The Cat's Den:
school spirit hub
The Official School Store of Weston High School
Offering School Essentials through our Broad Selection of Premium Merchandise and Foods
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The Official School Store of Weston High School
Offering School Essentials through our Broad Selection of Premium Merchandise and Foods
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The Cat's Den, Weston High School's esteemed school store, has made a triumphant return, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Siyang Ding and Max Burd. Esteemed for its unique, custom merchandise that supports various school clubs, the Cat's Den is more than a retail space—it's a hub for fostering community spirit and unity within WHS. After a temporary hiatus due to COVID-19, it's now back, stronger and more community-centric, with a noble vision: to extend its success by guiding and empowering schools with fewer resources to establish their own communal stores, thereby nurturing school spirit far beyond Weston's walls.
about
This roadmap highlights the school store's rise from nonexistence through setbacks to its current state of continuous improvement and community impact:
In the aftermath of COVID-19, the school store, reduced to a storage closet cluttered with old yearbooks, faced complete desolation.
With scant equipment, including a broken cash register and a lone heat press, the neglected space, characterized by cracked displays and layers of dust.
A significant dispute over the store's premises was barely won against the school's IT department and the head of clubs.
Staffing surged to approximately 20, spanning five key departments: manufacturing, retail sales, finance, marketing, and human resources.
Celebrated the first custom order in collaboration with the science team, streamlining a system for club orders.
Initiated a strategic 40/60 partnership with Boosters, the community's athletic merchandise supplier, effectively using surplus space to revitalize shelves and offering the storefront to Boosters.
Achieved a milestone of 10 orders, resulting in 5k revenue.
Launched a promising food sales department and significantly enhanced the structure and function of the human resources department, fostering comprehensive internal growth.
Implemented comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), streamlining the employee onboarding process across departments.
Engaged proactively in school-wide community events, notably contributing to charity at the annual town events, rivaling the philanthropic footprint of local standouts like Dumpling Daughter.
Achieved a significant boost in marginal productivity by transitioning from micro-management to automated systems, fundamentally streamlining operations.
Pioneered an e-commerce platform, broadening accessibility and extending our market reach.
Expanded the workforce to over 35 dedicated members, propelling order counts to an impressive 30.
Fortified the food department's foundation, culminating in a partnership with a national food corporation.
Take a peek into our curated collection, showcasing the diverse range of merchandise orders crafted exclusively for clubs within the school.
Dive into a world of creativity and school spirit!
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Note: For an in-depth understanding and elaboration on any of these points, do visit our About section.
At the heart of Cat's Den lies our unwavering commitment to community. Our core values prioritize fostering a sense of unity among our employees, the student body, and the larger school community. We envision a future where Cat's Den isn't just a store, but a movement, empowering other schools with similar ambitions. Our ultimate goal is to amass the resources and expertise to sponsor and mentor other schools, helping them navigate the challenges and replicate our success. In essence, we seek to create a blueprint at Weston High School for aspiring student entrepreneurs everywhere.
Beyond being a store, Cat's Den is a community cornerstone. We actively engage in school-wide events, making impactful charity contributions during annual town functions. In fact, our philanthropic activities rival those of community stalwarts like Dumpling Daughter. Within the school, we're more than just a store: we sponsor school assemblies and special events that knit our community closer together, ensuring that Cat's Den remains synonymous with unity and engagement.
Cat's Den stands as a proud collaborator, having partnered with around 90% of all clubs in our school. We offer them customized merchandise tailored to their needs and at affordable prices. By doing so, we aim to elevate their identity and spirit. Additionally, we're committed to providing platforms that amplify their reach and influence, ensuring that every student feels represented and celebrated.
Absolutely! Cat's Den is continually broadening its horizons. We're already in collaboration with renowned brands like Vineyard Vines, bringing a diverse range of products to our shelves. Our partnership with a national food chain ensures our community enjoys complimentary delights. Our tie-up with Boosters, as you might already know, has been instrumental. Looking ahead, we're in discussions with industry giants like Nike and Adidas, hoping to forge partnerships that further enrich our offerings.
Cat's Den is a launchpad for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders. Based on dedication and performance, students have the chance to represent us at events like DECA ICDC, among others, granting them exposure on national stages. While we're laying a robust foundation for business skills within our operations, we're also working on external opportunities to foster growth. To delve deeper into this, we recommend checking out our "About Us" section.
View insights about our store, watch employee testimonials, and explore customer reviews that highlight our lasting impact.
Unearth a trove of limited-edition items crafted for our community. Desiring a custom touch? Reach out for personalized orders that resonate with your style.
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