On February 28th of this year, the Seven Hills Entrepreneurship class officially introduced the start of the Beestro Cafe. This plan has been months in the making, requiring meticulous planning, collaboration, and innovation from students. From creating the menu to designing to layout, every detail has been carefully considered to ensure that the Beestro becomes not just a place to grab coffee, but a lively area for community within our school.

The idea of a student-run cafe had been circulating at our school for years. It has been constantly brought up in the past student government elections, but they did not have a way to make their promise happen. But after this was brought to the attention of Dr.Bolton, the current head of the upper school, they concluded that a cafe would be great for students to have a space to use for socialization and enjoyment.

This plan was officially set into motion in the last year and a half when it was approved to tie the project to the entrepreneurship class led by Dr.Paull. The entrepreneurship class is primarily focused on carrying out this long-awaited project so that our school could finally have its own student-operated cafe. Over three semesters of this class, Dr. Paull was able to construct a fully developed foundation for a cafe. The first semester was focused on doing research about what the communities’ needs were and once they did so through surveys, they learned that students had a need for more community, more of a sense of belonging, and more of a sense of spirit. During the second semester, the class largely focused on prototypes for the setups of the pop-up cafes that were based on the ideas they gathered in the previous semester. And in the third semester of the class, which is this current semester, the class spent their time making a business plan to open a new space on campus that responded to some of the needs of the students. The class aims to provide students with hands-on experience in entrepreneurship by immersing them in the process of conceptualizing, planning, and executing a business venture.

The Beestro Cafe has brought about positive changes in our school environment, fostering a sense of community and belonging among students. Junior Hattie Culpepper said, “It brings everyone together since it gives the students something to look forward to and get excited about what their fellow students are offering.” By providing a space for socialization and enjoyment, the cafe has become a popular gathering spot, attracting students from all corners of the campus. This not only benefits the Beestro Cafe’s business, but also contributes to a vibrant atmosphere throughout Seven Hills.

Additionally, the cafe’s menu offerings, which were carefully curated based on student input and preferences, have filled a gap in the school’s culinary offerings. Dr.Paull said, “It provides things that students have said they want in terms of drinks and food that aren’t available in the cafeteria.” While creating the menu, the entrepreneurship class decided that serving things that are similar to what students might buy at Starbucks would be better for the cafe and for the students. “It’s more convenient, it costs less, it’s with their peers, and the money goes back into supporting the business here and possibly in the future; the profits that we would make would go towards charities and community building organizations” Dr.Paull said.

Looking to the future, plans are in place to further expand and enhance the Beestro Cafe, ensuring its continued success and relevance for years to come. One key aspect of this expansion involves broadening the cafe’s menu offerings, providing students with an even greater variety of food to choose from. Senior Nathan Walker said, “I’m not really sure what the exact plans are since I’m a senior, but I do know that we want to expand and have different drinks and provide a variety in the food options that we have.” This expansion will not only attract more customers, but also increase revenue and profitability, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Beestro Cafe. Additionally, there are plans to secure a permanent space on campus, complete with additional amenities and offerings. Dr.Paull said, “Next year, I will not be teaching the entrepreneurship class. So, who teaches it may affect it. But if it continues in the direction that I envisioned and the students and I have planned for, as I mentioned we have a business plan to propose to the business office here, which involves some construction and actual creation of a space that will be a permanent space for us.” This will provide students with an even more inviting and comfortable environment in which to socialize and relax. Ultimately, the goal is to create a thriving student-run business that not only serves the needs of the Seven Hills community but also contributes to its growth and development.

The journey of the Beestro Cafe has been one of collaboration and dedication. Through strategic planning and the guidance of Dr.Paull, the entrepreneurship class has transformed a long-awaited idea into reality. The cafe has quickly become a great place for students, fostering a sense of community and providing a space for socialization and enjoyment. As the Beestro thrives, so does Seven Hills, embodying the spirit of community and collaboration within our environment.