Known as BYSSNES (Business Youth Stawell New Enterprise Scheme), the group is made up of 12 students from the college.

As part of their VCAL studies, the students are involved in market research and developing a business plan to start a small business in Stawell.

They are planning to successfully open a lolly shop and have been awarded a Commonwealth Bank Financial Literary Grant to help them achieve their objectives.

The students plan to open their business on October 30 and will be operating for at least four days a week leading up to Christmas.

BYSSNES has been holding regular meetings at the TAFE campus once a week, looking into the following areas:

Researching distributors of stock.

Visiting other lolly shops in the region.

Researching prices for merchandise.

Looking for shop fittings and other requirements.

Researched health and safety regulations.

Looking for shops to rent.

The students have also completed a Follow Workplace Hygiene Procedures Course and three students will be undertaking supervisor level training.

They have been in contact with Judy Salmi, proprietor of `Sip `n Lick' who has generously agreed to rent her shop to the group for a period of six weeks.

BYSSNES will be donating a percentage of the profits to a local charity of their choice so they can give something back to the community.

The students believe this will be a wonderful experience for the group to help them learn about businesses and how they work. They are very excited to have been given this opportunity and hope it will succeed.

Any information as to where the students can purchase or rent affordable digital scales would be greatly appreciated. For any information or enquiries, contact Marion at the Stawell Youth Group on 0439 353 299 or Jenny on 9439 652 149.