BDC E-Spirit: Mkusnik Shoes

The following year my group and I did a business plan on a shoe store called “Mkusnik for Everyone”. Our presentation managed it to make it to finals this year. Our shoe store was similar to our clothing store but instead of clothing we sold shoes. Our shoes were to incorporate the aboriginal culture as well as many others. We won an award for best team spirit at this competition. 

Here is the commercial we made for Mkusnik for Everyone:

Here is the logo for our business idea: 

BDC E-Spirit: Membertou Trends

     The next thing I want to share is some of the things I have completed for E-Spirit. For those who don’t know, E-Spirit is an annual Aboriginal business plan competition for high school students across Canada. I attended the competition in grades 10, 11 and 12. 

The first thing that I want to show is the commercial that my group and I had put together for our business plan. This was my second year and the business idea that we had come up with was a clothing store. This clothing store was called “Membertou Trends” which was to be located in our own community. Our clothing store was to sell up-to-date fashion that incorporated the aboriginal culture. Our commercial had managed to win the achievement award for best video that year (2011). 

Here is our commercial for Membertou Trends:

Here is the logo for the business idea:

Mentorship Program: Conference 2

The second conference was held in the community of Millbrook in June, this was the ending of the program for the year. For this conference we had to prepare a video called “Rant Your Resume” which was a video to pretty much sell ourselves. The rant was to describe why CBU should sponsor us in a Business Degree program. There was a panel of judges to choose the best videos for prizes. The grand prize was $1,000 towards costs related to a Business Degree at CBU. The secondary prize was $500 towards a Business Degree at CBU. 

Here is my "Rant your Resume":

Mentorship Program: BBM Challenge #3

    The third and final challenge for the accountants group was to research the several certification groups for accountants in Canada and then write about the different combinations of education and experience for each. When we finished we had to post our research on the Facebook page. Here is my research:

Challenge 3: The Accountants 
There are several certification groups for the accountants in Canada. Each requires a different combination of education and experience. The more desirable credentials include: 

-Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
The role of the CPA is very diverse but some of the things they do for clients involve;
Tax returns and accounting services for small businesses
Accounting and reporting for the following: government agencies, non-governmental, not-for-profit organizations, public and private companies.
To qualify for this job one must have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional education and experience required. This usually includes a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of two years’ experience in public accountant.
-Certified General Accountant (CGA)
This designation is regulated by the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada. A CGA requires skills in the areas of professionalism, leadership and professional knowledge. The CGAs are responsible for advising businesses throughout Canada and around the world in industry, commerce, finance, government, public practice and other areas that require accounting and financial management skills.
To qualify for this job one must job experience which begins as a CGA student, and academic requirement of a bachelor’s degree upon certification.

-Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
This area is regulated by CMA Canada. The CMA often works as financial and strategic management professionals. They have a holistic view of business with a strong market focus.
To qualify for this job a person must have the business education which is tested through a rigorous entrance exam. Then the next step involves a Strategic Leadership Program which is professional development program and practical experience.
-Chartered Accountant (CA)
The Chartered Accountant works in four main areas of public practise, government industry and education. Around 40% of CA’s work in public practise and give advice in areas such as audits, business valuation, and small business tax. They are required in all levels of government and may be Treasurers or head of Finance or Controllers.
To qualify for this job a person must have a university degree with specific business course credits and three years’ work experience with a recognized CA training office.

Mentorship Program: BBM Challenge #2

    The second BBM challenge that was assigned to us was a paper clips challenge. Each one of us in the group had to come up with a creative item made out of paper clips. This item had to be something we felt could be sold then we had to make a video to show off our item that we have come up with. I created a picture frame out of paper clips for this challenge. 

Here is the video showing off my item:

Mentorship Program: BBM Challenge #1

      Between the first and second conference our BBM groups were assigned challenges that we had to complete by a given date. The challenges were assigned to keep us engaged in the program and our BBM groups. I was in the accountants group throughout this program and our mentor was Jude Gerard.

The first BBM challenge for my group was to watch the assigned episode of dragons den and then create a video response. We had to talk about the business ideas that stood out to us and which ones didn’t, then we had to describe what we thought a good business pitch would be. 

Here is my video response on the episode:

Mentorship Program: Conference 1

    The first challenge we had to complete was to be done before the first conference in the program.  This was a video challenge that was composed of two options to choose from. The first option was to create a video that would promote our first nations community as a viable community to do business with. The second option was to introduce and promote a unique business idea. I went with the first option for this challenge.

Here is my video explaining why Membertou is a viable community to do business with: