Bright ideas in the spotlight

Emerging entrepreneurs will go head-to-head to win funding and support to propel their businesses into the real world during the Future Anything grand final next week. Among those in the running is Redcliffe State High School’s Chloe Alley.

More than 45 school have been involved in this year’s Future Anything Activate school entrepreneurship program, which challenged students to create business ideas that would make their world a better place.

The grand final will be held at QUT Gardens Point campus on November 23 from 6- 8.30pm.

Chloe will be pitching her business Chloe’s Heat Wheats – handmade lavender and wheat bags which are made from organic ingredients and fabric.

She and the other finalists will explain their ventures to a panel of expert judges during the event, which will be live-streamed and the public will have the chance to vote for their favourite team in the live People’s Vote. All winners will be announced on the night.

Among those competing will be Bribie Island State School’s Eco Boards team, which is producing sustainable skateboard decks. The school has two other entrants showcasing their innovations – Natural Technology and Ream Cycle.

Chloe’s venture started soon after her grandparents gave her a sewing machine about three years ago.

She had been making clothing for her cousins, but after using a wheat bag one day decided she could make them.

“Mum started selling them to friends at work and I started selling them to friends at school,” Chloe explains.

She then created an Instagram account and started selling them at markets including the Told You So café market at North Lakes and the Love Handmade Markets at Redcliffe.

There are also a number of shops that now stock her wheat bags.

About her product

The wheat bags come in three sizes – mini (two pack for $7), medium (two pack for $15) and large ($25 each).

Chloe has created themed ranges and has a children’s collection.

“I have lots of fun picking the different materials. There’s lots to choose from,” she says.

She’s grateful for the opportunity to represent her school at the Future Anything competition and is looking forward to meeting other contestants at the Grand Final.

“I’ve followed them on Instagram and seen their ideas as well, which has been cool,” Chloe says.

“I’ve had lots of supportive teachers, three are coming on the night, and my family as well.

She hopes her classmates and fellow Redcliffe State High School students will vote for her.

She will be selling her wheat bags at the Redcliffe Markets Christmas Twilight Market on December 11 from 4pm and the Told You So Market on Thursday, November 25 from 4pm. Orders can also be placed via her Instagram page.

“One of my goals through this program is to start up a website, which will hopefully make it easier for people to purchase,”

Her mother Stephanie says the Redcliffe community has been incredibly supportive, including the Keep Eco Store at Woody Point, which stocks the wheat bags on a regular basis.

“That’s where the idea of going organic came from,” Chloe says.

Check out her Instagram page @chloes.heat.wheats

To register for the live stream, visit the website