entrepreneurshipproject-basedstudent-marketplace

Project-Based Unit: Build a Small Business Like Liber & Co. — From Kitchen Test Batch to Scale

ttheteachers

2026-01-25

9 min read

A complete, standards-aligned PBL unit inspired by Liber & Co.—guide students from kitchen test batch to a student-run pop-up with lesson plans and printables.

Turn limited class time and budgets into a real student-run business—emulating Liber & Co.'s DIY scaling story

Teachers: if you need a single, standards-aligned project that teaches entrepreneurship, product development, marketing, pricing, and logistics—while giving students a real market test—this unit does that. It’s built around a modern, do-it-yourself scaling story: Liber & Co., which started with a single pot on a stove and grew to 1,500-gallon tanks and worldwide buyers. Use this project-based unit to guide students from kitchen test batch to a student-run pop-up or marketplace.

Why this unit matters in 2026 (and why students care)

Practical, applied learning: Project-based learning (PBL) is now central to many district plans in 2025–2026. Students graduate with portfolios, not just test scores. This unit turns classroom skills—writing, math, science, SEL—into a tangible product and business plan.

Real-world entrepreneurship trends: Small-batch food and beverage brands that begin with a DIY ethos (like Liber & Co.) still scale by combining hands-on skills with modern tools: AI-assisted recipe scaling, DTC e-commerce, local pop-ups, and sustainable packaging. The unit integrates these 2026 trends so students learn relevant tools.

"It all started with a single pot on a stove... we learned to do it ourselves." — Chris Harrison, Liber & Co. co-founder

Unit overview: From idea to pop-up in 6–8 weeks

Designed for middle or high school (grades 7–12) and adaptable to 6–12 weeks depending on schedule. Includes standards alignment, lesson plans, printables, rubrics, and templates for a culminating student-run pop-up.

Learning goals

Entrepreneurship skills: market research, MVP development, unit economics, pricing, branding, sales.
Academic skills: persuasive writing, data analysis, measurement and scaling, chemistry basics (ingredient interactions), and financial literacy.
Career & Technical Education (CTE): product development workflows, basic food safety, supply chain thinking, ecommerce tools.
SEL and teamwork: communication, conflict resolution, time management, customer service.

Week-by-week lesson breakdown (practical steps and deliverables)

Week 1 — Ideation & Market Research

Objective: Identify a product idea inspired by Liber & Co.'s syrups (e.g., flavored syrups, mixes, snacks) and test demand.

Run a quick empathy interview sprint: students interview 10 peers/adults for flavor and price preferences.
Competitive scan: students review 5 local/online products and complete the competitive matrix printable (market position, price, packaging, unique value).
Deliverable: a 1-page value proposition and hypothesis: "Our syrup will sell at $X because Y."

Week 2 — MVP Recipe & Small Test Batch

Objective: Create a small test batch (class-sized) and collect sensory feedback.

Safety first: basic food-handling mini-lesson (gloves, sanitizing, allergen awareness). Include school nurse/food services in planning and consult guides like micro-scale preservation when scaling storage plans.
Recipe card printable: students document ingredients, measurements, and process—designed to scale.
Tasting methodology: provide a scorecard printable (aroma, sweetness, mouthfeel, repeat purchase intent).
Deliverable: Revised recipe and sensory report.

Week 3 — Branding, Story & Packaging Concepts

Objective: Build a brand inspired by the founders’ story and craft a simple packaging mock-up.

Brand sprint: name, tagline, logo concept, brand story tied to origin (why we started).
Packaging constraints: low-cost label template printable, sticker sizes, and sustainable options (recycling and compostability trends in 2026).
Deliverable: 1-page brand board and a label mock-up.

Week 4 — Unit Economics & Pricing Strategy

Objective: Calculate cost per unit and set a price that covers costs and reaches margin goals.

Introduce the Unit Cost Worksheet printable: ingredient cost, packaging, labor estimate, overhead allocation.
Pricing approaches: cost-plus, competitor-based, and value-based pricing. Demonstrate margin math and break-even analysis; see tactical pricing approaches for small events in the Weekend Sell‑Off Playbook (2026).
Deliverable: Pricing sheet with wholesale and retail price recommendations and profit margin.

