Kindset, an Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) student-run company that aims to “spread the message of kindness each and every day through entrepreneurship,” has recently concluded its summer term after hiring fresh faces and developing new products.
Over the summer, Kindset employed several student interns from schools across AUHSD. Many students joined after being inspired by Kindset’s mission. “I decided to join Kindset because I believe in the power of kindness and I want to be part of the community to make a greater change,” said Cypress High School junior Zyrah Umeh, a Kindset Sales and Marketing team leader.
Previously, Kindset has hosted several district-wide events, including “Cooking with Kindset,” a series of cooking classes hosted at Western High School. “We teach students how to cook and we teach them nutritional values…and we partner up with MACC [Magnolia Agriscience Community Center] to get fresh produce,” said Oxford Academy senior and Kindset team leader Carolina Banda. Banda, who joined Kindset the summer before her sophomore year, was part of the team that founded the “Cooking With Kindset” program.
The product development project culminated in the teams presenting their products to a panel of judges, including entrepreneurs and the former mayor of Anaheim.
Students learned about entrepreneurship and public speaking in group settings through guest speakers and hands-on projects. “There was a lot of going through the process of how entrepreneurs come up with their projects and ideas and how they pivot and present their skills as well… so I think that really has been helpful in the process of public speaking,” said Oxford Academy senior, Kindset team leader and “Cooking with Kindset” program founder Yarely Martinez.
The company consists of four teams: community engagement, online presence, product development, and sales and marketing. Beyond their specialized roles, the teams also worked to design their own individual products over the summer. “Every team had a chance to do some product development, every team had a chance to do some marketing, do some engagement, and do some online presence,” Oxford Academy sophomore and Kindset member Anna Nguyen said.
This product development project culminated in the teams presenting their products to a panel of judges, including entrepreneurs and the former mayor of Anaheim. Through this experience, the teams had a chance to market and receive feedback for their kindness-themed products, which included planners, slime, stress balls, candles, and ribbon roses.
Developing these products also allowed students to learn about entrepreneurship while spreading Kindset’s mission. The teams aimed to pass on kindness by creating products that help students relieve stress together. “Most of [our products] come in sets of two, one to give to yourself and one to spread kindness and give to another,” said Nguyen.
Currently, Kindset sells kindness-themed bracelets, cookies, and stickers on its website. The company plans to sell more student-developed products in the future during events such as the AUHSD College and Career Fair, Steamapalooza, and on school campuses in the fall.
