Page 30 - royal-times-16-17

TY MINI COMPANIES

proceeded to make the products in school along with the
help of our technology teacher Mr.Patterson. We made the
first batch of products ourselves but, we then found that it
would be more productive and faster if we outsourced to an
engineering company. The products were then produced by
Gilmore Engineering in Cootehill, Co Cavan.
We “Brack It” are a Mini Company in the Royal School
Cavan. Our team is made up of Mark Stewart, Adam Syed, We were very fortunate to be given the opportunity to sell
Colin Dugdale, Andrew McNally, Evan O’Connor and Stuart our products at Cavan Machinery Show, Cavan Mart and
Smyth. We have designed and created a convenient bracket Station Road Mart, Cootehill. We had a lot of sales at both
for fence reels. The idea was thought up by our managing the Machinery Show and the cattle marts. Our products can
director; Mark Stewart. We found that many farmers have also be purchased in Bunnoe Co-op and Tullyvin Co-Op. In
fence reels but none of them have a secure way of mounting March we attended the Student Enterprise Awards in the
it properly in their own yard, usually they just used a piece Slieve Russel Hotel.
of string. We found a gap in the market and this gave us the Throughout this highly successful mini company we learned
idea to produce these brackets. a great deal about the running of a business, how to market
The first step was to purchase the necessary materials such products and how to manage our finances. We learned how
as steel, paint and primer. These materials were obtained to work as a team and we think this was a great experience
by our purchasing manager Evan O’Connor. We then as part of Transition Year.

and saucers, which we bought in the charity
COSY CANDLES shops in Cavan. Various essential oils with
different scents and calming properties
In September 2017, we started our (such as “Ylang Ylang” and “Seasonal Joy”
Mini-Company Cosy Candles. Our team with cinnamon and orange mixed for
includes 5 members - Amy Keyes (Managing Christmas) were used when making the
Director), Maria Lynch (Sales and Marketing candles. Our candles are for decorative and

Manager), Cristina Oca (Finance Manager), relaxation use. We used a special wax called soya
Frances Bothwell (Purchasing Manager) and Kimmy Wong wax, this wax burns at a lower temperature meaning that
(Production Manager). We decided on the idea of making the cup wouldn’t crack and it can be reused to drink from
soya wax candles in vintage china teacups, jars and glasses. after the candle is burned. Our range of candles appeal to
consumers who are looking for a decorative product and
We started by ordering the products we needed for the
production of our candles. Everyone in the group took it also for those who want a relaxing ambience in their home.
in turns to bring home all the materials needed and make Each of our products are individually priced depending on the
the candles. However, that didn’t work well because of the ingredients used. The vintage china cups, including a saucer,
transporting of the fragile teacups; we were worried we cost €12; the jars, depending on their size are priced at €4 and
would break them. Instead we asked our Home Economics €5 while the wine glasses cost €4. In December we attended
teacher for permission to use the Home Economics room to the annual Christmas craft fair in The Backyard, Cavan and we
make the candles in school. also sold our products at our school Christmas craft fair.
We created a unique candle for the festive season and all We attended the Student Enterprise Competition in the
year round. Our candles have various scents and colours. Slieve Russell Hotel in March 2017. We enjoyed our time at
They are presented in both jars and little vintage cups the competition and we found the experience to be very

30 The Royal Times 2016-2017