The San Pedro High School (SPHS) held its third annual Business Fair on Saturday May 5th. Third and fourth year students showcased their business plans, marketing skills and product choices to a crowd of peers and judges.The fair offered the students the opportunity to display their creativity as well as what they’ve learned over the years at the SPHS.
According to, Josue Sosa, Principles of Accounting instructor for third and fourth formers, the students were informed at the beginning of the year of the fair. They were responsible for identifying a product, creating a business, identify a location, securing funds, preparing a business plan, marketing their product and on Business Fair day, displaying their businesses in every step.
“While the third formers had to concentrate mainly on a business plan and execution of that plan, the fourth formers have almost the same assignment except, their main focus was on the marketing aspect of the business. The teachers decided what products the kids will produce and the students focused on marketing.”
Businesses bearing names such as; 5 Brothers Bakery, Choco Mix Chocolate, Belizean Blizzard Shaved Ice and Ice Cream, Splendiferous Cupcakes, Heat Wave, Island Treats, Tropical Treats, Mini World Center, Teen Scene, Graffitti Inc. and Skynet Imports among others, were showcased.
5 Brothers Bakery informed that their company was established in 2002 by five brothers who wanted to share their love of baking with the general public. Their aim is to offer the best in baked goods with a smile, and that they did as they spoke of how their business started. Bearing large welcoming smiles; they informed that their initial cost was $100,000. Instead of acquiring a loan, the brothers decided to create an equal partnership whereby each invested $20,000. The brothers explained that as mandated by their partnership, all profits coming out of the business is also shared equally at 20%.
Angely Montero of Lollycakes spoke of her group’s company, “We are here to sell our product, to make it known to the whole community and to satisfy the needs of our customers. We have decided to offer Lollycakes to our customers which are basically delectable cupcakes with lollypops.”
Yet another business that stood out was Choco Mix. Ramon Nuñez, spokesperson for the company explained that they decided to combine two things that people love most – music and chocolate. Their booth offered a DJ spinning favorite tunes while chocolate bars, chocolate syrup, chocolate dipped marsh mellows, and other chocolaty delights all made from local products, were on display tempting onlookers. According to Nuñez, their aim is to keep their income in the country, hence the use of all locally made chocolate.
According to Mr. Sosa, the fair “goes hand in hand with the business trip which we held last month for the seniors and then this month for the juniors. These trips are done to give the students an insight of how business is supposed to look, because of course here in San Pedro, we have no types of manufacturing companies. When we go to our business trips, they are graded as well as being provided the opportunity to gain knowledge on how businesses are supposed to look.”
The displays were on exhibition throughout the day. The booths were judged and received prizes for first, second and third place as well as a grade which will go towards their final grades. The juniors were judged based on the entire aspect of their business plan, the location, the marketing, the layout of the business, their financial plan; how they secured their finances for the startup, while the seniors were judged based on their marketing skills. In both categories, Junior and Senior; the competitors vied for first place $300, second place $200 and third place, $100. In the Junior category, the winners are: 1st  Graffitti Inc; 2nd Choco Mix Chocolate and 3rd Brothers and Sister’s Cream. In the Senior category the winners are: 1st place Five Brothers Bakery, 2nd place Island Treats and 3rd place went to Lollicakes Bakery. The organizers would like to thank judges, Julianne Ferguson of Atlantic Bank, Rosalyn Tzib of Scotia Bank, Melanie Halliday of Heritage Bank, Jerry Badillo of Atlantic Bank, Esther Castellanos of Belize Bank and Tricia Villanueva of Caye International Bank.
