12th ANNUAL
YOUTH BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2013
Hosted and partially sponsored by
Community Futures Newsask
WHAT – YBEX – YOUTH BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
WHEN – Saturday, May 4, 2013
WHERE – Tisdale Civic Centre, Tisdale, SK
WHY - To recognize and encourage the outstanding achievements of young people in Northeast Saskatchewan and encourage Entrepreneurship as a Career Option. YBEX is a project that engages youth with the community in ways that increase their own self-esteem and level of competency. It showcases what youth have to offer to their communities. Even though some students will not start a business in rural Saskatchewan immediately, some may consider the option after attending post secondary education and return to the northeast. A hypothetical, academic perspective, combined with local grass-roots insight is a powerful mechanism for creating new businesses and knowledge!
WHO – Winners are outlined
Community Futures Newsask hosted their 12th Annual Youth Business Excellence Awards (YBEX) in Northeast Saskatchewan. There were 105 people in attendance for the YBEX Awards Dinner, which was held May 4, 2013 at the Tisdale Civic Centre, Tisdale, SK. This event has grown significantly over the past twelve years. Since inception over 500 students from grade six to twelve and youth out of school, under the age of 30 within the Northeast region have participated. This year there were 19 submissions involving 33 youth.
Awards were provided for the creation of a business idea and development of a BUSINESS PLAN. Submissions clearly described and developed a business idea and demonstrated ingenuity and effort. Cash prizes for first place ($350.00), second place ($250.00) and third place ($150.00) were awarded to both individual and group categories. Cash prizes were also awarded to the school or association equal to half of the prize value of the winning student.
Awards provided for an OPERATING BUSINESS VENTURE category clearly evaluated the operations of their business including problem solving, target setting and goal accomplishment. Cash prizes for first place ($350.00), second place ($250.00) and third place ($150.00) were awarded to individuals in grades 6-9 and grades 10-12. Cash prizes were also awarded to the school or association equal to half of the prize value linked to the winning submission.
An advanced category, BUSINESS VENTURE 2, was for any business venture that has submitted in previous years and illustrates significant changes, expansion or improvements in growth/product/service, marketing, ideas, etc. Cash prizes for first place ($350.00) were awarded. Cash prizes were also awarded to the school or association equal to half of the prize value linked to the winning submission.
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT awards were presented to submissions, which demonstrated exceptional effort and outstanding achievement in one or more areas.
Students qualifying for the four special achievement awards received a $50.00 cash award.
AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS AWARDS sponsored by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture were chosen for demonstrated effort and outstanding achievement in producing a Business Plan in an Agricultural business or a business with Agricultural Value Added potential. A submission in the Business Plan Category was awarded $100, and a submission in the Business Venture Category was awarded $100.
THE INFOSOURCE AWARD. An award in the amount of $100.00 was provided to the YBEX entrant that demonstrated an exceptional use of secondary research using online resources.
The MIKE BUTLER MEMORIAL AWARD is to honor past Board Chairman, Mike Butler from Hudson Bay. The criteria for this award is: commitment to community; passion for a chosen field; and quality of work. The recipient receives a $100.00 cash award.
CATEGORIES AND WINNERS:
Business Plan Award
To compete in this category, applicants created and developed an imaginary business that they would like to own and operate. The business could:
Ø Sell a product or provide a service that already exists
Ø Change an existing product or service
Ø Invent a new product or service
Applicants described their imaginary business, what motivated them to choose their product or service, why their product or service was needed in the community, and described the customers that would support their business. Points were allocated for including monthly and yearly sales and expense estimates, a marketing plan to sell the product or service, and a plan to address any problems that may occur in operating the business. The applicants of the Business Plan Category were judged on the description of their business and customers, their operation/advertising strategy, creativity, business viability, organization, and problem solving skills.
