Park Tudor’s Spirit Box Success
Dive into the secrets behind Park Tudor High School's record-breaking success with their Spirit Box program. Generating almost $49,000 in 2024 through nearly 21,500 transactions, they became the top-performing school for a single Spirit Box!
A Blueprint for Students and Advisors
In 2024, Park Tudor High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, raised the bar for Spirit Box programs by generating an impressive $49,146 in revenue with nearly 21,500 transactions. Their success was fueled by teamwork, strategic planning, and a commitment to innovation. Here’s how students and advisors can follow their lead.
Turning a Problem into an Opportunity
Students frequently left campus to purchase snacks, raising safety concerns. Sandi Johnson, DECA sponsor and Upper School Tech Integrator, saw an opportunity to address this issue while teaching her students valuable business skills.
“The school had a problem, and we had a solution,” Sandi explained.
The team pitched the Spirit Box concept to school leaders as both a practical solution and a chance to provide hands-on entrepreneurial experience. Instead of pitching to just one decision-maker, they presented their well-prepared pitch deck to a group of administrators, gaining their approval and support.
From Launch to a Well-Oiled Machine
Launching the Spirit Box came with challenges, but the students turned it into a thriving operation through consistent inventory management and teamwork.
“Our vending machine runs out in like a day or two,” said Nora, the Vice President of Operations. To keep the machine stocked, the team implemented an online spreadsheet for scheduling restocking shifts.
“We publish it at least once a week,” added Anjali, the Volunteer Coordinator. “It allows everyone to see who’s volunteering and ensures the machine is always full.”
The team also carefully curated their product mix, balancing student favorites like Sour Patch Kids with healthier options such as granola bars and protein bars. Regular surveys ensured the vending machine reflected student preferences, driving sales.
Financial Impact and the Power of Cashless Transactions
The Spirit Box’s financial performance exceeded expectations. The team paid off their initial investment within four months—a milestone they initially thought would take an entire year. By year’s end, the program had generated over $49,000 in revenue, with the majority of sales coming from cashless transactions.
Sandi credited the seamless integration of cashless payment options for their success.
“We would have been rejected the opportunity to run credit card sales if we had to manage it through the school,” she explained. “Offering that feature was essential in us having the ability to make those sales.”
By allowing payments via credit cards and digital wallets, the Spirit Box became more accessible and convenient, aligning with the habits of today’s tech-savvy students.
Lessons Learned: 5 Strategies for Success
Park Tudor’s journey offers a blueprint for other schools. Here are their key takeaways:
Strong Leadership and Teamwork:
Students managed roles like inventory control and volunteer coordination, ensuring smooth operations
Efficient Restocking System:
The team implemented an online sign-up sheet to maximize volunteer signups and maintain a full vending machine–avoiding missed sales.
Smart Product Mix:
They balanced popular snacks like Sour Patch Kids with healthier options, catering to diverse preferences and pivoted to breakfast items to capitalize on the cafe whom stopped being open during morning hours.
Strategic Placement:
The vending machine’s location in the high-traffic wellness center ensured accessibility for students, staff, and visitors.
Creative Marketing:
Instagram posts, themed promotions, and festive decorations kept their Spirit Box school store vending machine top-of-mind for customers.
The Educational Value of Spirit Box
For students, running the Spirit Box school store was more than just selling snacks—it was about learning real-world business skills like financial management, inventory control, and marketing.
"This is a legit business, and you could do this for a living," Sandi said, reflecting on the entrepreneurial spirit the career-connected learning program instills.
Advisors also benefit, using the program to teach entrepreneurship, leadership, and problem-solving skills in a hands-on way.
Park Tudor’s Spirit Box success story demonstrates how innovation and teamwork can transform a simple idea into a thriving business ran by high school students. From addressing campus safety concerns to generating nearly $50,000 in revenue, the project based learning program has empowered students to lead, learn, and succeed.
Whether you’re a student eager to take on a leadership role or an advisor looking for new ways to engage your students and fundraise for your school’s club, the Spirit Box can be your ticket to entrepreneurial success.
Ready to start your own Spirit Box journey?
Learn how it can transform your DECA program and empower students to lead and succeed!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Park Tudor High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, was recognized as the top-performing Spirit Box team for 2024, with over $49,000 in sales, narrowly beating Tappan Zee High School in New York.
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Their DECA club was looking for a way to raise money for their program. They also saw an opportunity to partner with the health and wellness initiative and provide on-site food options to reduce students leaving campus, addressing security concerns.
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The spirit box is managed through volunteer shifts tracked via an online spreadsheet. Participation is incentivized through DECA points and mandatory shifts, with daily restocking to maintain inventory.
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The Spirit Box vending machine offers both healthy and traditional snack options, with popular items including Sour Patch Kids and Smart snacks like granola bars.
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Profits from the project based learning program fund DECA club activities, including competition fees and travel expenses, helping to cover costs for DECA members.
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The Spirit Box accepts both cash and cashless transactions, with a significant portion of sales processed through a credit card system managed by Spirit Box so schools don’t have to create their own credit accounts. Checks are cut quarterly to the school.
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The machine is located in the Wellness Center for maximum accessibility and visibility.
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While expansion was considered, the team decided to maintain their single machine due to logistical challenges. However, they are exploring initiatives like "rent a row" for clubs and featuring student entrepreneurs' products.
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The project required pitching to multiple stakeholders, including school administration and the board of directors, to gain approval and support.
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Marketing is minimal due to a strong existing customer base, but new products and promotions are occasionally featured on social media and school monitors.
Get REAL results
Top Tips to Create Your Own Spirit Box Success Story
Solve Problems, Make Money: Students used the Spirit Box to stop classmates from running off-campus for snacks. Bonus? The vending machine brought convenience and boosted sales.
Pitch Like a Pro: Advisor Sandi Johnson led her team to pitch their vending takeover to school leaders. The secret? Pitching to multiple people encouraged open discussion and collaboration.
Team Power = Machine Power: Keeping the Spirit Box stocked every day is a group effort. They use tools like online spreadsheets and volunteer incentives to make it happen.
Snacks for Everyone: From Sour Patch Kids to granola bars, they nailed a product mix that keeps everyone happy—whether you’re craving sweet, spicy, or healthy.
Level-Up Marketing: They use Instagram, cool seasonal decorations, and flash sales to keep things fresh and exciting.
Running a Spirit Box isn’t just about numbers; it’s about learning, leading, and leaving your mark on your school. You’ll gain real-world skills like marketing, inventory management, and teamwork while making money for cool stuff like competitions or events.