Charleston Collegiate students are taking their lead from the world's most successful entrepreneurs by making philanthropy a core component of their business model.

In 2009, a group of students in Brian McDermott's entrepreneurship class embraced the School's hands on learning philosophy by actually founding a business.  Recognizing an opportunity to provide low cost, high quality refreshments and healthy snacks to the CCS community, the young entrepreneurs started Flooded with Flavor to fill the gap.

Under the leadership of then sophomore Juan Soto, Flooded with Flavor began by providing flavored water beverages during the school's lunch period.  Early sales topped projections and the team was quick to identify other opportunities to "wow" their customers.  Flooded with Flavor now has a thirteen item product line, with sales conducted at lunch periods, after school, and during athletic events.

Giving back has been part of Flooded with Flavor's corporate mission since its founding.  "We believe that we get more the more we give" is a primary statement in the company's philosophy.  The group contributes a portion of their profits to sponsoring organizations at school events and rallied to the cause of Haitian relief.  So when a team of tenth grade girls decided to participate in the upcoming Race for the Cure, a partnership with Flooded with Flavor seemed like a natural connection.

The S.W.A.T. team (Sundevils Wanting A cure Today) presented a grant request to Flooded with Flavor's management team.  They proposed that t-shirts be designed and sold for the race event, with Flooded with Flavor prominently displayed as the team's sponsor. The company purchased the t-shirts for the team. "What they really did was to recognize the value of relationships in business and how seemingly different organizations could benefit one another" noted the team's advisor, Molly Olson.   "And the business continued to demonstrate its commitment to the local community while driving name recognition outside the immediate CCS community." The team has raised almost 70% of its donation goal.

Looking to the future, the company is considering issuing shares of stock to CCS students, hoping to keep them involved even after they've graduated. Company president Juan Soto offered his thoughts about the coming year. "We had a very successful first year and are excited about our future plans.  This year, we are hiring middle school students to staff their lunch periods and expand our market. We're also looking at opportunities to take our business model into other area schools."