; built, tested, and led by high school sophomores.

Building Businesses—and the Skills Behind Them

At its core, the Student Business Competition is designed to develop essential 21st-century skills: creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication.

But what sets this experience apart is the depth.

Students aren’t just evaluated on what they built—they’re assessed on how well they understand why their business performed the way it did. From product-market fit to financial outcomes, participants demonstrate both execution and insight.

Throughout the process, independent judges evaluate each company at every stage, culminating in a final competition that blends presentation, storytelling, and live engagement.

How the Competition Works

Each team participated in a multi-layered evaluation process designed to mirror real-world business scrutiny. Students were judged across four key components:

• Company Report – A comprehensive overview of business performance, strategy, and key learnings from the JA Company Program
• Commercial Video – A one-minute video highlighting the product or service, its value, and the company’s innovative approach
• Live Presentation – A timed pitch (4 minutes) followed by 4 minutes of Q&A, testing both business knowledge and team dynamics
• Expo Booth Display – An interactive, in-person experience where students showcased their brand, product, and story to judges and guests

Together, these elements create a holistic view of each company—how it operates, how it communicates, and how it connects.

Meet the Student-Led Companies

Each of the three competing businesses reflected not only creativity, but a sharp awareness of real-world needs:

🥇 1st Place: Cycle-28
Cycle-28 addresses gaps in menstrual health education through a thoughtfully designed CYCLE SYNC KIT and phase-based journal. By helping users align daily habits with their cycle, the product supports mental well-being, energy management, and consistency.
Team: Brielle Levesque, Smrithi Baradwaj, Yejin Kim, Eren Wu, Serena Feng

🥈 2nd Place: Recept
Recept offers a practical, affordable solution to digital overload and “digital amnesia.” Using modified receipt printers, users can instantly print daily tasks, creating a tangible, distraction-free way to stay organized and regain satisfaction in task completion.
Team: Eren Wu, Michelle Qi, Yejin Kim, Brielle Levesque

🥉 3rd Place: Franchize
Franchize designs and sells limited-run streetwear featuring bold, expressive graphics. Focused on high-quality, baggy and wide-leg apparel, the brand empowers individuality through fashion.
Led by solo entrepreneur Bryan Chinchilla

Guided by Educators, Elevated by Community

Behind these student ventures is a strong support system. Under the guidance of Dr. Lauren Looker, Career Education Coordinator at Westlake High School, students balanced weekly lunch meetings with the realities of running a business—proving that meaningful learning doesn’t require more time, just more intention.

A panel of experienced judges brought additional depth to the experience, offering insights rooted in real-world business leadership:

• Kristin Bell | Program Manager, Hub101, California Lutheran University
• Dillon Kruger | Director, CBIZ: Professional Services for Business Growth
• Karen Sylvester | Consultant, CVUSD Board Member
• Desserin Pereyra | Community Manager, Hub101, California Lutheran University
• Ivana Vergot | Tax Manager & CPA, CBIZ: Professional Services for Business Growth

Their role went beyond evaluation; they challenged students to think deeper, articulate clearly, and connect their ideas to impact.

More Than a Competition

What unfolded at Hub101 wasn’t just a competition; it was a glimpse into what happens when students are trusted to lead.

Through the JA Company Program®, students identify problems, build solutions, and manage real ventures with guidance from educators and volunteers. Along the way, they gain hands-on experience in leadership, financial decision-making, marketing, and operations.

And in moments like this, on stage, answering tough questions, standing behind something they built—that learning becomes real.

Looking Ahead

While the competition marked the culmination of months of work, it also highlighted something bigger: what young people are capable of when given the space to think critically, create boldly, and take ownership of their ideas.

From wellness and productivity to fashion and self-expression, each company reflected not only innovation but also intention.

These students didn’t just participate in a program.
They stepped into the role of entrepreneur, and they delivered.