Popping flowers business grows
CCHS student earns $500 for business proposition
CCHS sophomore Mariah Mckenzie earned $500 to help promote her business idea “Popping Flowers” — jewelry made from recycled soda cans in the shape of flowers. Along with earning $500 seed money, Mckenzie was also given $500 worth of NIACC course credits.
By Amie Johansen | amie@charlescitypress.com
Incoming Charles City High School sophomore Mariah Mckenzie recently earned $500 for her recycled, wearable business idea.
“‘Popping Flowers,’ where I make flowers out of old, recycled soda cans,” Mckenzie said.
The soda flowers are fashioned into magnets, necklaces, earrings, brooches, hair pins, hair ties and rings.
The money came as a sort of award for her success during a Youth Entrepreneurship Academy camp put on by North Iowa Area Community College.
“I was there for five days,” Mckenzie said. “Over the week we had a leader from Muscatine … (they) taught us the different aspects of business.”
According to Mckenzie, YEA camp attendees learned about advertising, marketing and finances.
“All of these went toward creating our business canvas,” she said.
The week prepared Mckenzie and her peers for their final presentations.
“After creating our business canvas throughout the week, we pitched to five entrepreneur judges,” she said.
Mckenzie was graded on her financial plan, advertising and marketing plans and her target audience. Those with the best business plans earned $500 “seed money” to be used toward expanding their business.
“My $500, I’m using it toward getting my web domain up and for my logo,” she said.
The idea to use soda can craft for her business idea was a natural one.
“I have been doing this before,” Mckenzie said. “In previous years, I have sold them at my uncle’s bank where the works, sold them to classmates — they have seen me with magnets in my locker — also sold them at the farmers’ market two years ago. So, I just had thought of bringing that idea.”
Thanks to her success at the YEA camp, Mckenzie is armed to further grow her Popping Flowers.
“I plan on promoting myself through my Facebook page (Popping Flowers) and using business cards and going to local events,” Mckenzie said.
Already on the docket is a plan to attend Art-a-Fest this coming August as part of the student booth.
— 20160630 —
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