Guangzhou High School Students Run Coffee Shop and Sell Creative Goods

When you think of a high school student’s after-school activity, running a profitable café probably isn’t at the top of the list. But in Guangzhou, a group of determined teens didn’t just dream up a coffee shop inside their school—they built a full cultural company around it, complete with financial planning, marketing, and product design. Their journey from idea to income wasn’t handed to them; they fought for it, negotiated with teachers, and even secured real sponsorship.

Twenty-four students, led by a high school sophomore, spent over a year creating Guangzhou’s first student-run cultural company. Their coffee shop, “Fu·Time,” made over ¥1,000 on its first day of trial operation, proving that young entrepreneurs with a plan can turn a school space into a functioning business.

How a Student-Led Cultural Company Was Born

The project started not with coffee, but with ambition. The idea was originally backed by the school’s student union external relations team, who wanted more than just a “student service area.” They envisioned something creative, self-sustaining, and student-driven. After persistent lobbying of the school’s Communist Youth League secretary, Cai Ruihong, the students convinced the school to approve a glass-walled display space in the courtyard garden—modeled like a small retail shop—for showcasing student-made creative works.

But the students had done their homework: a campus-wide survey revealed that what their peers really wanted wasn’t another gift shop—it was a café. A cozy, welcoming coffee spot where students could hang out, read, and chat. Armed with that data, they went back to the school administration—and got approval for “Fu·Time,” the coffee shop that would become the centerpiece of their new business venture.

From Sponsorship to Self-Funding

The students didn’t wait for the school to fund everything. They actively sought corporate sponsorships, including securing ¥10,000 through on-campus promotion work for an outside company. That initial funding, along with earnings from earlier school events—like selling custom-designed class uniform keychains, DJ competition merchandise, and charity fair goods—helped build their capital base.

The school contributed the physical space (the former school history room) and covered basic renovations based on the students’ own design plans. Everything else—from operations to interior decoration—was funded by the students themselves through sponsorships, investments, or revenue from early projects. The company is fully self-managed and self-sustaining.

Inside “Fu·Time”: More Than Just Coffee

“Fu·Time” isn’t your average school café. Set under warm orange lighting, the space serves coffee alongside an array of handcrafted goods: painted coffee cups, enamel pins, notebooks, and postcards. These aren’t just products—they’re also exhibits, showcasing the creativity of the student team.

The café is run by the 24-member student-run cultural company, which has fully formed departments including finance, marketing, and human resources. The company’s structure mirrors a real business, with defined roles and collaborative decision-making. Every element, from the coffee menu to the creative product lineup, was developed internally.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is “Fu·Time” and who runs it?

“Fu·Time” is a coffee shop and creative goods store located within Guangzhou No. 1 Affiliated High School , run entirely by 24 students organized under their self-founded cultural company. It serves coffee and sells handmade items like painted mugs, pins, and notebooks.

How did the students get permission to open a coffee shop in school?

The students conducted a campus survey showing demand for a café, then presented their case to school administrators. Initially, the school offered a display space, but after seeing the students’ initiative and survey results, they approved the coffee shop project in a dedicated courtyard area.

Did the school fund the entire project?

No. The school provided the physical space (a former school history room) and paid for basic renovations based on student designs, but all other costs—including operations, decor, and product development—were funded by the students through sponsorships, events, and their own investments.

How much money did the coffee shop make on its first day?

The café, during its trial opening, earned over ¥1,000 in revenue. This helped validate the business model and showed that student-run ventures can be financially viable.

What kinds of creative products do they sell besides coffee?

In addition to coffee, the shop sells student-designed and handmade items such as painted coffee cups, enamel badges, notebooks, and postcards. These function as both products and displays of student creativity.

What business departments do the students manage?

The student company includes structured departments: finance, marketing, human resources, and more. The team of 24 students handles everything from budgeting and product design to sales and operations, mimicking a real-world business model.

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