Empowering Young Entrepreneurs
Posted on 06/28/2023
Young entrepreneurs from 13 schools launched almost 40 businesses and social enterprises as part of the OCDSB’s Entrepreneurship Pilot Project this semester. They collaborated on a variety of student-centred companies – from journals with self-help videos designed to help students relieve stress, to painting classes where students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can express themselves through art.
The pilot project was funded by the Ministry of Education and delivered by the OCDSB Innovation and Adolescent Learning department, with Experiential Learning Facilitator Meagan Malboeuf leading the initiative. Students received around $1,000 in seed funding to create their companies. When they earned a profit, a portion was invested in their school and another portion donated to the charity of their choice.
Classes gained experience in running a business – from networking, to sales, to money management – while working alongside Youth Ottawa and JA Ottawa through the Ottawa Network for Education. These organizations provided mentors from the community, who worked with the students and bolstered their entrepreneurship and social enterprise skills.
The students celebrated their work at the JA Company Awards in June. They were also proud to share their business ideas at Youth Ottawa’s Untapped Youth Action Showcase at City Hall in May. Here’s a closer look at a few of the business and social enterprises students launched:
Volare – Glebe Collegiate Institute
Grade 12 Business Leadership students at Glebe Collegiate designed a stylish and functional backpack strap from scratch. Their brand, Volare, has a “mission to inspire and empower people to travel with confidence and style” while focusing on sustainability and social responsibility. The students learned a variety of skills, from planning to communication, as they successfully marketed the straps to the school and community. They were even approached by an investor looking to learn more about the product! The students donated more than $250 in proceeds to The Royal Mental Health Centre in Ottawa.
Aspire Designs – Ottawa Technical Secondary School
Grade 9 and 10 English students at Ottawa Technical Secondary School started a social enterprise selling student-designed tote bags and t-shirts. They brought their designs to life with traditional screen-printing techniques and by using the school’s cutting-edge vinyl printer. In addition to building transferable English and business communication skills, students grew their confidence while presenting to groups and reaching out to community partners. They partnered with a local art show and auction to exhibit and sell their artwork. Aspire Designs raised more $700 for the Ottawa Food Bank and over $100 for Harmony House.
"We hope to
make a small difference in our community by supporting The Ottawa Food
Bank and Harmony House. Our product is unique because it is made by
students. We have used our own art to design the tote bags with messages
to inspire and help us all imagine a better future.” – Aspire Designs
Team
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Rolling Thunder – Brookfield High School
Brookfield High School students collaborated on a coffee delivery business, which provides coffee and treats to staff before school and after lunch. The goal of the Rolling Thunder business is to build community while “serving shockingly good coffee.” Students prepare and reset the coffee machines daily and bake food items on a weekly basis. As they deliver coffee, they enjoy interacting with staff and take pride in being part of an initiative that so many people enjoy. Next year, they hope to grow the enterprise to sell personalized mugs as part of their coffee subscription plan.
“Start
small and think big – that worked for us. We went from delivering some
coffee in donated mugs to a diverse branded business with a logo who can
run special events and even have their own website. And we never lost
sight of our priority to focus on our community first.” – Adam Breadner,
Teacher
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