A group of young entrepreneurs from a Hauraki Plains College business class set a goal to create a product that stood out while also meeting customer needs.
That product is Swiff.
The group of year 13 business students: Xanthea Greaves, Jack Davis, Ant Plienanukool, Emily True, Antonio Alvarado and Cruz Collins, developed Swiff – an eco-friendly innovation aimed at “making life a little fresher”.
Swiff consists of a pack of two wool dryer balls plus charcoal deodorising powder and fragrance. It was perfect for giving laundry a “fresh scent” straight out of the dryer, tackling tough odors in sports shoes, boxing gloves, shin pads and more, they said.
It was also a natural air freshener for cars, freshening closets, bedrooms or guest rooms before company arrives.
But that’s not all – the students and their successful product also took out the top spot at the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) Waikato Regional Awards in October.
“All six judges declared they’d love to buy our product,” the Swiff team said.
Not only did the team develop Swiff, they also created a business plan which included production, marketing and financial strategies.
“We’ve presented Swiff at pitches and local markets, engaging with customers to promote our product and gather feedback to refine it further.
“This hands-on experience taught us valuable lessons about running a business and made us even more determined to succeed,” they said.
But the group said what made Swiff special was its combination of sustainability, innovation and practicality.
“All of our products are all natural.
“For the powder we have products such as baking soda, baking powder, cornflour and coconut activated charcoal.”
The fragrance oil is sourced from New Zealand with all natural ingredients, and the wool balls are made from 100 per cent wool.
The Swiff team went to the YES national finals on December 5, and even though they did not go home with any prizes – they said the entire experience was a highlight.
“We learnt about certain depths of the business world and how we could have improved and expanded our business effectively,” they said.
People can support the Swiff business team by purchasing one or more of their packs, they said. “By supporting us, you’re not just helping us achieve our dreams – you’re also investing in young entrepreneurs and showcasing the incredible potential of the Hauraki Plains and Waikato communities.”
DETAILS: Email nzswiff@gmail.com or text/call 027 542 0788 to purchase one Swiff pack for $15 or three packs for $40.
