Pictured: Vince Winter, Store Manager and Nicole Winter, Office Manager with the first grade students from Aniak.

First graders in Aniak, Alaska are learning business concepts at a young age, thanks to the Alaska Commercial Company (ACC).

The ACC has been serving as an educational tool for the students of Aniak since 2015, hosting four or five educational field trips every year to its store for students of all ages, with the purpose of teaching students business concepts.

“By investing in our youth today we groom our future leaders and shoppers for tomorrow,” said Vince Winter, ACC Store Manager.

Most recently Vince and his wife Nicole Winter, Office Manager, hosted the first grade students of Auntie Mary Nicoli Elementary School. Prior to the field trip, Vince worked with Jane Robinson, First Grade Teacher to create a workbook for the students that helps teach them the 4 Ps of retailing – Product, Price, Place and Promotion – as well as the differences between goods and services and the difference between a want and a need.

During the field trip the students had a blast completing the workbook, and by the end of the afternoon, proved to have a firm grasp of the concepts they had been taught. The students were also given a healthy snack donated by ACC, and even got to see how slushies are made.

“The kids had a fun and educational experience at the Aniak ACC store. They were able to see some behind the scene workings of the store, which is always fascinating to kids,” said Robinson. “The kids were thrilled to receive their goodie bags at the end of the visit. Thanks to Vince, Nicole and the entire crew for a fun and educational day.”