Shropshire's bright young brains unveil their business ideas
Shropshire brightest young business brains will descend on the Darwin Shopping Centre on Saturday.
It will be one of the biggest ever Young Enterprise Fairs seen in Shrewsbury with 29 newly formed companies promoting their products and vying for a place in a national final.
The competition is organised by Young Enterprise, an education and business charity that runs a suite of programmes designed to initiate young people into the world of business.
The Darwin Centre hosts the event on Saturday and again on March 2.
It will be a chance for the young entrepreneurs to experience meeting the general public, as they promote their products and services and present their companies as part of the Young Enterprise Company and Team Programmes.
Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: “We are delighted to host this event which really encourages a spirit of entrepreneurship among young people.
“I’m sure many of them will build successful careers in retail and may well return to work here at the centres in Shrewsbury, perhaps running their own businesses from the units here.”
Companies on show include Tick Tock, one of two set up by the girls from Shrewsbury High School, an innovative scheme to manufacture clocks using recycled vinyl records, and other materials.
The school’s head of economics and business Marion Rumble said: “They make clocks from vinyl records and wooden clocks with Union Jack and maps designs. They have already been out selling on market stalls in Shrewsbury and other trade fairs.
“Our other company Luna up-cycles glass ware such as jam jars, making them into candle holders.
“The school has been involved in young enterprise companies for many years. It helps students network, make contacts, gives them a reality check, teaches them life skills about how to co-operate with others – some find it a shock to disagree with others and to have to negotiate.
“It’s a really good thing to have on your university application. I meet with the girls once a week, but they are very pro-active and put in hours by themselves, producing and making and procuring materials.
“They have to produce monthly accounts and sell shares and are even expected to pay corporate taxes. It costs about £1,500 to set up a company, which is a lot of money so the girls and their parents will want to see some return on the investment. Being at the Darwin is like a market stall for them and a chance to meet the public and they will be judged at one of the fairs on how they cope.”
Company managing director is 16- year-old Year 12 student Millie Ward. She said: “It’s very, very time consuming but very rewarding. In the last few weeks we have all started our A levels and it’s difficult, you have to be on top of your time management.
“You mainly acquire life experiences. It’s been very interesting and we enjoy it a lot. We have gained a lot of skills and we know how to run a business.
“We have two clock ranges, those made from old vinyl records and wooden ones ranging, in price from £7.99 to £15.99. At one trade fair in school we made a few hundred pounds at another it was more like one hundred. It varies from place to place,” said Millie, who is boss of the 13-strong company.
She hopes to go to university to study psychology, angles particularly towards business and marketing.
Tim Barker, Young Enterprise Shropshire manager, said: “Students will be judged by their approach to the general public, their products and their attitude.”
The county-wide competition is part of an international event and is the first rung on the ladder of a potential roller-coaster of a ride for budding business people.
David Barker, YE Regional Manager, said: “Winners of the Shropshire event will represent the county at the West Midlands Finals with the hope of progressing to the UK Finals held in London, and the JA-YE European Competition.
“Each year more and more young people are taking part in this competition. Last year, for example, 19 companies took part, this year we have 29”.
Young Enterprise programmes are delivered by business volunteers, supported by the YE-Shropshire team who operate out of offices in Harlescott Barns, Shrewsbury.
By the end of May each County’s overall winning company will submit its company report for the Regional Finals, which are held in June across the UK. The winning company in each region is invited to take part in the UK Final in July with the winning company representing the UK in the JA-YE Europe Company of the Year competition.
