Enterprising teens get quick-fire advice

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS: St John Paul College team Lucy Pepper (front centre), Josh Umbers (middle left), Jose Maria Mackinnon (middle right) and Ryan Heath (back right) with mentor Alan Solomon (back left). PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Valuable knowledge and skills were imparted by mentors to student teams from Rotorua, Taupo and Tokoroa at the first Young Enterprise Scheme event of the year.

The E-Day, held at the Waiariki Institute of Technology this week, was a chance for newly-formed teams to discuss ideas with business mentors who brainstormed with them in a speed coaching format.

John Paul College team member Josh Umbers, 16, said the mentors would be giving them feedback and advice on furthering their business plans.

The team of four said they had an "ambitious" business idea of trying to partner with Fonterra to sell protein smoothies in canteens throughout New Zealand schools.

It would be like Milk for Schools but on a bigger scale and for teenagers, they said.

Josh said in the future they would have to pitch to high-level Fonterra personnel.

"That will be quite scary, especially since they're a huge corporation."

The team said finances, marketing and sales, and constructing a business proposition were aspects the mentors would be giving advice on.

The mentors spent a few minutes with each team, sharing their experience and discussing the students' ideas.

Rotorua Youth Centre youth co-ordinator Alan Solomon was a mentor and said advice he would be giving included making sure the students did their homework with regards to the product they wanted to launch.

"There's no point advertising a product if there is no market for it."

He said he would also be advising them to trust their leader and the team, and to be prepared to work hard.

Director of technology for Ngati Whakaue and Apple consultant Adam Ellis was also a mentor.

Mr Ellis said he would be giving advice from a technological perspective.

It would "absolutely" be a rewarding experience to mentor the teams, as it was also part of what he did with Ngati Whakaue, he said.

Other schools taking part include Western Heights High School, Taupo-nui-a-Tia College and Tokoroa High School.

The scheme uses teachers and members of the business community to provide an authentic business experience for the participating students, who form companies, and launch and sell products.

The students learn how to adapt and collaborate, and gain a wide range of skills.