Lokai, Fitbit, Alex and Ani, and Ivory Ella: all are successful businesses whose names are commonly heard in the high school hallways.

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), a national organization beginning its chapter at MHS this year, looks into local and national innovative startups like these at their monthly meetings.

Grihith Varaday, sophomore, is a parliamentarian for the club, meaning he oversees the president’s decisions. Varaday said the program encourages youth, especially teens, to venture into the business world and find out if they are interested in the field.

As a sophomore, Varaday launched an apparel business called Avion Socks with his friends. While the company wasn’t very successful, Varaday said it was an enjoyable experience that solidified his interest in entrepreneurship and eventually lead him to FBLA.

“I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur, so I thought this would be a good outlet for me,” Varaday said. “My goal this year is to find out if I truly have a passion for business and if it’s a career I want to pursue.”

Senior Logan Paul, president of FBLA, said it is a competitive program in schools across the country, but MHS’ branch wasn’t activated until this year. Paul decided last year after taking the Junior Achievement Business Management class that it would be great for MHS to start competing.

Through the class, he was able to network and talk to local business leaders. Paul said this exposure isn’t possible for everyone to get through the class, but FBLA is a way to provide many of the same opportunities.  

“Through the FBLA branch we could have so many people networking and getting all these great experiences,” Paul said. “These real-world Junior Achievement and FBLA experiences where you’re out talking to local leaders of industry, making business plans, and getting out of the classroom are so pivotal for kids to make decisions for their life and career.”

While Paul already knows he wants to study medicine, specifically psychiatry, and spin business off of it, he said FBLA allows others to figure out whether they are interested in the field or not.

Members of FBLA can compete in a range of about 75 activities in regional, state, and national competitions. Paul said some of the competitions include creating a business plan scored by judges and taking tests on business-related topics.

Paul stressed the team’s need for competitors.

“We need Marquette to establish a presence in the FBLA world, so we’re not looking for people to join to put it on their college applications,” Paul said. “We want people to join to compete.”

Students can join the club by filling out an application.

Laurie Philipp, FBLA sponsor, said the officers are planning on doing many exciting business-related trips this year. One being a monthly trip to Venture Cafe in St. Louis to meet with entrepreneurs in the local area, attend informational sessions, and build connections. In November members will also take a behind the scenes look at  Six Flags to see the business side of the amusement park.

The FBLA regional conference is on Nov. 10 and 11 in St. Louis this year as well, Philipp said. There students will be able to tour and meet with companies in the area.

“These are all opportunities for students to network which is really what it’s all about,” Philipp said.