Introducing the 2022 Teens in Business Awards Finalists!
Firstly we want to thank all of you who entered or nominated someone for, the Teens in Business Awards this year. We were blown away by the entries we received and are so inspired by what young people, educators and mentors like you are doing to shape the future.
We are also immensely proud to announce the finalists of the Teens in Business Awards for 2022 below. We were blown away by the calibre and diversity of ideas and entrants this year and were inspired by the stories shared by young people.
To find out who the winners are, and to see the finalists pitching their ideas, don’t forget to register for the Teens in Business Awards at Sparkfest!
Check out and follow us on Instagram to find out more about the finalists listed below!
Teenpreneur of the Year
Rennie's Leather Works: Rennie's Leather Works aims to address the lack of locally-made, high-quality, handmade goods in Tennant Creek, by producing artisanal leather accessories. The amazing designs include wallets, belts, pouches and various other handmade leather pieces. Rennie's leather works also aim to showcase the Indigenous culture of the Tennant Creek community through their designs.
Robinson & Takkalapalli Carbon Credit Consultancy by Sohan and Hugh: RTCCC aims to contribute to the fight against global warming and climate change. Through their carbon credit consultancy business, they aim to not only reduce agricultural emissions, but to work towards net 0 emissions through "global cooling". With agricultural and carbon crediting connections, RTCCC implement carbon sequestration procedures to better help the planet, and capitalise on a greener future.
Rusty Recycle Art by Luke: Rusty Recycle Art was created to help slow down the amount of metal waste going into landfill... and already successfully saving over 5 tonne of metal! Using rusty recycled materials collected from friends, family and farms; Luke collects anything and everything to repurpose into one- of-a-kind, amazing garden sculptures.
The Turtle Tribe by Ned: The Turtle Tribe has one mission...to save the oceans through reducing plastic pollution. By selling plastic-free items including floss, lip balm and toothpaste tablets on their website, and even selling their children's book, "Say NO to plastic" - Ned has been able to support partner charities, supply products to numerous healthcare facilities, and has become one of largest suppliers of bamboo toothbrushes in Australia.
JC Designs by Heidi: JC Designs is a beautiful handmade jewellery and accessory brand from rural NSW. Not only selling beautiful accessories, but also acting as an advocate for young people to make their dreams a reality too. Heidi has been able to encourage other teenagers running small businesses, through her active local & social media presence.
Meritz by Princess, Kacey and Abigail: Meritz/Exciting Adventures is an award system founded by Princess, Kacey & Abigail in their school, to help improve the behaviour of students. Through their app, merit points function as a currency which students can use to buy to prizes, or rewards. This allows students to have control of their rewards, which lead to an improvement of behaviour due to the fact they can only earn merit points by following school expectations and rules.
Tweenpreneur of the Year
Care Co Creations by Indigo and Jali: Care Co Creations aims to encourage individuals in their local area, and the wider community, to take Climate Action; by bringing awareness and attention to the impact of climate change. Care Co Creations, sells homemade meringues and bath bombs, with all of their profits go towards their climate action initiative.
Josie's Jewels by Josie: Josie's Jewels aims to create beautiful eye-catching jewellery pieces for teachers, that act as great conversation starters. Josie has found a passion for hand-making a broad range of designs, to help build relationships between students and teachers by selling at markets, through her website and on her social media pages!
Maths Champs by Alexandra: Maths Champs aim to give every child access to maths improvement tools, by producing maths enrichment booklets. Distributing printed booklets in Perth & South West Rocks, and electronically to over 40 schools. Alexandra has also recently started a website, allowing anyone to download or print her Maths Champs books!
Sweet Tooth Marshmallows by Patrick: Sweet Tooth Marshmallows aims to give more variation to the standard pink and white marshmallows in supermarkets. Patrick has developed his own recipe of chocolate flavoured marshmallows. From choc-orange to lamington, his marshmallows have been very popular at local markets. Patrick's goal is to increase manufacturing and soon sell to cafes and supermarkets.
Cinnamon Cove Swimwear by Olivia and Myla: Cinnamon Cove Swimwear's aim is to create age appropriate, stylish, sustainable and practical swimsuits that support young tweens' active lifestyles, and respect for the planet. Olivia & Myla's swimsuits are sustainably made from a fabric called Econyl - Which is created from upcycled fishing nets that have been illegally dumped in the ocean.
Intrapreneur of the Year
Rehanth at Loyal Partners: Loyal Partners aims to solve the issue of finding good quality accomodation in Sydney for immigrants/tourists. Through successful website and social media marketing and innovation, Rehanth has been increasing companies online influence. Allowing them to ensure future growth and stability for the business, as well as to create a greater competitive advantage.
Christopher at Dear Earth: Dear Earth's solution is to raise awareness for issues like sustainability, pollution, global warming and apocalypse, and social issues like social divide and racism. Christopher aims to raise awareness for these issues by designing and building a video game, using the Unity game engine. The game will prompt thought from the player and hopefully lead them to taking action in real life, or even raising awareness themselves.
