Behind the booths of Beacon Park stand middle schoolers turned CEOs, confidently pitching their ideas to build business. Behind it all is founder of Startup Stars and junior Shaili Chudasama.
Chudasama founded Startup Stars, a 10-session entrepreneurship program designed to help middle school students turn business ideas into real ventures during the summer of 2025. The first successful completion of the program at Beacon Park was on Feb. 11. What began as her own struggle to start a business in middle school has grown into a program that has allowed her to mentor over 80 students.
“When I was a middle schooler myself, I started my own business, and it was really hard because I didn’t have any guidance or anyone in my family who was experienced with it,” Chudasama said. “I wished that I had a support system, because it took me a very long time to get profitable. So I wanted to bring that to middle schoolers in [Irvine Unified School District] who are looking to start a business but are struggling to come up with ideas to launch it.”
Chudasama’s adept business skills shine through with her performance in Portola High’s business classes; as the only junior in Small Business Management, the highest-level business course, she works alongside seniors on advanced projects and leadership initiatives. Business teacher Robert Stowell said that her professionalism and focus set her apart in the classroom.
“[Chudasama] presents herself as a very professional individual,” Stowell said. “She has opportunities to go in many different directions. Business is a very strong opportunity that she’s interested in, and she has shown good knowledge and experience through [Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA)] and [Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)] competitions. She’s a very bright individual.”
Chudasama’s ability to connect with the middle schoolers and her passion for leadership were driving factors in growing her program. Close friend and junior Anusha Jauhri said that Chudasama gives all of her commitments complete effort, which contributes to her success with Startup Stars.
“She’s very driven,” Jauhri said. “Everything I’ve seen with DECA and her schoolwork, she’s always been super driven, and she’s always been super motivated. She’s a very high achiever, so I definitely think that her performance reflects it. It’s seen with how she’s able to teach the kids.”
To make Startup Stars sessions accessible, Chudasama held them on campus at Beacon Park. For example, she offered one session during tutorial period, as well as another after school, for which over 80 students signed up. five weeks into the program, she opened registration for her Bengal Marketplace, the final event where students sold their products. 40 businesses, representing about 75 student entrepreneurs, signed up. Of the 40 businesses, at least 15 sold out and everybody made around $100 and some made as much as $200 to $300.
“At the marketplace, almost everyone that came out stayed and bought at least something, because it was right where you exited the school campus,” Chudasama said. “We had over 500 attendees at the event, which is insane, and I realized that a lot of mentorship and leadership like experiences should be more focused on helping others grow and support themselves. I was excited to be able to see them grow, and be able to take off their business on their own.”
