When Cameron McDowell first encountered the MikesBikes Introduction business simulation in his freshman year at Santa Clara University, he didn’t know it would play a pivotal role in shaping both his college experience and his future career. Fast forward several years, and that same simulation is now a cornerstone of his teaching approach as a public high school educator.
A Freshman’s Obsession
For many students, the first year of college can be a challenging transition. For Cameron (pictured on the left), it was no different. Struggling to adjust to life away from home, he found solace and focus in an unlikely place: the MikesBikes simulation. Required for his Intro to Business class, the simulation offered a chance to experiment with business decisions in a risk-free environment. What began as a requirement soon turned into an obsession.
“People started to know me as the ‘MikesBikes Guy,’” Cameron recalls. “Not sure that was the greatest way to start out college, but it really transformed my experience.”
MikesBikes became more than just an academic exercise, it connected him to professors and teaching assistants, and eventually, he took on the role of a teaching assistant himself, mentoring peers on the simulation’s intricacies.
Lessons Learned: Uncertainty and Strategy
While his first experience with MikesBikes was filled with uncertainty, it was also a profound learning experience. Cameron quickly realized that, despite his efforts, he couldn’t control the actions of his classmates. That uncertainty, he says, mirrors the real world of business, where external factors can always affect outcomes.
“As I continued to help others, I began to realize that understanding the simulation deeply, even in the face of external challenges, was enough to consistently place my teams in the top three,” he shares.
The experience of being able to manipulate business decisions with precision changing marketing budgets, adjusting pricing strategies, and evaluating financial impacts fueled his growing interest in economic analysis. But it wasn’t until he was teaching the simulation that his career path took a sharp turn.
From Business School to the Classroom
Initially pursuing a career in economic analysis, Cameron soon discovered that he was more passionate about teaching than the corporate world. His experience leading MikesBikes sessions for over 70 peers in college gave him a taste for instructing, and he realized that he had a knack for explaining complex concepts in an engaging way.
“I realized that even though I was studying business, what I was good at was teaching,” he explains. “I decided to switch gears and pursue a career in education, eventually becoming a public high school teacher.”
Incorporating MikesBikes in the Classroom
Now teaching marketing to high school students, Cameron has brought MikesBikes with him. For his second-year marketing students, the simulation serves as a dynamic and comprehensive capstone project that brings together all the concepts they’ve learned in his class. Unlike other capstone projects, MikesBikes challenges students to experiment with real-world business decisions and think critically about competition, pricing strategies, and market positioning.
“The simulation adds elements that my students haven’t been exposed to before,” says Cameron. “It allows students who want to dig deeper into business concepts to do so, while others can focus on the core ideas.”
Though competition can sometimes be rare in the classroom, he believes that a healthy, competitive element is essential for students to demonstrate their understanding in a fun, engaging way. The impact is visible, as students collaborate, tease one another about decisions, and even offer advice to their peers.
Changing the Learning Experience
For some students, MikesBikes has been a game-changer. Cameron recalls two students who had previously submitted low-quality work, often relying on AI or copying from others. However, through the simulation, they found a new connection to the material.
“I saw one boy, who was disconnected from school, teaching a group of kids he had never spoken to about how to use the solo player mode. It was incredible,” says Cameron.
The simulation’s hands-on approach has also prompted him to make adjustments in how he presents the material. While college students received minimal scaffolding in his own experience, he now provides high school students with detailed guidance on how to make decisions and reflect on the results. This approach encourages deeper learning and self-reflection.
“I think that reflecting on what worked and didn’t work is crucial for high school students,” he says. “I want them to experiment, but I also want them to understand the ‘why’ behind their decisions.”
Advice for Students
For students currently navigating the MikesBikes simulation, Cameron offers a piece of valuable advice: “Understand the impact of every decision. How does a small increase in marketing affect your brand awareness? How does a price change impact sales? The more intimately you know how each lever works, the better you’ll be able to adapt to the simulation’s challenges.”
But he also encourages students to take risks: “Try different strategies. Every approach can win if you pilot it correctly.”
Preparing for the Real World
Cameron believes that business simulations like MikesBikes offer more than just a classroom experience. They prepare students for the real-world challenges of business by fostering critical thinking, teamwork, and strategic decision-making.
“In the groups, students often disagree on the best direction for the business. Neither side is wrong, but finding common ground is key. This mirrors real business decisions, where collaboration and compromise are essential.”
A Career Transformed
Looking back, Cameron reflects on how MikesBikes has been a defining part of his journey—not only as a student but also as an educator. “Teaching this simulation is just as rewarding as I thought it would be,” he says. “It has made my classroom more dynamic and energetic, and it has completely transformed the way I approach teaching.”
MikesBikes didn’t just teach him about business; it helped him discover his true calling as an educator, shaping his career path in ways he never imagined. Today, it continues to play a central role in how he teaches and inspires his students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and embrace the complexities of real-world business.