GGUPS Sallada, India (2017 Top Global Winner, Step 3 – Business Implementation)
Motivated to change traditional thinking around menstruation, the young girls at GGUPS Sallada planned, set-up and ran the school business, “My Right”. This group of enterprising girls designed handmade reusable sanitary towels and set our into marginalised communities to carry out awareness workshops. More than just a product, these young entrepreneurs created a movement and are challenging perceptions around this sensitive topic.
Both the product and workshops were very well received as described by this attendee: “I appeal to every woman from village to buy this and use it because it is easy to dry and the cloth is a good absorbent”. Spurred by the overwhelmingly positive response from the users, the girls plan to reinvest all profits generated in 2017 to buy more sewing machines and materials to make sure production can keep up with demand.
Amity International School, India (2017 Top Global Winner, Step 2 – Business Plan)
Students from the Amity International School brought a fresh, new twist to one of the oldest trades in the world when they set up “Maati – The Soil of India” by AmiCreations. In planning their customised pottery business, these students did extensive research in their local pottery market and produced a detailed analysis of competing businesses and opportunities for Maati to succeed.
They also created a detailed and forward-thinking pricing strategy, as well as a referral discount plan to build customer loyalty. But the students creative streak didn’t end there. Once their business launched, they led a marketing campaign with a strong brand image and raised awareness using flash mobs! They also promoted their products at local events and festivals where they set up a display cart to sell their wares – a nod to traditional Indian pottery vendors.
Choithram School, India (2016 People Award Winner, Step 3 – Business Implementation)
Through their ongoing involvement in the School Enterprise Challenge, students at Choithram School in Indore, India, have established and grown a successful handicrafts business called Good Earth. Their eco-friendly products, which include jewellery, jute bags and cloth bags, are all handmade from recycled material. In 2016, the business team of 25 students focused on growing their target market by selling their products not only at fundraising events and Parent Teacher Meetings but also festivals and local exhibitions. In just 4 months they generated a net profit of USD $835!
The students worked brilliantly together, making collective decisions and supporting each other throughout the whole process. In their Final Report, the business team described how they improved their communication and leadership skills, as Youtee Kher of grade 12 explains: “I never realized that I could convince customers to such an extent.” In fact, her experience in the School Enterprise Challenge has inspired her to think about studying Business at university!
As well as being very profitable and a fantastic learning experience for students, Good Earth has also had a considerable social impact. Over half of the profits generated in 2016 have been re-invested in good causes including supporting their local orphanage, helping disabled students at their school and donating solar lamps to a nearby village.
“It is encouraging to see the students take initiative in setting up their business enterprise and getting empowered with 21st century skills.” – Teacher (Raminder Mac, Dean – International Affairs)
Unidad Educativa Particular Politécnico, Ecuador (2016 Profit Award Winner, Step 3 – Business Implementation)
Noticing that many students were not having a proper breakfast before school, students at Unidad Educativa Particular Politécnico in Ecuador decided to set up their school business ‘Chocolino’ in 2015. Determined to encourage a healthier diet, they sell a variety of high-energy breakfast foods that give students and teachers the ‘fuel’ needed for a successful day at school.
In 2016 the students took their venture to new heights, diversifying their menu and introducing a new price structure with an exciting VIP package now on offer. As well as improving the financial side of their business, they have re-visited the structure of their team. In order to best meet the needs of their customers, they now operate in multiple smaller-sized teams. These innovative improvements have had a wonderful effect on their income with the business generating a net profit of USD $1,442 in just 4 months. This money is in turn having a big social impact as it is being used to train disadvantaged women in the area on how to set up their own businesses.
Biblioteca de la Creatividad, Colombia (2016 Planet Award Winner, Step 3 – Business Implementation)
Determined to fight the effects of deforestation in their local area, students at Biblioteca de la Creatividad decided to set up their school business ‘Mi Papel’. After watching various Youtube videos by the environmental group TheFunTheory.com, these School Enterprise Challenge participants decided they wanted to change people’s attitudes towards recycling.
Focusing on the disposal of waste paper, they began by building recycling ‘box points’ from salvaged wood. These boxes were then placed in nearby schools, colleges and businesses and income was generated from selling the collected paper to local recycling authorities. These bright young students demonstrated fantastic communication skills, successfully reaching out to their customers by email, telephone and also social media!
The USD $960 net profit generated from the sales of recycled paper was spent on planting over 300 trees in the local area: “I love this project because it aims to protect forests in our community and I’ve had the chance to learn how to plant trees. Now, I always recycle paper because I understand its environmental impact and I can play a role in reducing it,” Francy Correa, 14 (member of the Mi Papel school business team).
Mount Abu Public School & Spring Days Model School, India (2016 Best Buddy Initiative)
Mount Abu Public School had already participated in the School Enterprise Challenge for a couple of years before deciding to take part in the Buddy Initiative and act as mentors for Spring Days Model School. Communicating through WhatsApp and organising regular meet-ups, they shared ideas, challenged each other and formed what proved to be an extremely fruitful relationship.
Indeed, for the young students at Spring Days Model School this was a fantastic introduction to the School Enterprise Challenge and for Mount Abu it was an opportunity to add a new dimension to their learning. More experienced students took great 
pride in sharing their knowledge and becoming leaders in the process. A true testimony of how
successful this relationship was that both schools went on to submit fantastic Final Reports and generated a net profit of USD $869 between them!
“The students motivated and guided our team with so much dedication and zeal that it was very heartwarming. We could see the happy faces of the experienced team while they guided us and we learnt that sharing can be so satisfying. We learnt to be good listeners and better doers. The experience of teaming up with another institution and gelling with new ideas made us insightful of our own strengths like being able to adapt easily to new situations while facing challenges.” – Teacher (Spring Days Model School)