Young entrepreneurs show off business skills
“It’s really an honour to win,” said Matthew Luchetti, who along with Jason Antony took first prize for “Wickets and Cricket” a business specializing in cricket sporting apparel and equipment. “Winning the prize money means a lot especially after putting so much time into it.”In its fourth year, the city’s BizPlan Competition invites secondary school students to develop an effective plan for operating a small business.BizPlan is supported by Ontario’s Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services supports and organized by Brampton’s Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC).
Luchetti and Antony, both Grade 11 students at St. Marguerite d’Youville Secondary School, said they acquired a better understanding of marketing, accounting and economics. And though they found the project time consuming, working after school and on weekends, the pair said they enjoyed the process immensely.
“With this experience it help me to understand and obtain knowledge of how to put together a business plan accurately and effectively,” added Luchetti, who hopes to study business in university. “By winning this I feel like I have achieved a goal and that it’s a step forward in my business career.”
As winners, Luchetti and Antony will split a $1,500 gift card courtesy of Bramalea City Centre (BCC).
Marc Minicucci and Daniel Calabretta, also Grade 11 students from St. Marguerite d’Youville, finished in second place for their idea for a supervised paintball facility “Snipeshow Paintball”, which garnered them a $750 gift card from BCC.
Rounding off the list of winners are Holy Name of Mary Catholic Secondary School students Michelle Rodrigues and Victoria Medeiros for “Pandora’s Box”, a portable electronic learning game. They received a $250 gift card.
“It’s amazing to see the creativity and business savvy of our youth right here in Brampton,” said Elaine Moore, regional councillor and Small Business Advisory Team chair.
The winning pair said they plan to use part of the winnings to buy gifts for their teachers who helped them, as a special thank you.
Finalists will go on to compete in the regional finals, and if successful, provincial finals.
- Published article available online at www.northpeel.com
- City of Brampton’s official media release PDF at city.brampton.on.ca
