Business is booming at NEWI

25 April 2006

Students from NEWI in Wrexham have been successfully running their own businesses for the last year through the Graduate Young Enterprise scheme.  The scheme is offered to students in the Wrexham Business School on the BA (Hons) Business Management degree as an optional module and is popular with those interested in starting their own business.

Three different companies have been created this year; NEWI Mag which produced a magazine for NEWI students, Tatawa, a party organisation company and MacLm a company producing T-Shirts featuring a special design commissioned from a student at the North Wales School of Art and Design.  

Alex Wright, Young Enterprise Co-Ordinator was impressed by the progress the students made.  He said, “The students had never done anything like this before, some of those involved were overseas students and for them the language barrier could have been an issue but they have all done remarkably well.  The three companies are on track to make decent profits but what the students have really gained from all of this is the experience.” 

All of the companies carried out market research amongst the student population of Wrexham.
The groups networked extensively to ensure people were aware of the events and products, enlisting help and support from local business people and fellow students. 

The company, Tatawa organised a themed club night at Wrexham’s Central Station.  Alex said, “They took a big risk investing money up front for the hire of the venue, but it paid off.  What really impressed me was the list of sponsors they acquired.”  Big name sponsors who provided prizes to be given away on the night included Pizza Hut, the Odeon, Total Fitness and Fitness First.
 
Sandra King, Business Degree Programme Leader, is thrilled with the performance of the students, “They have all worked tremendously hard.  I don’t think they realised when they embarked on this just how much hard work was involved!  The Young Enterprise scheme is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain an insight into the highs and lows of running a business, and it allows them to really put the theory into practice.”