LiFT Microbusinesses
LiFT University Transition Program
Entrepreneurship in Education
In 2018, LiFT University Transition Program added Microbusinesses to its course offerings. These businesses allow students the opportunity to gain social, vocational, and critical thinking skills that will add greatly to their value as an employee. As entrepreneurs, students learn to take risks, manage time, put customers first, seek opportunities to lead and interpersonal skills, all of which are highly transferable skills sought by employers.
Positive outcomes include
- Increased problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Improved interpersonal relationships, teamwork, money management, and public speaking skills
- Job readiness
- Enhanced social psychological development ie. self-esteem, ego development, self-efficacy
LiFT University Transition Program currently has three microbusinesses:
LiFT Your Heart
LiFT Your Heart is a microbusiness that provides students with the opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to gain sustainable employment: vocational skills development, social/emotional support, entrepreneurship, branding, marketing, sales, sustainability, and life skills. Under the guidance and supervision of the LYH microbusiness program manager, team members create high interest products to sell at local markets: pillows, beach bags, wine bags, candles, tea towels, ornaments, aprons, soaps, scrubs, and so much more. Customer satisfaction ratings are through the roof!
Positive outcomes of this program include:
- Increased problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Improved interpersonal relationships, teamwork, money management, and public speaking skills
- Job readiness
- Enhanced social psychological development (self-esteem, ego development, self-efficacy)
LiFT Your Fork
LiFT Your Fork Catering is a microbusiness managed and operated by students. LYF caters to all of our customers’ event needs. Whether it is a wedding, a shower, a family reunion…LiFT Your Fork Catering has the perfect food options to satisfy your guests!
LYF provides students with the opportunity to acquire the culinary skills necessary to gain sustainable employment in the food service industry: vocational skills development, entrepreneurship, branding, marketing, sales, sustainability, and life skills. Under the guidance and supervision of the culinary program manager students study popular food trends, design menus, shop for ingredients, and create mouthwatering meals, appetizers, and desserts. This microbusiness has been a huge hit within the community: keeping us busy year-round.
Positive outcomes of this program include:
- Increased problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Improved interpersonal relationships, teamwork, money management, and public speaking skills
- Job readiness
- Enhanced social psychological development (self-esteem, ego development, self-efficacy)
LiFT U Cleaning Crew
Dedicated to providing stellar cleaning services to small businesses throughout the Tampa Bay Area, the LiFT U Cleaning Crew is a microbusiness of LiFT University Transition Program.
Phillip Martin is the CEO and Job Coach for LiFT U Cleaning Crew. Within this microbusiness, students learn janitorial skills that will prove to be beneficial as they seek employment in an industry that is lacking workers. A recent (Florida) study showed that for every 20 job openings in the housekeeping/janitorial/ maintenance industry, there is one prospective employee to fill the vacancies. Our crew is not only capable of meeting the maintenance needs of businesses, they are highly effective and efficient, going above and beyond that which is expected.
The LiFT U Cleaning Crew is a team of five LiFT University Transition Program students and one supervisor. Currently, LiFT U Cleaning Crew has three major clients: Seminole Movie Grill, Pinellas Park Church of Christ and Indian Rocks Christian School.
Positive outcomes of this program include:
- Increased problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Improved interpersonal relationships, teamwork, money management, and public speaking skills
- Job readiness
- Enhanced social psychological development (self-esteem, ego development, self-efficacy)