For Rising High School Students | One-Week Immersive Experience
For motivated high-school students ready to think and act like business owners
A selective, application-based program for high-performing students in grades 9–12. Five days of real business lessons, professional networking, and hands-on exposure to how owners think, decide, and lead.
● Start your Business Program
A Professionally Oriented Summer Experience for High-Performing Students
College & Career Readiness
Real-world business thinking, leadership, and decision-making exposure that helps students articulate their goals—whether for college, business ownership, or future careers.
Real-World Networking Skills
Engage directly with entrepreneurs, investors, and professional advisors while learning alongside motivated peers through professional conversations.
Sharper Judgment & Business Thinking
Strengthen critical thinking and decision-making through real business experiences—what worked, what didn’t, and how the instructors adapted.
This comprehensive online business course is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs, career changers, and anyone ready to take control of their financial future through business ownership and startup success.
55 years of combined experience
Led by industry experts
Advice from seasoned angel investors
Award winning educators
Meet the Business Owners
Leading the Experience
Led by award-winning educator Dan Oglevee and former Raising Cane’s franchisee Timmy McCarthy - business owners, entrepreneurs, and angel investors with decades of experience investing in, building, scaling, and exiting companies. Together, they have spent years educating and mentoring students and professionals across diverse industries.
We believe effective business education draws on both foundational theory and real-world experience. Having lived both—the classroom and the realities of owning businesses—we show where principles like contribution margins, risk, and capital structure fit within real decision-making. Our approach emphasizes inquiry, discussion, and reflection: students learn through the sharing of real business journeys, gaining insight into how owners think and make decisions under uncertainty.
Build the confidence and skills to think and act like a business owner
Our immersive five-day program introduces rising high school students to how real businesses are built, funded, scaled, and exited - with practical exposure to business ownership thinking, decision-making, and professional skills valuable for college, careers, and future business ownership.
Meaningful Access to Business Owners and Industry Professionals
Students gain access to business owners, angel investors, venture capitalists, and professional service providers throughout the program. Daily sessions expose students to how professionals think, communicate, and build relationships—while building confidence in professional conversations.
Learning from Real Business Journeys
Students learn from real journeys shared by experienced owners—not textbook case studies. Through Dan’s experience raising capital at SkyScout and Timmy’s path from personal risk to scaling a nine-figure business and achieving a successful exit, students see how real decisions shape outcomes.
Stronger Preparation for College and Future Paths
Students gain experiences that strengthen college applications while building skills that matter beyond admissions—developing clearer thinking, stronger communication, and the ability to articulate insights from real-world situations.
Learn How Business Ideas Are Evaluated and Shaped
Through guided discussions and live conversations, students gain insight into how business opportunities are assessed, risks weighed, and ideas evolve—strengthening strategic thinking and business communication skills.
Professional Skills That Translate Across Careers
The program develops professional communication, business etiquette, financial awareness, strategic thinking, and leadership—skills valuable in college, early careers, and any professional setting.
Confidence and Leadership Through Real-World Exposure
Students build confidence by participating in professional conversations, engaging in real business discussions, and learning to communicate thoughtfully with experienced professionals—developing leadership presence that carries forward.
Business Ownership Summer Experience - June 8–12, 2026
Five immersive days introducing high school students to how real businesses are built, funded, scaled, and exited—through firsthand stories, guided discussion, and professional interaction.
By the end of the experience, students will have been exposed to how real businesses are built, funded, scaled, and exited. Through firsthand stories and guided discussions, students gain insight into startup financing, resilience through setbacks, leadership at scale, and core business ownership principles.
An immersive, in-person learning experience featuring business mentorship, direct instructor access, peer networking, and ongoing guidance throughout the program.
- Morning Sessions (9:00 AM – 11:45 AM): Core lessons featuring real entrepreneurship stories from Dan and Timmy
- Lunch (11:45 AM – 12:45 PM): Lunch is provided each day, with formats including a business etiquette luncheon, cohort patio picnics, and a closing celebration lunch.
- Afternoon Sessions (12:45 PM – 3:15 PM): Workshops, ecosystem discussions, guest speaker conversations, and applied networking exercises
Location: The Ohio State University, Faculty Club — 181 Oval Drive S, Columbus, OH 43210
Parking: Ohio Union South Garage (1759 N. High St)
Establishing professional presence, communication, and an ownership mindset through real conversations and guided practice.
Sessions:
- Program Kickoff — Welcome, introductions, and program expectations
- Building Your Personal Brand — How reputation, credibility, and intentional communication develop over time
- Networking That Works — Professional relationship-building with purpose and authenticity
- Business Etiquette Lunch — Guided experiential lunch: introductions, conversation flow, and professional dining skills
- First Impressions Matter — Communication, body language, and presence in professional settings
- Networking in Practice — Structured conversation exercises and guided practice
How money, risk, and control shape real business decisions—exploring ownership paths, capital choices, and long-term thinking.
