Business is booming for a trio of Christ’s College student entrepreneurs.

Year 10 business owners Izzy Searle, 14, and Bradley Roycroft, 14, are already making their marks with their streetwear clothing line and woodwork range, respectively, while Mikhail Huggins,17, has launched a creative marketing agency, GridMark Creative, this year.

The Year 12 founder prides himself on “elevating businesses through engaging videography and photography content with a strong focus, but not limited to real estate, trade, and property development”.

After initially starting an action-sports photography business, Mikhail soon found himself in demand for premier mountain-biking events featuring world champion riders.

He has won several New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography U18 Amateur Awards for his striking images.

Wanting to branch out and create a sustainable business, Mikhail now produces “premium photo and video solutions that highlight properties, projects and craftsmanship, ensuring that businesses are impossible to overlook, and help turn interest into action”.

Today, he creates a range of long-form and short-form visual branding content.

“It isn’t just the creative side that I enjoy, it’s building the engine behind the scenes,” Mikhail explains. “It’s refining the workflows, new concepts, and systems, as well as the creative ideas. Building something that’s effective, without overcomplicating it, has been a strong focus that filters into the content I produce – effective and to the point.

“I aim to build a brand – not just a company – that resonates with businesses so that they look no further than us.”

Meanwhile, Izzy’s clothing brand, ThatsTuffClo, is in big demand, with two talented young basketballers displaying their modelling talents on his website.

“I decided to launch a clothing business last year for young people because I believed that the Christchurch market was missing out on good streetwear and clothing brands, particularly in the youth space,” he says. “My Dad was my biggest inspiration in committing to my business and finding opportunities to expand. I have certainly found that you have to work hard and put in so much time and energy to succeed.”

For Bradley, Trig Road Toys and Dovetails has opened the door to a ready market for his growing range of woodwork.

Bradley, who has been "greatly inspired" by his builder grandfather, says creating jewellery boxes, phone holders, chopping boards, and toys from salvaged rimu, matai, and pine has “made the most of my woodworking skills and highlights the importance of sustainability”.

“I started my business in 2022, so I feel that I now have a rich vein of knowledge, and, thanks to my grandfather, some amazing salvaged wood,” he says. “You also need to understand what sells, and I believe I am on the right track and my pieces sell themselves.