Page 18 - royal-times-17-18

POSITIVE WOODEN

PLAQUING CONSILIO
We, Wooden Consilio, are a first year
The aim of the Mini Company Mini Company, formed in November
is to create inspirational 2017 by Andrew Tilson, Obi Nzewi,
and motivational wooden Christopher Clarke, Joseph Murphy
wall hangings for the local and Ben Leggett. We focus on making authentic, high-quality
community, both inside and outside of school. The wall wooden products for people of multiple age groups.
hangings are aimed at the teachers, parents and adults When we first started the Mini-Company, we didn’t really
of the local community who would like an inspirational know what to make. We knew we would be making wooden
decoration for their home, classroom or workplace. products, just not what type. Eventually, after multiple
My name is Tyana Pratt-Clarke. I am the only person in suggestions, we came up with the idea to make a wooden
dog treat hanger, with hooks for leashes or collars on the side.
this Mini Company. I am a boarder at the Royal School This decision also granted us our first name- Pet Walkers.
and can only make my products at the weekend. I enjoy
making my products and attending various craft fairs For a while, that was the only product we had ready to sell. We
started off by making private sales to classmates and friends,
selling them. Being part of this Mini Company has taught as well as selling some of our products in Sports World Cavan
me how to meet my demands correctly, how important and The Derragarra Inn. Eventually, we began preparing for
it is to finish my work on time and how to work well the Backyard and BOI craft fairs, promoting our product in the
independently. school in preparation for them.
It took me a while to come up with an idea of a product When the event came, we managed to sell 15 products, which
to make. I wanted to have a wooden product so it would benefited our mini-company greatly. We also got a good taste
be durable and last a long time. I eventually came up of what running a stand is like. It also gave us the confidence
with this idea because my mother’s friend was having a and financial support needed to expand our product range.
hard time and going through anxiety. We started creating wooden phone holders, with a rotating
I sold my products at many craft fairs. I sold the majority stand in order to fit multiple different phone sizes, It was also
of my products at a Christmas craft fair in the Backyard, when we decided to change our name to Wooden Consilio
in order to match are growing market range. They received
Co. Cavan. I also sold products at the Bank of Ireland huge promotion, with even teachers acknowledging them in
Enterprise town event and at a Christmas craft fair that classes. They proved to be extremely popular, selling as much
took place in our school. I also sold products to my family as the dog treat jars in about half the time.
and friends outside of school. We continued to branch out our target range to include wine
I put together a business report and entered into the glass holders and wooden puzzles for young children, and
Cavan Student Enterprise awards. I travelled to the Slieve presented them at the Student Enterprise Awards.
Russel hotel in March. I was interviewed by the judges The Student Enterprise Awards 2018 took place in the Slieve
later in the day. They liked my product idea but sadly I Russell Hotel in Ballyconnell. We, along with every other mini-
did not win. company in the school, left school at 7:50 on Tuesday 7th
My total income March in order to prepare for the Event. There were many
was €130 and my incredible mini-companies there, so I was shocked when we
won best display and 3rd place in the junior category.
total expenditure
was €45.50, which Our future is currently uncharted, but we hope to sell more
gave me a net profit products, and expand our market range even more.
of €84.50. I was Ben Leggett
delighted with my
profits.

18 The Royal Times 2017-2018