Sessions:
- What’s Your Number? — How career and ownership paths shape long-term financial outcomes
- Control and Capital: Lessons from SkyScout — Real-world tradeoffs between funding and control
- Committed Capital Isn’t Cash — How raising capital works in practice
- Patio Picnic Lunch — Informal cohort networking and reflection
- Business Ownership Ecosystem: Angels and VCs — Overview of the early-stage investment landscape
- Speaker Conversations — Informal Q&A and networking with investors
How value is created—and how setbacks, pivots, and unexpected outcomes shape the most meaningful business results.
Sessions:
- Time Value of Money — Building intuition for growth, returns, and how investors think about outcomes
- Unexpected Value: The Story of Unstrung — How a supporting initiative became a standalone success
- Exits, Setbacks, and Resilience: Failing Forward — How setbacks strengthen judgment and decision-making
- Pizza Lunch at The O on Lane — Candid conversation with a local business owner
- Business Ownership Ecosystem: E-Commerce — Digital business through the lens of a Fortune 500 leader
- Speaker Conversations — Informal Q&A and networking with digital business professionals
Bootstrapping, personal risk, and how owners transition from survival to stewardship—building systems, teams, and sustainable growth.
Sessions:
- Business Ownership Reality — A candid conversation with Timmy about the real pressures of being the owner
- Bootstrapping and Risk: The First Cane’s in Ohio — Using his mother’s house as collateral
- Scaling to 44: Building RCO and OLIO — Systems, culture, and operational discipline at scale
- Patio Picnic Lunch — Informal cohort networking
- Business Ownership Ecosystem: Service Providers — The roles of accountants, attorneys, and when a provider becomes a partner
- Speaker Conversations — Informal Q&A and networking with business professionals
Legacy, leadership, and long-term impact—what it means to lead at scale, sustain culture, and define success on your own terms.
Sessions:
- Finding a Business Mentor — Building authentic, reciprocal relationships for long-term success
- 9 Figures, 3,500 Employees: Leading at Scale — How leadership changes as organizations grow
- The Exit: Selling Back to Cane’s — Realities of business exits, transitions, and legacy
- Lunch with Local Business Owners — Featuring a legacy conversation with Timmy
- Business Ownership in Action — Local entrepreneurs share real-world journeys
- What’s Next? — Program reflection and looking forward
Before hearing Dan speak, I never fully understood how important networking was. He uses storytelling to explain it in a way that makes it feel real and doable. He totally changed how I think about building relationships, especially as I start planning for a career in real estate. Thanks to him, I've started taking advantage of more opportunities I wouldn’t have noticed before."
This workshop is an absolute game-changer. Most high school students never get exposed to the kind of real-world business knowledge and skill development offered here. Under the leadership of Mr. Oglevee - a highly respected MBA professor with extensive industry experience - you don't just learn; you begin to master what it takes to succeed in business. It's the best preparation I can imagine for anyone serious about a future in the field. On top of the top-tier instruction, you're surrounded by ambitious, like-minded peers who will become valuable connections for years to come.
Business Ownership Summer Experience - Details & Information
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Apply early—spots are limited to 50 students.
Apply Now- Dates: June 8–12, 2026 (5-day intensive)
- Location: The Ohio State University, Faculty Club — 181 Oval Drive S, Columbus, OH 43210
- Daily Schedule: 9:00 AM – 3:15 PM
- Group Size: Limited to 50 students for personalized attention
- Format: One-week immersive experience in business ownership
- Rising 9th–12th grade students passionate about entrepreneurship, business ownership, and leadership
- Aspiring innovators eager to turn business ideas into viable ventures
- Students looking to gain real-world business skills before college
Educational Components:
- Daily lessons from successful entrepreneurs featuring real startup stories
- All instructional materials and business planning templates
- Guest speaker sessions with entrepreneurs and investors
- Networking events and professional development workshops
Meals & Materials:
- Lunch provided daily, including Business Etiquette lunch
- Certificate of completion
- Access to current and future alumni network and continued mentorship opportunities
What Students Should Bring
- Laptop or tablet for activities and note-taking
- Notebook for reflections and business planning exercises
- Business-casual attire for networking events
- Enthusiasm for learning about business ownership
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Apply early—spots are limited to 50 students.
Investment in Your Student’s Business Future
Business Ownership Summer Experience
5-day business education experience designed specifically for high school students interested in entrepreneurship and business ownership.
Early Bird Benefits for Students:
- Guarantee your spot before the Business Ownership Summer Experience fills up with other interested students
- Save $200 on tuition ($1,399 → $1,199) for business education investment
- Get a head start on networking with fellow young entrepreneurs and business-minded students
- Priority access to guest speaker meet-and-greets and mentorship opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Can’t find the answers you were looking for? Reach out to us at help@businessownership.com
● Ready to Launch Your Student’s Business Journey This Summer?
Give your high school student the competitive edge with real-world business skills, professional networks, and the confidence that comes from learning alongside experienced business owners and entrepreneurs.
Download our comprehensive program information packet with detailed schedules, learning outcomes, safety protocols, and family testimonials.