At the start of the year, and with the help of deputy principal John Douglas, the students — Megan Park, Pagan Buchanan, Jacklyn Wakeham and Julienne Dacones — set out on the programme to discover and develop the skills needed to produce and market a product or service.
"We researched and brain-stormed ideas for what people want and what they would pay," Pagan said.
"We thought of bags or pet accessories but decided on scented candles because people do actually use them, and if you don’t it will last forever and still be useful."
The team pitched their idea over a Zoom call to the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber checked their projected numbers and the business plan direction and approved with feedback and the next steps.
"We contacted a friend, Mary Woodrow, who used to run a candle business," Jacklyn said.
"She put us in touch with suppliers for materials and showed us what to do and we eventually spent a whole school day making 24 large and 36 small, canned scented soy-wax candles."
The Brazilian Crush and white sandalwood and cedar scented candles are advertised on SOHS platforms and social media and the group hopes to make some profit as well as repay Mr Douglas’s business loan.
"A friend got me interested and it seems like a good thing to have on your CV," Megan said.
"I think learning all those steps from market research to organising team work, persuading people to believe in you and working to make sales is really useful."
