Two teams from Bath College’s BTEC Level 3 Business course have spent the last three months creating their own businesses in the lead up to The Bath Christmas Market. Each team had a Managing Director, came up with a team name and product idea, followed by a business and financial plan for how their business would run.
During the months leading up to the Christmas Market, they have been working hard behind the scenes, alongside lectures and project work, coming up with posters and sourcing materials to make their products. Once they had completed their business plans, they went head-to-head for the first time, competing for a £50 investment from Metro Bank.
This £50 would be a baseline cost to buy materials for their products and print posters and flyers. The pitch to Metro Bank was styled like Dragons Den, with the two teams outlining their business plans and financial forecasts to the Director and Manager of Metro Bank, Chris and Yani. When a winner couldn’t be picked, the judges agreed to invest £50 in both teams.
The teams worked closely with local businesses and business leaders, in particular Helen from Taste of Bath and Dave at Minuteman Press. Helen shared her knowledge of how to sell and grab people’s attention at The Christmas Market, as well as provide advice on their products and set up. Dave provided large posters, free of charge, to help their stall stand out.
Helen said, “It’s been wonderful to see the Bath College Business students grow in confidence over the months leading up to the Bath Christmas Market, and now all their hard work has paid off and they have had a successful two days of sales.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the process, and I’m glad that I’ve been able to help and offer advice on both their products and The Bath Christmas Market, well done Bath College Entrepreneurs!
Between the two teams they made a total of £697 over the two days, and each team will be donating 50% of their proceeds to Make a Wish and The Childrens Hospice South West.
Kate Knights, Business Lecturer who has led on this project, said, “Our BTEC Level 3 Business Students have been working tirelessly for the last three months in preparation for this event, doing everything from bidding for investment to market research to manufacturing the products themselves.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the hard work they’ve put in and it’s been great to see them reap the benefits and be quite so popular at the market”