Hello. My name is Breanna. I've been going to the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind for the last couple of years. While I'm at school, I learn your basic school stuff, but I also am learning how to become independent and take care of myself. Since I'm an "adult" now, there are lots of things I have to think about. One of them is how I can support myself. Where can I work? How much money will I make? How will I learn to manage my money? Right now I am working 2 1/2 hours per week and I make $2 per week. I've been trying to save up for a new book and am learning that it's going to take me a lot of weeks to save up my money to buy a book. I couldn't ever take care of myself on $2 per week.Last year we started learning about a product called, Hogwash. We spent the whole year learning about what the product is, what it does, how much it costs and how to sell it. We set up a booth at a farmer's market; we talked to stores that might want to sell it; and I even tried to sell it to the dorm staff because the dorms get pretty stinky sometimes. I worked really hard last year learning all about this product. Every time we sold a bottle of Hogwash, my class got one dollar and we saved it for a party at the end of the year. We all worked really hard to make sure we got our party!
This year, when I returned to ASDB as a post-grad, I was enrolled in the Career Exploration Class again. I had an assignment to memorize the three prices for the three different sizes of hogwash. I also had to memorize what Hogwash was and what it could do. I went home and told my parents about it. They wanted to buy some and I was very excited! We had an open house right after school started and I wanted my mom and dad to talk to my teacher about Hogwash so I could tell her that I sold some. Well they got to talking and we all learned something new ... The reason I was learning all about Hogwash last year, was so that when I graduated, if I wanted to, I could start my own business selling Hogwash! My teacher said I could do it if I wanted to! She gave my mom and dad the number for Hogwash corporate and told them to call the office and learn more about the details. I was so excited I couldn't wait!
I was on fall break that next week and I knew that if I worked hard, I could go to a business meeting and tell people there about my product and my new business. I spent all weekend writing my very own 60 second commercial. Then I practiced over and over again. I got my chance on Tuesday, September 27th. I went to San Tan Leads, which is a leads group, in San Tan Valley. As a guest I had to wait until the members gave their commercials but then it was my turn. I stood up and gave my commercial to everyone there. I was really nervous but I had practiced alot and knew I was going to make my mom and dad proud. I DID IT! I didn't forget anything!! Then you know what happened? I SOLD 7 bottles! I was so happy! The only tough part was when people wanted to buy them from me, I didn't have any extras with me (except the ones my mom and dad bought) and I had to try and figure out if I had to give some change. Lucky for my first try that every one gave me the exact amount or wrote me a check. So that helped. Then Wednesday, I went to the Gilbert Chapter of San Tan Leads, gave my commercial again and sold 2 more bottles!
I think with all of my hard work my mom and dad could see that I was serious. So my mom and dad decided to contact Hogwash corporate and they've decided to start a business selling Hogwash and I get to be the spokesperson! I'll be able to help tell people about it like what it does, how much it costs, and they can even order from us now! Then I'll be able to help out and keep learning about money, inventory, budgeting and more.
I am enrolled in the post-grad program at ASDB this year, so I am still learning lots about how to run my own business. I really like working with my class. It's also great that I get to keep learning at school so that I can practice what I'm learning on my business, when I go home on breaks. In class we always saved $1 so that we could save up for a pizza party. I really like that idea and will be saving $1 from every big bottle I sell and will donate it to groups, schools, etc that I want to be able to help. My mom and dad taught me how to donate time and money to lots of different groups, so that's what I'm going to do too. This way I get help more people!
I want to thank my teacher for working so hard with me. I am getting really good at using the talking calculator, remembering the prices and learning how to give back change too. I can't wait to see what next week brings. Who knows how big my business will get! ASDB has (and is still doing) done so much to help me learn how to do things for myself and by myself. I couldn't have done it without you!
