LAC LA BICHE – The public was given the opportunity to browse and purchase products created by young entrepreneurs from the Lac La Biche area during an entrepreneur fair that took place at the Lac La Biche’s Bold Centre on May 8.
Products ranged from paintings to sculptures, ribbon skirts, jewelry, artwork, wood crafted products and even some homemade sweets.
Charissa Delaire, an assistant principal at JA Williams (JAWS) High School, said many students from Grade 9 to 12 were vendors at the entrepreneur fair, along with students from other schools in the area.
“The students’ union is hosting [the market] to give students an opportunity to learn about the beginnings of business,” Delaire told Lakeland This Week.
According to Delaire, student vendors priced their items based on their time and the cost of materials used to make the products.
“The students are responsible to conduct business,” Delaire said, explaining that this includes taking payment and providing change for customers, and welcoming people to their tables.
The student entrepreneurs had a helping hand from teachers as they created their products in preparation for the event.
Shop and art teachers showed kids how to make products such as picnic tables, as well as how to use their crafting skills for sculpting and painting.
Those who were in the market to buy locally made shirts could stop at the table operated by Winter Oberg.
Oberg is a Grade 11 student at JAWS and had Lino printed t-shirts. The t-shirts were created using a relief printing technique called linocut.
Oberg explained that the process of making a Lino printed shirt involves taking a piece of Lino and carving out a design. After this is done, ink is added and pressed onto a shirt.
“Young people have a lot of good ideas, but sometimes they’re not heard, or shown . . . It’s a good idea for them to get their ideas out there and prove that they can do things for themselves and for others,” she stated.
Grade 9 student Gabby Mosley was also offering handmade items for sale.
“I am selling homemade bracelets and crocheted stuffed animals,” she said, with a smile.
Learning entrepreneurial skills, according to Mosley, is helpful as young people prepare for future jobs and careers.
“It helps us learn how to communicate with people . . . and be able to actively have conversations in the workplace,” she stated.
High schooler Ian Knechtel, who has a company called Knechtel 3D Prints, was promoting his 3D printed creations.
“Everything in our company is 3D printed, and we can also take custom orders,” Knechtel said.
Sitting on a nearby table were various 3D printed figures. The company, he explained, makes quite a few of these types of figures.
The entrepreneurial fair, Knechtel said, is good experience for students. For students who are interested in starting a business, they can learn what that is like, he said.
