Kawartha Lakes – With the help of the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Centre (SBC), a group of local students tried their hand at entrepreneurship this summer.  Summer Company is a government of Ontario program for students between the ages of 15 and 29. The program provides hands-on training, mentorship and financial grants of up to $3000 to help students start their own summer business.

Congratulations to the six students who completed the program and turned their business ideas into a reality this summer:

• Ella Marsh, Swim To You
• Ty Stockdale, TOS Services
• Jack Georgiou, JG Detailing
• Justin Moffatt, Moffatt’s Lawn Care & Property Maintenance
• Kelsi MacKay, WILDE
• Andrew Sheppard, Andrew’s Lawn Maintenance

Jack Georgiou shared “I always wanted to run my own business, I wanted to build something on my own and I reached all my goals. Having a mentor there when ever you needed was so helpful.”

Ty Stockdale had a similar experience. He said, “The program was very helpful. From someone who has taken business classes, it is always great to get a new stand point on something or to brainstorm with someone new. You can never know too much, so every time we had a meeting or in training I felt I was always expanding my knowledge.”

After spending the summer developing her own business, Kelsi said, “I definitely see this being a full time career for me. I have really proved to myself in the last couple months that if I put in the dedication amazing things can happen.”

About the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Centre (SBC)

The Kawartha Lakes SBC has year-round resources, workshops, and one-on-one support from trained staff to support businesses and connect entrepreneurs. Kawartha Lakes SBC is also an access point for funding and programs – like Summer Company and Starter Company PLUS – to support start-up and established businesses.

Summer Company will return in 2024, stay tuned next spring for updates on application dates.

For more information, please visit the Kawartha Lakes Website or email Sandy Greenberg, Economic Development Officer – Small Business Programs, at sgreenberg@kawarthalakes.ca.

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