The Young Enterprise Awards

Over 250 pupils represented their schools at the glittering event in a range of different awards, including marketing, innovation and social enterprise awards.

Each award category had six regional winners, which means Mary is now competing against five other entrants for the Young Enterprise ‘Northern Ireland Entrepreneur of the Future 2014’ title.

Currently studying for A Levels at Lisneal, one of which, naturally enough, is business studies, it was as one of the demands of the business studies curriculum that made it necessary to enter the Young Enterprise Company Programme. It was a challenge that Mary rose to with finesse. It meant a group of students had to get together to set up and run their very own enterprise, coming up with a business idea, setting out a plan and gathering shares to raise capital, which they then had to invest in their product, in this case personalised travel mugs and cups, which they had to sell on, hopefully making a profit along the way. Out of the profit the young company had to pay tax to Young Enterprise.

According to her teachers, Mary played a very active role in the company, involving herself in many roles, however, her main function was as the company’s ‘finance director’. Mary displayed her entrepreneurial flair by selling the travel mugs to a number of businesses, even some as far away as Cork, and in doing so showed she had a flair for negotiation, allowing her to get the best price for the products. The young business woman also excelled in marketing the product to potential customers and it was for these activities and for her sales tally that Mary won the title of ‘best salesperson’ at the trade fair in Foyleside shopping centre in January. It was no mean feat given that she was pitched against stiff opposition from 13 other schools.

The Young Enterprise ethos is ‘Learning By Doing’ and Mary has definitely displayed the ethos in everything she has been involved with through the company.

Reflecting on her success and her association with the Young Enterprise programme, she said: “I found the process quite difficult but receiving repeat orders and getting customer satisfaction made the process worthwhile, as well as working out your profit made.

“The Company Programme was very rewarding and really enjoyed the whole process and would, without doubt, do it again,” she said.

Commending the pupil on her success, Lisneal principal, David Funston said the College had a history of success at regional and Northern Ireland level: “I am delighted that once again this year we are celebrating success and I am so pleased for Mary in achieving this prestigious award at the Young Enterprise Gala celebration at Titanic Belfast.”