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YRHS students celebrate a year in business

The Yorkton Regional High School (YRHS) supports young entrepreneurs, kids deciding their future who are deciding between going into business or going into another field entirely.

The Yorkton Regional High School (YRHS) supports young entrepreneurs, kids deciding their future who are deciding between going into business or going into another field entirely. One of the ways they do this is through the Entrepreneurship 30 class, which splits kids into two groups and has them run a business over the year, giving their final report to the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce.

This year, the class split into two groups. Re-Tails, which made pet toys and beds out of recycled clothing, and Natural Essence, which made wooden air fresheners and earrings coated in essential oils. The groups were decided after every student had to pitch their ideas to the class.

“We learned how to run a business and sell product,” said Jamie Farrell with Natural Essence.

Each team member put in their share of $10, which was used to buy supplies. Carson Pinno with Natural Essence said they were nervous after spending money on supplies, because the oils were expensive and they did not have sales yet, but once they hit the trade show it was a hit.

“We completely sold out of lots of lots of things and thought ‘oh wow, maybe we should mass-produce these things.’”

Their goal was to get their share value of $120, said Pinno, and were surprised by how successful their product was, getting up to a share value of over $330.

“We were really passionate about it,” said Farrell.

Kaitlyn Ivanochko said that Re-tail struggled to find their target market initially, and while they went to trade shows they did not have initial success. It was not until they set up at an adoption day with Paws and Claws Animal Rescue that they found the animal lovers they wanted to sell to. Their share value sits at $90 at the moment.

The teams went to trade shows, sold online and made private sales. One of the keys to get some attention was social media, said Andy Mclennan with Natural Essence, as their social media accounts got attention, as they photographed products and made ads for what they made.

“Social media really helped with it,” Farrell added.

One of the real challenges, the students agreed, was just working with each other on the project, as the ten members of each team had different ideas and different work ethics, but had to work together.

“I think that really prepares you for the real world because that’s what happens,” Pinno said.

Beyond making a profit for the students, the money raised will also benefit local charities. Ten per cent of the profits need to go a local charity. Natural Essence is donating theirs to The Health Foundation, while Re-Tail is sending their profits to Paws and Claws Animal Rescue.

For many of the kids, the class was a difference in what they decided to do for the next step in their life. Students deciding between different careers said that the class helped them confirm what career they want to go into. Mclennan said that the class is why he committed to going into marketing at the University of Regina.

Ivanochko believes that the real benefit from the class comes from working with others, so the skills will help no matter what career they go into.

The students are also impressed with the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce for their support of the students, with members like Laurie Renton and Juanita Polegi judging their pitches, giving advice and having the students present at the Chamber of Commerce Breakfast  on Jan. 16.

“Every entrepreneur starts somewhere. They were all in our position in life at one point, wanting to start something more,” said Farrell.

“It’s nice to have support of the business community,” added teacher Kristine Tether.