The two groups of entrepreneurship students at Vanier Collegiate were excited to launch both of their businesses on Nov. 6, officially beginning their Junior Achievement experience.
Junior Achievement is an international organization that seeks to foster the entrepreneurial spirit in high school students and give students practical business experience, in a hands-on way: by operating a business of their own.
For both groups of Vanier students, this is their first time taking the reins in a business venture, and they’re all looking forward to the unique experience.
Craft Show returns to even more interest than ever
Vanier’s Annual Christmas Craft and Trade Show will be returning as one of the two ventures, with 10 students helming the impressive project.
The group has been hard at work filtering through vendor applications for this year’s show, and are pleased with the outpouring of interest from local vendors — almost too much interest, actually.
The show promises a great list of around 60 vendors, everything from crocheting to chocolate to homemade wares, and a children’s corner to make shopping a great outing for the whole family.
The executive is even in the midst of organizing the Vanier choir to provide some holiday music during the show, to really complete the atmosphere.
The trade show will once again set up at Vanier on Nov. 23, with doors open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
A silver plate admission will be collected at the door, which will be entirely donated to this year’s charity of choice, the Moose Jaw Transition House.
To be able to donate so much of their profit is made possible courtesy of generous sponsorships from local businesses covering some of the event’s overhead costs.
“Our event wouldn’t be possible without our local community,” said Taylor Wadham. “Our sponsorships support all of the hourly door prizes as well as the concession, which is where we make most of our money. It urges people to donate towards the Transition House, which allows us to support women who need the Transition House along with the company itself.”
Last year, the trade show executive was able to donate around $2,000 to their charity of choice, Riverside Mission. This year’s executive hope to do the same for the Moose Jaw Transition House.
“We thought that, in the past, we've focused a lot on Riverside [Mission] and we thought that focusing on more of a woman's shelter this year would be a nice change,” said Kendra Rice.
Beauty business also taking shape
Alongside the trade show, the second group of ingenious students have launched a venture of their own, a company called Scrub 'n’ Scrunch.With six students on their executive, they are hard at work producing handmade sugar scrubs and colourful scrunchies.
“We started off as two separate businesses,” said Lauren Walcer. “And we decided, we're both groups of three, so we might as well just go together and try to figure it out, so Scrub 'n' Scrunch.”
With two different scrub options — lavender scented or no scent, and a possible third scent coming soon — Scrub 'n’ Scrunch is ready to start bringing in some sales now that everything has launched.
Through their venture, the group has also decided to support a local community organization — they will be giving 25 per cent of their profits to the Kinsmen Inclusion Centre.
“My sister has a disability and she goes there a few times a week and she loves it,” said Lyndzee Goudie. “And I go up there and volunteer, and I noticed that they don't have certain things in place yet, so the money could really help them get those things going.”
Scrub 'n’ Scrunch is already preparing for appearances at a few upcoming craft shows, including the Kinsmen Inclusion Centre’s Imagine Local sale on Nov. 9, the production of Vanier’s musical Sister Act from Nov. 13-16, and their fellow entrepreneur’s Annual Christmas Craft and Trade Show on Nov. 23.
Of course, Scrub 'n’ Scrunch will keep active on their Facebook page, and are open to taking any custom scrunchie orders — like for sports teams, for example.
They are also toying with the idea of partnering with some local businesses to play host to their products.
Scrub 'n’ Scrunch is offering their handmade scrunchies for $2.50 each, or three for $6, and their six-ounce body scrubs for $6 each.
Junior Achievement creates possibilities
The experience of running an entrepreneurial venture builds a number of skills, all of which the Junior Achievement program seeks to highlight. It’s a fantastic lesson on economics, leadership, and communication.
Vanier has been offering the Entrepreneurship course since 2009, said teacher Christa Lapointe, to continued enthusiasm from the students. Some, Lapointe admitted, enjoy the experience so much they retake the course a second time.
Each venture always chooses a charity to support with their success, to really emphasize the importance of small businesses giving back to their communities. Lapointe estimated that over the years, Vanier’s JA ventures have given around $30,000 to charities in both Moose Jaw and around the province.
The students will do their best to create their own success, and hopefully, see some nominations — and wins, of course — at the Junior Achievement Saskatchewan Business Hall of Fame Awards Banquet at the end of the school year.
