A year ago, Annie Wilson started making custom tattoos. By the time she stepped in front of the judges at the National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, she was no longer presenting an idea. She was presenting a business she had already built.
Representing Mensa Youth, Annie earned the title of 2026 Grade 1/2 Division Winner for ACT, Annie's Custom Tattoos and Stickers, a growing venture that creates custom stickers and temporary tattoos for schools, businesses, clubs, teams, and organizations.
While many young entrepreneurs begin by imagining what their business might become, Annie was able to show judges something tangible: completed orders, returning customers, real sales, and examples of products already being used in the community.
Throughout her presentation, Annie demonstrated a clear understanding of how her business operates. She explained her production process, pricing strategy, equipment investments, and customer service approach while sharing examples of custom work completed for a variety of organizations and clients.
The judges were particularly impressed that Annie had moved beyond the idea stage and into execution.
Judge Yivgeni Matoussov observed that many people have ideas, but far fewer take the steps required to bring those ideas to life.
"The most difficult thing is to actually do the idea that you had. It's really amazing that you didn't just have an idea, but you also started creating your idea."
Judge Luke Vesz was equally complimentary, noting both Annie's accomplishments and the opportunities still ahead of her.
"It's so impressive that you already have a successful business. You have so many years ahead of you to do even more than this."
When asked what she enjoyed most about the National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, Annie did not mention winning, recognition, or sales growth.
Instead, she spoke about the presentation itself.
"My favorite part of the competition is the live presentation of my business. It feels empowering to share my information with a lot of people and make a connection with them."
Her answer led to a longer conversation afterward, as she explained how much she enjoyed the opportunity to speak directly with judges and audience members about something she had worked hard to create.
That confidence and enthusiasm appear to be creating new opportunities.
In the days immediately following the competition, Annie received four additional sticker orders, including a significant order from a welding company. The new business nearly doubled her cumulative sales to date and demonstrated that demand for her products continues to grow.
The momentum did not stop there.
After learning about Annie's business success, her school's Parent Association invited her to prepare a presentation for its School Council and Parent Association AGM. The organization expressed interest in using her stickers for fundraising and promotional initiatives, providing another opportunity for Annie to share both her products and her entrepreneurial journey.
At the same time, she continues to refine and expand her offerings. Recently, Annie began experimenting with laminated stickers, giving customers the option of matte or glossy finishes with added durability. The addition reflects a mindset that successful entrepreneurs often share: continually improving products based on customer needs and new opportunities.
When asked what advice she would give to other students with business ideas of their own, Annie's response was straightforward.
"Just try. You never know what might happen and what awesome success you might find."
That willingness to take a chance has already led to remarkable results.
Outside of entrepreneurship, Annie continues to pursue a variety of interests and achievements. Shortly after the competition, she placed seventh overall in the Calgary Spelling Bee while competing against students in a division that included Grades 1 through 3, despite being a Grade 2 student herself.
For Annie, ACT has become more than a sticker and tattoo business. It has become a way to connect with people, solve real-world needs, learn new skills, and build confidence through experience.
The National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge recognized her accomplishments with the Grade 1/2 Division title, but perhaps the more impressive story is what happened afterward. New customers arrived, new opportunities emerged, and the business continued to grow.
For a young entrepreneur who simply decided to try, that growth may be only the beginning.
Winner Magazine congratulates Annie Wilson on being named the 2026 National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Grade 1/2 Division Winner and looks forward to following her continued success.