Summer Company 2011

The Summer Company Program is well underway and we are pleased to introduce 12 ambitious students who have decided to run their own business this summer. Rather than a traditional summer job, these students have taken on the monumental task of getting a business up and running and profitable within a few short months. In order to be approved for the program these students:

• submitted a comprehensive business plan which included a start-up budget and cash flow forecast. Based on their start-up budget most students have received $1500 to contribute to their start-up costs.




• were interviewed and signed a contract with the Provincial Government stating that they will dedicate a minimum of 35 hours/week to running the business, attend regular mentor meeting and training sessions, complete an online journal and report all of their income and expenses. At the end of the summer these students may be eligible for another $1500 award.

The success of the students will be determined by the accuracy of their planning and dedication to the business. Success is not solely based on profit margin. It can also be measured by the personal growth and confidence. How exciting to consider that these students will register their first business name, open a business bank account, make their first cold call, negotiate price, create business cards and websites and maybe even write their own media release!
These students are not on their own. Consultants from our Small Business Centre are available to guide the students throughout the summer. We also have tremendous support from members of the business mentoring group who volunteer their time and expertise to assist these young entrepreneurs.

• Jeff Bowman of The Marketing Pad delivered a 1.5 hour presentation on sales strategies to our students last week.



• Surita Dey, Youth Services Coordinator at The Brampton Library and Linh Hang, Small Business Advisor with TD Canada Trust will be available all summer should the students require their assistance.
  


• Amos Findlayter will deliver training on bookkeeping in the coming weeks.
  

Thank you to all of our volunteers. The success of the program depends on your involvement.

The Summer Company Class of 2011:

Candi’s Coils offers natural, organic and vegan products for your hair and body. All formulations are made using quality oils, butters and waxes by Marisa Blair. As a naturally crafty girl, it only came naturally for Marisa to soon end up mixing up a storm in her kitchen creating various products from hair conditioners to vegan lip-balms.

Titus Personal Training is owned and operated by Cherise Titus, a Certified Personal Training Specialist through Canada’s largest fitness certification program Can-Fit-Pro. Titus Personal Training is 100% committed to helping everyone achieve their fitness goals and takes pride in providing the best services possible that cater to your wants and needs.

Head Start Robotics founded by Michael Lim is a fun and exciting workshop that allows children to develop interest and skills related to engineering technologies. Through their weekly program, children will design and build a robot to complete a complex obstacle course and engage in design activities. Head Start Robotics aims to equip children with the critical thinking, design and team work skills to give them a Head Start to Success!

Connect with Fitness is a Mobile Personal Training Company that caters to Brampton, Mississauga and surrounding cities - and mobile means that they come to you! No gym membership, no driving, and no babysitter required for these dynamic and fun training sessions. Vanessa Fox will meet you at your home, prepared with a workout tailored to your specific goals. Learn to use the space and objects around you (such as chairs and stairs) to push, pump and tone your body. OR - let Vanessa bring some portable equipment to help enhance your exercises. Lose those bulky, limiting machines that you find in the gym, and get ready for a fitter, healthier and happier you!

Swim with Gavin is a registered business situated in Caledon, Ontario operated by Gavin Fior a certified partner of Red Cross Canada, certified lifeguard and Red Cross instructor for any level of swimming. Swim at OUR pool or I will come to you! Our pool has a change room and shower facilities

NDB Studios is owned and operated by Nathaneal Thomas and provides graphics design services such as; Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator skills, Website Design, Logo Creation, Business Card Design, Wedding Invitations, Flash banner Advertisements, Video Editing and more.

Chic Expression was founded by Mishka Cooke, a business student and entrepreneur. Mishka has been designing and making jewellery for 11 years. It has always been a passion of hers to open her own custom-made jewellery store.

Band Splash founded by Adam Currie is a website for unsigned bands looking for exposure in today’s music scene. The site provides bands with a basic service including a profile page and limited storage space for music, pictures and video. For an extra fee bands would receive a premium service which includes profile page, extended storage space, site advertising, competitions, exclusive play on website radio, and media downloads.

You Only Live Once Collective was founded by Ryan Roy and is a collection of skateboarding and art. The focus of YoLoCo is to provide high quality fashionable clothing gear, accessories and skateboarding equipment that gives the consumer access to the latest designs in fashion and the skateboarding industry. YoLoCo retail's t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and sunglasses made up of contributions from their skate team, close friends, fellow skateboarders, photographers and individuals that are full of passion and love for skateboarding, clothing and life.

Heaven’s Eleven Soccer Club is operated by Michael Buabeng and provides a place for kids to learn about the techniques and skills of soccer while acquiring valuable life skills. The participants will be exposed to positive individuals from their own communities, empowering them to realize that they can succeed irrespective of their socio-economic or ethnic background. For more information contact Michael at 647-966-4784

Curb Appeal Painters specializes in exterior residential painting throughout Brampton. Owner Jaten Patterson-Reid strives to provide clients with professional, first-class quality service and convenient scheduling. Services include painting of doors, garage doors, columns, railings, and sealant (asphalt, cement, concrete). For more information contact Jaten at 416-992-8170

A.Y.S Mobile Mechanics provides a mobile mechanic service to the Brampton and surrounding areas. Owner Krishna Singh will travel to the clients home to service their vehicles for a fraction of the cost that regular mechanics shop or dealership would charge. Krishna is a registered apprentice mechanic and has lots of experience working with cars on various small problems. For more information contact Krishna at 416-917-7245

We hope you will support these dynamic youth this summer!