Week 5 — Production & Scaling Logistics

Objective: Translate one-pot batch into scaled production plan and operations checklist.

Scaling primer: explain linear scaling vs. process constraints (heat transfer, mixing time, batch hold times). Use a simple math activity to scale a 2-liter recipe to 50 liters. For classroom case studies and scaling frameworks, consult neighborhood-scale food-series playbooks.
Equipment mapping: from stove-top pot to large kettles, or co-packer options. Discuss costs vs. outsourcing (co-packing or shared-use commercial kitchens).
Deliverable: Operations plan with a scaled recipe, equipment list, and time-line for producing 50–200 units.

Week 6 — Marketing & Sales Plan

Objective: Build an actionable marketing plan for the pop-up and week-after outreach.

Channels: local farmer's markets, school events, Instagram/X/TikTok reels, email to parents, and partnerships with local cafes (mirroring Liber & Co.'s wholesale path). See notes on micro-retail & phone pop-ups for local channels and short-form promotions.
2026 tools: include AI-assisted workflows for caption and ad copy generation, low-cost product photography tips (phone + lightbox), and short-form video storyboards.
Deliverable: One-week promotional calendar and mock social post set (3 posts + 1 reel script).

Week 7 — Pop-up Logistics & Event Day

Objective: Run the student-led pop-up or marketplace stall and collect sales and customer feedback.

Event checklist printable: POS set-up (cash box, card reader), sample station, signage, volunteering schedule, safety & sanitation plan. Use pop-up best-practice playbooks like Micro‑Popup Portfolios when designing layouts and demo flows.
Roles: production lead, marketing lead, customer service lead, finance lead, and event logistics lead.
Deliverable: Live sales event and recorded sales & feedback data.

Week 8 — Reflection, Metrics, and Next Steps

Objective: Analyze results, calculate profit, and plan a next-stage strategy (scale, subscription, wholesale).

Metrics to collect: units sold, revenue, COGS, customers served, repeat-customer interest, and net profit.
Student presentations: 5–7 minute pitch with lessons learned and a 90-day growth plan.
Deliverable: Class report and optional pitch to local partners for an extended pop-up or wholesale trial.

Standards alignment & assessment (practical rubric examples)

This unit aligns across disciplines. Use the following sample standards and adapt to your district's codes.

ELA / Common Core: Write persuasive business copy, present findings, and produce project documentation (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1; SL.9-10.4).
Math / Financial Literacy: Ratios, percent markup, break-even analysis, scaling recipes (CCSS.Math.Content.7.RP.A.3; high-school financial literacy standards).
NGSS/Science: Chemical interactions in cooking, states of matter, and measurement (MS-PS1 and HS-PS1 standards where applicable).
CTE & Entrepreneurship Standards: Business planning, marketing, and operations (local CTE frameworks).

Assessment rubric highlights (use printable rubric): product quality (taste & packaging), business viability (unit economics & pricing), marketing effectiveness (reach & conversion), teamwork, and presentation quality.

Printable resources & templates (what to include in your teacher pack)

Build or download a teacher pack with these ready-to-print assets to save prep time:

Recipe card (scalable) and sanitation checklist
Tasting scorecard
Unit Cost Worksheet and Break-even Calculator
Label template with allergen and nutritional fields
Brand board and logo sketch sheet
Marketing calendar printable and social copy templates
Pop-up event checklist and role assignment chart
Student reflection prompts and rubric

Practical teacher tips to manage budget, time, and space

Low-cost ingredients: Use pantry staples and seasonal produce. Partner with culinary programs or local grocers for donations.
Shared production: Use a commercial shared-use kitchen or school cafeteria after hours for larger batches to meet health codes.
Leverage community partners: Invite a local small-biz owner to mentor or host a field trip to see scaled operations, similar to Liber & Co.'s in-house approach.
Save time with templates: Use the printable pack for immediate implementation—rotate student responsibilities each class to reduce teacher oversight time.
Funding options: Microgrants, PTA funds, DonorsChoose campaigns, or small community sponsorships can cover equipment and packaging costs.

