By Brittany Brewster
Students and local entrepreneurs seized an opportunity on Thursday to showcase their budding businesses at the Springer Memorial School’s business pop-up event.
The pop-up at the Government Hill school, featured a range of young entrepreneurs aged 11 to 17, who set up shop with a wide array of products. The displayed items from the proud students included skincare and hair products, crocheted outfits, waist beads, and homemade delicacies.
Coordinator of the event and Business Studies teacher Helene Bend said the pop-up was put on with the help of the Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Union’s Thrift Club to equip students with the knowledge about how to run and market a business.
“This really started as a POB [Principles of Business] project where we were teaching entrepreneurship and working on business plans. We taught students how to go about getting funding from financial institutions and doing cash flow statements and then we invited other business persons to speak to the students.
“I’ve also encouraged them to set up accounts so that they understand the concepts of saving money and investing in their business if they want the business to flourish,” she explained.
Bend added that through the process which started last year, she wanted to ensure that students knew they didn’t have to wait until the age of 18 to become entrepreneurs.
“This pop-up shop gave students a hands-on view. In school we typically let them learn from textbooks but having to set up everything on their own, they were then able to identify the strengths and weaknesses in managing a business,” Bend said.
Despite having some pushback from some students who wanted to make food but who had to follow the guidelines outlined in the National School Nutrition Policy, the teacher added that students learned valuable lessons about problem-solving and adaptability as business owners.
A total of 22 booths were set up, each one displaying the students’ creations. Among the popular booths was Pretty on Point, a hair accessory brand owned by Amiyah Alleyne. She was full of gratitude for the opportunity to showcase her business, especially considering the recent slowdown in sales.
“I started my business in 2021 and recently I wasn’t getting many sales so when my aunt told me about the business pop up I was very excited especially since it is an all-girls school and that is who my products are for,” Alleyne told Barbados TODAY.
Another hit booth was Chic Couture, by first-formers Saraiyah Hackett, 11 and Katelyn, 12. The young business owners had a wide range of products including hair gels, scrunchies, jewellery and bonnets which were a hit at the busy booth.
Jai Estwick also had a large crowd who were captivated by the jewellery and trinkets she had on display.
Within the first two hours of the event, her stock of croc charms, anklets, stickers, rings, and hair clips” was sold out.
An ecstatic Estwick said, more than the money gained from her business she was glad for the experience as she always dreamed of having her own business.
“I wanted experience about how sales in the real world actually go. I also wanted to learn about calculating expenses and profits so I’m glad I came today,” she said.
In addition to fashion and accessories, some students showcased their creativity with handmade skin and hair care products and culinary delights.
Four booths were dedicated to offering healthy food options.
Maresa’s Fruit Kebabs by Maresa Carrington, was aimed at transforming the way people enjoyed fruits.
“I didn’t just want to sell fruits like apples and oranges and I realised that if it looks nice people will eat so that is why I put the fruit on a stick so it would make people my age want to eat fruit,” Carrington explained.
Jaziah Smith also wanted to contribute to having healthier alternatives so with the help of her mother, she created her fish cake business using all natural ingredients.
Smith said, “I used a lot of salted fish and we use herbs that we grow outside of our home so each batch has freshly-picked herbs. We also use salt fish water which is natural salt so we don’t have to use artificial salt. We try to limit the amount of oil we use and we also dab off as much oil as we can before we sell.”
Inspired by her mother who was also a fishcake vendor, Jaziah said that she intends to keep the business going and hopefully have her batter sold in supermarkets.
Acting Principal Cheryl Gill hailed the event as an “extraordinary success” and commended the participating students. She said she was glad to see the path on which the young students are embarking as the school continues its effort to prepare students for the world of work.
“In the coming terms when more of our students are present, we are hoping to have more days like this for students to display their creations. We encourage our students in ventures like these and we will continue to guide them in the process with the help of parents and teachers as they grow as entrepreneurs who follow strict business practices,” Gill added.
[email protected]
Read our ePaper. Fast. Factual. Free.
