“All A Stars” selected as best 1st Year Mini-Company

The 1st Year Mini-Companies Winter Fare took place on Tuesday morning, 18th December. It was very busy, with lots of different entrepreneurial products on offer. The "All A Stars" mini-company was selected as the best mini-company by the judges. See the web gallery for more pictures and click the blog title to see more photographs in this blog.

Alananah O'Byrne, Alannah Anderson, Gil Ahronovich and Grace O'Dwyer are the winners of the First Year Mini Company Competition 2012. It was a close contest but they won for a variety of reasons. Firstly, their products required craftsmanship, Gil provided this. She was furiously creating more bracelets on demand during the market day. Secondly, they were the first team to offer a portion of their sales to charity. This selflessness is admirable and is always encouraged among our students. Thirdly, they had the most attractive stall and the most active seller; Alannah Anderson, whose sales skills enticed many hesitant customers towards their stall. Lastly, they made the largest profit; a whopping €192 isn’t bad for a morning’s work.

Coming a close second, was 'Mµ', headed by Jake Henry, Ryan Baker and Cormac Kelly. They showed incredible innovation with their outstanding range of products, varying from Show Me Boards, intriguing carton wallets to the classic ring throwing game. The latter along with their delicious cone toting popcorn created a real carnival feel. They also had great financial success securing €156 profit.

'Athenas' and 'Quack', the other two mini companies, also ran a profit. The fact that none of the companies made a loss or just broke even is a record for the First Year Mini Company Competition. Well done to Mr Desmond, who tutored this class so expertly. Best of luck to the 'All A Stars', who will now go on to represent Stratford College at the Dublin Business Enterprise Awards held in Croke Park in the Spring.

Ms. Reynolds

All A Stars: Alanah O'Byrne, Alannah Anderson, Grace Dwyer and Gil Aharonovich

"We sold locker shelves, bracelets, lucy bags, drinks and a raffle which was won by Evan Matthews in 2nd Year. When we put out a survey we got great feedback. We learned loads of new skills and we learned how to make a profit and how to sell stuff."

Mu: Jake Henry, Cormac Kelly and Ryan Baker

"Our mini-company was Mu which is a mathematical and Greek symbol. We sold wallets made from milk cartons, laminated paper with markers ("show-me" boards) and clothes to design your locker or room etc. We also sold popcorn with drinks. We had a rings game with a prize. We had catchy signs and a funny motto ("it's udderly ridiculous").

Quack: Gina Cohen, Derinn MacMahon, Eva Stewart and Julie Cahill

"We sold calendars which we made ourselves, a chocolate fondue with marshmallows/nougat/digestive biscuits/lollipops/chocolate bars. We decorated our stall with coloured paper and the calendars were hung up on the wall behind us."

Athena: Julia Tatar-Cantado, Dana Tsafiri

"We named the company after the Greek Goddess. We sold lemonade, posters (we took requests as well), cakes, a bowling game with a prize and "guess how many sweets in a jar. Evan Matthews (2nd Year) won this jar."