High school students across the motu are participating in the 41st year of the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES), and De La Salle College students are leading the way with businesses that are making a difference.
The Young Enterprise Scheme is a chance for secondary students to unleash their inner entrepreneur, by setting up and running real businesses. Each YES company comes up with a product or service, then promotes and it this throughout the school year. They also have the opportunity to participate in challenges and competitions, culminating in regional and national championships.
Find out more about how Pacific students at De La Salle College in Tāmaki Makaurau are tackling the competition this year.
Teaching tamariki new skills with Lace
Seventeen-year-old Sofara Feo is the Finance Manager of Lace, an innovative business making threading toys to help tamariki develop fine motor skills.
Lace is a team of four, with Sofara joined by CEO Jodeci Poua, Marketing Manager Kayden Yorke, and Communications Manager Malakai Tupou.
Having heard about the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) at school, the Year 13 students at De La Salle College were keen to see if running a business was for them.
Sofara says the team developed the concept of Lace based on their experience with our younger siblings and cousins.
“Recognizing the importance of doing things with our hands – things like tying shoelaces, eating with cutlery and buttoning shorts - we developed a toy that helps children develop these types of skills early,” says Sofara.
Each product is made of wood and is cut precisely with the school's laser cutter. The team use offcuts from the technology facility. There are three designs available, each with different ways to thread and lace.
Sofara says one of the biggest lessons participating in YES has taught the team is the importance of consistency.
“We had to adapt to a few challenges, one of them being the fact that 2 of the 4 members had trade classes outside of school, twice a week. Despite the added workload, we learned to work hard and be consistent, which are qualities essential for running a successful business,” he says.
The team have been selling Lace toys at local markets, and have even sold out of some of their products. Keep an eye on Lace’s Instagram page for updates.
Prioritising sustainability with Reclaimed GreeNZ
As a young production manager, Liuaki He-Taufa Hansen is proud of the progress his business has already made, and looking forward to reaching more customers as it grows.
Reclaimed GreeNZ, a YES business that makes eco-friendly hanging plant pots, is now in its second year, and has increased its sustainability credentials as it grows.
Reclaimed GreeNZ is a team of five: CEO Henry Olo, Finance Manager Leam Toluono, Communications Manager Soul Misiepo, and Marketing Manager Brooklyn Hilihetule-Misipati.
Having started the business in Year 12, the team continued to improve and refine their products for Year 13. They’ve now switched to more sustainable materials, using upcycled wood sourced from clearing on school grounds, and reusable flax.
Liuaki’s role is Production Manager, and he oversees the crafting of the pots, which are made in a local friend’s workshop. The logs are shaped and varnished by hand, before holes are drilled to add plaited flax for hanging the pots.
The Reclaimed GreeNZ team wanted to participate in YES to connect with other businesses and get feedback on their products. They’re taking part in four challenges as part of the scheme: creating a business and marketing plan, pitching the business to local judges, promoting and selling their product, and a thorough review with national judges.
Proud of the business’s increased commitment to sustainability, Liuki says Reclaimed GreeNZ is now focusing on selling through Saturday markets in Māngere Town Centre. Follow their progress on the Reclaimed GreeNZ Instagram.