On the 28th of March, you could find me in the Wicklow Local Enterprise Office! What was I doing there? Well, I was at a major event called the Student Enterprise Wicklow County Finals; I wasn’t just attending this event I happened to have my own table there on which I was presenting my mini company ‘Sophie’s Little Candle Shop’! The Student Enterprise Awards, is a special programme for secondary students throughout Ireland to participate in and it is the largest Wicklow programme ever with over 1100 secondary students participating in it. To participate in the programme the students must create their own mini company! The first stage of the programme is ultimately coming up with an innovative business idea! Each student is given a useful booklet which guides them through the journey of setting up their own business and gives them helpful tips and advice along the way. The second stage of the programme happens over the course of 6 months, spanning from September to March the students should develop and expand their mini company and hopefully makes some successful sales and have a first-hand experience of being in the business world and running their own company. Then, the third and final stage of the programme is the County Finals. From each school in Wicklow participating in the Student Enterprise Awards only a maximum of 3 mini companies are chosen to represent the school at the Wicklow County Finals. On the 30th of January Serena Byrnes, who is the head of the student enterprise programme in Wicklow visited our school and meet with the students partaking in the programme to explain to us the next stage of the programme. This meeting really inspired and surprised me as I was not aware the County Finals was such a big event and I was inspired to bring my mini company to its full potential in time for the County Finals! In preparation for the Wicklow County Finals I improved my advertising by expanding my mini company to Tipperary! I sold a batch of candles in candles in Tipperary to family and local people and left a few candles and business cards with my granny in Tipperary! I could later use this as part of promoting my product at the County Finals. In January I had already written my Business Report, therefore a big section of my preparation was already done, for which I was grateful! I sent the report to the Student Enterprise Office in February, and this would count for quite a big percentage of my evaluation. I created a back board filled with interesting information about my mini company and lots of pictures. I presented it in an eye-catching and attractive way to hopefully make a good impression on the judges! In addition I wrote a speech explaining, promoting and selling my mini company! I rushed into the taxi waiting for me at the front of the school, flustered and dragging my candles and other decorations for my table. We reached the location of the Wicklow County Finals and before I knew it, Emma and I were being lead towards our table and informed we had half an hour to set up. Since I am running my Mini Company on my own, I asked if I might be able to bring someone along with me to the County Finals as I would probably be a bit lonely on my own, and it would be great to have some extra help! So I was kindly allowed to bring Emma along to this exciting event! That half an hour we had to set up flew by, never had 30 minutes seemed so short! Being told twice to sit down as the oral presentation were about to commence, we decided we would finish displaying my candles later (but before the judges came around!). I walked quickly to the podium at the front of the big airy room, the sun through the large french windows making me squint and my steps echoing loudly and making the wooden floor creek. The group before me did an amazing presentation which made everyone laugh and had everyone’s attention, so I had to raise the bar and deliver my speech as best I could! The speech went well, I was very nervous and stuttered when I glanced at the judges inspecting me but as a whole I think I delivered the speech clearly! The adults in the room laughed (thankfully!) at the last line of my speech which was “So ladies and gentlemen, you may not want to live your lives like a candle in the wind but I hope you all want to live your lives with one of my little candles in your window!’. Next stage of the County Finals was the judging, the scary part! Three judges came to my stand, one by one and asked me various questions regarding my mini company. I remember sitting outside with Emma, doing mock interviews and preparing myself for the judging! It was a little daunting at first, but as the interviews went on I gained confidence and answered all their questions as best I could! They all asked me what I got out of it, and I answered: I learned many new and valuable skills over the course of the Mini Company. I had the opportunity to improve my bookkeeping and accounting skills. I learned how to make hand-made candles, a skill that is uncommon and that I didn’t think I would have at the age of 15! In addition I learned communication skills, while talking to customers and convincing them that my product was worth the €5, and by expressing my ideas and thoughts clearly and concise in as few words as possible when explaining my mini company idea to my business teacher and to others. Mover over, I learned how to correctly and politely address people in an email, such as market managers and teachers, and to write emails with correct format and wording. All together, I got the impression that the interviews went well, and the judges all seemed to remember excerpts of my report for various reasons which surprised me! Now that the main and most intense part of the Wicklow County Finals had passed, all there was