Students mean business with charity enterprise event

An entrepreneurial spirit combined with a competitive streak led students at Walsall College to raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

Groups of business, management, accounts and marketing students organised an enterprise event on campus as part of their course units.

Lecturers, Monica Bailey, Jo Hughes, Carole Rogers and Benjamin Sarfo guided them in planning, marketing and managing the event, enabling them to compete for ‘Outstanding Business Entrepreneurial Stall’ and ‘Best Creative Display’ awards.  The products they made, procured and sold led to over £500 being raised for 14 different charities.

Cordelle Taylor, Curriculum Manager for Business and Law at the college was delighted by their efforts.

“The fundraising was a fantastic achievement, although the event involved so much more,” she said.  “The students were tasked with organising the day while choosing products to sell that provided a competitive edge or a unique selling point.  They were also expected to deliver promotional campaigns and an excellent customer experience in order for event visitors to vote for them as their best stallholders.

“Everyone carried themselves well, identifying ways to engage customers and encourage them to support worthy causes.”

She continued: “This is the first time we have hosted an enterprise event where students have competed in small teams while working towards shared goals.  It’s taught them a lot about the importance of teamwork, promotions and profit-making which I hope they will carry forward in future endeavours they are involved in, whether as students or in the workplace.”

Business and marketing students, Lydia Swift and Connie Tonks were part of the winning team of students whose enterprise was recognised as the most entrepreneurial.  They sold homemade cakes, cookies and cloudy lemonade, raising money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

“I’ve gained so much from this whole enterprise experience,” said Lydia.  “Overall, I’ve appreciated that it’s not just about creating a product and stall that look good.  You have to back this up by being an approachable salesperson who knows how to catch people’s attention as they pass by.  This made a huge difference to how customers felt when they visited us and gave feedback afterwards.”

Connie added: “I’ve been reminded how much effort marketing and selling actually take, more than you might first expect.  But it was all worth it when we realised we’d raised money for charity and won the competition.  It was a great feeling.

“Being involved in this event has opened my mind to other industry roles that are out there.  Seeing the work and activities at the other stalls showed this too.  And now, I’m more interested than ever in running my own business in future.”

Money was raised for the following organisations –

Acorns Children’s Hospice

Aisha Mosque & Islamic Centre

The Alzheimer’s Society

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

Birmingham Children’s Hospital

British Heart Foundation

Cancer Research UK

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Human Appeal

It’s in the Bag

Midlands Air Ambulance

Parkinson’s UK

RSPCA

St Giles Hospice