When you may open a brand new enterprise at Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA) what wouldn't it be?
Eleventh grade college students at Highline Excessive College had the chance to reimagine the most effective use for an empty retail kiosk house at SEA Airport throughout a current profession consciousness occasion put collectively by the Port of Seattle and HMS Host employees (a meals service firm which operates a variety of companies all through SEA). The subsequent era of enterprise house owners explored the alternatives and challenges that include working a enterprise in an airport setting.
The Younger Entrepreneur Occasion was the primary in-person profession consciousness occasion held by the Port on the airport for the reason that starting of the pandemic in 2020. The Port companions with native colleges and organizations to carry profession consciousness occasions that encourage younger adults to pursue promising careers in port-related industries, reminiscent of public security, development and engineering, maritime, and extra. By introducing the subsequent era of employees to maritime and aviation careers, the Port is creating equitable alternatives in communities close to the airport and seaport which can be disproportionally impacted by operations.
Throughout the occasion, college students toured a number of totally different retail areas on the airport and heard from Port Airport Eating and Retail (ADR) Workers, HMS Host, and SEA retail kiosk enterprise proprietor Danialle An (CHALO) on what it takes to function a profitable enterprise inside an setting as distinctive because the airport.
Based mostly on the insights from employees and an airport tour, college students had been requested to develop an idea based mostly on an precise retail kiosk leasing alternative at SEA, positioned on the A Concourse. They thought-about the wants of the passengers and the parameters of the house, and introduced their idea to a panel of judges made up of Port and HMS Host employees. Parameters included the scale of the kiosk — 144-square toes and an exclusion from promoting ready or prepackaged meals.
Constructing connection
Highline Excessive College pupil Sarah Herbruger and her group wished to attach households ready for his or her flight. Their thought? An area the place vacationers should buy and play tabletop video games with family and friends on the airport, referred to as “Break Away.”
“A spot like that is vital with constructing bonds and making connections with members of the family,” Herbruger stated. “It may be onerous to search out one thing like that at an airport.”
She stated journey could be difficult for households and there aren’t all the time a number of alternatives for having enjoyable on the airport. Break Away would change all that.
Prospects may select from number of video games that might enchantment to all ages, from basic video games like checkers and chess, to trendy board video games, to card video games. Vacationers with additional time earlier than their flights may sit down with their households and buddies and calm down with their favourite sport or take the time to attempt one thing new.
“The principle thought is to make the folks of Seattle and vacationers extra comfy,” Herbruger stated.
Judges chosen Break Away because the successful idea.
“What stood out in regards to the successful pitch was that it evoked a way of household significance. It was an even bigger image expertise than only a retail buy. It implied that the household touring collectively should miss out on bonding experiences and it centered on creating that have to not solely bond folks collectively however assist relieve among the stress with touring. It was essentially the most out of the field considering the whole panel had seen,” stated Khalia Moore, Senior Supervisor, ADR.
Different ideas introduced included “Retailer ‘n Go”, which might enable vacationers to lease storage lockers inside safety and roam the airport bag free. Different ideas included a Tub and Physique Works retailer, and two comfort shops, referred to as “Necessities” and “By the SEA”, the place vacationers may buy objects they forgot at dwelling or want for a cushty journey.
Scott Van Horn, ADR Enterprise Supervisor, suggested younger entrepreneurs to do what they love when beginning a enterprise.
“You must have a ardour for it. Really discover one thing you might be keen about and study every part about that merchandise,” he stated. “Whether or not it's common restaurant operations, baking, or retail expertise, ardour is essential when working in an airport.”
Van Horn stated he was impressed by the vary of concepts he heard from college students, who're the subsequent era of enterprise house owners at SEA.
“Probably the most thrilling factor for me is we get pitches from a highschool pupil’s perspective of what's vital to them. With 5 totally different teams we had 5 totally different pitch concepts; and each would work in an airport setting.”
Van Horn added, “A massive due to HMS Host for his or her involvement within the occasion. Not solely did their employees play a heavy position within the planning and day of actions, in addition they fed the scholars and supplied every participant with a present bag.”
