News
Light festival produces a heavy sales return for Young Enterprise
Berkhamsted’s business-minded students have been proving their entrepreneurial talents in the latest phase of the Young Enterprise competition.
38 Sixth Form students have formed four separate companies, each selling unique products to generate a profit.
With all the fundamentals in place, such as registering the company, appointing directors, developing products, and creating marketing materials, the students are now open for business.
Company Profiles
| The Holder Company
Modern, handmade, concrete holders such as candle holders and plant pots, for use in and around the home. Awards: ‘Best Customer focus’ |
Paw Prints
Christmas Tree decorations and personalised products for dogs and cats. Awards: ‘Best Innovative Product’ and Overall winners
|
| LUX
Upcycled glass decorations with battery operated lights. Awards: ‘Best trade stand’ |
Moments
Specially designed Christmas cards, picture frames and Chinese fans. |
Festival of Light
The Berkhamsted Festival of Light was one of the first opportunities to trade to the public. Each team set up a stall to showcase their products among the high street festivities. Berkhamsted students generated sales of over £800 during the evening, and secured further leads and pre-orders for their products.
Berkhamsted and Dacorum Chamber of Commerce assessed each of the Young Enterprise teams and declared ‘Paw Prints’ the overall most successful business, and the winners of the ‘Best Innovative Product’ award.
Top Dogs
Paw Prints, with the tagline “For Pets with Pawsome Pawsonalities” sell personalised products for dogs and cats starting from £7.50 and Christmas tree decorations £3. Their ability to complete the personalisation in under five minutes while the customer waits has become their unique selling point.
Ben Crossley-Smith, Year 12 student and Managing Director of Paw Prints said “As a group, we’ve already learned a great deal about managing accounts and managing finances. Establishing the production processes and organising everything to set up a professional looking stall has been a major learning opportunity.
“Everyone in the business has contributed with their own unique skillset. Our Finances Director has been invaluable. The creative team are using many techniques from their GCSE and A Level courses and our Head of Sales has been really proactive and engaging with our target market.”
Mr Victor Fung, Business and Economics teacher and Head of Young Enterprise said “Throughout the process pupils learn many soft skills such as persevering, collaborating and the importance of effective communication. They are also exposed to a commercial environment where they ultimately have to make a profit. They also need to be resilient when sales are not good and learn what products and marketing ideas will boost their sales.
“This year’s cohort are already showing all the ingredients of a successful Young Enterprise company. Each team is innovative and methodical, and they have plenty of drive and enthusiasm.”
Young Enterprise market stalls
The four companies have set up a series of town centre trading opportunities:
- Marlowes indoor shopping centre, Hemel Hempstead on Saturday 9th December
- Tesco Extra, Watford on Saturday 16th
- Watford INTU shopping centre during the last weekend in January
