Sponsors
Week 1
Team name: Owl Class (business name pending!)
Tell us what you have been doing this week
This week Bright Stars got real! We had a very successful 1st session with our business partner: during which we explored what a business is using the 5 Ps.
We collected lots of ideas and reflected on what our community needs and how any profit could be put to good use.
Having had so many ideas that related to sales, we have opted to establish our very own pop up shop; offering a new (class-made) product each week of trading.
The next step for us is to conduct some market research into which of the products we might make our consumers really want (and would be willing to pay for)!
What did you learn this week?
We learned so much from the Q&A session, and from our lesson on what businesses are and what motivates them. We learned about our business partner and some other model businesses building a frame of reference.
What did you find difficult this week?
The difficulty was in reducing our many, many ideas into a practical number!
We learned that while we might really like the idea of one service or product, we need to be led by the 'people'.
Budgeting and costing!
Market Research!
Week 2
Tell us what you have been doing this week
We've extra busy this week! Not only did we do some market research across the School- to refine our product list- but we also spent sometime budgeting and costing the top 6 products from our list. We know we will sell 4 items over 4 events but we needed to narrow our ideas down and start thinking about the order. If we sell the right products, we know we can reinvest for the next product. Our MD and Financial Lead kept us all on track and we are excited to talk branding next week!
What did you learn this week?
We learned that financial management requires you to research and cost lots of options, you need to make sure you get the best deal to maximise profits. We also learned that just because an idea is good, it isn't necessarily 'financially viable'.
What did you find difficult this week?
We initially found it difficult the sheer number of choices we had. We needed to work smart and make quick decisions to meet our deadlines.
Week 3
Tell us what you have been doing this week
What did you learn this week?
What did you find difficult this week?
Week 4
Tell us what you have been doing this week
We had a Marketing Session this week!
Our Business Partners came in and talked to us about brand management and public image. We then completed our Business Plan, agreeing exactly what profits would be spent on and checking our plans against the Sustainable Development Goals. We all had a go at designing Owlets Pop Up Shop's logo and chose a winner that we will use to make signs!
What did you learn this week?
We learned how and why businesses market themselves. We learned what a good brand looks like and how to make it eye-catching and memorable!
What did you find difficult this week?
Not being able to use everyone's ideas because they were all so good!
Week 5
Tell us what you have been doing this week
We've been busy bees preparing our stock this week. Biscuit Baking Prep and Friendship Band Making have been our primary focus!
We've also been doing some last minute advertising!
What did you learn this week?
We learned that we can acquire new skills when we need to- none of us had made a friendship bracelet before and now we have!
What did you find difficult this week?
Persevering and meeting a deadline or Stock order. We had to work fast to have enough to sell!
Week 6 - half term
Week 7
Tell us what you have been doing this week
Owlets has opened for Business! We had our first sale, having advertised on all our social media channels.
Biscuits were up first!
What did you learn this week?
We learned that we had to market well to ensure that our message was received by the community in amongst all of School's other exciting events.
What did you find difficult this week?
Not eating the biscuits ourselves as they looked so nice! We ended up with more biscuits than needed so we had to consider whether we had calculated correctly for our market group.
Week 8
Tell us what you have been doing this week
Owlets opened for a second time- selling the friendship bracelets we made to our community.
What did you learn this week?
We learned that pricing needs to be careful or it can put buyers off. We made the decision to slash prices when we noticed trade was slowing.
We also learned the power of presentation when displaying products for viewing. Our clipboards were sorted by colour.
What did you find difficult this week?
It was difficult to anticipate the most popular colour combinations. If we had known more about people's preferences we might have made even more sales.
Week 9
Tell us what you have been doing this week
We finished with a bang this week- with our final Pop Up Stall- Ice Cream! We have loved the process so much and were all a little emotional to close Owlets for a final time!
What did you learn this week?
We learned how to manage high demand and respond to customers under pressure. We learned how it feels to complete a project successfully and bring something to completion. We found that it just leaves you with more ideas over where you could go next!
What did you find difficult this week?
Bringing our project to a close! We are proud and it was emotional!
For pupils to answer:
In one sentence please tell us what bright stars has meant to you?
" It has given me the chance to show my skills and capabilities publicly. being good at Maths, I really enjoyed being our financial lead. It made me feel so able and valued." Jessica
For teachers to answer:
Can you tell us the impact this programme has had on your school?
The children are improved problem-solvers, they've learned to be adaptable and resilient. Even the new skills they acquired: baking and making friendship bracelets required a growth mindset. The children felt bonded and a part of shared, real purpose. It connected our values, the Sustainable Development Goals and the skills of an enterprise project in a really meaningful and powerful way.
Younger learners are already aspiring to their turn!
Please provide your business plan.
Please provide your marketing plan.
Please provide your finance report/template.
Charity name/money donated to.
Developing our enterprise project to connect concrete spaces within the School and village for wildlife
Final profit (minus the £50 seed funding).
£131.45
