Student-Run Businesses
Like coffee, refreshers or smoothies? Need some Chatham Charter-branded products? Want some photos of yourself or your student participating in Chatham Charter athletics or other events? Chatham Charter DECA can do that!
Chatham Charter DECA is a student organization that focuses on giving our students real-world business experience by running events and business. As a co-curricular Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) the chapter supports both the DECA Inc. and Chatham Charter missions by enhancing student learning through a focus on experience, excellence, and engagement.
Currently, Chatham Charter is the only school in North Carolina to have three gold-certified DECA School-Based Enterprises (SBEs). These businesses help fund events, support the organization’s growth, and offset costs for students attending leadership conferences and competitive events. This April, Chatham Charter DECA is taking 14 students to Atlanta, Georgia to compete at the International Career Development Conference. These SBEs are a major way the chapter helps lower student out-of-pocket costs and provide funds for the $20k+ costs associated with this event.
Castle Cafe
Students have been running Castle Cafe since they became Gold Certified in 2022. The cafe is open every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:45 to 8:30 for parents and staff, so next time you need an early morning coffee, pull around to the gym and order a coffee or drink made by our students. You can even place an order online and have it waiting for you!
Castle Creations
Castle Creations has been in business as a school-based enterprise since 2020, and began making custom apparel for local businesses and for sports teams and clubs in 2022. They make a variety of custom t-shirts, hoodies, and pants to help teams and businesses show their spirit or show off their brand name. Castle Creations can do products beyond apparel, including lanyards, towels, blankets and more. Next time you want a custom Knights item or a design for your business, make sure to support CCS DECA and order from Castle Creations.
Castle Media
Castle Media is CCS DECA’s newest SBE and became Gold-Certified in 2024. Castle Media takes pride in turning moments into memories by showcasing students’ involvement in sports events as well as milestones at school events like Spring Sing and more. They attend events and capture high-quality photos and videos so you can sit back and enjoy being in the moment. Be sure to check out their gallery online.
Business is all about the bottom line, and the bottom line for CCS DECA comes from community support of the three SBEs. Our students would love to serve you through our Crown Collection of businesses — Cafe, Creations and Media. Contact us today to find out more, and check out what Chatham Magazine had to say about us here.
This article was written in part by CCS DECA senior and VP Communications, Madilyn Fields.