As part of “Social and Solidarity Economy Week in Schools,” a Mini-Business Fair was held this Wednesday, April 18, at La Galleria shopping center. The event featured discussions, sales, and exhibits.
«We organized this event so that the mini-companies could showcase their products, give demonstrations, and interact with the public. The goal is to give them their first opportunity to interact with customers and receive feedback on their products so they can improve them. It’s also good practice for overcoming shyness and preparing for the mini-enterprise championship,» explains Félix Pimpy, EPA-Martinique coordinator.
Mini-companies allow students to learn about how a business is organized, gain an introduction to project management, and learn to make decisions and take on responsibilities.
Each mini-entrepreneur has a role and responsibilities within their business. They design, produce, and market a product or service. They also handle administrative and financial management.
Eighteen mini-companies were represented at this event, with teams from middle schools, high schools, and local youth employment programs.
On this occasion, the mini-company Easy Magnet, a group of 16 students from Rose Saint-Just Middle School in Trinité has launched the marketing phase for its magnetic hangers.
Noélie Cordeboeuf, the company’s director of communications and marketing, introduced us to their product. «We’ve designed and manufactured magnetic hooks—they’re useful and practical items that make it easy to organize your space, especially when you’re short on room.» Our product is made from two used hard drive magnets that we recycle, and the shell of the magnetic clip is 3D-printed. We have three products with different holding capacities: the “Light,” which lifts up to 250g; the “Medium,” up to 500g; and the “Strong,” up to 1kg.”
The students at Collège Gérard Café in Le Marin, for their part, presented Pop's Eko. «Our mini-company offers an eco-friendly and economical popcorn maker. It works by popping popcorn without electricity or gas. The popcorn pops using an ethanol candle that burns for 2 hours. The machine consists of a tin can that holds the oil and corn; we then heat it with our ethanol candle. You can remove the tin can to wash it or collect the popcorn.»
Many innovative, eco-friendly, or socially conscious products and services were showcased at this event. The mini-companies will present their projects orally on April 27, 2018, during the championship, and will exhibit their work on Thursday, May 3, 2018, at Villa Laguerre in Rivière-Salée.
Kaylan FAGOUR
