Sustainable Surplus Director on Shark Tank

In an exciting program offered at La Costa Elementary School, 6^th grade students are taught to take an invention they create from inception to market.  It is called “Mission 2 Innovate” and culminates in a presentation to a panel of judges, fashioned after the ABC show, Shark Tank.

Throughout the semester, the students learn business basics including: costs of sourcing and manufacturing, cost of goods sold, key elements of pricing as well as a valuation and a balance sheet.

“Sitting on the panel, I remained in disbelief that these were 11- and 12-year-old students,” said Sue Prelozni, Sustainable Surplus director.  Prelozni served on a panel of 4 judges and listened to almost a dozen presentations.  “We all had our favorites,” commented judge Rich Armstrong.

The key factors were innovation, research, and marketability.  Products were often very unique:  Magna Robe – a robe that closes and opens by magnetic pull versus buttons and zippers; Fishy – fishing lures made of paracord; Challows – marshmallows filled with different flavors and then covered in semi-dark chocolate.  

One item was perfect for surfers – a sock which wipes your feet as you pull it on, then is removed as you place a dry sock in its place.

“It was incredible learning experience for us judges,” Prelozni  exclaimed.  “I’d do it again.”

Judges: George Bradvica, Rich Sylvester, Sue Prelozni and Steve White (not shown)