Rolling schedule.
Membership
This program is for Life Lab members. Every step is logged in the Human Skills record kept with our partner, the PNF Foundation, and in high school points toward a formal Congressional Award application (age 13.5+).
Want to talk to a course advisor now?
Contact a course advisorFrequently Asked Questions
Do Irvine students really have to sell something?
Yes. Each student designs a product and sells it to the public at a local farmers market in Irvine, going from the first idea all the way to a completed sale. The customers are real members of the community, not a classroom simulation.
Who keeps the money?
The proceeds are donated to a PNF community project. What the student takes away is the experience of a full sales cycle in public, including product design, pricing, and talking to customers, rather than the revenue itself.
Can an Irvine student join with no business background?
Yes. Students who have already done Money Basics or Finance Lab tend to be readier on pricing and customer conversation, but a student with no background can start from the product design stage. The product need not be elaborate: a handmade item, baked goods, print work, or a simple service all qualify.
How is this different from the Startup Incubator?
The Sales Challenge centers on one public sale, from product design to a completed transaction at a farmers market. The Startup Incubator covers market validation, finance, pitching, and execution, producing an MVP, customer traction, and an investor demo day.
Do Irvine families need a membership?
Yes. This program is for Life Lab members only and runs on a rolling schedule. Every step a member takes is logged in the Human Skills record kept with the PNF Foundation, and members receive a growth report.
