Algonquin’s AC Market #SellIt event offered three groups of student entrepreneurs the chance to market their products to the masses in the Commons on March 26.
Nikita Chrenowski and Randy Diyoumah represented their company Scaldarsi. Both are in their third year of international business at Algonquin, and were selling heated insoles.
Scaldarsi created their own products while Joel Eastmond, a second-year business management and entrepreneurship student took a different approach. Eastmond outsourced a variety of phone and iPad accessories from countries such as China.
He also said that the profit wasn’t his only benefit.
“My benefit is what I’ve learned today,” said Eastmond. He also stated that the program has helped improve his people skills and selling skills.
Sam Turgeon-Brabazon, representing Sam’s Sprouts, was the only non-Algonquin student in attendance; the 17-year-old is a student at Mother Teresa High School. Turgeon-Brabazon sells what he calls beginning, middle, and end kits for urban gardening. This includes organic alfalfa seeds, the supplies you will require and a jar to grow them in.
“The only thing you need is water and sunlight,” said Turgeon-Brabazon.
He also used the day as a learning experience, not only about business but about post-secondary life.
“Right from when we pulled up, I knew today was going to be a good day,” said Turgeon-Brabazon.
He also added that being able to meet professors and learn about programs was a valuable experience.
Ten per cent of all profits will be donated to Plant Some Roots, an Algonquin College Endowment Fund assisting students with bursaries and scholarships.
Upcoming AC Market #SellIt events will take place on April 8 and 9, and will consist of a caterer, a first aid training program, and much more.