Simcoe County Youth Launch Summer Businesses With Up to $3,000 in Provincial Support
Updated
Updated · OrilliaMatters · Aug 19
Simcoe County Youth Launch Summer Businesses With Up to $3,000 in Provincial Support
1 articles · Updated · OrilliaMatters · Aug 19
Summary
Young entrepreneurs across Simcoe County are running summer ventures this year through Ontario’s Summer Company program, which backs participants aged 15 to 29 with micro-grants, mentorship and training.
Up to $3,000 in funding and one-on-one guidance from business professionals are meant to help participants build practical skills in sales, marketing, bookkeeping, customer service and networking.
Three 16-year-olds highlighted the range of businesses: Tristan Gundert’s custom key-chain brand Koala Charm, Ruth Adam’s redesigned-clothing venture Sit and Style with Ruth, and Anson Reesor’s mobile ice-cream bike Midhurst Mini-Cart.
Reesor said permits and food-handling requirements cost hundreds of dollars, while Adam pointed to lessons in social media and expense tracking and Gundert said the program gave her early business experience.
Provincial and local officials cast the program as a pipeline for future entrepreneurs, saying real-world experience gives youth a chance to test ideas and serve customers beyond the classroom.