Business Plan Individual Category Winners
Grades 6 – 9
1st place winner – Rebecca Dyck, "Becca's Pet Hotel", Carrot River
2nd place winner – Kayla Johansen, "Picasso's Dream", Nipawin
3rd place winner – Clark Aylward, "Clark's Custom Wallets", Carrot River
Grades 10-12
1st place winner – Jessica Johansen, "The Teen Zone", Nipawin
2nd place winner – Brennan Carson, "Carson's Living the Dream Outfitting", Carrot River
3rd place winner – Brody Van Meter, "Van Meter Snow Removal and Landscaping", Carrot River
Out of School Youth
1st place winner – Diana Hoppe, "Grassland Poultry & Beef", Nipawin
2nd place winner – Dominique Tkachuk, "Bubba's Garden", Zenon Park
3rd place winner – Robyn McAuley, "Sunny Days Playhouse," Tisdale
Business Plan Group Category Winners
Grades 6 – 9
1st place winner – Kaden Opp, Shanelle Reed, Mike Deslauriers, "The Great Duct Tape Belt Co.", Nipawin
2nd place winner – Cole Serhan & Gabriel Mak, "Sparks Fly", Nipawin
3rd place winner – Erika Skarpinsky & Anna McElroy, "McSkar Books", Nipawin
Grades 10-12
1st place winner – TMSS Business Club: Orianna Dubasov, Bailey Darmokid, Gillian Fleury, Raijun Fullerton, Tori Hayward, Noah Janzen, Konor Jonassen, Mathew Kushniruk, Wyatt Lykken, Kelten Pratt, Meredy Wilson, "Recycling Revolution", Tisdale
Business Venture 2 Award
Any business venture may compete in this category that has submitted in previous years and illustrates significant changes, expansion or improvements in growth/product/service, marketing, ideas, etc.
The plan must include one or more of the following:
- Additional products or services (not just modifying something slightly, but significantly expanding and adding different products or major modifications of products or services that is worthy of a prize.)
- Entirely different or additional marketing [i.e. formerly sold items at local events and now products are available for sale in stores; or items now available online; or website development to market a new approach].
- Significant growth in sales – financials indicating considerably increased growth compared to previous entry.
Applicants are judged upon their ability to operate an actual business, organization, problem-solving skills, creativity, and clear recognition of the learning experience gained from this process.
Business Venture 2 Individual Category Winners
Grades 6 – 9
1st place winner – Autumn Lawson, "The Pig Pen", Rose Valley
Business Venture 2 Group Category Winners
Grades 10-12
1st place winner – TMSS Business Club: Orianna Dubasov, Bailey Darmokid, Gillian Fleury, Raijun Fullerton, Tori Hayward, Noah Janzen, Konor Jonassen, Mathew Kushniruk, Wyatt Lykken, Kelten Pratt, Meredy Wilson, "Ornigourmet Birdseed Ltd." Tisdale
SPECIAL ACHEIVEMENT AWARDS
Special achievement awards were presented to those submissions that demonstrated exceptional effort and outstanding achievement in one or more areas. Students qualifying for the three special achievement awards received a $50.00 cash award.
1st Special Achievement – Kayla Ruiter, "Whitecap Café", Nipawin
2nd Special Achievement – Rylan Kunz & Kyle Blaber, "KR Hockey Shop", Carrot River
3rd Special Achievement – Abby Nickel, "Indulge", Nipawin
4th Special Achievement – Jazzlin Walker, "Jazzlin's Skate Sharpening, Nipawin
Agricultural Business Award –
Business Venture – Autumn Lawson, "The Pig Pen", Rose Valley
Business Plan – Diana Hoppe, "Grassland Poultry & Beef", Nipawin
Infosource Award – Rebecca Dyck, "Becca's Pet Hotel", Carrot River
Mike Butler Memorial Award – TMSS Business Club: Orianna Dubasov, Bailey Darmokid, Gillian Fleury, Raijun Fullerton, Tori Hayward, Noah Janzen, Konor Jonassen, Mathew Kushniruk, Wyatt Lykken, Kelten Pratt, Meredy Wilson, "Recycling Revolution", Tisdale.
This project is funded by many community minded businesses. Community Futures Newsask is committed to working in the north east to achieve development in business and communities. This project is partially funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada
###
For further information contact Judy Childs, GM at Community Futures Newsask, (306) 873-4449