Students in Andrea Reinertson’s business marketing two class applied concepts taught through textbooks to help a Ridgefield business operate.
The Birds and the Beans coffee shop, 510 Pioneer St., opened in partnership with Laura Jhaveri, the founder of Killa Bites gourmet foods, and the Ridgefield School District Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) in 2019, according to a news release.
The coffee shop relies on high school students for its marketing from the design stage to implementation. The students create social media posts and signage for the business.
A portion of the Birds and the Beans profits go toward the marketing program.
“The coffee shop is a local gem, featuring organic, regionally roasted Red Leaf coffee and delicious, locally baked treats and sandwiches from Killa Bites,” states the release.
Students aim to answer critical questions as they decide the optimal location to place road signage for advertising and what flavor combinations will be the most successful when launching new seasonal products.
Throughout the partnership, students have learned skills in strategic planning, sales analysis and marketing, states the release. The class has beta tested a curbside pickup service, text alerts and a coffee delivery service for teachers this summer.
“They have done an excellent job. Their marketing efforts have really paid off,” Jhaveri said. “It is a great real life incubator for them to be exposed to the impact of marketing.”
For some students, like Dallas Martin, the class directed them toward a career in marketing, according to the release. Martin placed signs in locations most likely to attract customers with the help of Mike Bomar, Port of Vancouver director of economic development.
Sophomore Dillon Kirksey also said working with the shop was exciting.
“With the experience I got from this class, I’m more interested in pursuing marketing and business as a career,” Kirksey said. “What we do every day feels like a real job.”
The business, located in the Ridgefield Administrative and Civic Center, is open from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
