Young entrepreneurs show their business side

By Ian MacKay

Students of Rosetown Central High and visitors to the school had a lot of variety to choose from at a special market on Thursday.

Grade 8 students learn about running a business in their PowerPlay class, then decide on products, make them and put them up for sale in the Young Entrepreneurs market as the school year draws to its end.

Stevie Dyok buys a puck of hockey wax from Asher Purcell during the RCHS PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs market in the Rosetown Central High gym on Thursday. Dyok supported students at several tables, with purchases including an Angels keychain. Photo by Ian MacKay

Lily Peters (L) and Kalli Martin pose behind a table holding their wares during the PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs market on Thursday afternoon at Rosetown Central High School. Photo by Ian MacKay

Lily Peters offered Beaded Beauties -- bracelets with keychains attached and necklaces.

They were all made from "stretchy string with silicone beads so you can wash them," Peters said. She didn't have many left with about 30 minutes to go before the market closed until next year.

"I thought about it when I lost my keys," she admitted. "I thought about it because, if they have them on their wrist all the time, they're not going to lose them."

Kalli Martin had stress balls that were moving slowly. They were small balloons containing either cornstarch or slime that people could squeeze to relieve tension.

Martin used a funnel as she poured cornstarch into one type and "just put slime in the other ones," she said. She came up with the idea "a long time ago."

Students "have to be stressed," she said. "Exams are coming up. Come on, guys."

As for the PowerPlay class, "I'd give it an eight," Martin said. "I'd give it a nine," added Peters.

They had no plans about going into business after they graduate.

Asher Purcell offered hockey wax.

"You put it on your stick so you have better puck control," Purcell explained. He combined coconut oil with wax before forming it into puck shapes.

"I've sold lots," he said, enjoying the experience of being on the sales floor and calling the PowerPlay class "really good."

"Yeah, I think so," Purcell said when asked if he'd had any thoughts about going into business in the future.

Among the other goods available were candles, bath bombs, sugar scrubs, crocheted pouches, string art, trail kits, 3D-made toys, bandanas for cats and dogs, coasters made from cedar, hydrating body butter and DIY message buttons.