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Writes Krishay V. (L6th)

The day started early as we made a long trek to Cardiff Business School with all our gear, including my Dianthus strapped in tight beside me. We just got there in the nick of time, decked out in our flashy new Hydrobloom ties. We set up our stand and had some not-so-mysterious “mystery shoppers” come by. Despite the last-minute scramble to beat the traffic, our prep paid off, and we won the Best Trade Stand award. With our third product (the Bloom Bright Grow Lights) on display, we racked up yet another Innovation & Technology Award — our fourth of the competition!

Unfortunately, this is where our winning streak ended: we fell just short of making it to the European Finals in Latvia. That said, we are all so proud to have not only made it to the National Finals but come Runners Up! We also walked away with the most awards of any team, showing that despite not winning, we were had a good approach and a solid product.

Alongside the main competition, there was also an individual round called the Apprentice: You’re Hired, hosted by Mia Collins, a former Apprentice candidate. This was a head-to-head, high-energy challenge where I reached the final 1v1, in which I had to deliver a 60-second elevator pitch on our product.

So, that’s it for our Young Enterprise journey. All in all, what a great experience it’s been — from several rounds of interviews and pitching our product to panels of judges, to comprehensive business report writing, producing a video ad and video presentation, as well as selling at trade fairs and securing a partnership with a Bupa Care Home.

I have learned so much: management, video editing, graphic design, sales, public speaking and communication — all transferable skills that I will take into the future.

Thank you to Mrs Thobhani and Mrs Grice for helping us and giving us invaluable advice across this 10-month journey.

I would strongly recommend considering Young Enterprise when you enter The Lower Sixth. It has been one of the defining experiences of Sixth Form for me so far!