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JUNIOR MINI COMPANIES

In September 2014 our
OAKEY DOKEY Business Studies teacher,

Mr. Robertson spoke to the

Oakey Dokey is a first year Mini Company that sells custom first years about setting up
made wooden plaques for our customers. The people that a Mini Company. So that’s
Oakey Dokey is a first year Mini Company that sells custom made wooden plaques
for our customers. The people that run the company are Alan Speares (Managing
run the company are Alan Speares (Managing Director & when I started looking
Director & Production), Thomas Smith (Sales), Tobi Sonaike (Finance) and Stuart
Elliott (Production).
Production), Thomas Smith (Sales), Tobi Sonaike (Finance) for inspiration for a Mini
We work as a team to achieve as many sales and as big a profit as possible. Our
plaques are made from medium-density fibreboard or MDF. Customers can choose
and Stuart Elliott (Production). Company. As I love to bake and I’m very good at it I
from either having hand-routed products or micro-routed plaques with whatever they
want on them. There are a variety of shapes for plaques to choose from including decided to have a Mini Company that sells bars of fudge
ovals, hexagons etc.
We work as a team to achieve as many sales and as big a to the target market.
I (Stuart Elliott) produce hand-routed products at home using a hand-router.
profit as possible. Our plaques are made from medium-
Mr.Foudy helps us to produce micro-routed products in the tech room at school. Alan
also paints, sands and varnishes products if the customers want it. The standard Once I had my idea I got cracking to make an example to
density fibreboard or MDF. Customers can choose from
price for our products is €5. To get the orders from our customers we use order
forms which give us an idea of exactly what they want on their plaque. Our net profit show to Mr. Robertson. He approved of the Mini Company
either having hand-routed products or micro-routed
so far is €37.
We have learned a lot of things from creating this mini company and hope that we
plaques with whatever they want on them. There are a idea, so once I had his approval I could begin selling in
will continue the company in the future. We have recently been thinking about other
ideas for the company and hope to make some of these products in the future.
variety of shapes for plaques to choose from including school and going to craft fairs.
By Stuart Elliott
ovals, hexagons etc. I started to sell my products in October in school. A lot

I (Stuart Elliott) produce hand-routed products at home of the students thought that it was presented lovely and
using a hand-router. Mr.Foudy helps us to produce micro- tasted divine and some of the staff bought some as well. I
routed products in the tech room at school. Alan also went to the Christmas craft fair in Moyne hall in Co. Cavan
paints, sands and varnishes products if the customers in the Backyard. The public seemed to like the bars of
want it. The standard price for our products is €5. To get fudge as I sold a lot of produce here. We also had a craft
the orders from our customers we use order forms which fair in my school so I was busy, busy, busy!
give us an idea of exactly what they want on their plaque. As January slipped by Mr. Robertson told me that I would
Our net profit so far is €37. be attending a Mini Company competition in the Slieve
We have learned a lot of things from creating this mini Russell Hotel, and that I would be entered into Junior
company and hope that we will continue the company in Category of the competition. I had to prepare a business
the future. We have recently been thinking about other report and also had to prepare so products to show off
ideas for the company and hope to make some of these to the judges. When I had arrived at the Slieve Russell
products in the future. Hotel I had to set up my stall with the help of my mammy
(Gillian). After a while the judges started to come around
By Stuart Elliott to interview me and I had to tell them all about my Mini
Company and my products.
I enjoyed the day but most importantly I came home
with a prize of €350 as I came in 2nd place in all of County
Cavan, I also won a trophy.
I really enjoyed this Mini Company experience and I have
learned a lot about running a business.
By Cassie O’Connor

18 The Royal Times 2014-2015