Seven Wellington County youths are hard at work this summer being their own boss.
The young entrepreneurs were awarded Summer Company grants from the Ontario government, which helps students aged 15 to 29 with hands-on business training and mentorship, with grants of up to $3,000 to turn ideas into a business.
The seven Wellington students were among 500 youths awarded the grant this year.
Move Coaching and Training
James Scott, a 19-year-old Brock University student, started his Sports coaching business this summer.
“I’m pretty much a personal trainer for kids aged 10 to 18 and I’ll train them in speed, agility, endurance,” he said.
The kinesiology student is also a basketball player and uses his knowledge to train kids with basketball, soccer, lacrosse and hockey skills.
They train at public locations such as Bissell Park in Elora and J.D. Hogarth Public School in Fergus.
Scott said the grant program has been great so far and he appreciated the mentorship program.
“I know someone else that did it and they said it was a good experience,” said Scott. “A lot of free knowledge on business and also the grant money is good to help start up.”
To learn more about Scott’s business email summertraining.move@gmail.com or call 519-803-2769.
Orton Summer Camp
Morgan Elias has turned her teaching experience into a summer camp based out of Orton.
The 24-year-old studies education at Wilfrid Laurier University and was interested in working with children at a summer camp, but wanted to start her own.
She works with her sister to offer week-long day camps for children aged 5 to 11.
“It’s really to get kids active, outdoors, connecting with nature and doing lots of arts and crafts,” said Elias.
The camp also offers French skills and week-long themes. Upcoming themes include bug week, the three Rs, mad scientists and water works.
“I think it’s an amazing opportunity for young professionals like myself, students, we don’t necessarily have a ton of money to start our own company … so I think it is amazing that they are willing to support us and promoting a long-term success,” said Elias of the Summer Company program.
“I feel like our training was really valuable in that we learn marketing skills and we learn bookkeeping, skills like that I wouldn’t have learned on my own.”
The camp registered 17 kids for next session and has seen the summer camp grow since its inception.
To learn more about the Orton Summer Camp visit www.ortonsummercamp.com.
Turtleshell Dreams
Joanna Hopkins, 18, saw an opportunity for a business when browsing Pinterest, an idea and image cataloguing website.
The Mount Forest student will be heading to Northern College in the fall to study in the veterinarian technician program, but this summer she is taking her rock-jewelry business to markets in the area.
“I collect locally-sourced rocks, from the area in Mount Forest,” said Hopkins “I collect them all, wash them all and wrap them all.”
Hopkins makes necklaces and pendants as well as rock buddies. Her rock collection consists of quartzite, quarts, white marble, white chert, white granite, red granite, saprolite and pegmatite.
Hopkins explained the Summer Company grant was a big boost when she was just starting out.
“It worked really well with what I was doing. (I thought) I can get help, I can get a mentor, I can get money and I can get going and really kick off this business idea that I had,” she said. “To do the business plan was, it was a little challenging, it was a great experience … to be able to go through that and find out you were accepted.”
Hopkins can be found at the Guelph Wednesday Market each week and at www.turtleshelldreams.com.
James’ Lawn Cutting
James Graff, a 15-year-old Centre Wellington District High School student, learned about the Summer Company in school.
He came up with the idea of doing yard work for homes and businesses and was excited to learn he received the grant.
“I cut grass for commercial, residential properties. I can do other small yard tasks like hedge trimming,” said Graff.
He said he had been cutting grass at home for a while and thought it would be a good idea for a business
With the Summer Company grant, Graff was able to purchase work boots, a lawn mower, trimmer and insurance.
To learn more about his company, email jamesgraff@hotmail.com.
Fur Real
Gerard Van Den Boogaard of Gorrie has been hunting and trapping for years and started Fur Real as a way to build a career out of his hobby.
“My business is selling tanned fur hides and manufactured products,” said Van Den Boogaard.
“I’ve been hunting and trapping outdoors, I love the outdoors, I’ve been into that for quite a while, and I kind of wanted to find a way to … integrate that and build a career out of it.”
Van Den Boogaard said he wanted to bring value-added products to the volatile industry.
“This was kind of a unique way to make tangible products and sell them and educate people about the outdoors and the trapping industry,” he said.
He added the Summer Company has been helpful, especially the mentorship.
Van Den Boogaard, 23, studies Crop Science at the University of Guelph.
To find out more about his business email gvandenb@mail.uoguelph.ca.
Boost Senior Assistance
Graham Wilmot saw a need in the community and started Boost Senior Assistance as a way to help seniors with everyday tasks.
The 18-year-old Centre Wellington District High School student has always wanted his own business.
“I saw a need with my own grandparents so my business is all about helping seniors do everyday tasks, helping them live the life they want to live and live independently,” he said.
Wilmot thought the Summer Company would help him make the leap into business. He was excited to learn he received the grant.
“It was a lot of work to get to that point so I was really excited,” he said.
To learn more, email Boost.graham@gmail.com or call 519-994-0439.
Closet Wishlist
Brittany Fraser of Arthur is also part of the program. She runs Closet Wishlist, which manufactures clothing.
