These five Sault businesses were only around one day, but they all made a profit (10 photos)

Five groups of children actually ran their own money-making businesses at the Station Mall on Friday.

Last week, 25 children aged 9-14 designed, built, marketed, and ran their own profit-making businesses during a Youth Enterprise Camp, a summer camp held at Algoma University.

On Friday they actually sold their products and services at booths set up in Station Mall.

Products up for grabs included seashell wind chimes and key chains, bath products, picture frames and chalkboards, headbands. One group ran a nail salon service.

Each group was given a $100 loan that they had to pay back, if not they would have had to do community service in their hometowns.

Fortunately they all made a profit and the top group, 'Shelltastic', came out with $215 in profit from selling their seashell wind chimes and key chains.

“I have to stress that this is them, this is not us. We are not allowed to give them ideas. We guide them but it has to all come from them,” said youth coordinator Alannah Pelletier.

The students came from across Algoma and Manitoulin and they stayed at Algoma University where the camp was held.

A rough daily schedule of the five-day camp went as follows:

Day 1 – The kids learned about business and came up with their unique business idea.

Day 2 – They put together a budget and a business plan, researched materials, and worked on a marketing strategy.

Day 3 – They applied for loans through the Sault Community Centre and went shopping for supplies.

Day 4 – They made their products and any marketing materials.

Day 5 – The kids opened their businesses at the Station Mall and then had a pizza party and awards ceremony as they divvied up their profits.

Besides learning about business at the camp the children also had campfires, games and activities, went water sliding, and participated in plenty of other activities.

The camp was put on by Head Start in Business and Northern Ontario Community Futures Development Corporations.