Independent Banker - April 2024 - 73

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" This [KidPreneur] program boosts creativity in
these students. ... The bank is able to teach a little
financial literacy in our younger generation in a
way that does not feel like learning. "
-HALEY GEIER, DIETERICH BANK
age. And given the age ranges of
these children, typically 8 to 13,
Dieterich Bank requires that the
parents be involved. In most cases,
each pop-up shop is set up for one
day, and a parent and/or teacher is
required to stay with the child during
the day-usually in the summer, since
students are on break.
Student-powered marketing
In terms of marketing, the community
bank creates individual Facebook
events to help with advertising. It
also allows the students to share their
Facebook stories.
" The child will receive business
cards to hand out ahead of time,
if they prefer, " Geier says. " Social
media is a great resource to get the
word out! "
Since its start in 2019, several
young entrepreneurs have donated
a portion of their sales to a charity
of their choice. Dieterich Bank has
matched all donations, as giving
back to its communities is one of its
greatest passions.
The KidPreneur program has been
gaining in popularity. When the
program launched in 2019, there were
seven Dieterich branches. And that
year, around 20 children participated,
either individually or in groups.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19
pandemic, Dieterich Bank did not
offer the program again until 2023,
when about 10 students participated.
According to Geier, " With this being
the first year back in a while, we were
satisfied with this number. "
She also notes that the program
will continue. " With that being
said, though, the bank has a small
committee that will gather during the
beginning of summer and brainstorm
new engaging ways to keep our
KidPreneur program exciting and
tactful, " she says.
Success stories
One example of a KidPreneur success
story: Meraki Health, based in
Newton, provides opportunities for
the siblings of children with special
needs to bond and receive some
special attention of their own.
One summer, a group of elementary
school girls from this group, who
called themselves " Blossoms, " was
invited by the Newton branch of
Dieterich Bank to participate in
KidPreneur. The Blossoms set up an
entrepreneurial project in the bank's
lobby for a day.
" They served 'Mermaid Lemonade,'
which contains spirulina, a plant
from the sea which has many health
benefits, " says Sarah Weiler, CEO
of Meraki Health. " The girls did a
fabulous job developing a business
plan and marketing to the public. The
bank also offered to match the girls'
earnings from the day. The girls were
very excited and used their money to
purchase items for the special needs
summer camp that they and their
siblings attended. "
The best part of the program,
according to Weiler, was that a
picture of the Blossoms' lemonade
stand made one of the local
billboards.
" The opportunity that the
bank gave to those girls was very
meaningful and left an imprint on
them, " she says. " Several of the girls
have gone on to learn more about
entrepreneurship and financial
literacy since that summer. Thanks
to Dieterich Bank for the opportunity
you gave our Blossoms! "
" This program boosts creativity in
these students, " says Geier. " They
are able to use their imagination
with innovation. The bank is able to
teach a little financial literacy in our
younger generation in a way that does
not feel like learning. " And last but
not least is the element of fun. They
can sell their products to people, earn
a little extra cash and learn some
valuable skills along the way. 
William Atkinson is a writer in Illinois.
independentbanker.org // 73
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - April 2024

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