A team of young entrepreneurs from Stone came out on top at the Young Enterprise trade fair in the town on Saturday 3rd March.
The Sock Tree Company – who make fantastic stuffed monkeys and other animals out of socks were named winners of the Stafford and Stone competition after a busy day of selling and also being grilled by competition judges.
The company produce and sell stuffed sock toys – and in addition to winning the competition they had a very successful day trading with the general public.
They beat off strong competition from seven other teams representing schools in Stafford borough, including the other team from Alleyne’s, Redigo, who produce and sell a waterproof hood.
Second in the competition was Tempo – a team based at St Dominic’s High School for Girls in Brewood – and third was Forest Reads, based in Stafford Grammar School.
The event is not just about selling to the public – the teams of students were grilled by judges drawn from local business to find out their understanding of their business and just how professionally they were running it.
The Young Enterprise Company Programme enables young people (typically between 16 and 18) to set up a company and trade with the public before liquidating at the end of the academic year. At the end of the year each company will produce a Company Report and make a presentation to a panel of experienced business people.
The team judged to be the best in the area will have the opportunity to progress through county, regional and national competitions, just like team Versaleaf from Alleyne’s High School, who made it all the way to the national final last year.
Speaking after the event, Stafford and Stone area board Chairman David Hawbrook said: “Young Enterprise encourages young people from all backgrounds to establish and run their own business under the auspices of the Company programme.
“They have to operate like any other business – exhibiting at the Trade Fair is just one part of that. They will also have to write a Company Report and make a presentation to demonstrate just how they have run their business during the year.
“But more importantly, the students gain self-confidence and improve their career prospects – for example, UCAS look favourably on Young Enterprise entrants when allocating university places.
“Stone is so welcoming to the young people and this year sales to the general public were some 25% up on the previous record set in 2011. We will definitely be coming back again in the future!”
You can find The Sock Tree Company on Twitter and Facebook.
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