Olivia's winning business idea
A school project has turned into a business reality for a Taupo¯ teenager, and her dad James Moore says she’s even put aside her social life to put time into it.
Tauhara College Year 11 student Olivia Moore won second place at the national finals for the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) held in Wellington recently.
The final was the culmination of the business year where students create and run their own business. Competing against 21 other finalists from throughout New Zealand, the judges were impressed with Olivia’s 100 per cent vegan meal toppings product and her marketing presentation to the healthconscious market.
Olivia, 15, travelled to Wellington with mum Sheree Moore, sister Brooke and Tauhara College business studies teacher Kylie Sargison. She says getting there on time was a concern.
“We got on a plane in Rotorua at 10am for the 1.25pm pitch, and the plane was delayed an hour.”
They made it in time, and Olivia gave a fiveminute pitch to the YES Dragon’s Den judges. She says her presentation was updated from the regional finals and she had practised it at school.
“They said I looked relaxed. But I was nervous.”
Olivia says she and sister Brooke inherited an interest in food from her mum and grandma who are both into cooking.
“Mum’s food is really delicious and she is really into healthy food. We are all fighting to get into the kitchen.”
Never expecting to use her prepared acceptance speech, she found herself making yet another speech that evening in front of 400 or so people.
“Ms Sargison said she was really proud of me and has been really supportive this year. [Tauhara College assistant principal] Ms Mertens was really excited for me.”
The winnings will be put to good use in updating the product packaging, developing a new allergen-friendly product line, and finding a bigger space for production.
Olivia is looking forward to continuing on with the YES programme at Tauhara College.