Last week, over three thousand DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) students from high schools across Ontario participated in the 34th annual DECA Provincial Competition at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Toronto. A team of bright young women from Scarlett Heights Entrepreneurial Academy walked away with a second place finish. The team members Amran Hassan, 17, Ikran Egal, 17, and Hafsa Isse 18, are now bound for the DECA’s International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, California in late April.
DECA is an organization that prepares emerging young leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools across North America and internationally. It provides hands-on experience in the world of business including leadership training, business skills workshops and competition experience.
“We participated in The Entrepreneurship Written Event,” said Hassan, “this involves the creation of a 30-page business proposal to start a new business. The proposal includes a risk-analysis, an analysis of the business/market segment situation, a detailed business operational proposal and financing plans.”
The team put forward a business plan to sell a line of jewellery, made from recycled material called Styleelyts, which they designed, produced, marketed and sold all on their own.
Principal Rizwana Jafri who accompanied the winning team to the provincial competition said, “Watching the Scarlett team present their idea to the panel of judges was amazing. They exemplified all the qualities of young entrepreneurs and future leaders.”
Congratulations to Hafsa, Ikran and Amran and best of luck in California!