Biztown 2026
Preparing for our JA BizTown experience was no small undertaking, our students put in serious work long before they ever set foot in JA BizTown! In the weeks leading up to the simulation, they dove deep into the world of personal finance, learning how to maintain a spending registry to track purchases made by check and debit card, calculate interest, and understand the real cost of borrowing versus saving. They also learned what it takes to run a business, explored civic responsibilities, filled out job applications, wrote friendly letters, and practiced working as a team. All of this helped prepare them for the specific roles they would hold within their businesses, building the skills and confidence needed to perform their jobs with professionalism. Of course, all of this was accomplished in two fewer weeks than planned, as school was closed due to an ice storm!
When the big day arrived, our students stepped into roles as CEOs, CFOs, managers, sales associates, auditors, and more, representing some truly impressive businesses including FedEx, Regions Bank, TVA, International Paper, Startup Park, UTHSC, AutoZone, and Terminix. They took out and repaid business loans through merchandise sales, ran payroll, issued W-2 forms, and handled real business expenses like rent, insurance, and service costs. It was a full, immersive experience that challenged every one of them to think, problem-solve, and perform under pressure. We are so proud of the hard work and growth we witnessed that day. Our AutoZone business was named Quality Business of the Day and was staffed by Alan as CEO, Bailey as CFO, and Eleazar as Sales Manager. Additionally, Addi and Hunter were recognized with All Star Citizen Awards!
This is one of those experiences our students will carry with them for a very long time. A special shoutout goes to the few who learned firsthand about overdrafts before that second paycheck arrived and to the businesses that didn't quite make enough money to repay their loan — sometimes the best lessons are the ones that sting just a little! ![]()









