Keen students get down to business | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

Aorere College's young entrepreneurs have set lofty goals going into the Lions' Young Enterprise Scheme, says Rowena Orejana.

In a classroom at Aorere College in Papatoetoe, two students get ready to face the challenges of business.

Rafael Gonzalez Quinones and Sheenal Prasad have tough acts to follow. For the past two years, Aorere student business groups have gone on to win awards at the nationals of the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme.

The scheme is an experiential business programme in which students set up their own business and work as its directors. They manage the business from conception to implementation.

"We expect to do well and, hopefully, win some awards," says 17-year-old Rafael.

This attitude has inspired Andrea Anderson, of Ochre Business Solutions, to continue as their mentor.

"People will say to me, 'I'm so lucky to have you for a mentor'. But the reality is I'm lucky as a mentor," she says. "All I have to do is to direct them. They have drive, passion and energy and they want to succeed. I've got the easy job. Seriously."

Ms Anderson has guided the school's previous two teams to the nationals and is looking forward to a "three-peat". SECURE, the team that sold necklaces in a campaign to prevent teen pregnancies (featured in The Aucklander in 2009), was her first team.

The West Harbour resident is committed to the scheme. "It's humbling. And it gives me encouragement to know that there are young people out there who are willing to give business a go. It puts you in a position where you can pass on your experience and knowledge and expertise."

Ms Anderson notes the experience also gives students an alternative to other career paths. "Primarily, they lean towards going to a university and finding a job. What the young enterprise does is it teaches them not only about business entrepreneurship, but it gives them the opportunity to make their own success in the future."

Aorere College business teacher Lucy Wymer says students have gained tremendously from Ms Anderson's mentoring. "She really sets high expectations and supports them to meet those expectations," she says.

Ms Anderson says it's exciting to think some of these students will be the next Michael Hill or Sarah Trotman 20 years from now and that she's played a small part in that.

"Not everyone is going to become a doctor or lawyer or bus driver. Some of our young ones are going to become successful business entrepreneurs. They just don't know it yet."

A band called Yes

The Counties Manukau Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme needs 60 to 70
coaches on Entrepreneurial Day (E Day), on March 7.

These coaches spend an hour and a half in the afternoon listening to the business ideas
of a few teams and providing guidance and encouragement.

Those interested can email Anita Keestra at: anita.keestra@em.org.nz