This year, our Young Enterprise team, Alyra, were runners up in the Regional Finals, which took place at Buckingham University on Thursday 25th May 2023.
We have taken part in the Young Enterprise Scheme since 1989. The scheme gives students in Year 12 the opportunity to set-up and run a business and develop invaluable entrepreneurial and leadership skills. Through this project, Alyra were tasked to create, sell and market a product in school and the wider world, as well as evaluate and monitor success through a Business Plan and Company Report.
Our Young Enterprise team creates each product from start to finish. Whether its designing, producing or packaging, each stage of the process is done with love and care. Their first collection of 6 unique designs is available to purchase now – just head over to Alyra’s website or follow them on Twitter @alyra.ye.
Since our success in winning the overall award, as well as best report and presentation in the Oxfordshire County Finals, we have continued to go from strength to strength in branching out to local and national businesses to sell our jewellery. We have gained great publicity, through having our articles published and celebrity endorsement, all of which have aided us in gaining a wider audience for our products. – Annabel, Operations Director of ALYRA
From the Oxfordshire County Finals last month until now we have ramped up every aspect of our company to levels even we didn’t expect. We have made multiple international sales, secured 4 corporate deals, been featured in the Oxford Mail and Oxford Times and shouted out by influencers across the world. You can really tell that everyone’s put their all into preparing for Regionals; the energy and commitment have been through the roof. We attended the Regional competition today and are proud to say we got Runners Up. It was definitely tough competition, but we still had an amazing day out at Buckingham University and have gained so much from the Young Enterprise experience overall. We are now looking forward to running the company at our own pace, and then eventually closing down in a stress and deadline-free way! – Flora, Creative Director of ALYRA
Regional Finals
With being up against a range of other high-quality business models, Alyra did brilliantly to reach the Regional Finals, and become runners-up! Their handmade, unique and sustainable collections of jewellery, impressed the judges, as well as their corporate deals including 100 sets of earrings to India. They also had an outstanding social media presence and an impressive customer base, tracking sales to 20 countries.
Participating in the Young Enterprise programme has helped Alyra develop financial literacy, business acumen and a growth mindset, essential to becoming successful in all aspects of work and life. It has also offered important entrepreneurial opportunities. Congratulations to our team, we are really proud of everything you have achieved!
What a wonderful Young Enterprise team Alyra has become. They have transformed their business and are a focused and effective group who have achieved so much in the last few weeks in particular. Their report, interview and presentation were outstanding at the regional of the Young Enterprise competition held at Buckingham University. We could not be more proud of their amazing success this year. – Mr Gallacher, Head of Economics, Government and Politics