YouthBiz winners showcase entrepreneurial spirit in southeast Saskatchewan – DiscoverWeyburn.com

The 2024 YouthBiz competition has wrapped up, with students from across southeast Saskatchewan being recognized for their innovative business ideas, financial literacy skills, and digital creativity. This year’s contest awarded $3,800 in prizes to young entrepreneurs, with winners spanning a range of industries from handmade crafts to high-end car sales.

The competition, now in its 18th year, is open to students in grades 6 through 12 from traditional schools, home schools, and alternative programs. This year, 279 students from 14 educational programs across 11 communities participated, bringing fresh and unique business ideas to the table.

Andria Brady, Executive Director of Community Futures (CF) Sunrise, said the diversity of ideas this year was impressive.

“Sometimes we see more traditional business concepts like bakeries or crafting, but this year there were some really unique ones,” Brady said. “There was a vet clinic, a high-end car dealership—which I don’t think we’ve ever seen before—and even a camp for mechanical engineering.”

Over the years, the competition has evolved to become more digital, reflecting changes in the business world. While students used to submit detailed financial statements, Brady said the competition has shifted to a more research-based approach.

“We don’t have them complete an actual Excel sheet anymore with an income statement, partly because a lot of students don’t seem to be learning that in school anymore,” she said. “Instead, we ask questions about the finances to see how much research they do.”

Beyond business planning, YouthBiz helps students develop important skills.

“For some, it really gives them an idea of whether running a business is something they’d be interested in,” Brady said. “And for others, they realize it’s a lot more work than they thought.”

Brady is optimistic about the future of entrepreneurship in southeast Saskatchewan, as more students turn their ideas into real businesses.

“We’re seeing a lot more students actually running small businesses, even if it’s just in the summer months,” she said. “That entrepreneurial spirit is definitely there, and many are learning from their parents, who are business owners themselves.”

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YouthBiz 2024 Winners

Grades 6 – 8

1st place: Tanner’s Chicken Barn – Tanner, Weyburn

2nd place: Cozy Craze – Caylee & Sara, Carievale

3rd place: Tumbling Time – McKenna, Redvers

Grades 9 – 12

1st place: Busybee Teez – Rory, Moosomin

Special Awards

Blueprint for Excellence Award: Pet Parade – Landry & Tamryn, Carnduff

Excellence in Enterprise Award: Kipton’s Worm Farm – Kipton, Weyburn

Digital Innovator Award: Camp Wires – Nova & Nola, Weyburn

The Next Big Thing Award: Summer Skills Camp – Mackenzie, Carievale

Dare to Dream Award: 24-7 Vet Clinic – Asha & Penelope, Radville; Laporshe – Nixon & Lincoln, Carnduff

Profit Dynamo Award: Twenty-Twelve Fits – Vanessa & Emma, Carievale

Since its inception, YouthBiz has introduced more than 4,000 young people in the region to the world of small business, helping inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

With participants as young as Grade 6, Brady said she is continually impressed by the talent and creativity on display.

“It’s really impressive to see so many younger students getting involved,” she said. “I think the future of entrepreneurship in southeast Saskatchewan is alive and strong.”