Enterprising Shropshire youngsters are the business

The firms offering their goods and ideas to shoppers were all conceived by young people from schools and colleges across the region as part of a Young Enterprise challenge.

And nine of the teams fell under the judges’ spotlight as they battle it out to be named the West Midlands Young Enterprise Champions 2012.

David Barker, Young Enterprise West Midlands Area Manager, says the scheme inspires young people with the confidence and ability to succeed.

He said: “As part of the Company Programme, students set up and run their own company for a full year while being mentored by Young Enterprise Business advisors.

“Young Enterprise is all about building a connected world of young people, business volunteers and educators, inspiring each other to succeed through enterprise.”

“The wonderful business ideas on show here at the Darwin Centre is testament to the innovation, skill and dedication of students and young people right across the region’s schools and colleges.

“Judging the best Young Enterprise is always a very difficult task and there is no doubt this year is no exception. There really are some fabulous ideas that have been turned into real business opportunities.”

Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: “We have been 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.”

Tim Barker, Young Enterprise Manager for Shropshire, said: “Some of the handmade crafts teams have come up with and are selling are simply stunning.

“Other teams have come up with technological ideas from battery recycling containers to mobile phone apps. In fact the range of ideas is amazing and the confidence and drive of the young people taking on the Young Enterprise Challenge is remarkable.

“It’s certainly going to be a tough decision for the judges who will have to come up with an overall winner later in the year.”

He added: “Today’s exercise at the Darwin Shopping Centre is just one element of a long process that examines everything about the business a team sets up from finance to marketing and operations to sales.

“The winning team will certainly have to know their stuff and be able to evidence all the criteria necessary to prove they deserve the title of Young Enterprise Team of the Year.”

One team, made up of students of Idsall School, Shifnall near Telford, formed Raga Craft and made candles, necklaces, hand-crafted mugs and small dolls.

Soulie Houston, 15, of Telford, says they chose the name Raga as it comes from a Latin word meaning a form of beautiful.

She said: “We have really enjoyed taking part in the Young Enterprise Programme. We were told about the programme by a couple of our teachers, Mr Morgan and Mr Reeves, and decided to give it a go.

“It has been quite hard and we all have our own jobs within the team but it’s worked out really well and I have certainly learnt a great deal.”

Bryher Mackenzie, 14, added: “We had a really good Christmas Fair and have pushed on from then. It’s been important to keep focused on the task in hand and push for sales.

“I think we have a good business plan and should do well with the judges.”

Another team from Idsall School formed App-stract and devised their own phone app to help students deal with hectic school life.

Elliott Marshall, 14, who took on the role of managing director, says the app can be a huge help to students.

He said: “School life can be really busy but our app takes the worry out of organising your school week. It will remind you when homework should be in and will tell you when you have a gym lesson that day so you don’t forget your kit. It could prove a big hit with students.”

Alex Mitcham, 14, the team’s finance director, added: “If our app makes sure you don’t forget to hand in a piece of work on time then it has done its job. It all about making daily school life less stressful.

“I think we have a winning formula and our app will prove a big hit with the judges. We have certainly had a lot of interest from the public, especially from students.”

Students of Loppington College, Wem, made handcrafted goods from recycled material which proved a big hit with Darwin Shopping Centre shoppers.

Senior tutor, Gemma Comerford, says the Young Enterprise programme has proved popular with students.

She said: “Our students all have learning difficulties but we have had wonderful support from Young Enterprise staff. The whole programme has been absolutely brilliant for our young people as they have gained a great deal of experience at their own level.

“The students have made absolutely everything we have for sale from door décor products and wooden signs to our fire briquettes.

“We have taken part in the Young Enterprise programme in previous years and the briquettes proved so popular we were asked to make them again.

“The whole programme provides our students with marvellous and invaluable experience and as a college we are delighted to support the programme.”

A team of Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology students formed Severn Soaps and enjoyed a brisk trade with Darwin Shopping Centre shoppers.

Lewis Clark, 16, of Shrewsbury, acted as the team's managing director and said their hand-wrapped soaps and bubble baths were proving the biggest sellers.

He said: “We have found Young Enterprise to be a really good programme and hope we can do well in the judging. It is tough but we each have our roles to play within the team and that ensures we keep on track.

“This is the first time we have been out selling our products to the public although we have other trade fairs in mind.”

Tiffany Carlile, 21, of Shrewsbury took on the role of marketing and finance director within the Severn Soaps team and added: “It has been brilliant selling our hand wrapped soaps at the Darwin Centre.

“Everyone has been so nice and we have made quite a few sales. The whole Young Enterprise programme has been really good and I hope we have impressed the judges with our business plan and products.”