USB Memory Sticks – One of the Best Young Enterprise Ideas

The Young Enterprise scheme is the United Kingdom's largest business and enterprise education charity. Every year it helps 250,000 young people learn about business and the world of work in the classroom under the guidance of volunteers from 3,500 companies.

The scheme was set up in 1963 by Sir Walter Salomon and was based on the American Junior Achievement programme. By the mid 1970’s programmes were up and running in 20+ areas of the England and since then it has gone from strength to strength.

Today there are more than 5,500 schools, colleges and universities participating in the programme and every year 30,000 students between the ages of 15-19 take part in the Young Enterprise's flagship Company Programme when they are challenged to set up and run their own companies. Business mentors are typically on hand to offer advice and guide them through the trials and tribulations of running a small business.

For many fledging Young Enterprise businesses the first challenge is to decide on a business idea. Ideally they’ll be looking for something that is relatively easy to establish, something where there is genuine demand, where the up-front investment is low and something that gives them the opportunity to learn many aspects of running a business.

One such solution is to set up an Enterprise Company selling USB Memory sticks. These could be personalised, they could carry the name of the school or university the students are from or they could be printed with the name of the Enterprise Company. The sticks could be pre-loaded files, music or other media that is relevant to their target customer base.

If the range of standard USB sticks on offer is not suitable then it’s possible (with sufficient time) to get fully customised USB sticks designed and produced in any shape or style.

Printed USB Memory sticks are definitely an option worth considering because:

• It’s relatively cheap these days to buy say 100 or 200 fully branded USB flash drives and there is plenty of scope to add a reasonable margin to them when sold.
• You can start with an order from the suppliers for just 25 albeit the unit costs will increase with smaller orders
• Within most schools and colleges there is a ready-made market because USB sticks are commonly used by students and teachers.
• There are lots of UK suppliers to choose from so there is no need to deal direct with the Far East where most of the Branded USB Memory sticks are manufactured.
• Students will be exposed to a wide range of business activities including negotiating with suppliers, specifying design requirements, all the financial aspects of purchasing the printed USB Memory sticks, pricing, marketing, fulfilment and finally customer services.

So, if you are on an Enterprise Scheme and you’re looking for a “killer idea” then you should put reselling printed USB memory sticks on your short list.