School District 57 held its first ever YES57 Young Entrepreneurs Business Fair on Monday.
The junior competition showcased business ideas created by students.
"This event is to help inspire future entrepreneurs that will carry on into high school and onto their post secondary education," said Erin Thomas, work experience coordinator for School District 57.
Thomas, along with Nicole Mercer Bennett, career education coordinator and business education teacher at Duchess Park secondary school, helped organize the event.
"It's about inspiring an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age and to get them thinking about business as a career in the future," Mercer Bennett said.
Students from four elementary schools in the district participate including future entrepreneurs from Vanway, Pinewood, Heather Park and Morfee elementary school in Mackenzie.
"The idea was for students to develop a business product or service idea and then compete for first, second and third prize," Thomas said. "Students have been preparing all year for this competition."
Grade 7 students from Heather Park elementary school were excited to share their business product idea.
"We are selling an energy gummy that's great before you work out, before you run or play soccer," said Nico Myatovic.
Classmate Zack Leslie was thrilled with the prospect of profit from their creative idea.
"The gummies cost $2.65 to make and we are selling them for $3.75 so we will make $1.10 with a 29 per cent profit," Leslie said.
The project taught Carson Briere a great deal about the ins and outs of running a business.
"I've learned how to manage money, how to advertise and and how to endorse people," Briere said.
Leslie and Myatovic were excited to learn how businesses can grow.
"I learned how to handle money and what it's like to start small and what you have to do to grow bigger," Leslie said.
"It's amazing to think how big companies like Sport Check grow. It's fun to learn how they do it," Myatovic said.
Three judges, all local entrepreneurs, were on hand to offer advice and hand out the awards at the end of the competition.
"This is a worthwhile project to encourage entrepreneurs. I've had several businesses and I'm happy to pass this on," said local entrepreneur Rod Holmes.
The business fair will be the first of many to come as the contest is now established as an annual event and next year will invite senior competitors.
Judge Sherri Flavel from Community Futures Fraser-Fort George was eager to take part.
"I work with adults and help them start their business. And to take part in this is so exciting. It's a critical time for youth to gain insight into entrepreneurship," Flavel said. "Small businesses are the backbone of our community."
