A strong showing by a group of young, savvy entrepreneurial minds earned Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI) the title of best business school in Manitoba at recent student event.

Grade 12 students Kyla Smith, Kailee Fraser and Layne Coltart all placed in multiple categories at the 2017 Manitoba High School New Venture Championships May 26 at the University of Manitoba. The event pitted students against one another by having various aspects of their businesses, and presentation skills tested in idea pitch, trade show display, business plan and logo competitions.

Smith and Fraser, partners behind LEEF Kosmetics, a start-up that produces all-natural organic lipstick, finished first in the trade show display and idea pitch competitions, and came third for their business plan.

“We put in a lot of hard work throughout the year. Even last year we were thinking about our product,” said Fraser. “It's very humbling knowing our product has paid off and nice to see successful business people in the Winnipeg area recognize our hard work.”

Smith said the experience of developing public speaking skills in front of judges was valuable as the young classmates behind LEEF Kosmetics continue to try and develop their business. The two targeted the all-natural, organic market because of its continued global growth; But also because a consumer need presented itself.

“We had people coming up to us and saying they're allergic to lipstick or had issues with it giving them rashes,” Smith recalled. “(This product) kind of helps everybody.”

The other business-minded PCI student who impressed judges at the New Venture Championships, Layne Coltart, picked up second-place finishes in the idea pitch and business plan presentation competitions.

He showcased Coltart Car Detailing, described by the Grade 12 entrepreneur as an interior vehicle detailing service that comes directly to the customer.

Coltart said it was valuable to hear the opinions of different people about his business, and took suggestions for improvement with willing ears to help further improve his service to expand the consumer base.

PCI Business Education teacher Sean Hopps is hopeful all the hard work these three students put to help better their own ventures — and earn PCI the recognition of best business school in show — will help inspire new minds coming up through business program at the high school.

“I feel like that kind of distinction for the school is going to definitely trickle down to the younger grades,” he said. “I know a lot of the Grade 10 and 11 students look up to these three students and see what kind of things they can do once they get into the Grade 12 year. And they've already started brainstorming ideas.”

“I'm pretty confident that award is going to lead to some pretty big successes within the program in the coming years.”