Budding entrepreneurs from Peterhead Academy have been making the most of the Christmas trade after launching their own business.
As part of the Young Enterprise programme run for fifth and sixth year pupils, the Buchan team have been promoting their business, Matters Arising, with the help of local charity Peterhead Projects.
They have already raised more than £900 by selling placemats and scented sprays in Aberdeen’s Bon Accord Centre and at parents evenings at the school.
Student Scott Watson, who is heading the fledging company, said: “We came up with several different ideas before settling on the ones we are now producing.
“Through one of our accountants, Jack Willox, whose father owns Laurian Flooring of Clerkhill, we were provided with carpet tiles to up-cycle into the placemats with the help of the technical department to provide sturdy mounting.
“On the diffuser front, the students came up with the idea of five Christmas fragrances including vanilla and red cherry, vanilla and black orchid, jasmine and sweet orange and orange and lemon and our top seller – vanilla and berries.”
Head teacher Shona Sellers said the pupils were a credit to the school.
“The team have been a hardworking group of individuals who have attended a number of events to sell their products,” she said.
“I have been exceptionally impressed with their effort, commitment and the professional approach they have displayed.”
Christmas shoppers in Peterhead have also been able to purchase the goods at Peterhead Projects’ store on Marischal Street.
A spokesman for the charity said that they were happy to provide the platform to boost the students’ coffers.
The Young Enterprise programme, which is employed throughout schools in Scotland, enables students coming to the end of their education to experience setting up and running their own business over a one-year period.
The businesses compete with one another to be crowned Company of the Year at the scheme’s end-of-year awards ceremony.