Introduction
Hello Perth! We are the team behind the Shark Tank Incursions, and we are absolutely thrilled that you are here. We know how important it is for students in Western Australia to be ready for the real world. They need more than just textbook knowledge; they need courage, financial smarts, and the ability to look at a problem and conjure up a clever solution. That’s precisely why we created the ultimate hands-on learning experience, led by the one and only Nathan Baws, a real alumnus from Shark Tank Australia.
Our creative thinking incursions program isn’t just a talk; it is a full-scale, interactive dive into the world of business, finance, and innovation. We bring the boardroom straight to your school hall or classroom, transforming it into an exciting hub of enterprise. Lets dive in!
Critical Takeaways for Your School
Directly following our incursion, your students will walk away with these essential, high-impact skills:
- Entrepreneurial Mindset: They will understand that great ideas come from solving real problems, not just from waiting for inspiration.
- Real-World Financial Literacy: They will grasp practical concepts like profit margins, budgeting, and value, moving beyond basic arithmetic.
- Presentation Confidence: Students gain invaluable experience in presenting their ideas clearly and convincingly to a live audience.
- Teamwork and Leadership: The collaborative tasks and pitching sessions naturally develop strong communication and leadership qualities.
- Innovation Skills: They learn structured methods for generating novel ideas and pushing the boundaries of traditional thinking.
- Inspiration from Experience: They hear a real-life, Australian business success story from Nathan Baws, a journey that demystifies entrepreneurship.
The Shark Tank Journey: Meet Nathan Baws
Our program’s magic comes from authenticity. It is delivered by Nathan Baws, who knows exactly what it is like to take a simple idea and turn it into a successful national brand. Nathan’s story- his journey to Shark Tank Australia and his experience building Tommy Sugo is the ultimate lesson in perseverance, adaptability, and clever business strategy. He doesn’t just teach theory; he shares the gritty truth of starting a business right here in Western Australia.
His presence in your school isn’t merely motivational; it is practical proof that students from Perth can achieve enormous success.
The Pitch That Changed Everything
Every student is captivated by the story of pitching to the Sharks. Nathan breaks down the preparation, the pressure, and the post-show impact. By sharing the unedited reality of national television business negotiations, he provides lessons in communication, valuation, and resilience that a textbook cannot replicate. It’s an instant lesson in high-stakes strategy.
Beyond the Camera: A Passion for Teaching
While his time on Shark Tank is the exciting hook, Nathan’s primary focus is education. He spent years developing the content to ensure it aligns perfectly with modern learning goals, particularly those relevant to the Western Australian curriculum. He shares how embracing Creative thinking incursions allowed him to adapt his business plan repeatedly to meet changing consumer demands and market conditions. This deep commitment to education ensures the session is fun, energetic, and highly structured to deliver specific learning outcomes.
Real-Life Success, Real-Life Lessons
The biggest takeaway from Nathan’s story is that business is about people and problem-solving. He details the everyday challenges from managing staff, sourcing products, negotiating deals and how he used Creative thinking incursions to overcome them. These are not abstract concepts; they are honest, straightforward lessons that students immediately see as applicable to their own lives and future careers.
Why Real-World Learning is a Must: The Power of Enterprise Education
The world of work is rapidly changing. Rote memorisation is being replaced by the need for dynamic, flexible individuals who can contribute novel ideas to complex situations. Enterprise education is the solution, and our incursions deliver it straight to your school. We aim to make entrepreneurship tangible, focusing on practical skills that support true Creative thinking incursions the kind that lead to actual innovation.
We believe that every student, regardless of their planned career path, benefits from understanding how businesses operate. Knowing how an idea goes from a napkin sketch to a successful product fosters economic literacy and a deep appreciation for the value of effort. Our sessions are not theoretical lectures; they are opportunities for students to participate in live business simulations, moving and thinking as real-world entrepreneurs must.
Teaching Resilience and Adaptability
Entrepreneurship is not a straight line; it is full of unexpected turns. Students learn quickly that Creative thinking incursions are essential for solving market challenges and recovering from setbacks. Nathan shares stories of failure and redirection, normalising the concept that mistakes are merely opportunities for improvement. This builds a crucial sense of resilience and adaptability that serves them far beyond the classroom.
The Importance of Communication Skills
Pitching an idea is the ultimate test of communication. Can you articulate your value proposition clearly? Can you convince an audience that your idea is worth supporting? Our program provides a safe, supportive, and exciting environment for students to practice high-stakes public speaking. The ability to present with confidence is a skill developed through these genuine Creative thinking incursions outcomes.
