Enterprising teens win award with clothing

A clothing company started by three students has taken out the regional enterprise scheme awards.

Hawera High School students Tim Preston, Joeb Cadman and Jordan Buchanan started up 53 Streetwear as part of the Young Enterprises Scheme (YES), a programme where students start and run a business which can earn them NCEA credits.

Preston said the number 53 was a bit of an inside joke related to online gaming and something every one else in the school associated with them, so they decided to use it for marketing.

He said they saw a gap in the market left by brands such as RPM and Quiksilver, which he said made good quality clothes but were too expensive. The clothing range sold by 53 Streetwear included beanies, shirts and hoodies ranging from $25 to $45.

As well as the top gong, they also took out the sales and marketing award, the annual review award and came runner up in the ‘‘dragons den’’, a meeting with industry investors and business managers where they had to pitch their idea. They also came away from the ‘‘den’’ with $1000 in marketing sponsorship.

The group set up a website and sold the clothing items through a Facebook page.

St Mary’s Diocesan School students Jesseka Fairclough, Song Jamkrajang, Katelyn Bishop, Caitlin McCallum, Emily England, Veronica Semmens and Molly Hutchins were runners up with their Nameit company, which produced personalised eco-friendly water bottles.

The group also took out best business plan, best presented oral presentation/business pitch, best financial management and runner up in the sustainability award

Taranaki regional coordinator Miranda Williams said the programme was ‘‘a really good experience’’ for students‘‘.

After winning the regional final, the Hawera team will now head to Wellington on December 6 for the national awards.