Make the welcome practical
Introduce the learner to the team, explain where to go and start with safety and confidentiality. A tour should connect each area to the work: receiving stock, serving customers, preparing products and reviewing records. Explain what the learner may observe and who will supervise any permitted practice.
Teach the system, not private data
Show how you plan a day, order supplies, reconcile sales and review expenses. Use redacted or hypothetical examples for financial discussions. Learners do not need customer card numbers, employee records or confidential contracts to understand the process. Obtain permission before photographing people or sharing business information.
Protect employees and learners
Do not use a learner to cover a staffing shortage. The actual relationship and activities, not the word training, determine whether labor laws apply. Review Department of Labor guidance and obtain qualified advice before allowing productive work. Confirm whether state education or career-school rules apply to your arrangement.
End with a clear learning summary
Ask the learner which routines they understood and what they still need to explore. Be candid about difficult hours, costs and responsibilities. Avoid earnings promises or pressure to buy a business. On FirsthandBiz, host activation and individual program approval are separate steps, and written scope, tuition and cancellation terms must be reviewed before paid participation.
Further reading
SBA business planning resources
SBA counseling and local assistance
U.S. Department of Labor: internship programs and the FLSA
General educational information, not financial, legal, tax or investment advice. Training does not guarantee income or business success. Confirm current requirements with qualified advisers and relevant authorities.