- Kelsey Zimmer and Ally Thomas display the products developed by their student companies in the local Junior Achievement program. The two teams competed in “Pitch It,” an event in which the students pitched their product ideas to a panel of judges. The competition pitted a customizable wooden box, held by Kelsey, against Ally’s team, which makes jewelry from recycled plastic.
Turning trash into trinkets was the winning formula for a team of students competing in a local Junior Achievement event.
Inspired by the Dragon’s Den-style competition, “Pitch It” featured two student companies pitching their ideas in front a panel of judges recently at the Thames Campus of St. Clair College.
Chatham-Kent economic development officer Geoff Wright, Chatham Coun. Marjorie Crew and veteran businessman Pat Weaver were the judges.
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Each team had five minutes to give a presentation that highlighted their products and business plans. They then spent another five minutes answering questions from the judges and audience members.
The first company to enter the “Den” was Wood Workz and its handcrafted wooden boxes that can be easily customized to suit anyone’s needs.
The other company was Eco-Links and its products of shrink-plastic jewelry made from recycled plastic.
The concept is to take No. 6 plastic materials which are not recycled in Chatham-Kent and turn them into low-cost products.
“We decided to produce a product that wouldn’t fill landfills and it’s environmentally friendly,” said Ally Thomas, 15. “And we’re using all recycled plastic to make these nice bracelets and key chains.”
The unique idea impressed the judges and gave Eco-Link the nod over Wood Workz.
Barb Smith, president of Junior Achievement of South Western Ontario, thought both teams did a good job with their presentations.
“A lot of them are newer Achievers this year and the ones that are returning didn’t really have any experience talking in front of people before, and it gives them a different bit of experience. “
The event also reinforced several aspects of business the students are learning while running their own companies through Junior Achievement.
“One of the things that we teach them throughout the year is how to market themselves and how to market their companies and be able to talk to the public about exactly what they do and know every inch of what their company is all about,” said Smith, adding the five-minute format was a good test for the students.
“It was really fun and it was a great experience,” said Kelsey Zimmer, 15, who is a member of the Wood Workz team.
She said the experience taught her about the importance of public speaking and dealing with nerves.
Despite the nervousness, Geoff Wright said the students’ enthusiasm for their products stood out.
“It’s nice to see the students putting so much effort into starting their own company. It’s a great program,” said Wright. “All of this work is over and above what they normally do at school. It’s nice to see the kids so engaged in both of their products.”
By winning the competition, Eco-Links earned a marketing package worth $3,500 to promote its products.
Mayor Randy Hope sweetened the pot by issuing a challenge to both teams to come up with a logo that represents the mayor’s office for their products.
“I will then give those out as gifts to visitors that come to my office and tell them it comes from the Junior Achievement group,” said Hope. “I need to see the prototypes and if they’re both good, the orders will be $250 each.”
