Six female enterprise students at Treviglas Community College went before a panel of “dragons” last week to pitch their ideas for a prospective business and to help promote female entrepreneurship in the UK.

The year 12 students pitched their business plans before an all-female panel of prominent businesswomen from the local community in an effort to gain constructive advice for their final business projects. The event was organised by the Treviglas Business Academy and the Cornwall Enterprising Women Network.

To make the learning day even more authentic, the college’s drama studio was transformed into a mock television set resembling the hit BBC series about would-be entrepreneurs. The event was also filmed for the college’s business web site, adding even further resemblance to the actual show.

The day began with a warm-up session about successful body language and stage presence led by the college’s drama department. From there, the students were each given 25 minutes to dazzle the panel with their proposals. The pitches included Kim Hoyle’s idea for a babysitting agency as well as Leah Byrne and Sophie Clinton’s proposal for a jewellery and gift card company. The final pitch delivered by Lucy Cocks, Rachel Boyd and Lucy Roseveare was for a company selling scented accessories such as decorative candles and bracelets.

Each pitch was presented to the “dragons” panel comprised of business consultant Helen Cobley; Mandy Davies, director of Duck Soup Co.; Rhonda Gardiner, director of Excess Energy Communications; Charlotte True and Matilda Kowiecka of the University of Plymouth and Treviglas’ own business teacher Laura Whittington and head teacher Karen Ross. After each of the proposals, the students were given advice on what worked about their ideas and what needed further development. The most common feedback included tips on advertising, target markets and presenting skills.

Despite being nervous, the students found the day to be an enlightening experience in the end.

“I prepared a lot for my presentation,” said Kim Hoyle, year 12. “But I walked away with a lot of things to think about for my final business plan.”

“It was really confidence building,” added Sophie Clinton, also year 12. “The tips on confident presenting skills were really useful.”

The “dragons” also agreed that the day was a positive one.

“I think it was quite confidence building for them,” said panellist Rhona Gardiner, director of Excess Energy Communications. “It’s great preparation for the business world and helps them develop skills that they’re going to use throughout their entire careers.”

“It’s a great rehearsal for things to come,” added fellow panellist Charlotte True, business lecturer at the University of Plymouth. “It was encouraging to see young women with so much enterprise. I was very impressed with the calibre of ideas which were presented here today.”

For more information about the Treviglas Business Academy, visit www.business.treviglas.net.

For more information about the Cornwall Enterprising Women Network, visit www.cornwall.enterprising-women.org

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