Chickasaw students attend OK Business Week

This article appeared in the July 2019 edition of the Chickasaw Times

ADA, Okla. - Governor Bill Anoatubby praised 46 high school students for their dedication to learning during Oklahoma Business Week at East Central University in Ada. Gov. Anoatubby made his comments during the event’s closing assembly June 7.

Oklahoma Business Week represents a partnership between the Chickasaw Nation and East Central. The event is a week-long camp that introduces young leaders to the world of business.

Students are divided into teams, referred to as “companies.” Companies compete against one another in a simulated business challenge. Each company envisions a product and devises an advertising, marketing and sales plan. The student companies meet for regular business and board meetings, brainstorming sessions and teambuilding activities. Students interact with community leaders and business professionals who serve as mentors and advisers.

On the final day of competition, campers participated in a trade show at East Central’s Chickasaw Business and Conference Center. Community businessmen and women acted as potential investors, visited with each company and listened to sales pitches. A winner was determined by the amount of investment dollars received.

Chickasaw citizen and Business Week camper Caleb Kretzschmar, a senior at Byng (OK) High School, said marketing and advertising were his favorite areas of focus during the week.

“Being the chief marketing officer for our company has taught me the importance of branding and marketing,” Caleb said. “Your focus on your product and the message you want to convey are extremely important.”

Students hear from business professionals and learn the behind-the-scenes work that goes into running a business. The Chickasaw Nation puts an emphasis on education and providing opportunities to youth, helping them grow in their educations and become future leaders.

“The Chickasaw Nation has given me plans and goals,” Caleb said. “Just going to school by itself, it is hard to find ideas of what I want to do with my life. But the Chickasaw Nation, by providing opportunities like this camp, has given me more skills than I thought I ever had.”

For more information, about Oklahoma Business Week, visit www.okbusweek.com.