Young entrepreneurs Aleksander Kowalik and Bobby Gibb of Legacy Oak Trail Public School promote B.A. Bags, a student run business that makes tote bags from recycled denim jeans, during Enactus Market Day on March 9 at the CAW Student Centre. (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
“Can I interest you in some cologne?”
“Would you like to buy a custom-made charcuterie board?”
“How about purchasing some candles to remove that boring smell in your house?”
This is how you might have been welcomed if you visited Enactus Market Day, the lively semester-end showcase where Grade 7 to 12 students from across Windsor and Essex County try their hand at entrepreneurship.
Behind that energetic atmosphere is Karlie Bula, a law and politics student who serves as project manager for the Ascent program. For her, Market Day represents the culmination of months of planning and reflects the program’s learning-by-doing approach.
“Ascent is an eight-week, hands-on entrepreneurship and financial literacy program for students in Grades 7 to 12 across Windsor-Essex County,” says Bula. “The program focuses on learning by doing, meaning students actively create and run their own small businesses rather than only learning about entrepreneurship in theory.”
Ascent Project Manager Karlie Bula helps lead the coordination of Market Day, guiding students through the creation and presentation of their businesses. (AVERY BAKER/University of Windsor)
This semester, that hands-on approach produced an impressive 79 student-run businesses, built by 268 students from 10 participating schools.
Their ideas filled the CAW Student Centre and the Odette School of Business with a variety of inventive marketing pitches.
Products ranged from handmade soaps and candles to wooden décor, novelty treats and eco-friendly home goods — each requiring students to collaborate, problem-solve and communicate like real entrepreneurs.
One business in particular stood out to Bula for its professionalism and commitment to sustainability.
“The most impressive product I’ve seen today is from one of the soap companies,” says Bula. “They delivered a strong pitch and had an excellent overall business presence, including a well-designed booth. I was especially impressed by their soap concepts, which use a lot of natural resources and ingredients.”
Those students also mastered the Four R’s — repair, reduce, recycle and reuse — a sustainability framework that Ascent encourages all teams to integrate into their operations.
“That’s something we value, and I’m excited to see how far they can take their ideas,” says Bula.
Reflective Rave owners Hadiya Haris, Mila Tagarac and Ayden Rhyno of Tecumseh Vista Academy receive the award for Best Pitch at Market Day. (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)
Grade nine Sandwich Secondary students Claire Alkemade, Deliah Palanacki and Rajaa Zabian (not pictured) win the award for Best Booth for their candle making business Light Up Your Life. (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)
In addition to selling their products, students presented brief pitches to judges, competing for awards such as Best Booth and Best Pitch. Winning booths are selected for strong visual appeal, cohesive branding and effective product display.
Judges also evaluate whether businesses offer a range of payment options — cash, debit or online — to reflect modern consumer expectations.
“Market Day allows students to showcase and sell their products while presenting elevator pitches about their businesses,” she says. “It’s rewarding to watch them grow throughout the semester.”
But the path to Market Day is rarely simple. Behind the booths and decorations is a complex logistical process involving teachers, mentors, administrators and community partners.
“Market Day would not have been possible without the dedication and behind-the-scenes work of the Ascent Executive Team,” says Bula. “Cameron Balga, Ava Deklerk, Jenna Wiles, Mateo Vasquez, Owen Truong, Pilar Deane, Andrew Wigeluk and Eli Mikha Riberty played a crucial role in planning and executing the event.”
“We’re also incredibly grateful to University of Windsor Desk Services and the CAW Student Centre — especially Aimee Robertson — as well as Student Success’s Radha Patel for their support in coordinating the event logistics.”
That support was critical in helping the team navigate the many moving parts behind the scenes.
“Market Day has been extremely rewarding but also challenging,” says Bula.
Communication with students was another challenge, particularly ensuring all groups understood the expectations and deadlines.
“We communicated with them by email and provided a detailed outline of how Market Day would work,” she says. “Ensuring everyone was prepared and participating was a key part of the planning process.”
Still, despite the long hours and occasional obstacles, Bula says the effort pays off the moment students see their work come to life — and realize, perhaps for the first time, that their ideas hold real-world potential.
“I hope students walk away with stronger entrepreneurship skills,” she says. “I would love to see more student-run businesses grow, thrive and potentially become real, long-term ventures in the future.”