left to do was take some take professional photographs for the local newspapers and finally the part we’ve all been waiting for...the announcement of the winners!! I sat on the edge of my seat as they announced the award winners, but honestly I was not expecting to win anything because some of the mini companies presented in the room were simply amazing! Emma and me both discussed quietly who we think would win, and in the end Emma guessed it right! The overall winner a company called ‘Too Good To Be Shoe’ from Colaiste Brid in Carnew, it is an innovative business that makes wine racks, coat racks and more from horseshoes! The second runner up went to ‘Mmmm’, and this company creates muffins in a mug that are gluten free, egg free and dairy free and they’re delicious (she was giving out free muffins in a mug!). First runner up was awarded to this company called ‘Wicklow Bed and Mattress Disposal’ and this person basically disposes of unwanted beds and mattresses because they are bad for the environment and dumping beds and mattresses seems to be a big issue in Ireland, I found this a very interesting idea for a mini company! In a nutshell I spent an incredible day at the Wicklow County Finals, and I was in awe at the level of time and effort the students from others school put into their mini companies! I was beyond happy and proud to be at the County Finals, it is an experience I will never forget! The six months I have been working on my mini company I have learnt so many beneficial and invaluable skills and I have gotten a taste of what it's like running your own company! It was a lot of hard work but I definitely got more out of the experience than I put into it! I find it amazing how each year wonderful events such as the Student Enterprise Wicklow County Finals take place, and I have no idea they existed until now! Transition Year has given my countless opportunities and has allowed me to have the most interesting and incredible experiences, I am eternally grateful!
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As you already know, I am selling scented candles in jars, with beautiful decoration and pebbles for my mini company! They are perfect gifts for friends and families, for birthdays, for Valentine's Day, Weddings...well for almost every event! I can personalize them, by putting the a person's name on the jar in calligraphy or printed type and the candles can be packaged with colourful tissue paper, ribbon and a lovely bag. You may chose the scent of the candle from a range of scents such as vanilla, lavendar, cinnamon, mullberry, cranberry and many more. So if you are interested in purchasing a candle, please email me at [email protected], and you can then collect your candle at St Gerard's School whenever suits you!
Thank you! Today, the 30th of January 2017, I attended a meeting with Serena Byrne who is head of the Student Enterprise Programme in Wicklow, Kildare and a few other counties. I have meet with her on two previous occasions, first when she gave a talk to our entire year on the Student Enterprise Programme in October, and another time when she came into St Gerard’s to talk to the students with a mini company who were entering the programme. This time a meeting was scheduled with Serena to talk to the students who have evolved and developed their mini company to the level which they are fit to represent our school at the County Finals. If you asked me after our first meeting in October 2016 how far I thought I was going to be with my mini company in 2017, and if my mini company would be a success...I would certainly would not have expected myself to be at this level and I probably would have been a bit weary and unsure whether I could manage a successful mini company! Well after 4 months of hard work, making, promoting and selling candles I am beyond happy the work has paid off and that I might be able to represent St Gerard’s in the Wicklow County Finals The other mini companies that also attended the meeting were ‘Quirky Coffee’ run by Dillon, Carla and Eleanor. Their mini company is magnificent and original, they have countless flavours of coffee and hot chocolate which all smell (and most likely taste!) amazing! Peter and Jeremy have invented their own product, and they also hand-make the product themselves. The purpose of their product, is to aid people when they are playing golf. You’d have to ask them exactly what their product is, but I understand it helps golfers while putting. It creates a line, or desirable path, which the golf ball should travel, from the putter to the hole. To prepare for this meeting I spent hours creating a detailed business report. I wasn’t certain whether or not we were required to have completed the report for the meeting, so I made sure I had my report finished and corrected in time for the meeting, just in case! Mr Hughes gave me a sample report as a template for mine, it was the report of a mini company from last year. When I first read the report I was a little overwhelmed at the amount of research and information included in the report, and was worried I wouldn’t be able to create a report to this standard! As I took some time to read the reports of the previous year’s winners of the Student Enterprise award I started to get a feel and sense of the type of report expected from us. The product that won last year isn’t particularly revolutionary or incredibly original, but it is the way in which the product is promoted and presented that catches people’s attention. I was left inspired and motivated after I read all these reports, and without further adue I sat down and wrote the report. Below is a copy of the report:
