Alderley Edge girls win Dragon’s Den contest for innovation | Knutsford Guardian

Pupils at Alderley Edge School Girls won the Most Innovative Product at Manchester Airport Community Network’s Dragons’ Den Enterprise Competition 2022 this week.

Students at schools across Cheshire and Greater Manchester were challenged to develop a business model.

Youngsters had to bid for a start-up loan of £200 to buy materials and then manufacture, market and sell their products to the local community.

Year 10 pupils Holly Bentham, Jenna Malik, Emily Ferrada Preisman, Alana Goodwin, Adina Malik successfully pitched to the dragons and received £200 investment.

The schoolgirls launched their business, She Sells Self Care Packages, which included a refreshing face mask, soothing bath salts, scented hand cream, a bath bomb and pastel pink scrunchie.

Students sold products to pupils and parents at various events and at school, with 100 per cent of the profits going to Francis House Hospice.

The girls made a presentation of their experience of running their own business to a panel of dragons at Manchester Airport.

They were inspired after listening to James Timpson, chief executive officer of Timpson, the largest service retail business in the UK.

Founders of Wiggles Pizza also shared their business tips with the students.

Atogether, the nine teams who took part raised more than £13,335 for good causes.

Robert Pattison, head of community engagement at Manchester Airport, said: “We were thoroughly impressed with the variety of ideas pitched by our budding entrepreneurs.

“There was so much creativity and ingenuity on show from each and every group that entered.

“The Dragons’ Den competition forms part of our wider educational outreach programme, engaging with thousands of pupils in our neighbouring communities every year.

“We hope that all pupils who took part in this year’s competition gained knowledge and skills that will stand them in good stead for their future careers.”