THUNDER BAY -Business – Young entrepreneurs were launching their summer companies today at Staples in Thunder Bay. The province-wide event started last year in Thunder Bay at Staples, and has expanded now to twenty Staples locations across Ontario.
The young people have a diverse number of companies, from fitness training, lawn care, photography, and math tutoring.
Summer Company Launch
Students with a winning entrepreneurial drive set up shop at 20 Staples locations to share the vision behind their business plans as part of the “Summer Company” initiative.
Shelby Ch’ng – City Councillor and CEDC Board Member
Stacia Kean at Summer Company Launch
The program, in its first year, showcases the winners of Summer Company, a program conducted by the Ministry of Economic Development. The program gives students between the ages of 15 and 29 the opportunity to win $3,000 to get their summer ventures off the ground.
The program also provides advice and mentorship from local business leaders to guide winning entries.
“We’re very proud to give student entrepreneurs a platform to promote their new ideas and receive feedback from our customers, on-site and in real time,” says Steve Matyas, president of Staples Canada. “Helping to develop the talent and business acumen of our Canadian youth is a good investment for our company.”
The youth entrepreneurship and employment initiative allows students returning to school in the fall the chance to receive an initial $1,500 and an additional $1,500 upon completion of the program. Students commit to an average of 35 hours per week, comparable to real-world work hours. .
The Summer Company event took place at Staples locations in Toronto, Ottawa, Markham, Richmond Hill, Oshawa, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Scarborough, Cornwall, Pembroke, Barrie, Kingston, Sudbury and Peterborough.
Thunder Bay City Councillor Shelby Ch’ng
For more information on the program’s details, please visit www.ontario.ca/summercompany.
