Photo: Summer Company participants are, Nicholas DiGiacinto in front and back row from left, Mentor – Heather McConnell, Economic Development Officer for the City of Pembroke, Keely Goldberg, Travis Davison, Zachary Remus, Steven Zadra-Brotton, Sydney Armstrong and Mentor – Chantelle Cartman, Broker, Coldwell Banker Valley Wide Real Estate. Photo submitted
PEMBROKE — Enterprise Renfrew County is proud to announce that six students have been selected for the 2016 Summer Company Program, a youth entrepreneurship initiative that provides young people with the opportunity to create their own summer job. Funded by the Government of Ontario, the Summer Company program complements Ontario’s Youth Jobs Strategy by investing in training youth so they can develop their skills and contribute to Ontario’s economic growth. The successful students are;
• Sydney Armstrong – Sydney A Photography is located in Palmer Rapids and specializes in photo shoots and the sale of scenery and action shots. Contact 613-334-2248 or [email protected]
• Travis Davison – Trav’s Lawn Care is located in Braeside and takes care of all your lawn care needs. Contact 613-805-0395 or [email protected]
• Nicholas DiGiacinto – Nick D’s Lawn and Property Care is located in Petawawa and specializes in lawn care/maintenance, pressure washing and odd jobs. Contact 613-732-5366 or [email protected]
• Keely Goldberg – Essentially Your~Bath & Body Products is located in Pembroke and creates bath and body products made from all natural materials. Contact 613- 602-1440 or [email protected]
• Zachary Remus – 1Point1 Studios is located in Burnstown and offers videography and editing services. Contact 613-312-9377 or [email protected]
• Steven Zadra-Brotton – Greenworks Removal and Recycling is located in Barry’s Bay and will assist you in cleaning out sheds, garages, and households and will recycle what isn’t wanted. Contact 613-717-1120 or [email protected]
The Summer Company program is available to students between the ages of 15 and 29 who are in school, and returning to school in the fall, to start and operate their own business throughout the summer months. Successful applicants can receive up to $1500 for business start-up costs and additionally, upon successful completion of the program, they can receive another award of up to $1500. Summer Company is administered by Enterprise Renfrew County and Business Consultant, Colleen Sadler, says it offers a wonderful incentive to young people who are interested in being entrepreneurial.
“We know that small business makes up the greatest percentage of new jobs that are being created in Renfrew County and the Summer Company Program helps participants gain real life work experience in business that is meaningful for youth that have entrepreneurial aspirations. It gives them their first exposure to running a business and we have had many success stories in recent years as program participants have gone on to post-secondary education with the intention of eventually starting their own business, or have grown their summer company business into a full time career,” says Ms. Sadler.
By participating in the program, participants will receive business training, mentoring and assistance from local community leaders that will support them in the day-to-day operation of their enterprise. Ms. Sadler calls it, “grassroots job creation, as these young minds are being nurtured and encouraged to pursue their dreams of establishing their own business.”
QUICK FACTS
• Almost 7000 students in Ontario have launched a summer business through Summer Company since 2001
• Enterprise Renfrew County has delivered the program for the past 15 years with 116 youth completing the program
• 89% of the participants said they planned to continue running their businesses part-time during school or again the following summer
• 99% would recommend the program to a friend
• 89% of students see entrepreneurship as a possible career choice
