BiG Challenge 2018 off to a brilliant start

Budding entrepreneurs in Year 9 have had a brilliant start to the Sheffield BiG Challenge competition, debuting their own businesses at the BiG Challenge fair and selling their unique, handmade products to the masses. This year, the trend is leaning towards finding creative ways to recycle old items, get artistic and relax, with companies like ‘The Blush Room’ making body scrubs and lip balms, ‘Page Turners’ upcycling old books into adorable hedgehog ornaments, and ‘Geomuttric’ who are selling handmade geometric art to pet lovers.

The BiG challenge runs from September to February and encourages young people to be responsible and think outside the box, creating and selling a product of choice in groups of up to 8 starting with just £25. Within the time frame, the objective is to make as much profit as possible by employing teamwork, innovation and entrepreneurship, which the team can keep or donate to a charity of choice. The stakes are high - teams compete for a once-in-a-lifetime mystery trip.

This year’s competitors are hoping to follow in the footsteps of BiG Challenge winners two years ago, Sheffield Girls’ group ‘The Letter Studio’. Leah, Alia and Harriet who are now in Year 11 produced and sold gifts made from scrabble pieces, making history by having the first BiG Challenge international sale to Australia and ultimately winning an all-expenses-paid trip to Amsterdam.

Just a couple of the many businesses on the path to success this year are ‘All That Glitters’ run by Olivia and Oluchi and ‘Aurora Crafts’ by Gabby and Sarah. ‘All That Glitters’ is standing out with their quirky gift idea of collectible hand sanitiser, all with different scents. 20% of profits are being given to Marie Curie, and profits are set to spike as hand creams are also coming soon. ‘Aurora Crafts’ are making trinket boxes and frames with a twist using upcycled CDs to link with the National Autism Society - the CDs create dramatic visual stimulation to calm children with sensory issues.

For anyone who missed the debut of the groups, the girls are preparing to make more sales with new products on show around Christmas.