A few excerpts from my report! Serena Byrnes sat down with us during our lunch break, and explained to us the next stage of the programme, which is the County Finals. I had only briefly heard about the County Finals and knew near to nothing about them, so I was feeling mainly curious and I didn’t know what to expect! The County Finals are a big event in each county, where students are chosen to present their mini company to a set of judges. It is a chance to promote one’s product or service and enjoy the experience of presenting yourself and your mini company in front of judges. In some ways it is a little like a job interview, because if you present yourself well and impress the judges you will be chosen to represent your county in the Nationals! Apparently only two mini companies are allowed to enter the County Finals from each school, and there are three possible mini companies from St Gerard’s. I would really love to go to the County Finals, as it seems like an amazing experience but Serena must choose the best companies to represent our school. I was not aware that the Wicklow County Finals was such a big thing, Serena showed us pictures from last year and I was amazed how professional the mini companies looked! We each quickly explained how our companies have progressed over the last few months, and told her about our future plans for our companies. I was very glad I had written my report as Serena seemed impressed that I had it completed! Also it is great to have it done and out of way, so I don’t need to think about it over the next couple of weeks as I’ll be busy with the musical! I enjoyed the meeting, and though it was short I have learned a great deal about the next stage of the Student Enterprise Award. When I came home that evening, I started to formulate a few ideas on how to display my product, if I got through to the County Finals. I them cycled to the beach in greystones and collected some sand, pebbles and shells to make the next batch of candles! Selling my candles at Blackrock market!
While I was helping out with YSI, I was also preparing my mini company for the Bazaar. I wrote a detailed report for Mr Dungan on my TY Mini Company, outlining my product and how my business works, explaining the work I have already done and where I have sold my candles, and finally asking for permission to sell my candles at the Christmas Bazaar. I included many pictures of my candles, so Mr Dungan could know what to expect. Soon afterwards I received permission to set up my own table at the Bazaar. I was thrilled.....
To continue reading about what I did at the Bazaar 2016 and to discover the amount of candles I sold and profit I made along with lots more interesting information Click Here On Sunday the 20th of November, I sold my candles at Blackrock Market! The weeks leading up to the 20th of November I spent lots of time hand-crafting candles. To make my candles I require of few materials, and time. I received many empty glass jars, in various shapes and sizes, from lots of people, which was very kind and helpful! I also bought quite a few jars when I went to Holland during mid-term. I am more familiar with the shops in Holland than in Ireland, so I knew exactly which shops would have what I needed for my mini company. We flew to Holland and checked in a half-empty suitcase. On the return flight, the suitcase was filled to the brim with jars, candles, ribbon and lots of Dutch products! I made a point of making each candle unique, so my products would be original and have lots of variety. However, creating individual candles with each their own style and design requires lots of creativity and time! The experience of making the candle was great and it was quite a challenge to create a product that people are willing to pay for. All together I made 40 candles, which I would sell at Blackrock market. As I am running this mini company on my own, I thought it would be more fun to invite a few friends to help me sell them at Blackrock market, as opposed to me standing at my stall the whole day on my own! So, I invited two old friends to help me out. The two girls used to both be in my class in Belgium, and have since also moved to Ireland like me. Ella is Irish and lives near Killester. Claire is half Irish, half Dutch (just like me!) and came to Ireland this year; she goes to boarding school in St. Columbas; she was very grateful to come, as staying at boarding school over the weekend is a little boring. Together, the three of us made posters to promote my product, and printed business cards to give out to passing, possible customers. We also decided on the pricing of the candles, and the presentation of them. It was so much easier having an extra two people to help me! On the morning on Sunday the 20th of November, we woke up sleepy eyed and placed everything in the car. We had already prepared everything the night before, so we wouldn’t be in a rush the next morning! Honestly, I was excited and slightly nervous. I had no idea what to expect, I wasn’t sure if I would have a big or small table, if it was inside or outside… We quickly set up the table, and lay out the 40 candles I had made. We brought ivy from my garden and placed this carefully at the back of the table, to make the table look Christmassy and eye-catching. My mum gave me a beautiful Christmas tablecloth to use as well, and I brought fairy lights to make the table look inviting. I was actually very pleased with how my candles were presented, it was better than I had expected! Throughout the day, people strolled by our table. Some glanced at the table, other stopped to inspect the candles, other commented on how cute and original they were. However, despite the attention our table got, not many people bought the candles! Blackrock market seems to be more for people to look around and browse the stalls, it's not really a market where people