Understanding Value Creation
We simplify the complex idea of ‘value.’ Students learn to identify a customer need and then design a product or service that meets that need effectively. Whether they are selling an idea for a mobile app or pitching a food product, they are learning the fundamental principles of value creation. This approach to business helps them see the economy not as a system of exchange, but as a system of solutions.
The Toolkit for Tomorrow: Financial Literacy Made Fun and Practical
Financial literacy is a critical skill gap in modern education. Understanding money is vital for successful living, but it should be exciting, not dry! Our Creative thinking incursions introduce financial literacy concepts like revenue, cost of goods sold, and profit in a context that makes sense: selling a product or running a business. We pull financial concepts out of the spreadsheet and put them into the hands of the students.
When students participate in our fundraising package, for instance, they don’t just learn about sales; they execute real transactions and manage actual money. This practical application cements their understanding of profit margins and budgeting in a way that is immediately rewarding and educational. Our approach ensures that concepts like budgeting and profit margins become part of the Creative thinking incursions process, not just isolated mathematical exercises.
Decoding Profit and Loss
We make the concept of ‘P&L’ approachable. Nathan uses relatable examples, often based on the Tommy Sugo business model, to show how every decision a business makes from pricing to sourcing ingredients affects the bottom line. Students learn to calculate their own break-even points, which is a powerful lesson in financial reality.
Sales Skills for Life
Sales is fundamentally about influence and understanding human nature. In our sessions, students learn ethical, effective sales techniques. They practice negotiation and learn how to overcome objections, applying their new knowledge in a friendly, low-pressure environment. These are interpersonal skills that they will use every day, whether they are applying for a job, negotiating a car price, or trying to convince friends to watch a movie.
Managing Risk and Opportunity
Every business venture involves risk, and successful entrepreneurs know how to manage it. We discuss the importance of calculating risk versus potential reward. This helps students approach decision-making logically and cautiously, training them to make calculated moves rather than acting on impulse.
The Innovation Spark: Fostering Creative thinking incursions in WA Classrooms
Innovation is the fuel of entrepreneurship. Our sessions are specifically engineered to unlock the student’s innate ability to innovate. We don’t just talk about innovation; we provide frameworks and challenges that demand original thought. This section is dedicated to the core outcome we promise: delivering high-quality Creative thinking incursions. Innovation is impossible without robust Creative thinking applied to practical challenges.
We encourage students to challenge the status quo. Why does this product exist? How can we make it better, faster, or cheaper? We push them to use Creative thinking incursions to design viable products and services that address needs in their local community, whether it is Perth or regional Western Australia. It is about moving beyond theoretical brainstorming and into actionable, market-ready ideas.
The Art of Idea Generation
We introduce simple yet effective methods for generating original ideas, such as forced connections and reverse brainstorming. The goal is to move beyond the first, obvious solution and find something truly novel. The interactive challenges inherent in our Creative thinking incursions develop problem-solving skills quickly and efficiently.
Challenging Assumptions and Norms
We teach students to question everything. Why is something done this way? When they learn to deconstruct existing business models and products, they empower themselves to see new possibilities. This critical analysis is a key pillar of true Creative thinking.
Turning Problems into Opportunities
An entrepreneur views a problem as an opportunity with a price tag. We find the practical setting is the ideal environment for students to apply their Creative thinking by reframing difficulties. We challenge them to find a problem that affects people in Perth like traffic or local tourism and then use structured thinking to develop an implementable, profitable solution. It’s about giving students the space to practice Creative thinking without the fear of failure, allowing for maximum originality.
A Tailored Experience for Western Australian Schools
We are proud to be a Perth-based enterprise delivering an Australian-centric program. We understand the specific needs of schools across Western Australia, from Fremantle to Joondalup and beyond. Our sessions are not generic international training; they are locally relevant and designed to inspire the next wave of successful Perth entrepreneurs. Our commitment to providing targeted Creative thinking incursions in Perth is unwavering.
Alignment with the WA Curriculum
We work hard to ensure every session delivers on the curriculum outcomes related to Creative thinking incursions, financial literacy, enterprise, and the general capabilities of critical thinking and teamwork. This means that booking our incursion isn’t just an ‘extra’ activity; it is a valuable, high-utility component of your school’s core learning strategy. Our materials seamlessly integrate with existing Business Studies, HASS, and Enterprise units, making planning simple for teachers.
Supporting Perth’s Next Generation of Leaders
Our program is an investment in the future leaders of Perth. We are equipping young people with the confidence and practical knowledge to start their own companies, lead large teams, or simply manage their personal finances effectively. The goal is to provide skills that unlock potential in any field. The student feedback consistently proves that these are the most effective Creative thinking incursions available in the local area, delivering excitement alongside essential learning.