Alysha at Malkarri Cultural Centre: Malkarri Cultural Centre Limited Pty Ltd is a not-for-profit Australian First Nations organisation, focused on preserving and continuing Kalkutungu Culture, through language, song, dance, art and cultural practice. Malkarri helps customers meet their cultural engagement objectives by providing services such as, Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies.
Seb at Thredbo Resort: Execute skiing is an Instagram entertainment and highlight page, posting engaging skiing highlight content. Execute Skiing has gained over 19.9K followers on Instagram, and wants to help other small businesses, share the knowledge of TikTok and Reels to harness the massive benefits of social media.
Lotte and Karni at Heathfield High School: Student Agency aim to create an interactive presentation and mini-documentary to re-educate the educators teaching, creating and leading classes and programs on student agency. With various interactive elements, Student Agency aim to force the audience to reflect on themselves and their teaching, reflect on others' answers, make connections between ideas, thoughts and feelings and think outside the box for implementable solutions.
Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year
Marli Marli by Tinaysha: Marli Marli's mission is to relieve stress, and to keep peoples minds off issues going on in their lives, by encouraging young people to be more involved in things. Tinaysha has started selling hand-made earrings at her school, and now wants to create art workshops that help with stress relief; and give young women ways of dealing with their problems that create good mental health.
Ngarinman Didgeridoo Camp by Max and Robin: The problem Ngarinman Digeridoo camp aims to solve is antisocial behaviours affecting men in their community. Their idea of a didgeridoo making camp on country is a good way to teach young men and boys about how to have healthy relationships, connect with Elders and spend time in the bush connecting with culture.
Mardlaapa Desigsn by Temaana: Through art and clothing, Mardlaapa Designs aims to share Aboriginal culture and enable allies. Temaana hopes to educate people about Aboriginal culture and contemporary issues, raise awareness and develop positive attitudes about Aboriginal Australia. Featuring in 9 art exhibitions around SA and conducting art workshops in schools, Temaana hopes to inspire anyone to start their own business.
Choo-Choo Designs by Kira: Choo-Choo Designs was created following the lack of employment opportunities after the Lismore flood disaster. Combining a love of designs and sewing with a need for employment, Kira's products incorporate First Nation print fabrics into contemporary, practical accessories such as handbags, totes, zip pouches and earrings.
TM Fades by Tyrell: TM Fades' mission is to provide a safe and inclusive space for cool haircuts in Tennant Creek- Specialising in Fades! Tyrell wishes to start a mobile haircut service that young people in Tennant Creek like and feel comfortable with. Tyrell taught himself how to cut hair by watching Youtube and TikTok, and has already established a firm customer base.
Custodians of the Sea by Lilliarna, Emily, Amarlie, Eathin and Kevin: Custodians of the Sea helps protect our ocean and waters in their local area through educating younger generations. Part of a large team of indigenous entrepreneurs, their solution is to also ensure that people in our community are aware of the indigenous culture and the work that First nations people do in the environment to protect our turtles and the land that they live upon.
Most Impactful Entrepreneur of the Year
Sustainable Succulents by Amelie and Janke: Sustainable Succulents, aims to help the fight against climate change through selling succulents in upcycled pots that would have otherwise ended up in landfill. Amelie & Janke want to encourage the community to take action against climate change and are passionate about raising awareness. To continue helping the environment, Sustainable Succulents donate 100% of profits to charities that support those in need.
SOS by Phoebe: SOS attempts to address the negative impacts of single-use plastics in stadiums, outdoor arenas and sporting events. SOS uses offcuts of fabrics made from natural fibres to produce ponchos, bags, boot bags and mats that are long-lasting and hard wearing. Phoebe also aims to educate people on the impacts of waste, and to get people to consciously think about other ways they can reduce their plastic consumption and plastic waste.
The Turtle Tribe by Ned: The Turtle Tribe has one mission...to save the oceans through reducing plastic pollution. By selling plastic-free items including floss, lip balm and toothpaste tablets on their website, and even selling their children's book, "Say NO to plastic" - Ned has been able to support partner charities, supply products to numerous healthcare facilities, and has become one of largest suppliers of bamboo toothbrushes in Australia.
Magnif ECO by Jade, Emily and Vincy: Magnif Eco's aim is to solve the problem of single-use products/plastics and their impact on the natural environment. Jade, Emily and Vincy work to provide eco-friendly and sustainable hampers that incorporate reusable tableware, cutlery and shopping products. Everything in their hampers is reusable or recyclable. Magnif Eco also donate 50% of our profits to Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors to support their mission of wildlife conservation.
ReachOut by Jessica: Reach Out seeks to provide today's teens with job opportunities catered directly to their demographic, by connecting them with organisations run strictly by youth. ReachOut is currently used on both the Apple App Store and Google Play in over 9 countries by teenagers without immediate areas of service and growth. As a result of accessible opportunities, 1000+ applications have been sent to youth-led movements.
