It’s been a whirlwind summer for five students in the Sudbury area who started up and ran their own businesses with the help of the northern Ontario city.
The City of Greater Sudbury helped Myriam Atte, Benjamin Hickey, Annalisa Mason, Herbert Watkins and Lainna Munro launch their businesses through the Summer Company program.
Facilitated by the city’s Regional Business Centre and backed by the provincial government, the initiative offers entrepreneurs up to $3,000 each in startup grants.
Students aged 15 to 29 are eligible for the program. They must apply in the spring and participate in a brief interview.
The program provides training in fundamental business principles such as pricing, competition, sales strategies, marketing, bookkeeping and tax tips. Students also develop comprehensive business plans complete with financial projections and budgeting.
Participants benefit from mentorship and roundtable discussions with local entrepreneurs, some of whom are program alumni. Additional coaching is provided by the program co-ordinator.
“Each one of these young entrepreneurs turned their passions into a reality this year,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre, congratulating the young business owners.
Mélissa Deschênes, the incubator program co-ordinator at Innovation Quarters, said the program broadens the horizons of teenagers and young adults, opening their minds to the possibility of entrepreneurship.
“It teaches you finance, managing projects, how to talk with customers, how to pitch your brand and how to pitch yourself. So I think that there are so many skills that are transferrable,” said Deschênes.
Munro’s venture, Lainna’s Swimming Stars, has evolved into a thriving business thanks to the startup program.
“I probably gave about six to 10 lessons a day and then I did them from Monday to Friday,” said the 17-year-old. “There are unfortunately a lot of drownings that happen in Canada and around the world year to year. By just putting your kids in swimming lessons and teaching your kids how to swim — it really provides a peace of mind for parents.”
Munro, a former city lifeguard and competitive swimming coach, was approached by family and friends to teach their children how to swim. The high demand for her services in 2023 inspired her to turn it into a business this year.
She credits the Summer Company program with helping her with funding and tips on marketing and other essential aspects of her new business.
“If that money was coming out of pocket, then I might have been a little bit more scared,” she said.
She said the program also guided her in obtaining insurance, a business licence and registering her business, all of which were covered by the grant money.
“It’s scary starting your own business, you don’t know if it’s going to take off or not.”
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