Mini-Enterprise Competition: determined future entrepreneurs
A change of format and a new venue for this second edition of the mini-company competition organised by the Saint-Martin Inter-professional Consular Chamber (CCISM). Last Thursday, the two teams from the Year 9 Segpa class at Mont des Accords secondary school took part in the final ; with two projects in the running: “Coral Under Water” and “MJJL Jewelry”.
This initiative is fully in line with the CCISM’s remit, particularly through the Saint-Martin Local School-Business Committee (CLEE). The first scheme of its kind in the West Indies, the CLEE was established following the signing of a charter between the Regional Education Authority and the CCISM. It aims to strengthen links between the education system and the business world, whilst offering young people a better insight into the realities of working life. Last year, Robert Weinum High School took part in this unique initiative. This year, a partnership has been established with Mont des Accords Secondary School. Another notable change is that the presentation of several projects in the form of a mini-exhibition has been replaced by a competition between two projects on which the pupils have been working for several months.
A long-term process
Just like business leaders, the pupils had five months to develop their project, structure it, assess its feasibility, refine it and finalise it. To this end, they had been supported since February by the CCISM’s business support team and its employment and training division. They then gave an initial presentation as part of Spotlight and were judged on the best pitch. On 18 June at the CCISM, they presented their projects in the final before a jury of professionals comprising Jeanne Vanterpool, 1st Vice-President of the CCISM, Daisy Vaillant, founder of GESTAPART and manager of the Prismorizons association, Loïc Lagoutte from Nozin Prod, and Myriame Paquin, an events entrepreneur.
Coral Under Water or MJJL Jewelry?
The first project is a highly original concept for a panoramic aquarium restaurant in Friar’s Bay, offering a unique immersion in the marine world. The students recognise that this large-scale project is a long-term undertaking and will require several more months of work before it can be realised. The second, MJJL Jewelry, offers customisable jewellery in gold and stainless steel with the slogan ‘Look better, shine better in SXM’. More traditional, yet equally ambitious in its development, this second project is already viable, which is why it won over the jury. Following the deliberations, the small team won the Spotlight Prize for the ‘best pitch’ and the People’s Choice Award, and walked away with vlogging kits from Nozin PROD – a gift to help them develop their communications.
The second Spotlight Prize, awarded to the second group, was membership of the Prismorizons association, which will enable them to benefit from comprehensive support throughout their educational and entrepreneurial journey. Unsurprisingly, first prize in the competition went to MJJL Jewelry. Both teams were rewarded with JBL headphones for the winners and earphones for the runners-up, donated by the Rotary Club of Saint-Martin Nord.
Young people in the territory are brimming with ideas, often innovative ones, and we look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition.
