From the Classroom to the Community: How Young Entrepreneurs Are Shining Through Enterprise
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At Genuine Futures, we believe that when young people are given the opportunity to thrive, they rise to the occasion—and then some. Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside the incredible staff and students at Aurora Woodlands School to deliver The Genuine Futures Taste of Enterprise Programme.
From day one, the energy, enthusiasm, and commitment shown by the young people have been inspiring. And yesterday, all of that hard work came together in one powerful moment of success through their very own social enterprise: We Shine Any Car.
From 10 to 16: An Incredible Result
As part of the enterprise programme, students launched a real-world car valeting business—developing everything from pricing and branding to customer service and teamwork. The plan for the launch event was ambitious: clean 10 cars for staff and visitors. But what actually happened exceeded everyone’s expectations.
They didn’t just clean 10 cars.
They cleaned 16.
This was no small feat. The students worked nonstop, supporting each other and maintaining a high standard of work throughout the day. Their graft, attention to detail, and professionalism would rival any commercial service—and the feedback from customers spoke volumes.
Real Voices, Real Impact
Beyond the impressive numbers, the transformation in mindset and self-belief was even more powerful. One student, Donavan, shared:
“The programme helped me figure out how to start a business. I’ve never done anything like this before, but now I know I can.”
That kind of shift—from doubt to confidence, from inexperience to vision—is exactly why we do what we do.
Sam Smith, Founder of Genuine Futures, reflected:
“What we’ve seen here is more than just a project—it’s proof that when we believe in young people and invest in their ideas, they’ll not only meet expectations, they’ll exceed them. This is just the start of their journey.”
Mike Alleyne, Director of Genuine Futures, added:
“The students have been outstanding. Their energy, teamwork, and commitment turned an idea into a thriving enterprise. This is exactly what enterprise education should look like—real, hands-on, and transformative.”
Janette Hilton, Safeguarding Lead at Aurora Woodlands School, shared her perspective:
“Watching the students grow in confidence and take such pride in their work has been incredible. It’s made a huge difference, not just in their skills, but in how they see themselves—and that’s powerful.”
Recognition of Success
To celebrate their achievements, we were proud to present Certificates of Achievement to Daniel, Rian, Michael, Donavan, and Jace—five students who showed outstanding commitment, resilience, and teamwork. They are proof that when young people are given the right environment and support, they are capable of incredible things.
Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Community Enterprise
This is just the beginning. The success of We Shine Any Car has sparked real excitement about what’s possible next. Together with the staff at Aurora Woodlands, we’re now exploring how this enterprise could become a regular feature within the local community—offering 4-weekly or 6-weekly car cleaning services that provide ongoing experience and growth for students, while also delivering genuine value to customers.
We believe this could evolve into a sustainable, student-led business that builds confidence, skills, and purpose long after the programme ends.
Calling All Schools
If you’re a school leader, teacher, or youth worker looking to bring meaningful enterprise learning to your students, we’d love to work with you.
The Genuine Futures Taste of Enterprise Programme is designed to unlock potential, build confidence, and provide real-world skills that last a lifetime. We tailor our approach to meet the needs of your young people—especially those who benefit from hands-on, purpose-driven learning.
Get in touch with us today to find out how your school can become the next success story.