Waikato’s reputation as an entrepreneurial greenhouse was on full display at the Young Enterprise Scheme in Hamilton. Four Year 13 students told senior writer Mary Anne Gill how they came up with their award-winning product.
A shoe-in victory – from left Sacred Heart teacher Salomé Gilbert with students Lucy Cowie, Georgia Kendrick, Milla Rusbridge and Tamsin Autridge. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Lucy Cowie, Georgia Kendrick, Tamsin Autridge and Milla Rusbridge nervously watched as one team after another claimed awards for their original businesses at the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) regional final.
The Hamilton Sacred Heart Girls’ College Year 13 students had pitched their creation – Strap ‘n’ Stroll, a $20 detachable, adjustable back strap that transforms students’ favoured slip-on Birkenstocks (Birks) into school-approved footwear.
Sacred Heart students, right, react with shock as they are announced as winners at the YES Regional awards in Hamilton. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
They were up against fierce competition from across the region, including EcoSuds and Platter Perfection from Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, CycleSis from Tokoroa High School, and Re-Leashed and Aromaglo from Hauraki Plains College.
Their business teacher, Salomé Gilbert – originally from France – beamed with pride as Strap ‘n’ Stroll clinched the innovation category and then took out the overall top honours at the Smart Waikato-managed YES awards, held at Wintec’s Bill Gallagher Centre.
A key contributor to their success? Tamsin’s grandmother, Margaret Grant from Chartwell who stitched Velcro straps onto the back of the Birks – popular among students but banned by school rules for being strapless.
Her handiwork turned 30 pairs into sellable prototypes, despite breaking a few needles along the way.
“It’s such a unique idea and the girls worked so hard,” she said.
A close-up of the Strap ‘n’ Stroll prototype during the pitch.
During the pitch, from left Tamsin Autridge, Milla Rusbridge, Lucy Cowie and Georgia Kendrick. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Judge Jo Mackie from the Employers and Manufacturers Organisation praised the product’s simplicity and ingenuity.
“So amazing and so simple, it’s just nuts.”
The team now heads to Wellington to represent Waikato in the Lion Foundation YES national final, competing against 22 other regional winners. With over $20,000 in prizes, scholarships, and national recognition at stake, the opportunity is immense.
Second was Tokoroa High School’s Cycle Sis, period starter kits for female students designed to help them feel prepared and confident during their first period or to assist in emergencies.
The team included student Rutendo Shadaya – named in August one of Time Magazine’s Top 10 girls of the year for her children’s fantasy books. Also in the team were Montez Tipene, Piwa Change and Teura Taiki.
The kits – containing two pa
Second-placed Tokoroa High School’s Cycle Sis company were from left: Teura Taiki, Rutendo Shadaya – named in August as one of Time Magazine’s Top 10 girls of the year for her children’s fantasy books – Montez Tipene and Piwa Change. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
ds, two liners, two tampons, four pimple patches and one guidebook – sold for $12.99 and helped break the stigma around periods.
Other products which showed the creativity that got the teams to the regional finals were dissolvable hand soaps, wooden platters, dog leashes made out of silage wrap and handmade aroma glo bracelets.
YES offers students a hands-on experience in entrepreneurship. Participants learn about product development, marketing, financials, and business operations, gaining skills that prepare them for life beyond school.
Georgia shared that the idea stemmed from TikTok, where similar shoes were trending but unavailable for purchase. The team opted for leather straps to match school-approved footwear, solving a problem many students faced.
“We all wanted to wear our Birks to school,” said Georgie. “We’re like, we can wear them this way and not get told off.”
Tamsin had already been reprimanded for wearing hers.
“Nana’s got a really fancy sewing machine and she was showing me how she makes things. I was like, ‘I could never do that.’”
Margaret recalled the first attempt: “They’d had a go at putting Velcro on. It was a mess.”
Students loved the shoes. The girls had identified a gap in the market.
Reflecting on their win, the team acknowledged the need to improve their pitch and overcome nerves.
“If we get more excited about the opportunity, we’ll be able to present it better,” said Georgia.
Hauraki Plains College Year 13 students’ company Re-Leashed converted silage wrap to dog leashes. From left Olivia Cammell, Kayla Geaney, Rugby Green, Alyssia Cochran, Poppie Balm and Natara Cochran. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Judges Mackie, Jenny MacGregor, Priscilla Davis-Ngatai and Suria O’Brien commended all teams for addressing innovation, sustainability, financials, and marketing. The YES programme challenges students through validation, pitching, promotion and sales, and an annual review. It’s offered as a timetabled course or extracurricular activity and aligns with Business Studies Achievement Standards at Levels 2 and 3.
With Wellington on the horizon, the Sacred Heart team is ready to take their entrepreneurial journey to the next level.
Wintec’s Priscilla Davis-Ngatai introduces herself while fellow judges watch on, from left Jo Mackie, Jenny MacGregor and Suria O’Brien. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
National YES head Ian Mussson – a.k.a. chief student wrangler – said it was now up to everyone from Waikato to provide wrap around support for the Sacred Heart team.
Category award winners.
Financial management: Platter Perfection (Waikato Diocesan School for Girls); best social enterprise: Mind Thread (Tokoroa High School), excellence in production: EcoSuds (Waikato Diocesan), best annual review and excellence in agricultural sustainability: Re-Leashed (Hauraki Plains College), best service business: Revive and Ride (Ngāruawāhia High School), best Pasifika business: Cycle Sis (Tokoroa HS), sales and marketing: Aromaglo (Hauraki Plains), innovation: Strap ‘n’ Stroll (Sacred Heart).
