Queen Anne High School pupils launch clothing brands

Organised under the Dunfermline based Business Babble Podcast, the challenge gave groups of fifth-year students a chance to start their own enterprises.

But first they had to be selected for the process. Of 200 children at the initial assembly, 30 were asked to take part in the first stage.

Organiser Johnny Bissett said: “We got the applicants to create a short video telling us about themselves. Filming themselves and being outside their comfort zones, that was the first challenge.

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“Then they went into groups, and we mixed them all up so they had to work with people they wouldn’t normally speak to in school.

“They came up with business ideas and eventually we gave them all the chance to return to their original groups. It was amazing because you’d think they would go back to their friends again, but they didn’t because they were too invested in the idea.”

17 individuals were then selected to progress to the interview stage, and four 16-year-olds made it through to take part in the full programme.

Mr Bissett continued: “We invited them on the podcast, and they’ve been on a whole journey for the last seven weeks.

The participants including Dani (far right) Maya (second from right) were invited to appear on the Business Babble Podcast (Image: Business Babble Podcast) “We asked them what they want out of it, and they all had something different to say.

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“We tried to give them lessons in communication, confidence, overcoming anxiety, and understanding the art of business. Even simple things like the handshakes, asking questions, staying in control.

Murren (left) and Alexander (right) told listeners they were excited for what comes next. (Image: Business Babble Podcast) The four were split into two groups, both creating their own clothing brand.

Maya McConville and Alexander Gray decided to go with the name “Antidote”, landing on the word as a way of saying that in life there’s always an antidote to problems, be that medicine or just talking to someone.

(Image: Submitted) Dani Brady and Murren Willo decided on “Stand”, because of the word’s versatility. They realised they could play on “stand strong”, “stand tall”, or “stand up.”

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Mr Bissett said: “They made a couple hundred pounds each in profit, which is great. Now we’re looking at getting them a stall in the Kingsgate to start selling their products too.

“The challenge was to see who made the most money, but this business they’ve got can go on for the rest of their life if they want it to.

“We hope that someone will copy this and do it in their own region.”

“I think that kids need a platform to showcase the drive they’ve got. It’s lonely in business, but it’s also exciting and you need that mentor behind you.

“Speaking to manufacturers, haggling a deal, and getting a website done, they’ve been through all of that.

“I was blown away with how well they did at the networking group. They were better than some adults.”