June 4: Young entrepreneurs showcase their businesses

On Thursday, June 4th, 2009, young entrepreneurs from Rainbow Schools will gather at the Southridge Mall to present and promote their innovative businesses. It’s all part of the 13th Annual Northern Ontario Visions Project Tradeshow being presented by Rainbow District School Board, the Learning Initiative and the Regional Business Centre. Some 80 entrepreneurs will sell their products and services from 10 am to 1:30 pm. The public is invited to come out and show their support for these aspiring business leaders.

Tradeshow participants will vie for a number of awards – Best Presentation, Best Business Plan, Best Product and Best Service.  The young entrepreneurs will also vote amongst themselves for who should receive the coveted “Young Entrepreneur Award”. Awards will be presented at 1:45 pm.  A panel of judges from the business community will evaluate the displays. As part of the evaluation, judges will look at how effectively students present their products and/or services.

The 50 businesses being showcased are as varied as the students’ imaginations, resulting in a spectacular showcase of creativity and innovation, from customized athletic bean caps created by Skill Wear to lawn care services provided by JM Lawncare.  Many students are considering the environmental impact of their businesses.  Others projects, such as Jean Machine, are focused on recycling.

“The Northern Ontario Visions Project Tradeshow gives students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 an opportunity to experience what it’s like to be an entrepreneur by creating and running a business,” says Ron Hodkinson, Chair of the Visions Committee that organizes the annual event on behalf of Rainbow District School Board.  “Students develop and implement business plans,” he adds.  “In the process, they learn all about marketing, including products, pricing, placement and promotion.”

The tradeshow is a culminating event for students who have completed entrepreneurship units or participated in school fairs. Participating schools include Carl A. Nesbitt Public School, George Vanier Public School, Levack Public School, Churchill Public School, Northeastern Elementary School, R.H. Murray Public School, Pinecrest Public School, R. L. Beattie Public School, Warren Public School, MacLeod Public School, Wanup Public School and Churchill Public School.

The tradeshow provides an authentic learning experience for students, bringing the classroom curriculum to life in a dynamic way. Students learn about math through sales taxes, discounts and financial statements. They also create graphs as part of their market research. From a language perspective, students gain oral and written communications skills by speaking with the public, selling their products and services, creating professional business plans, and developing business cards, websites, brochures and other promotional material. Students also get to hone their artistic skills by creating visually pleasing displays that will attract customers.

Comprised of representatives from business and industry, the Visions Steering Committee was formed in 1996 to develop an entrepreneurship unit for teachers and students in Rainbow Schools.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.