For Asher, the summer holidays provided plenty of opportunities to put his entrepreneurial skills, and his resilience, to the test.
Asher is the young entrepreneur behind Yum & Crumb, his own cookie business, and began his summer with his biggest baking challenge yet: producing an incredible 600 cookies for events in Nigeria.
Before travelling, Asher spent his first week of the holidays calculating quantities, buying ingredients, preparing dough and painstakingly weighing out 600 individual cookie balls. Arriving in Nigeria at 11pm, there was little time to recover: the first event was the following day.
Asher spent around four hours baking and decorating the first 300 cookies, working until 3am before some well-earned sleep. The remaining 300 were prepared for another event, where his challenge extended well beyond the kitchen.
Asher had been invited to give a presentation to other children about entrepreneurship and answer questions about running his own business. Although understandably nervous, the experience encouraged him to think carefully about why he started Yum & Crumb, what he has learnt along the way and what it really takes to turn an idea into a business.
It was a valuable opportunity to develop confidence in public speaking and to reflect on his experiences – including the things he might do differently next time. That willingness to learn, adapt and keep challenging himself demonstrates many of the qualities we encourage through the Lockers Park Learner Profile.
Asher’s entrepreneurial summer did not stop there. In July, he was invited to an entrepreneurship event at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, where he showcased Yum & Crumb alongside other young entrepreneurs.
The event brought together young entrepreneurs with MPs, policymakers and representatives from the public sector, and Asher received a Certificate of Recognition for his participation.
And, as though 600 cookies and an entrepreneurial showcase were not enough, Asher also discovered a new interest over the summer: tennis.
After being spotted playing recreationally by a coach, Asher began lessons and entered his first competition to experience the standard of play within his age group. Just six weeks after taking up the sport, he joined Elstree Lawn Tennis Club and was invited to take part in its Performance and School of Excellence training group.
With many of his fellow players having several years more experience, Asher knows there is plenty to learn – but he is already embracing tournaments as opportunities to practise, improve and challenge himself.
At Lockers Park, we love hearing about the interests our boys pursue beyond the classroom. Whether developing a business, speaking in front of an audience or discovering a new sport, these experiences help boys become more resilient, inquisitive and aspirational, while giving them the confidence to explore where their interests might take them next.
Well done, Asher – what a summer!