Our next Open Event is on Tuesday 4 March

This month business students on the second year of the Level 3 qualification sold a range of products at the borough’s local markets, at the Ewell Grove Artisan Market in Ewell Village and at the Saturday Market in Epsom Marketplace.

The students split into teams and set up their own companies as part of the Tycoon Enterprise competition run by the Peter Jones Foundation. The teams received a start-up loan after submitting their business plans and have up to seven weeks to sell their products. The top groups are then entered into the competition final.

Each team had their own company name and product, these included: LuxLips who sold Handmade Lip Oil; Rewax sold Handmade scented candles; Memory Mugs sold Mother’s Day and Easter gifts; Wear Renaissance sold Hoodies and The Jules sold silver earring occasion gifts.

Students on the Memory Mugs stall were putting their sales skills to good practice selling Mother’s Day and Easter gifts. Zam, one of the students on the stall said, “We have sourced all the gifts ourselves. It’s been interesting making the dream a reality. It’s good to see how it can be done with persistence. Next stop, Dragon’s Den!”

Another student added, “It’ a great experience. We even ran focus groups to improve our product offer following feedback we received on colours and branding.”

“Setting up and running a real-life business is an essential part of the course and enables students to put their knowledge and learning into practice,” said Jane Purkiss, Curriculum and Standards Coordinator for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (Business). “They were excited to come up with their business ideas and have enjoyed showcasing their entrepreneurial skills.”

The students also had the chance to sell their products at the Next Steps Careers Fair held at the college last week.

Nescot offers Business qualifications at Level 1.5, Level 2 and Level 3, as well as apprenticeships and university-level study. For more information visit our website.