Page 58 - royal-times-14-15

Conkers Garden Goods

Conkers was formed in September 2014 and is comprised of Garden Goods is a Transition Year Mini Company group,
six members: Sophie Bell, Helen Wilson, Laura Graham, Conor consisting of five Transition Year pupils. These pupils are
O’Brien, Andrew Hall and Minami Hizume. The objective of the Michael Wilson, Killian Tubman, Paul Galligan, Conor Blaney and
company was to make an educational nature book for primary Adam Moorehead. This mini company business was set up to
school children. design, create and improve the accessories in everyday gardens.
Within the core team, each person was assigned a different This group started during the second week of September until
job: Sophie was Company Manager, Helen was responsible for this present day. It was voted by us 5 pupils that Michael Wilson
Marketing, Minami gathered necessary pictures for the book, would become the Managing Director of the business whilst
Laura was in charge of Production, assisted by Minami, Conor Killian Tubman was the vice managing director and Finance
and Andrew were each in charge of Purchases and Sales. Manager. Paul Galligan was voted Sales/Marketing Director,
After carefully researching printers in Cavan and adjacent areas, and Conor Blaney would be the Production Manager alongside
the company were able to secure a deal with McGinn’s Printers, Adam Moorehead.
Ballyjamesduff, who produced seventy books. We then set The reason why we chose to go down this road of business was
about selling them as quickly as possible, which we were able because we wanted to improve the everyday accessories in the
to do in the school’s craft fair and primary schools in the team’s garden and make them our own. For example, we created a bird
various localities. We also visited Primary Schools to promote house which contained a plastic, see through wall at the back
the book. which would allow the consumer to be able to see through the
The company devoted a lot of time to preparing for competitions, wall at the birds, which would be of interest to some people who
one of which took place on 4th March 2015, in the Slieve Russell have an interest in this. We also attached gritted felt on the roof
Hotel, where we unfortunately left empty-handed. We were of the house to make it more durable to wet, damp weather in
able to successfully qualify for the second competition, Junior the outdoors.
Achievement, which will be held on 24th March in Institute of Our company took part in a competition, which took place in the
Monaghan, a few weeks away as of this writing. Slieve Russell Hotel in Ballyconnell. This was a competition held
Overall, being involved in this Mini Company has been a very for the companies and schools all round Cavan. Unfortunately,
interesting, unique and exciting experience for our entire group we did not win anything on the day but taking part in this
and we are aiming to do well on March 24th and hopefully competition was a great experience for us all.
bring something back…

Conor O’Brien

58 The Royal Times 2014-2015