Business, But Not As Usual

More over Sir Alan, there are some new kids on the block…

Recently, I was asked if I’d make a trip to Sheffield to deliver a presentation of thanks to a business who had spent the last three years working extremely hard to raise funds for The One Foundation. Delighted, I happily agreed and set about making my travel arrangements and researching the business concerned. To my amazement, however, I soon discovered that I would not be meeting with representatives from a national or multinational enterprise as I had originally assumed. Granted, the businessmen in question would be wearing shirts and ties, but this would have nothing to do with the corporate image that is the bastion of so many companies today.

On the contrary, the shirts and ties were part of a compulsory school uniform. Yes, Young Empire was in fact set up and run by a small group of pupils from Birkdale School under the watchful eye and business finesse of their Business Studies teacher, Ms. McKay.

Back in 2007/8, the boys of Birkdale Inc.,poweredbyus (the School’s enterprise club), entered the One Water National Enterprise Challenge and won with their tuck shop initiative – a feat in and of itself! Not content with their victory, however, the team hoped to become one of the first secondary schools in the UK to fund a PlayPump in Malawi.  They emerged victorious, yet again, a year later from the national One Big Idea competition and successfully expanded their business into the Young Empire conglomerate compromised of five different business models and product divisions.

Through the sale of Malawi Cards, donating the profits from their tuck shop and by holding school discos in honour of The One Foundation, Young Empire have achieved their goal of raising £7000 to buy a PlayPump within just three years. According to Peter Winder, Managing Director of Young Empire, funding their first Playpump is just the beginning, with plans in place to expand in all areas of their businesses and to venture into raising funds for additional One Foundation projects. At the end of next month, the team plan to launch Young Music - a venture constituting a Battle of the Bands competition and a deal with Amazon UK to distribute Young Music CDs.

The entrepreneurial skills of the boys involved with Young Empire at Birkdale School are mind-blowing. To possess such dedication and drive at a relatively young age is phenomenal. What’s more, the fact that the students use their skills to raise funds for such a fantastic cause is truly inspiring.

A huge thank you and congratulations once again to the Young Empire team – please do keep up the good work!!