Grandparents Memories
When I was 13 I created my own startup business to enter the Student Enterprise Awards. We taught people how to shoot and edit a video interview with their grandparents to record their life stories.
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The gift product I sold provided grandchildren with:
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150 questions they could ask their grandparents about their own childhood
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Tips on how to shoot the video with their smartphone
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A comprehensive online video course on how to edit the footage using an editor on their phone or computer.
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For more information visit my Grandparents Memories website here :)
The Job
Because I created this startup business from scratch I had to:
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Create the product: This involved researching 150 questions, researching video shooting tips, and creating video editing tutorials that customers could watch.
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Create the marketing materials: I added the content to my website and designed a brochure
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Market the business: I sent out social media posts on Facebook and Twitter and ran some ads on Google so my website was found when people searched for Unique gifts for grandparents.
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Create a business plan: As part of the student enterprise competition I had to create a business plan.
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Learn how to conduct interviews with the media: When my business came 1st in Kerry in the Student Enterprise awards and then went on to come 3rd in the National competition I attracted a lot of media attention. This involved being featured on RTE Nationwide and being interviewed live on Radio Kerry and Spin South West. I was also interviewed for an article in the Irish Examiner.
Skills I learned
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How to create a product that has multiple components: I learned how to think through the various elements of a product and how to create each element at the same time i.e. the 150 questions, the tips, the tutorials and the gift box.
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Marketing skills: I learned how to use Facebook and Twitter for marketing. This required me to design images for social media posts and also some videos. I was delighted when I won the award for “Most Creative Use of Social Media” in the national finals.
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Organisational and time management skills: I learned how to meet the various deadlines set by the competition organisers. This often involved juggling priorities.
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Self-confidence and communication skills: It was an amazing experience to be interviewed live on radio stations and to be interviewed for TV by RTE Nationwide. Initially, I was nervous but I found that my confidence grew quickly. You can watch the RTE Nationwide feature in the video player (plus 2 radio interviews) or you can see all of the media coverage my business received by visiting my Grandparents Memories website here :)
My TV and Radio interviews for Grandparents Memories
My TV and Radio interviews for Grandparents Memories
RTE nationwide - Grandparents memories
Spin South West Interview
