EF students get business lessons by running successful company

The iSH Company is in the midst of another record-setting year.

By SARAH PELLIS
spellis@yourmvi.com

spellis@yourmvi.com The iSH Company, aka “In Student Hands,” at Elizabeth Forward High School has been spreading smiles and fun designs throughout the community since the end of the 2015-16 school year.

The student-run printing business has surpassed $27,000 so far this school year, producing apparel, bags, cups, accessories and custom orders. The business is considered a class at the high school and has 47 students involved.

Students can be involved in business, marketing, production or social media and will use graphic design and printing as a platform to practice real-world entrepreneurship skills. They also focus on web design, client interaction, the appropriate use of social media, sales and production of a product.

Caleb Meade, vice president of marketing, said the group beat the previous sales record last year and has topped it again. Doing photography on the side, he helps with the website. “Everyone has a voice and everyone is heard at the iSH Company,” Meade said. “We’re a class, so we signed up and scheduled this class. There is a lot of independence, and we are the business, so it’s kind of important that we are here and keep working on stuff.

“Everything is a group discussion, so no matter what we do, it’s all a team effort. The sections are geared toward what each person is interested in, so it’s not like you are assigned to marketing if you do not like marketing.”

Sophomore Berlyn Holibaugh agreed that everyone works together over three different classes to get the products out. Senior Madison Fagan added that as more people join the class, more people hear about it, so friends and family start buying merchandise, too.

The process starts with brainstorming designs, picking one and making a few samples, according to a student-made video. Then the classes list them on their online store with lots of options, including the type of shirt, the color, the size and a chance to make customizations.

The products are marketed on social media, and customers can navigate their website for options. Students print the order and hand it off to the business team, which inputs each order and stamps it with the iSH invoice number.

That order then gets passed to the production team, which locates the correct size, color and design and applies the specific print using methods like screen printing and vinyl. A shirt is finished by adding a company logo, and completed orders are then packaged and shipped out to the customer.

Students also chose where their money is allocated, using their profits to support several organizations, such as Elizabeth Guardian Angels, White Oak Animal Safe Haven, Central Highlands Meals on Wheels, Elizabeth Rotary Club, Zombek Christmas Light Display and many more.

This year, they gave money to around seven organizations, bringing their donations to more than $30,000 since the program began. The group also created logos for Tony Strong at South Allegheny and a late student at Serra Catholic, which is on the school’s gym floor.

The students went to Walmart, filled up iSHmade bags of gifts and supplies and gave them to senior members of the Elizabeth Women’s Club who couldn’t get out for Christmas.

Teacher Megan Smith who serves as “CEO” of iSH, said people from all over know their company — including Special Olympics, Baldwin, Chartiers Valley, California and more — and they typically stay local when it comes to giving back to different organizations.

Student Lauren Lavranze said some schools have come out to shadow what they do for the class/business.

“We make a small profit on it,” Smith said. “We sell EF •A5

“Everything is a group discussion, so no matter what we do, it’s all a team effort. The sections are geared toward what each person is interested in, so it’s not like you are assigned to marketing if you do not like marketing.”

CALEB MEADE a lot to the students and the teachers, but there are a few people that have heard about us. We can screen print in house, we can sublimate, we can print banners and shirts there, we can laser cut and do mugs as well. As they walk down the halls, the whole student body always sees the products, and are always wearing merchandise.”

Students enjoyed this year’s Christmas designs and are currently selling Pittsburgh-themed apparel, which has been a big hit with customers. They are working on Easter and mental health month designs that they put on the board and vote for.

“So Mrs. Smith will give us Post-It notes, and we will go up and vote, and whichever has the most votes we will make,” said vice president of productions Alivia Grimm. “I feel like it’s growing more and getting out there, especially with more social media. We have accounts all over, and it is definitely getting more out there. For one of our assignments, we had to look up a charity we wanted to donate to, and write a paragraph of why we wanted to donate it, and we reviewed it.”

Sophomore McKenna Bittner said she is excited for the Easter products this year because they don’t just do clothes, but they also have wooden Easter egg decorations, baskets and basket tags that they make as well.

“Shop locally,” she added. “I feel like it’s more affordable to, and I feel like people that they are spending are going somewhere good and not just spending for fun.”

Junior Gianna Mytrysak said the group tries to target everyone that would be interested in their products, with masculine and feminine merchandise for their age group.

“I feel like, for me personally, each year just keeps getting better and better,” Mytrysak said. “It’s fulfilling, and knowing that all the money that we are putting into this is going somewhere good. You learn so much about so many different aspects of it and it’s useful.”

Those looking to check out the business can go to www.theishcompany. com, check out their social media pages or email ishco2017@gmail.com.