purposely go out to buy presents or spend money. My candles ranged from a price of €5.50 to €2.50, which was cheap compared to other products at Blackrock market! Another lady further on was selling candles from Kerry and they cost €8 to €12. A singer called Hudson Taylor walked past our table. I didn’t recognise him, but my friend Ella did as she’s a big fan of his band! Apparently she saw him in concert recently. Ella got very excited and talked to him, she even gave him a business card of my mini company and took a selfie with him! Who knows, Hudson Taylor could one day endorse my candles?! Altogether we sold 11 candles, which wasn’t too bad. I had to pay a reduced price of €20 (since I am a student) to the manager of Blackrock market for my table. I was freezing by the time we had to pack up our stuff. My table was in a sort of passageway with no heating. I was grateful for a warm car when we drove back home! Selling my candles at Blackrock market was very fun and great learning experience. I am impressed that it all worked out, I had made enough candles on time, I had decorations to present my product, I had business cards and posters prepared too! I am very glad I am part of the mini company programme provided by the school. I hope my product will do well in the Student Enterprise Awards! Over the past few weeks I have been dedicating some time over my weekends to creating candles in jars, as part of my Mini Company. I have been researching and visiting various markets, including Blackrock Market, to find out where I could potentially sell my product. As my mother is part of the Greystones Folk group at the Holy Rosary, she informed me that they were holding an annual sale on Sunday the 16th of October. I was, to say the least, very excited with the idea that this annual sale could be the first venue to sell and promote my product! I managed to secure a spot at this market, which was in aid of ‘The Homeless Peter McVerry Trust and schools for Syria’. Over the weekend I was very busy decorating jars, printing business cards and logos, buying and making candles and figuring out an appropriate price for my product. You can click here to find out how I came up with the idea for my Mini Company. It was all very exciting, as I felt as if I was running a proper business! The process of finding good quality materials to make the product at a good price and creating a product that people would like to buy was challenging but very useful, as I have learnt many things from it. I understand vaguely how a business operates from the Junior Cert Business course, but I received at different point of view on running a business from putting the theory from the book into practice. Although I have done countless accounts for the Junior Cert, it was almost difficult to do my own accounts as I am used to being provided with the figures instead of having to find out the figures myself. On Saturday evening I went to the St Kilian Family Centre in the Holy Rosary Church to set up my table. I brought fairy lights to add a warm and inviting element to my product. I had made a poster outlining what my product was and about myself, as I believe people prefer to have the information presented to them, rather than asking questions. I had brought a batch of candles with me so I wouldn't have to carry them all at once the next day. I also brought many plastic and paper bags with me, so that I could provide the customers with bags if needed! I was almost nervous in the morning before I was to sell my candles. The adrenaline was pumping fast as the doors were opened and people entered the hall to browse at the things for sale. At first I felt a bit awkward standing at my table alone, and business was a bit slow at the start. Thankfully Emma kindly came to join me and help promote and sell the candles with me! The time flew by and quickly my candles were exchanging hands from our table to customer’s bags. We wrapped up the candles in colourful tissue paper and ribbon to make it look professional and put my business card in their bags! The experience was very fun and I enjoyed it very much. Nearing the end of the sale I still had about 15 candles left over. Then a lady told us she was hosting a memorial for the ashes of a loved one in her house the following week and she would like us to give her an offer for the last 15 candles! She thought the candles would be very inviting and atmospheric in her house as the visitors came. Emma and I calculated the cost price and then came up with a reasonable offer of €30 for 15 candles of various shapes and sizes. The lady was thrilled! Together we efficiently wrapped all the candles in coloured tissue paper and carefully placed them in paper bags. It felt good to put up a small sign reading “Sold Out” for the last few minutes of the market! All together I made a profit of €42.50, this was more than I could've ever expected for my first time! I gave €30 to the charity this sale was for and kept the €12.50 to buy more materials for the next match of candles I will make. I returned home very satisfied that all my work paid off, and very grateful Emma came to join me! This was a very useful experience as I have discovered which candles sold best, and if my prices were reasonable, also I have learnt how to best present my product. I can’t wait for the next time I will sell my candles!
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My Mini CompanyFor Business this year we have to create our own mini company. I have decided mine would be called 'Sophie's Little Candle Shop' and that my company would be specialized in candles in jars! Click here to find out more about my mini company and how I came up with the idea. Archives
April 2017
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