Kyle Sinnott, Nathan Dufour and Jack Emery from St. Anne’s High School showcase their branded sports gear during Market Day at the University of Windsor. (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
Local students turned the University of Windsor into a bustling marketplace this month, selling handmade goods and pitching business ideas during Market Day, an event designed to teach financial literacy and entrepreneurship through hands-on experience.
The two-day showcase held from Nov. 3 to 4 at the Odette School of Business and the CAW Student Centre, brought together grade school and high school students from across Windsor-Essex as part of Enactus Windsor’s Ascent program.
Participants learned how to create and market products, then tested their skills by selling to real customers on campus.
Students showcased a wide range of products, many with a sustainability focus.
Items included wallets, jewelry, cologne, sports accessories and even Christmas tree-shaped jewelry stands — most crafted from recycled materials.
Among the vendors were Sports Swag, a business launched by St. Anne’s High School students Kyle Sinnott, Nathan Dufour and Jack Emery, offering branded sports gear such as ski masks and arm sleeves.
From Lasalle’s Legacy Oak Trail grade school, Olivia D’Ambrosio and Kallie Carter sold braided bracelets made from repurposed T-shirts under their brand KOS Jewels.
Enactus Windsor runs Market Day twice a year, supported by a team of about 40 university mentors. The event is part of an eight-week program that culminates in Youth X, a pitch competition where top student businesses present to industry professionals.
Organizers say the initiative fills a gap in business education by offering experiential learning aligned with Ontario’s curriculum.
“We teach financial literacy—a skill often overlooked in traditional high school programs,” said Tracey, who is studying business administration at the Odette School of Business.
Massimo Gualtieri, co-project manager for the Ascent program and a fellow business administration student at Odette, said the experience goes beyond classroom learning.
“The fact that we can run programs like this that impact students and teach them about financial literacy and business is something we take a lot of pride in,” said Gualtieri.
“Giving students the chance to sell their products at Market Day makes the learning real.”