Keen teens in business

Harry Froggatt and Rob Mitchel-Hanson of Whangarei Boys' High School gathered plenty of information during the speed mentoring event at Toll Stadium.

Beanies, creative photography and cut flowers - the business ideas came fast last Wednesday at Toll Stadium as the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) kicked off with its Enterprise Day.

Almost 100 Year 12 and 13 students from 10 schools across the region gathered with YES co-ordinators to launch this year's programme and kick-start a range of business ideas. The small enterprises are only at planning stages but Ryan Lewis and Tyson Smith of Whangarei Boys' High School (WBHS) told the Advocate they already knew what they wanted to create and that they would target the tourist market with their product.

ANZ's Cherie Nelson had some hints for the young, budding business brains at the speed mentoring event.

Of course, the Advocate cannot disclose the specifics of the business ideas, as the products and services are in early stages of development and many have yet to be patented.

Whangarei Girls' High School head of commerce Janet Lang, who won last year's national Sir James Fletcher Award for Outstanding Contribution to Enterprise award, said she had been working with YES for around 30 years. "It has changed since. Now pupils can access global markets and suppliers from Asia. They also have global competition. "

NorthTec business student Manon van der Voort talks to students.

They can now reach customers through social media too but there is one thing that hasn't changed, she said. "This programme has always been about giving students confidence and self-belief and I feel that the greatest life lesson they pick up is about resilience. They learn to always have a plan B."

She said students have become so global-minded that now the challenge was for them to bring their ideas back into their local communities. A team of 20 mentors circled the room on the day too chatting with the budding entrepreneurs, with ANZ offering seven staff members and NorthTec's third year business students also offering insights.

Gary Larkin, Northland co-ordinator of the programme, said there more than 200 students taking part in this year's programme from 12 schools, which is 50 more students than last year. "The students said the highlight of the event was the speed mentoring, where they got to interact with businesspeople from the community," he said.

There was enthusiasm from students, such as Kamo High's Stephen Scott who was bursting with passion for his hospitality-based business and couldn't wait to get it started.

WBHS boys Harry Froggatt and Rob Mitchel-Hanson were interested in a food business and eager to use local produce.

John Ross and Sam Murdock, also of WBHS, were brainstorming some artistic ideas, while art with a twist was also being discussed over at Northland College by Sally Pope-Martin, Araroa Matene, Raiha Nicholson and William Hohepa.

Kamo High's Josh Fenwick had a keen interest in fashion and was hoping to develop his ideas, while Whangarei Girls' High School's Jina Lee, Gillian Kent-Smith and Ashleigh Ellis turned their sights to a healthy food concept that has a charitable element.

Eden Vuletich, Paige Eilering, Nathan Nola and Kade Phillips from Pompallier Catholic College had made plans for a clothing business that will target a young market. The teams will spend the year polishing their businesses ahead of the October regional finals and nationals in December.