Food safety, legal basics, and school policies (must-dos)

When producing consumables, follow local regulations. At minimum:

Get approval from district food services and school administration.
Follow local public health rules for food sales—use a licensed kitchen for sales to the public when required.
Label products with ingredient lists and common allergens (milk, nuts, eggs, soy, wheat, shellfish).
Secure basic liability coverage for public events or require venue insurance coverage.

Scaling lessons from Liber & Co. (applied classroom case study)

Use the Liber & Co. story as a scaffold: founders started with a single stove-top pot and a food-first mindset, then learned manufacturing, warehousing, marketing, ecommerce, and wholesale—mostly in-house. That arc is ideal for students: begin with a hands-on product and deliberately add complexity (operations, compliance, marketing) as the class scales.

Key takeaways for students to internalize:

Start with a testable hypothesis and an MVP—don’t over-engineer your first batch.
Learn-by-doing: founders often taught themselves skills like packaging design and ecommerce management.
Build systems early: labeling, sanitation, and inventory tracking make scaling predictable.

2026 trends to fold into the unit (advanced strategies)

Incorporate these 2026 developments so students practice modern tools:

AI-assisted workflows: Use AI for recipe-scaling checks, ad copy, and A/B test ideas. Teach responsible AI use and fact-checking (see AI tool guidance in creator and commerce playbooks such as AI-driven platform guides).
Sustainable packaging: Teach students to compare lifecycle costs of glass vs. plastic vs. compostable options. Sustainability sells—especially for food brands; see modern packaging tests at WholeFood packaging reviews.
Micro-fulfillment & local DTC: Explore subscription bundles or local delivery trials—an easy way to extend sales after the pop-up. Macro trends in micro-fulfilment are explored in Micro‑Retail Economics 2026.
Experience-first retail: Pop-ups and sampling remain powerful. Combine tasting with story-based marketing (origin, founder story) to increase conversion — creator-led events playbooks like From Streams to Streets show practical experience-first techniques.
Data-driven iteration: Use simple spreadsheets or free forecasting tools to analyze sales results and plan stock for a second run; market-sentiment trend reports can help prioritize changes (Trend Report: Live Sentiment Streams).

Differentiation and extension (adapt for all learners)

Differentiate by role and complexity:

Grades 7–8: Focus on basic recipe scaling, storytelling, and a mini pop-up on campus.
Grades 9–10: Add unit economics, vendor negotiation role-play, and basic labeling design.
Grades 11–12: Advanced modules on co-packing, HACCP basics, wholesale pricing, and investor-style pitch. For co-packing and small-scale production references, see micro-preservation and packaging playbooks like Micro‑Scale Preservation Labs.
Struggling learners: shorter task cycles and role-based supports (checklists, visuals).
Advanced learners: create a pilot ecommerce presence, subscription model, or approach a local café for wholesale trials (pair this with a quick-build student project like Build a Micro-App in 7 Days).

Sample timeline for a single-day pop-up (fast reference printable)

30 min: Set up table, signage, samples, and POS
10 min: Team huddle—roles, goals, and safety reminder
2–3 hours: Sales period with rotating student shifts
15 min: Mid-event restock check and quick data tally
30 min: Pack-down, cash reconciliation, and customer feedback collection
Next class: Data analysis and reflection

Actionable takeaways (what to do next)

Download or create the printable pack: recipe card, cost worksheet, tasting scorecard, and pop-up checklist.
Schedule community partners now: shared kitchen, local small-biz mentor, or farmers market coordinator.
Plan for compliance early—talk to your district about food sales and event insurance.
Pick one 6–8 week window this semester and run a pilot with one small product to test the workflow.

Closing: Turn a class project into a lasting program

By following a DIY-to-scale model—start small, document processes, and layer on operations and marketing—students gain entrepreneurship skills that matter beyond the classroom. Liber & Co.'s journey from a single pot to global buyers is the exact arc students can emulate: test, iterate, systematize, and scale.

Ready to bring this unit into your classroom? Grab the full teacher pack with lesson plans, printables, rubrics, and pop-up templates to run the project with minimal prep and maximum impact.

Call to action: Visit theteachers.store to download the complete "Build a Small Business Like Liber & Co." curriculum bundle, order a student-friendly kit of labels and packaging templates, or join our educator community for implementation support and real classroom case studies from 2025–2026.

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