Empathetic Entrepreneur of the Year
Kiana Mei Designs by Kiana: Kiana Mai Designs makes beautiful artwork out of origami.Inspired by the Japanese tradition of origami skill and detail, Kiana wants to allow her art to make more of a difference, by giving back to her chosen charity, The Butterfly Foundation. She hopes to support young Australians who have been affected by eating disorders and body image issues through her art.
Kids of Purple by Ruby, Alice, Millie and Seth: Kids of Purple are helping solve the gap in support for youth struggling during or after exposure to domestic violence. Kids of Purple, will provide youth who have experienced domestic violence the opportunity to seek advice without judgement, access resources for help and most importantly, receive the validation that their emotions should never go unnoticed.
Reborn by Louie: Reborn provides a sustainable solution that will revolutionise culture as we see it and how humanity will deal with grief. Reborn's innovative process extracts pure carbon from cremated ashes of your loved ones, carefully placing it in a heated, pressurised lab environment that turns them into diamonds of any shape or form from blue to pink to yellow to rings to even a necklace that you can wear and will last forever!
Eyes Locked by Nicola: Eyes Locked is a work in progress novelthat creates an escape for people from reality. Many young people experience anxiety, and reading is a great way to escape your life and live in someone else's world. It is also a great way to empower and build creativity in the minds of people. Young author Nicola is writing "Eyes locked" to help better understand the problem of getting stuck in your stress, anxiety, and reality.
Pivoting Pioneer of the Year
Askew Designs by April: Askew was created from gap in the market that lacked quality jewellery, that was consciously and ethically made. Cleverly, April began using stainless steel, to create one-of-a-kind up-cycled cutlery rings. By using stainless steel, April is able to make durable, sustainably sourced pieces of jewellery for her customers; from materials that otherwise would've ended up in landfill.
Kiana Mei Designs by Kiana: Kiana Mai Designs makes beautiful artwork out of origami. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of origami skill and detail, Kiana wants to allow her art to make more of a difference, by giving back to her chosen charity, The Butterfly Foundation. She hopes to pivot the direction of her business, and start to support young Australians who have been affected by eating disorders and body image issues through her art.
Robinson & Takkalapalli Carbon Credit Consultancy by Sohan and Hugh: RTCCC aims to contribute to the fight against global warming and climate change. Through their carbon credit consultancy business, they aim to not only reduce agricultural emissions, but to work towards net 0 emissions through "global cooling". With agricultural and carbon crediting connections, RTCCC implement carbon sequestration procedures to better help the planet, and capitalise on a greener future.
Nicola - Author: Eyes Locked is a work in progress novelthat creates an escape for people from reality. Many young people experience anxiety, and reading is a great way to escape your life and live in someone else's world. It is also a great way to empower and build creativity in the minds of people. Young author Nicola has changed her writing style, from fantasy to romance, and is writing her second book, "Eyes locked".
Entrepreneurial Educator of the Year
Kim Flintoff from Peter Carnley ACS: Kim Flintoff is K-12 TIDES Coordinator at PCACS. TIDES emphasises interdisciplinary, cross-curricular, collaborative, and community-linked learning experiences to foster increased learner engagement, development, and autonomy through the frames of Technology Innovation Design Enterprise Sustainability. He is also involved in many other development programs such as, STEM4INNOVATION and ShapingEDU.
Nicole Amey from Kepnock State High School: Nicole Amey is an outstanding entrepreneurial educator who drives innovation for youths at Kepnock State High School. She proactively undertakes a role as entrepreneurial educator to deliver programmes that are through extra-curricular or aligned with the Humanities curriculum. Nicole collaborates with teaching colleagues to build capacity of educators that impacts on youth and educator engagement.
Greg Wacker from Canterbury College: Greg has championed a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at Canterbury College. Greg founded the Hephaestus Entrepreneur Society which seeks to educate, inspire and grow entrepreneurial interest by providing students with a foundation for experimental learning in a collaborative and supportive environment. This program gives students the opportunity to participate in a range of entrepreneurial programs and activities.
Jess Magarey from Mount Gambier High School:
Jess embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, one has been the champion of entrepreneurial education at Mount Gambier High School. She has supported, guided and mentored a number of staff in improving their craft in the classroom to ensure the best opportunities are given to our young people. Jess has carefully created, mapped and embedded an entrepreneurial program, that immerses all students at Mount Gambier High School.
Tina Barnes from Park Ridge State High School: Tina Barnes is the HOD of Humanities and Business at Park Ridge State High School and the chair of the ENABLE network business and entrepreneurship stream. The ENABLE network is a collaborative partnership between 14 public high schools in the Logan and Scenic Rim Local Government Area. Tina goes above and beyond the regular duties of her HOD & teaching role at Park Ridge and actively seeks to raise the entrepreneurial capability of teachers.