The Hangout — Entrepreneurship

My 12-year-old son just finished a term at The Hangout in Portland, and it’s been a pretty positive experience overall. The program focused on entrepreneurship, which intrigued him as he’s always been creative and likes to come up with his own ideas. The instructor, Sam, was genuinely engaging and made the lessons about business fundamentals feel accessible and fun. They worked on a project where the kids created their own mini-business plans, and my son ended up presenting a concept for a sustainable skateboard shop. He really enjoyed the collaborative environment, and he even made a new friend. The only downside was the long lines for pickup; we often waited up to 20 minutes, which felt excessive. However, the small group size allowed for more personalized attention, which I appreciated. I’d recommend The Hangout if your child has a creative spark and is eager to learn about entrepreneurship.

I enrolled my 12-year-old son in The Hangout's Entrepreneurship program in Portland, and overall, it was a solid experience. The program runs weekly, which was convenient for our schedule. He built a small business plan for a lemonade stand, which included budgeting and marketing strategies, thanks to the engaging instructor named Lisa. She really made the lessons relatable and fun. My son came home excited each week, sharing his ideas with us. However, drop-off on the first day was a bit chaotic; there were long lines, and it was unclear where to go. Once inside, the small group size meant my son received plenty of attention. I appreciate the focus on creative projects, and he made a friend who shares his entrepreneurial interests. While the price is on the higher side, I feel he gained valuable skills. I would recommend this program with the caveat of preparing for a hectic drop-off.