Youthful enterprise provides plenty of promise

Youthful enterprise provides plenty of promise

The nation-wide young enterprise programme, the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES), that encourages understanding of business principles at secondary school level, reached the product launch stage for North Shore’s school businesses at North Harbour Stadium, on Wednesday.

Fourteen finalist teams from four North Shore secondary schools competed in the Oral Presentations stage of the YES programme. Each team went through their paces, presenting their products, services and business plans, in front of judges from national sponsors, More FM and ANZ Bank.

The overall prize for the best team presentation went to Unction, an eleven member Year 13 team, from Westlake Girls High School. Their product is a natural lip balm in three choices of scents that the team source from their Mt. Eden supplier, the Aromatherapy Company. Unction brands the lip balm and is retailing the products at Westlake Girls and selected North Shore shopping centres.

Maurice Boland, Chairman of North Shore’s economic development agency, Enterprise North Shore, in presenting Unction with their prize of $500, commented on the confidence and high standard of all teams in their presentations. He also remarked on the presentation of the winning team:

“All aspects of Unction’s business were well-researched and they have considered changes to their marketing plans to improve their chances of success. Their financial forecasts appear sound and they have developed good internal systems,” said Mr Boland.

“Enterprise North Shore is a strong supporter of the Young Enterprise Scheme. Use of the YES programme within our schools is important for North Shore’s future, because of its linking of business principles with education and the competitiveness of sport,” said Mr Boland.

“Together, the quality of all the young businesses and budding entrepreneurs that were on show today, promise much for the future of the North Shore.”

Teams from Glenfield College were the first and second runners-up to Unction. First-runner-up was the five-member team, Badge It, that had undertaken the importing of a badge making machine to produce the badges that they will be marketing at their school and elsewhere. Their marketing slogan of “everyone needs a badge – you just don’t know it yet” summed up their immediate plans! Second runner-up was Stiletto, a six-member team that is marketing fashion jewellery, particularly ear rings.

Enterprise North Shore also awarded prizes for the best business plan. Two teams, C.A.S.K. Milo from Kristin School, for the business plan supporting their hot Milo drinks business, and Oral Presentations winner, Unction, both won $150 each from Enterprise North Shore.

Judy von Weichardt, business facilitator from Enterprise North Shore that co-ordinated the Young Enterprise Scheme on the North Shore, praised the high standard of business plans from C.A.S.K. Milo and Unction.

“From all the business plans that were submitted, these two were brilliant and really stood out. We looked for well-considered business plans that outlined how each team would manage the various risks and contingencies that are typical in business.”

For all 44 teams entered in North Shore’s Young Enterprise Scheme, the Oral Presentations marked the start of marketing and selling their products. The next stage is a trade fair for all the teams, to be held at North Harbour Stadium from 4pm to 8pm on Friday 30 July. The trade fair will be open to the public and will be promoted via sponsor, More FM from Monday, July 26 onwards.

Ends

Background:

The Young Enterprise Scheme is an initiative developed by Enterprise New Zealand Trust, in Wellington. The Trust appoints YES co-ordinators throughout the country to manage their programme.

Innovation Hub The two leading teams from the North Shore Oral Presentations, Unction and Badge It, will be invited to participate in an internet community for YES programme. The Innovation Hub is being developed by Enterprise New Zealand Trust as a means for teams to share business ideas, promote and market business products and services and as a message board for the YES programme.

Enterprise North Shore is the advocate for economic development for North Shore City. It was established in 1993, by North Shore City Council to boost sustainable development of the North Shore economy.

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