Ten students graduated from a entrepreneurship programme hosted by the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation.

Awards and a graduation ceremony for the third BEDC Summer Student Entrepreneur Programme was held at the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club. David Burt, the Premier, and Jamahl Simmons, the BEDC chairman, attended.

Mr Burt said: “It has been fantastic to see such a great group of young Bermudians eager to dive into entrepreneurship. They have excellent ideas and the BEDC Summer Student Entrepreneurship programme has helped to stimulate entrepreneurial thinking, enabled them to gain an understanding of the Bermuda market, as well as inspire and equip these young people in the local community to learn and succeed through enterprise.

“I would like to congratulate them and wish them well on their entrepreneurial journey.”

The students set up displays to give attendees a sampling of their products. Participating students included:

• Sabriuna Wilkinson, Nurture Laiche, a company specialising in lactation snacks for mothers;

• Kion Knights, Yard Barbers, a landscaping company

• Zaire Lodge, BOGA Gaming Tournament, an online gaming tournament

• Daijah Stowe, DS Photography, a graphic design, photography and marketing business

• Jasmeen Codrington-Edmead, Mood, offering teens and young adults original clothing designs

• Kaliyah Whitehurst, Jordan’s Kloset, an online thrifting store

• Mya Furbert-Jacobs, MFJ Cosmetics & Designs, offering lashes as well as natural lip-gloss and skin care

• Sari Smith, Simply Natural, a natural beverage and snack business using Monk fruit as a natural sweetener

• Siraj Grant, Cupping Therapy Bermuda, a cupping therapy business

• Skye Kermode, Sky Art, offering healing through orgonite, crystals, wire work and multimedia paintings.

The SSEP students between ages 16 and 25 earn a wage and save funds during the summer period.

In addition to the money earned selling products and services, the students competed against each other to earn the most profit.

The three participants with the highest profits earned an additional financial reward.

This year, Kion Knights of Yard Barbers was the first-place winner, generating the most profit throughout the programme. He was awarded a $1,000 prize.

Kion said: “Winning the programme was a humbling experience and to be recognised for successfully launching a business in such an economic climate means a lot to me and my family.

“I will take the resources and advice that I was exposed to in the programme and look to further expand my own business. Hopefully one day I will be a successful businessman in Bermuda, like many before me.”

Taking home second place and a $500 prize was Skye Kermode, of Sky Art, and winning third place and a $250 prize was Sari Smith, of Simply Natural.

Sari said: “It was a challenging but rewarding experience. I learned so much. I felt like coming in the top three gave me even more confidence that entrepreneurship is for me. It gave me that satisfaction that all the hard work I put in was worth the while.”

Deshun Simmons, programme coordinator, said: “This year, SSEP, has looked slightly different as we’ve had to get creative and think outside the box on how best to navigate Covid-19, while still giving students the necessary tools and exposure to make their businesses successful.

“However, I am very proud of the outcome. I have seen tremendous growth within all of the participating students.”