Young Enterprise
In September 2008 Sixth Form students at St. Dominic's were given the opportunity to take part the Young Enterprise Company Programme.
For one student, Lauren Prema, it has gained sponsorship for her throughout her University studies, paid work experience and a guaranteed job when she graduates!
The Young Enterprise Programme allows students to set up and run their company over the course of one academic year. They elect a board of directors from amongst their peers, raise share capital, market and finance a product or service of their own choice. By Easter companies will present a report and accounts to their shareholders. Students will then compete against other local schools, successful entries going on to compete at regional, national and even international level.
For the first year of Young Enterprise at St Dominic's 11 Girls from the Sixth Form formed a company called 'DUO', who developed and manufactured the 'QUILLOW', a pillow which folds out into a quilt. As part of the project the girls have had to put together a full business plan which includes research and development, manufacturer and sell the product. The girls had great success with the 'QUILLOW', reaching the county finals and only narrowly missing out on winning overall.
Fast forward to September 2009 where the new intake of Sixth Form students again decided to take part in the Young Enterprise Programme. The group call the company 'Felicitas'.
They decided to work on a decorative earphone product idea that Sixth Former Maxine Reeves had when travelling on a bus. The 'I:charm' was born.
Aimed at the pre-teen market, the I:charm allows girls to have stylish ear-ring type jewellery whilst listening to their Ipods or MP3 players. Each I:charm is unique in style and cost £3.99.
Felicitas have worked very hard on all aspects of the business, from preparing full business plans to organising production lines to manufacture the I:charm. At the first round of the competition the team had to exhibit the I:charm at the Stafford and Stone Area Trade Fair followed by a full business presentation to a chosen panel of business experts at the area finals at Areva in Stafford. They won this, beating many other local schools and went forward to the Area finals. Again the product was a huge hit with the judges and Felicitas won the Area final, giving them the privilege of representing Stone and Staffordshire in the Regional Finals which were held at The Great Hall at Birmingham University.
At the Regional finals teams had come together from the whole of the Midland area including the
Black Country, Birmingham and Coventry. The girls again had to exhibit their products on a trade stand, be interviewed by the judges and give a presentation to a packed hall. Felicitas won the 'Best Presentation' award, 'Most Innovative Company' award and the overall 'Best Company' award.
They now have trip to London to prepare for to represent the Midlands in the National Finals in July.
We wish them all the very best.
Well done girls!