The Redlands YouthBiz Business Plan Competition was developed by the Redland Shire Council. The competition is designed to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, in an atmosphere that is fun. While it is competitive, the real focus is on the development of ideas and dreams – and working out how to make these become a reality. The competition is open to students in Years 10, 11 and 12.

This year the Business Education Department entered 4 teams in the competition. These 4 teams worked hard to prepare a Business Plan for their idea. The teams entered the following business plans, an online swimwear business, (Online.Swimwear), a games café, (Games Café), a leaflet delivery business, (Leaflet Delivery Guys) and an online chocolate shop, (Candylicious). Both Candylicious and the Online.Swimwear teams were chosen as finalists in the competition.

On Wednesday 17 October these two teams were given the opportunity to present their business plans to the Redlands Chamber of Commerce at the annual Business Futures Forum held in the Cleveland District State High School Performing Arts Building. Each team had 8-10 minutes to pitch their business plan to the forum. Both teams gave excellent presentations but unfortunately Redlands College won the competition.

Congratulations to the finalists, Online.Swimwear team members; Leigh Glover, Eloise Gorogo, Ashleigh Boileau, Morgan Caldwell-Reid, Simoene Fynn and Sophi Sharman. Candylicious team members; Jaimi Bahr, Amy Morris, Christine Apurel, Sanja Ilijasevic, Renae Kidd and Esther Williams.