A group of young UQ entrepreneurs have formed their own company to get ahead in the world of business and raise money for charity at the same time.
YAW Design was formed under Young Achievements Australia (YAA) and consists of UQ business, engineering and law students who are marketing their unique brand of t-shirts in a bid to become the most successful start up YAA business across the country.
Mr James Strutt, YAW co-Managing Director said the experience had been a huge learning curve thanks to a mentoring arrangement with leading global consulting firm Accenture.
"The Young Achievement Australia Business Skills Program has opened my eyes to the reality of the business world,” he said.
“The greatest learning experience has been in dealing with different people and working through the conflicts that arise in team-based environments. I believe the program provides a great opportunity for anyone studying or interested in business to experience what corporate life is really about."
YAW’s designs sell for $20 and include catchy slogans such as “My heart pumps more Coffee than blood”, another which references the popular television series Boston Legal, and one which proclaims: “I studied at 27°29’52’’S, 153°00’46’’E UQ”.
The company said they were striving to practise corporate social and environmental responsibility from the outset and will donate 10% of their profits to charities Mission Australia and Wild Mountains.
“Mission Australia is an organisation who has shown a tremendous result in transforming more than 300,000 lives throughout Australia,” YAW Marketing Director Ms Tan Yean Joo said.
“Its passion to give hope for the future, security and an opportunity for the homeless to take a positive turn in their lives and to once again believe in themselves has won our support.”
The t-shirts will be available at YAW stalls held during University of Queensland St Lucia Open Day on Sunday, August 3 and Wednesday markets on campus from July onwards.
UQ Students who purchase a T-shirt will be in the running to win a chance to dance with Australia’s Got Talent finalists Shift1.
More information about the product range is available at www.yawtshirt.com.
Media: Michael Ti (0435 164 345, miccati@hotmail.com) or Cameron Pegg at UQ Communications (07 3365 2049, c.pegg@uq.edu.au)
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