jacob
Jacob's Final Assignment Process
Jacob is 15 years old, Korean-Canadian, from Toronto.
Working through the final assignment gave me a chance to step back and look at my whole project from the outside. My project — an after-school support program for youth in Toronto's east end — had been evolving all course, and the final assignment was my chance to pull it all together.
Part 1: Revising My Lean Canvas
The biggest change I made to my Lean Canvas in this revision was sharpening my problem statement. I had been saying something vague like "students need after-school support." But when I dug deeper, the real problem was more specific: students from lower-income families in grades 6–12 lack access to affordable, quality academic support AND mentorship. Those two things together — academics and mentorship — are what make a real difference.
I also strengthened my unique value proposition. Most after-school programs offer one thing: tutoring, or sports, or arts. My program offers academic support, mentorship from older peers and community professionals, and counselling — under one roof, completely free.
For impact measurement, I added:
- Percentage of enrolled students who improve their grades by at least one level within one semester
- Percentage of students who attend 80% or more of available sessions (attendance = engagement)
- Number of students who report having at least one trusted adult mentor by year-end
Part 2: Writing My Business Plan
Writing the financial projections section forced me to get very specific. I had been somewhat vague about funding — "we will apply for grants" is not a real plan. So I researched actual grant programs available to youth non-profits in Toronto and listed three that my program could qualify for.
The operational plan section was easier because I had thought through the day-to-day logistics earlier in the course. My program runs Monday to Friday from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM at a school or community centre. I worked out the staffing model — three full-time staff in year one (a director, an academic coordinator, and a wellness counsellor) plus rotating mentors from partner organizations.
The ethical considerations section came naturally. As a non-profit serving vulnerable youth, inclusivity is non-negotiable. I wrote about how we would actively recruit students from underrepresented communities and ensure our space is physically and emotionally safe for everyone.
Part 3: Recording My Pitch Video
I was more comfortable with public speaking than with the writing parts of the assignment — I have done presentations at school before. But pitching something I genuinely built and care about felt different from a school presentation.
I practised my pitch four times, once with my older sister who gave me feedback. She told me I was spending too much time on the logistics and not enough time on the "why" — why this matters, who it helps, what changes for real students.
So I restructured my pitch to open with a story. Not my story — the story of a student like the ones I want to help.
That shift made the pitch feel much more alive. When you start with a person, not a plan, your audience immediately cares.
Next: See Jacob's full business plan and pitch script.