Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI) students showcased their businesses at the recent Entrepreneur Challenge, with Grade 12 student Sia Miglani claiming first prize for her mocktail venture, Zesté, while the trio behind Window Wizards—Kingston Daniels, Facu Koroma, and Manpreet Sandhu—secured second place with their window-cleaning service. The competition helped foster the entrepreneurial spirit in these Portage youth and awarded the winners the means to help take their businesses to the next level.
Sia Miglani’s Zesté, a mocktail and snack bar concept designed to offer vibrant non-alcoholic beverages, captivated the judges with its broad appeal to teens, non-drinkers, and families.
“It feels great to have your ideas validated,” says Miglani, who plans to debut Zesté at a May showcase. “I want to get feedback and know where to improve so I can expand as a local business.”
Her inspiration stemmed from a gap in social spaces.
“I always looked for a place to hang out that wasn’t just coffee or tea. Zesté offers something different—mocktails that make everyone feel special,” she explains.
The $750 prize money will fund her showcase booth and website development. “I’m excited to see where this goes,” she adds.
The Window Wizards team impressed with their practical yet ambitious residential and commercial cleaning service. Grade 11 students Kingston Daniels and Fasu Koroma emphasized demand for youth-driven solutions.
“There aren’t many window services here, and starting young gives us a good look,” says Daniels. Their business model includes referral discounts and a monthly draw for a free cleaning.
Koroma highlights their branding strategy.
“We wanted a catchy name that stands out. Window Wizards embraces our goal to provide top-tier service.”
The team is already securing early customers, and they are leveraging flyers, social media, and a website. “We’re pumped to start,” Daniels says, and Koroma chimes in, “Call us at 204-903-6242—we’ve got deals for everyone!”
Both ventures underscore the entrepreneurial spirit of these youth. Miglani eyes long-term growth, while Window Wizards aims to launch immediately. “This isn’t just a concept—we’re booking clients now,” says Koroma. As these students turn classroom lessons into real-world impact, Portage la Prairie watches a new generation of business leaders rise.
The Entrepreneur Challenge not only awards innovation but fuels dreams, proving PCI’s students are ready to reshape their community—one mocktail and sparkling window at a time.