Business Blog: True entrepreneurial spirit

As part of Business Partners Socio Economic Development programme, we are involved in a school's project where we have a mini entrepreneurship competition. The school is IR Griffith Primary School and what is unique about this project is a very special lady called Mrs Moira Holtz. Mrs Holtz teaches at the school but her contribution to entrepreneurship education is commendable.

For a number of years now, she has built the entrepreneurial project into what it is today. The grades 7's are required to come up with a business idea and do market research on it. They are then expected to draft a mini business plan and then implement that business plan in an entrepreneurship week. For the 5 school days they are to set up their stands and sell during every free moment they have. They then conclude the week on the Saturday with sales in the school park.

Its not unusual to find schools running their market days but they are usually just a one day event. These young people need to sustain their business for an entire week. This ensures that they learn the fundamental principles of being responsible for your own business. Stock, cash flow, trends all make up part of the learning process.

Once the project is complete they send their projects to me to mark. Well, what an experience. I absolutely loved the energy and enthusiasm of these young people. They were confident and determined to make money. The highest profit ever made was in excess of R10 000. Now that is some serious cash for a 13 year old.

Business Partners honours them by awarding both trophies and cash prizes to individuals and group efforts. They are certainly deserving of their accolades but I want to pay tribute to Mrs Holz and the parents of these youngsters. Without support and encouragement from you they would not have been so successful. Few people are dedicated to building TRUE entrepreneurial spirit. It requires hard work and dedication and an unrelenting passion for entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneur of the Year® is about that and more. Entrepreneur of the Year® is about building a truly excellent SME sector. It is through honouring and showcasing excellent entrepreneurs that we create benchmarks of excellence for aspiring entrepreneurs to follow.

On the 28th October, at the Southern Sun Grayston in Sandton Johannesburg, we will be celebrating the outstanding achievements of the 15 finalists for the Entrepreneur of the Year® competition for 2010. We will announce the winners of the three categories and then announce the big prize: The Entrepreneur of the Year® for South Africa for 2010.

Vicky Nish, Entrepreneur of the Year® Project Manager