Young entrepreneurs sell their wares at Eston Composite School
By Joan Janzen
Sixteen young entrepreneurs showcased their homemade products at Eston Composite School on Wednesday afternoon, May 13. The Grade 5 Power Play Young Entrepreneurs couldn't wait to share their hard work with their family and friends.
There were all kinds of products for sale: sugar scrubs, lotion, beauty items, fidgets, games, hockey sticks, key chains, magnets, wooden boxes, soap, mini mountain boards, pot holders, table runners and cat toys. The students were smiling and ready to tell you all about each and every product.
Georgina was happily selling her sew-cute cat toys to a student. Photo by Joan Janzen
This Grade 5 proprietor of the Bostick booth had a young assistant helping him promote his product. Photo by Joan Janzen
Xoe Hill was busy making change at her Xoxo Beauty table. Photo by Joan Janzen
Rhett Oakland's Timber Treasures were built to last a lifetime. Photo by Joan Janzen
Reed’s Ripping Rocks! Photo by Joan Janzen
Each student provided their business plan complete with their goals on how much money they would like to make. During the past couple of weeks they had been busy purchasing the materials needed to prepare their products, assembling the product, making and distributing posters, estimating the cost to produce their product and then pricing the finished items. All the while they were gaining personal business experience. The students borrowed funds from their parents to purchase the necessary materials.
After Rhett Oakland estimated how much it would cost to build his wooden boxes, he was able to price his product. His mom and dad provided assistance in making, staining and sanding the boxes, and he plans to pay back the borrowed funds from the money acquired at Wednesday's sales.
The hands-on experience gave the students a taste of the business world as they practiced giving change to their customers and informing them about their products. Each student donated ten to fifteen percent of the day's proceeds towards upgrades for the school playground or towards their upcoming class field trip to the science centre.