Student marketplace well-received

THE creativity, innovation and business acumen of our nation’s youth was once again showcased at the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation’s $20 Challenge Student Marketplace, which was held at Sky Mall in Haggatt Hall yesterday.

Offering a wide variety of products and services, approximately 110 students making up 52 businesses were given the opportunity to engage with customers of the mall, making sales and taking orders from potential customers.

Chief Executive Officer of the BEF, Celeste Foster explained that the challenge, which is in its ninth year – the marketplace however is in its fifth year – featured students from the Barbados Community College, the Graydon Sealy, the Ursuline Convent, St. Michael’s School, Christ Church Foundation and the Alleyne School and Codrington School.

“It is an opportunity for our young people to experience building a business from the ground. In the beginning, what they have is an idea and $20. We provide them with a mentor; a mentor could be their teacher, who is a professional in the field. If it is a teacher we give support to the teacher in specific areas as required.”

“What you are seeing is evidence of their pulling their $20 and turning it into a business, so what happens today, they are supposed to engage customers and then at the end they write a report about their experience.”

Foster revealed that over the last three years about three to four businesses registered business names or entities.
“So that is what we are looking for, but more importantly we are seeing our students who leave the $20 challenge go on to do really well. We are seeing them become more involved in the landscape of Barbados, not only as entrepreneurs but contributing in other ways. So this is really a civic experience.

“This is about teaching our young people how to forge their own paths, their own journey, the experience of learning how to overcome challenges of handling diversity.”

After nine years, Foster said the products and services of the students have evolved.

“We have moved away from retail, from students buying and selling. So if you see any baked goods or any food items they are all made from scratch I have also seen a significant move towards the health healthy alternatives and snacks gluten-free, vegetarian options so you’re going to see more of that on display.”

In addition to seeing an improvement in the craft, Foster said students have also chosen non-traditional sectors including app development, art, photography and online marketing. “You are getting to start here because it is a short program, but then they are exploding on a national scene.”

The students will be attending a workshop on Social Media Marketing and Digital Documentation and will be showcasing their products at the Limegrove Craft Fair and the St. Michael’s Cathedral market place to be held on December 7. Foster noted that some students are hosting their own marketplace at their respective schools. (JH)