Wyckoff's Young Entrepreneurs

On December 5, the gymnasium at Eisenhower Middle School was transformed into a bustling marketplace. Tables lined the floor, each one manned by a student — or a team of students — proudly displaying handmade products, hand-lettered signs, and carefully calculated price lists. Parents, teachers, and community members filed in to support Wyckoff's youngest entrepreneurs at the annual TREP$ Marketplace.

What Is TREP$?

TREP$ — short for enTREPreneur$ — is an award-winning project-based learning program for students in grades 5 through 8. Founded in New Jersey in 2006 by certified teachers Hayley Romano and Pamela deWaal, the program teaches kids how to start and run their own businesses through hands-on workshops covering product development, finance, marketing, and sales. It all culminates in a real marketplace held right at school.
The program started when Romano's 10-year-old son wanted a new Lego set. Rather than buying it for him, she encouraged him to earn the money himself. He and a friend sold out of hand-stamped wrapping paper at a local market — and the experience inspired both mothers to build a program that could offer every student that same opportunity.

More Than a School Project

What sets TREP$ apart is that students choose what to sell based on their own interests. A kid who loves baking launches a cookie company. A sports fan creates custom merchandise. Because the product is personal, the motivation is real.
Before the marketplace, students go through workshops where they research ideas, build prototypes, determine pricing, write advertisements, and practice sales pitches. The classroom takes on the feel of a real business environment — and the kids rise to the occasion.

Marketplace Day

At Eisenhower's December 5 event, the variety was remarkable — custom hats, handmade drinks, stress balls, tote bags, athletic sleeves, and more. Students managed inventory, made change, and adapted their pitches in real time. For many, it was the first time they experienced the direct connection between effort and reward — not a grade, but real money from a real customer.

Why It Matters

TREP$ has earned recognition from the New Jersey PTA and the National Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education. But the real impact shows up in the kids themselves. Unlike programs that reward only academic or athletic talent, TREP$ rewards passion, determination, and work ethic — qualities that serve kids well no matter what path they choose.
For the Eisenhower students who participated, December 5 was more than a school event. It was the day they proved that age is no barrier to ambition.

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To learn more about the TREP$ program, visit www.trepsed.com.