Make Your Mark with a Tenner 2009: Judges awards

Take a look at who won what…

Birkdale School

Specially awarded for showing strong business skills and overcoming personal barriers

With lunchtimes leaving Birkdale High School students bored, Ben Campbell came up with an ingenious idea that would not only get them moving but also make a profit…

Year 7 student Ben Campbell created a business with his tenner renting out ping pong balls and bats to his friends, and soon realised that the scope for another lunch time activity could be huge. Ben went on to create a football tournament for break times to add to his programme of promotional activities, and employing a team of staff to manage it.

Cleverly, Ben decided to capitalise on the popularity of his football tournament and created the ‘Snack Corner’, allowing him to diversify his fledgling lunchtime businesses and double his profits.

Ben reinvested some of his profits in the business, and also gave some to sport charity SCRUM, which sends young people in Africa equipment and resources.

His teacher adds “Ben has been absolutely amazing. Since he became involved in enterprise he has become a new person full of confidence, hard working, risk taking, gets the job done, never complains about the work load, handles himself well managing the business and instructing his sixth form helpers what to do and keeping track of the finances all within the school rules. He will be an entrepreneur someday because of this programme.”

Initial Tenner capital: £40    Tenner profit: £84.78!

Rawlins Community College

Specially awarded for showing advanced marketing and promotional skills

They say that the best way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, but Kayleigh, Jessica and Charlotte, from Rawlins Community College, knew that a bit of luxurious pampering goes a long way too…

Kayleigh Duffin, Jessica Syer and Charlotte Wells are three friends from Rawlins Community College who had a mission. Linking up the Tenner month of February with the BHF (British Heart Foundation) British Heart Month, they used their Tenner loans to create a programme of activities which would earn profits that could be given to the charity.

The girls targeted busy teachers and students with a bespoke package of beauty treatments, including stylish manicures and relaxing hand massages. Aware that a large section of their target audience would be female, they also decided to make and sell jewellery. They started the group with 4 members but decided to let one member go in the early stages due a lack of enthusiasm and drive. They admitted that they were quite laid back to begin with but once they saw the business potential they decided to work more efficiently. They also reacted to many teachers forgetting to come to appointments by creating reminder cards, so they did not lose out on further profits.

By dedicating large chunks of their spare time to the business, they were able to create a successful venture which got great word of mouth recommendation and even potential franchise opportunities! The girls were able to use their skills and passions to make a large profit, and found the knowledge gained through their Business Studies GCSE helpful. They have become a school brand with everyone recognising their efforts and talents.

Initial Tenner capital: £30    Tenner profit: £518.54!

St Kentigerns Academy - Time Capsule

Specially awarded for showing creative digital skills

With changes occurring daily at St Kentigerns Academy, students Jennifer and Caitlin chose to capture their evolving history with a digital time capsule…

The team from St Kentigerns Academy used a mixture of old and new to create a business idea that would send a message to generations for years to come, creating an online space where students and teachers could add to the ongoing story of their school.

The girls sold profile space for £1 and visitors to the bespoke Time Capsule website are able to upload their own snap shots of life within St Kentigerns Academy. By creating a lasting product, Jennifer and Caitlin have a business that is sustainable, useful and fun!

Initial Tenner capital: £20    Tenner profit: £34!

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Make Your Mark with a Tenner 2010 is now open for business!