WELLINGTON COUNTY – Saugeen Connects is running the Student Start-up Program for the third year this summer.
The program, offered to students in the Saugeen district in elementary and high school, “has helped over 147 students gain entrepreneurial experience by providing start-up funding and valuable training opportunities to try entrepreneurship,” states a Saugeen Connects press release.
The students are given a $150 start-up fund for their business, and receive a $25 bonus for attending each class, and $150 for submitting their final report. The total they are eligible to receive is $450.
Started in 2019, the program didn’t run in 2020 due to COVID-19. It has transitioned to an online format since returning, with the first year operating in-person.
“We found it easier for students … to log on online … and just listen to us and engage in a workshop rather than trying to get to the location,” said training, communications, and project administrator Andrea Rowntree.
There are 47 students participating in the program this year, seven of whom are returning after being involved in past years.
Mount Forest resident Reuben Seddon has been involved in the summer start-up program for two years. His two brothers, Noah and Jacob also run summer businesses with the program.
Last year the 13-year-old ran a stand selling British candy, and this year is operating Murphy Street Snack Stop, which sells candy, chips and drinks on Murphy Street in Mount Forest.
“I was born in England. So I wanted to do British sweets for a start,” said Seddon on last year’s business. His favourite British candies are Curly Wurly and Crunchie, he added.
Seddon decided to branch out this year to Canadian known candies to expand business, which is going well.
“I’ve been getting lots of customers,” he said.
The money he receives from the program goes towards paying for candy and signage.
Seddon sees himself participating in this program again.
To learn more go to Murphy Straight Snack Stop on Facebook.
Granola, meat businesses
Graham Blahut, 9, is participating in the program as well, running two businesses: Minto Mobile Meals and Graham’s Granola.
Young entrepreneur – Graham Blahut, participant in the Saugeen Summer Start-up program, operating his business, Graham’s Granola.
Submitted photo
The start-up program is typically only offered to students in Grades 6 to 12, but Blahut, in fourth grade, was accepted to the program as an exception, explained Rowntree in an email.
The Minto resident first participated in the program last summer, starting Minto Mobile Meals. Blahut bikes to local restaurants and delivers food to customers.
He explained that there were no delivery services in the area, and he wanted to fill this need.
Not having as much business as he would’ve liked last year, Blahut decided to launch Graham’s Granola as well for this summer as well.
Blahut sells homemade granola at the local Minto Farmers’ Market.
“I though it’d be nice to have a product to sell, rather than just a service,” he said, adding he has sold out of granola on the last two market dates.
Blahut said he enjoys the process of cooking.
“It’s a good influence for me, because I’m still at a young-ish age, where cooking is just about learning.”
Enjoying the start-up program and classes, Blahut sees himself being involved in it next year as well.
To learn more about Blahut’s business visit mobilemeals.ca.
There are 17 students from Wellington County participating this year: Finly Chris Diemert, Samantha Cray, Reid Smith, Rylan Dowler, Emmett Bowman, Carly Voisin, Abdulrahman Almohamad, Graham Blahut, Lachlan Weppler, Brynleigh Weber, Maddison Hallman, Mya Rowley, Jacob Rowley, Isabella Clemmer, Noah Seddon, Jacob Seddon and Reuben Seddon.
