Southland Boys’ High School pupil Aubrey Page and his business Eco-smile were the big winners of this year’s Southland Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES).
He was named the YES Southland regional winner for 2022, as well as being awarded the innovation, Murihiku "mover and shaker" and primary industries excellence prizes yesterday.
Aubrey said he was stoked and honoured with such recognition.
"I’m feeling pretty happy. I didn’t expect to get so many awards, but it is awesome."
His business, Eco-Smile, manufactures sustainable, plastic-free, vegan and gluten-free toothpaste tablets.
The idea came after a trip to Fiordland with his family, where he was annoyed by all the plastic waste regular toothbrushes and toothpastes produced, he said.
Since April, when the project started, he has sold about 200 samples of his product.
"It has been a great experience, but it definitely also had struggles there I had to overcome.
"I learned a lot and this opportunity gave me a better understanding of what means to have your own business."
In December, he will head to Wellington to represent the region at the national finals.
"I am really excited — I hope I have a good shot there.
"It feels amazing to be able to represent Southland and show what we can do."
In the meantime, he hoped to continue to carry on with his Eco-smile’s toothpaste tablets business.
He felt very proud of it, he said.
"I would like to run the business as long as possible and keep going.
"But I feel this is the start of many things," he said.
