Government of the Republic of Serbia
Author: Ana Stamenić (Social Inclusion Blog)
My story with student entrepreneurship started 7 years ago, with my engagement in the Youth Achievements programmes. The student company “Orion” was formed within the Gymnasium in Ivanjica. The product we presented ourselves with during all these years is natural toothpaste. How did it all being?
The idea of producing toothpaste came from our general manager Jovana. As a computer science teacher, I though the idea might be too much of a challenge for us. What ingredients to use, at what ratio, how will this affect teeth, will it have adverse effects… lots of questions we had no answer to at the time. Thanks to assistance by professors of chemistry and biology, as well as our dentists, we found a solution.
Finding the best ingredients and combining them properly took time. Before engaging in the toothpaste story I had no idea that the production of edible essential oils in our country is very limited. However, we managed to find adequate mint oil. When we mixed all the ingredients together, a green mass was produced – repulsive to the eye, but once you try it, you feel it really acting on the teeth and gums. (…)
In order to place our product in pharmacies and health food shops, we needed a certificate on the health safety of the paste. Financial assistance from the Municipality of Ivanjica enabled us to complete the microbiological and chemical analyses. (…)
The road to Belgrade – from the birth of the idea to its realization – was filled with ups and downs. Every obstacle we overcame was a great victory and a step forward for the students. Their perseverance and persistence in producing the product, their dedication at key moments, the feeling of community and team spirit are just some of the gains from the adventure of “Green Paste – Bright Smile”. Yes, there were moments when doors were closed for us, but we successfully overcame those entrepreneurial lessons, as well.
The support we received from our immediate environment, but also from successful businesspeople, represents a strong push forward for the further activities of the “Orion” company. The motivation of the students throughout the first year of joint work grew so much that we already have ideas for the next school year. And we promise to be even better and more successful entrepreneurs then!
The text in its entirety can be found on the Social Inclusion Blog.
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