$20 Boss: Turning $20 into Real World Experience
St Patrick’s Technical College’s Year 10 students have spent the term putting their enterprise skills to the test through $20 Boss, an immersive entrepreneurship program that challenges students to create, launch and operate their own business venture, starting with just $20 of capital.
Developed in consultation with students and educators, $20 Boss is the largest entrepreneurship program of its kind in Australia. Over the course of a school term, students work through every stage of building a venture: identifying an idea, planning a budget, developing a product or service, and preparing to bring it to market. Along the way, they learn core enterprise skills including budgeting, teamwork, problem solving and communication, alongside the principles of social entrepreneurship: how to make money while creating social good.
In keeping with that spirit, all proceeds raised through $20 Boss are donated to the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies), giving students a firsthand understanding of how business success can also make a genuine difference in the community.
The program culminated in Market Day, where students sold their finished products and services to fellow St Pat’s students, staff and family.
“From jewellery, candles and tacos to brownies, mini golf, 3D printed keychains, fidget spinners, chopping boards, fragrances and so much more, the creativity and crafting of products and services this year has been impressive,” said staff member Mandy Loveder.
Principal Danny Deptula said the program reflects exactly the kind of real-world readiness the College aims to build in every student.
“$20 Boss gives our students something a classroom alone cannot: the experience of turning an idea into a real business, with all the planning, setbacks and problem solving involved. Watching our Year 10 students take this on each year and seeing the confidence and capabilities they build along the way, is always a real highlight of the term.”
For students, $20 Boss is more than a school project. It’s a practical, hands-on introduction to entrepreneurial thinking that builds skills they’ll carry well beyond the classroom.
