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Junior Mini Companies

Timber Boys Helaso

In September 2012 our Business In 2nd year we decided
teacher, Mr Robertson spoke to 1st to set up a mini
years about the idea of setting up company for the year,
a Mini Company. A group of three with the help of Mr.
1st year students, John Clarke, Robertson. We formed
Jake Fegan and Steven Armstrong a group of three girls
decided to form a company called Laura, Helen and Sophie.
‘The Timber Boys’. We decided to produce
Christmas cards to make money for the Cavan Society
On a Saturday during that month John went down to Steven’s house Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA). The aim of
to cut up sticks to sell later in the year. Steven’s dad (Robert) got the our mini-company was to produce good quality packs
tractor saw going and he cut the sticks into block sizes. Then Steven of Christmas cards made from high quality materials
and John got the log splitter on the back of the other tractor and we at a reasonable price. The price was very important
split the blocks and threw them into tonne bags so that we could store in these economic times; our target is predominantly
them until we were ready to bag them for sale.
aimed at adults and children and for the cards to be
During this time, Steven’s mam, Rosemary, was busy collecting bags used as a gift for Christmas. Many people in these
from fruit and vegetable shops. John talked to his dad (Basil), and his present times, who are buying cards, buy charity cards
mam (Carole), about how you would go about making the welly-boot because they want the money; they spend to be of
holder. Basil went to his neighbour, Chris, to get more information. bene t to needy charities.
Chris made a prototype on John and Basil’s instructions and it went on Each person in the group took over a particular job,
from there. It was made from pitch pine timber that was an old church either as manager, in charge of nance, production of
seat, which Basil had in a shed at home. Basil and John went down to sales. First of all we had to source some pictures for our
McArdle’s of Cloverhill and bought 8 lengths of pitch pine timber.
cards, and then we emailed the pictures (of animals) to
Meanwhile, one Friday afternoon following school the three boys went a local printer - McGinn printing Ltd. We then ordered
to Steven’s house to bag sticks for sale at McCarrens the next day. That 1000 cards which were going to be put into packs of
night while John and Steven were asleep Jake was busy, with his mam, 10 for €4 leaving us with 100 packs of cards. We then
(Alice) and his dad (Robert), making posters to display at our stand. This started our sales within a week we had about ten cards
weekend work went on for the next 4 weeks until we made our last left. Then we ordered another 100 packs. Throughout
big delivery to John’s grand-uncle, Stanley, who bought the rest of the November and December we went to a few local craft Arigna Mines
remaining sticks (about 80 bags). fairs. But we sold most to our friends and family.
The welly-boot holders went fairly well as we had to make them to On March the 7th 2013 we had a mini-business Last week, the third years went on a history trip to Arigna Mines in Leitrim. When
order. As we got a few orders in just before Christmas, John had to competition in the Slieve Russell. We were nervous, we arrived we met our tour guide Michael. He gave us a hair net and a helmet
draft in extra help to complete the orders. At this time the boys met we had to be there early and get our stand set up each. When we entered the mines he brought us on an underground tour and
frequently to draft their business report in John’s house with help from quickly, our interview went well and when the awards told us about the di erent types of rocks. As we went on he told us about the
John’s mam. were announced we won BEST DISPLAY for the best mines and what it was like being a miner. They used explosions to extract coal.

As January slipped by, Mr. Robertson told us that there was a competition intermediate mini-company in all of Cavan. We were When we came out we got lunch. I ate curry chips. After lunch we watched a DVD
coming up in the Slieve Russell hotel and we would be entered into very happy with our trophy and our cash prize about the mines. It was a good tour.
the Junior Category of the competition. Mr. Robertson helped us in our On our decision, the earnings of Helaso would be
nal draft of the report and getting the display competition ready. donated towards the local animal charity - CSPCA. Brion Moore.
This organisation promotes animal welfare, prevents
The night before the competition we three boys, in our own houses,
got materials ready and packed up to bring to the competition. Around cruelty to animals and relieves animal su ering. It has
7.30 am John and his mam headed to pick up the boys and bring rescued and rehomed many animals, and is coming
us down to the competition,(there was a bus going from the school under continuous pressure with more animals being
but we couldn’t t on it because we had so much equipment e.g. surrendered due to owners becoming unemployed
saws, axes and hammers, not to mention the welly-boot holders and and not being able to a ord to keep their pets or
smelly wellies!!) Of course we had sticks to transport as well. We were owners emigrating. A few of our pets have been
interviewed by Cavan TV and then had to talk to the judges about our adopted from the CSPCA. We were very happy with
products and pro t made, which was a net pro t of €792 euros. We so the amount of money we raised to donate; we hope
enjoyed the day as we got a trophy for innovation, not to mention €200 this donation will help to take care of future animals
prize money which we have yet to receive. in need.
Today we are still making and selling welly-boot holders and hope to Also we would like to thank everyone for supporting
continue with this mini company. We really enjoyed the whole Mini us and buying our cards and to McGinn printing
Company project and learned a lot about business while doing it. ltd. and also to Mr. Robertson who helped lots and
encouraged us throughout the year.
By John Clarke.
(By Sophie Bell)

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