Easy Booking and Flexible Setup
We make the process simple for busy school staff. We require minimal setup: just a venue (hall, classroom, or gym) and basic AV equipment. We manage all the content delivery and interaction, ensuring a smooth, stress-free day for your team. We handle the logistics so you can focus on watching your students benefit from a high-quality, professional, and practical Creative thinking incursions session.
Conclusion
We believe in the power of young people to innovate and succeed. Bringing the Shark Tank experience to your school is more than just an exciting day out; it is a powerful investment in developing the critical, entrepreneurial skills your students will rely on for the rest of their lives. These Creative thinking incursions are an investment in your students’ future success and their ability to thrive in a complex world. They leave with a renewed sense of confidence, practical financial knowledge, and a burning desire to create.
If you are ready to book the best Creative thinking incursions in Western Australia and want to see the transformation that real-world, dynamic learning can bring, do not delay. Us at https://tommysugo.com.au/ today to discuss package options and book a date for your school. Let’s start building your next generation of brilliant entrepreneurs right here in Perth!
FAQs
1. How does Nathan Baws handle large groups of students, especially with varying age levels?
Nathan is an experienced educator and entrepreneur, highly skilled in managing diverse groups, from a single class to a full year-level assembly. He uses a high-energy, interactive approach that keeps every student engaged, regardless of whether they are a Year 5 student getting their first taste of business or a Year 12 student finalising their career plans.
2. We’re a regional WA school, not in Perth. Can we still book the Shark Tank creative thinking incursions?
Absolutely! While our base is in Perth, we are passionate about bringing this valuable experience to schools across all of Western Australia, including regional and remote areas. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities faced by regional schools and are happy to travel to deliver the program directly to your students.
3. What materials or preparation do teachers need to do before the creative thinking incursions?
Very little! Our goal is to make this process incredibly simple and stress-free for teachers and administration staff. We handle all the content and presentation preparation ourselves. All we ask of the school is to secure the appropriate venue (hall, gym, or classroom) and ensure basic AV equipment is ready to go (like a projector and speakers)
4. How long in advance should we book the creative thinking incursions, especially for the full Pitch Event package?
Due to Nathan Baws’ schedule and the popularity of the full Shark Tank-Style Student Pitch Event, we highly recommend booking at least one to two terms in advance, especially if you have specific dates in mind, such as the start of a term or a dedicated innovation week. Weekends and end-of-term slots tend to fill up quickly.
5. Does the incursion focus only on food-related businesses, given Nathan’s background with Tommy Sugo?
Not at all. While Nathan uses his experience with Tommy Sugo to provide real-world, highly relatable examples of growth, negotiation, and strategy, the principles taught are universally applicable to any industry, from technology and sustainability to services and manufacturing.
6. Is there any component of the creative thinking incursions that requires students to use personal devices or technology?
The core of our incursion is face-to-face interaction, high-energy discussion, and hands-on paper-based planning for idea generation, meaning students don’t strictly need personal devices. For the full Pitch Event, some groups may use technology to create their final presentation slides, but this is optional and dependent on the school’s preference and resources.
7. How is the fundraising sales training session managed to ensure student safety and ethical selling?
Student safety and ethical conduct are our highest priorities during the sales training. Students are not required to do door-to-door sales; the fundraising is typically conducted safely within the school community (e.g., selling to family, friends, and staff). Nathan provides specific, clear training on ethical sales practices, integrity in marketing, and managing money responsibly.
8. What kind of ongoing impact can we expect to see in students after the creative thinking incursions?
The most immediate impact we observe is a significant boost in student confidence and engagement with enterprise subjects. Long-term, teachers often report that students approach problem-solving with greater creativity and critical analysis, asking more strategic questions in class. Furthermore, the program often serves as a powerful catalyst for students to launch school projects, join leadership programs, or even start small initiatives of their own, making the learning highly visible and sustained.
9. Can the content be customised to fit a specific curriculum theme, like sustainability or digital innovation?
Yes, we pride ourselves on our ability to customise the content. If your school is focusing on a specific curriculum theme such as digital innovation, environmental sustainability, or social enterprise, we can adjust the interactive challenges and case studies accordingly.
10. How does the creative thinking incursions help students who are naturally shy or lack confidence in public speaking?
We understand that public speaking can be daunting, which is why we foster a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. The process is scaffolded: shy students can start by contributing ideas within a small team, gradually building confidence. Nathan’s storytelling style is highly relatable, which helps break down barriers. For the pitch event, students often pitch as a team, sharing the responsibility, proving that the high-stakes environment is actually a fantastic, safe opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and find their voice.
