Page 20 - royal-times-14-15

Woodpeckers

“Woodpeckers” was set up by Rachel Alexander, Barry Boot Sale in the grounds of Virginia Church, on the 6th of
Stratford, Daniel Stratford and Sophie Reilly to enter and December 2014 Barry and Sophie went to the Christmas
compete in the Student Enterprise Awards Competition in Craft Fair in Moynehall Co. Cavan while Rachel and Daniel
our school. attended the Christmas Craft Fair in the Virginia Show
Centre. Our combined sales for that day were €667.50.
The idea was suggested by Daniel who loves woodwork and
had made breadboards as gifts for his family which received During our first year mini company experience we have
wonderful feedback. We “brainstormed” both for and learned a lot of different and exciting things including the
against this idea and decided to carry out some research following:
among our friends and family. By visiting shops and local ➢ How we all brought our own ideas to the business
craft fairs, we realised that we could make a profit by selling ➢ The benefits of market research and the importance
a small number of quality wooden products within our of a practical and appealing product.
locality.
➢ Accurate recording all of our expenses, sales, profit
“Woodpeckers” have sales so far of €1487.50 and has since and loss.
proved our market research inadequate as we have far ➢ The benefits of constructive criticism.
exceeded our expectations and have returned three times
to purchase more timber. ➢ Hard work and attention to detail produces a good
end product.
We were awarded 1st prize in the Junior Category in the
Cavan Student Enterprise Awards along with €500. We are currently preparing for the national finals in Croke
Park where we will compete against other first year mini-
The secret of our success lies in finding attractive, niche companies.
products and producing them to the highest standards
possible. Some of the products we chose to make were None of this would have been possible without the support
breadboards, clocks, Christmas decorations and trinket and encouragement of Mr. Robertson, Ms. Argue and our
boxes. families and friends.
by Sophie Reilly
The first step is to purchase our materials. We then download
templates off google images, cut them out and stick them
to the pieces of wood. We cut around it with the scroll saw,
route the edges with the round over bit, sand, burn on the
logo and oil. We attach the labels and then advertise- print
posters and post photos and upcoming events on our
Facebook page.

We are really happy that we have made a profit but we are
also very happy to be donating 10% of it to local charities-
Virginia Cancer Care Fund and the Paediatric Ward in Cavan
General Hospital.

We have been to many different sales and craft fairs- On
Saturday the 15th of November we attended the Car

20 The Royal Times 2014-2015