Up to 120 budding entrepreneurs from seven of the province’s high schools recently gathered at the Southland Business Chamber’s Kickstart and Design Sprint event to once again champion the regional YES programme.
Chamber and YES regional co-ordinator spokeswoman Lianne Humphrey said the first session held in February was high-energy stuff where the day focused on "doing the doing" and providing inspiration.
Pupils engaged in a range of hands-on activities where they defined the important aspects of developing a new business.
Coin South team member and 2022 YES student of the year winner Ava Aitken was also on hand to mentor pupils with her experience.
"YES opens up so many networks to be able to talk to people about what you want to do."
She shared with the group how her involvement with the programme led to gaining scholarships worth up to $7000 and "lots of new friends".
"You’ve just got to give everything a go — give it your all."
Coin South team members worked with new business founders every day and many had been part of YES in their early days.
The purpose of YES was to take people through from the initial idea through to and how to solve problems along the journey.
The Kickstart and Design Sprint Day was about having fun and using creative exercises to relax, inspire and expand thinking.
Lots of noise and team collaboration featured frequently throughout the day’s exercises.
Past 2023 winners, Treet Yourself, from Aparima College pupils Caleb Diprose and Brodie Murdoch, made a valiant effort vying for first place at the national championships with their eco-riparian tree planting businesses using Minecraft as their marketing tool.
Aparima College was synonymous with winners, after past pupil Jessica Black took out national honours in 2014.
- By Toni McDonald
