A group of Christchurch Girls’ High School students have had unexpected success with their business studies class project making scented woollen car air fresheners.

The “Woolly Balls” venture was launched this month by classmates Poppy Manson, Rose Diederich, Olivia Frame, Meg McWhannel and Zoe Lee.

The Year 13 students, all boarders at the school hostel Acland House, have been amazed at the level of interest the project has received.

The first 200 balls sold in just four days, with the students promoting and selling the balls solely on social media.

“We started just using Instagram, and then went to Facebook because we thought that was what farmers and adults were more likely to be on,” says Poppy Manson.

The move to Facebook has been a success, with most of their orders so far from the platform.

“Family members have reposted it so their friends can see and comment on it.

“We are trying to keep up with social media and post every now and then to keep people interested,” Poppy said.

The merino wool balls are felted in a factory in Taranaki, and once shipped to Christchurch, the students dip the balls in scented oils before threading them by hand and packaging them for sale.

“We decided to make Woolly Balls because everybody likes a car air freshener that smells good, and we wanted to create something sustainable,” Olivia Frame said.

Keeping up with orders and communicating with customers is time-consuming, but with five girls involved in the business, they share the load.

“I never thought I’d be so tired typing messages and responding to so many people,” Poppy laughs.

“But we’ve been blown away by the response.”

With all five Woolly Balls co-founders from a rural background, giving something back to the farming community was important.

“We donate 15 per cent of proceeds from the sale of Woolly Balls to the Rural Support Trust, “Olivia said.

“We wanted to do something that could help rural communities because we can all relate to that and wanted to give something back to them.”

North Canterbury Rural Support Trust co-ordinator Arni Smit said the business was a great initiative, and the trust appreciated the support.

“We are extremely grateful to the Christchurch Girls’ High School students for choosing the Rural Support Trust to benefit from their business venture,” Arni said.

Arni praised the students for their creative use of wool and entrepreneurial spirit.

“It never ceases to amaze me what creative ideas our rural young people come up with.”

Woolly Balls sell for $12 each, and customers can place orders through the Woolly Balls Facebook page.

by Claire Inkson