By Mario, Upper School Sophomore
On March 5 HOKA co-founder Jean-Luc Diard toured Principia School’s campus and met with students to hear their business ideas and share feedback. He was joined by a panel of experts that included Principia School and Principia College alumni Greg Hexberg (US'78, C'83) and Stewart Jenkins (US'78, C'83).
The event was designed to give high school students real-world entrepreneurial advice while helping them develop their ideas through dialogue with experienced business leaders.
During the session, student teams proposed business ideas, asking the experts for guidance on improving their concepts. Ideas ranged from a student-run school coffee shop to a line of comfortable Principia School spirit wear.
The event was designed to give students real-world entrepreneurial advice and feedback and help them develop their ideas through dialogue with experienced business leaders.
Drawing from his own experience building a successful company, Diard emphasized the importance of starting with a clear and focused niche when developing a business. He explained that entrepreneurs should begin with something targeted, small, and manageable so that it remains within their control.
By keeping the structure simple, minimizing fixed costs, and limiting inventory in the early stages, young entrepreneurs can reduce risk while learning how to operate and grow their venture effectively.
Diard also highlighted the importance of building strong relationships with customers from the very beginning. One way to do this he explained, is by following the principle of “underpromise and overdeliver.” By setting realistic expectations and then exceeding them, businesses can create trust and loyalty among their customers.
He also encouraged students to view criticism not as a setback but as an opportunity for improvement. Accepting feedback, listening to others’ perspectives, and being willing to adapt are all essential qualities for anyone hoping to build and sustain a successful business.
Principia School junior, Jere, posed a thoughtful question to the panel of entrepreneurs, asking, “What would you do if you had to restart your businesses from scratch?” In response, Hexberg emphasized the importance of the people you choose to work with.
He explained that one of the most important steps would be to surround yourself with quality individuals who share your vision and values. By building a strong team and forming meaningful partnerships, entrepreneurs can create a support system that helps them navigate challenges and sustain their business throughout the journey.
Hexberg highlighted that success is rarely achieved alone—rather, it is the result of collaboration, trust, and the collective strengths of a dedicated team.
It’s incredibly rare for a high school student to sit in a room with the co-founder of a billion-dollar brand—rarer still to meet multiple business leaders of that caliber, and truly inspiring to have the opportunity to ask them direct questions.
Experiences like this extend well beyond the classroom—they empower students to embrace their own ideas as practical and achievable innovation, marking the first step on the road to success.