Budding nail technician has her finger on the pulse of contest

A Kuswag pupil is through to next round of the Helping Hand entrepreneurship competition.

Marizel Hendriks, a grade 9 pupil, can now work hard to implement her business plan and make a profit. “I was thrilled and excited to hear I have made it through to the next round. I have been doing nails for about a year, but only running my business for about six months. I’m well supported by my friends and classmates,” she said.

“Many entries were received from across the country and 30 project plans were approved to go through to the marketing phase,” said Annette Taljaard, Helping Hand’s psychometrist and the competition organiser.

Participants have until 8 August to implement their marketing plans and to improve their business ideas based on feedback from the judges.

Marizel said her love for well-manicured nails inspired her business plan. “I enjoy being creative and decorating my friends and family’s nails.”

She said many of her friends have complained that nail technicians are too expensive. “I have decided to decorate girls’ nails before weekends and holidays at my house, at beauty salons and at children’s parties, all at an affordable price.”

Taljaard explains the purpose of each of the businesses is to make a good profit. At the end of the phase, each participant must hand in an improved business plan, as well as financial statements of this period.

“I am particularly looking forward to the marketing videos that each participant has to send so that the panel can evaluate their unique products or services.”

Ten finalists will be appointed after entries are evaluated in August. Thereafter five finalists will be chosen to go to the finals in Johannesburg.

This year the judges include Karin Venter, former Helping Hand project organiser; Johann Smith, programme co-ordinator at Akademia; Prof. Michiel Erasmus of the University of Pretoria and Liesel Krause-Wiid, an ambassador for the Vroue Wat Glo (Women Who Believe) movement.

The Helping Hand’s competition for entrepreneurs is presented nationally for grade 6 to 12 pupils. Through this competition, Helping Hand aims to address the problem of unemployment among the youth by empowering them with entrepreneurial skills from a young age.

The competition is in its second year and the prize money totals R60,000.

“The winner will walk away with R15,000 to invest in their proposed business, as well as R15,000 for their school to be used for entrepreneurial development,” said Taljaard.

“I think I have a good chance of making the finals,” said Marizel. “I will be happy to finish in the top five.”