Student businesses pop-up at Northgate Mall
Young entrepreneurs are highlighting their businesses today at the Northgate Shopping Centre and will be there until three this afternoon.
It’s all part of a program run by The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound, designed to provide a sound business foundation to the region’s youth. Each year, a select number of applicants are selected to the program, which offers training and $1,500 in start-up money. Once the summer ends, the small business owners are given another $1,500 to support their work.
The program is funded by the provincial government and Canadore College.
Today’s appearance at the mall “provides a platform for young entrepreneurs to present their products and services to the community,” noted Sarah White, the Marketing and Youth Programming Director for the Business Centre.
The program has run for many years now, White herself took part a few years ago, with her mobile frozen yogurt business Yo-To-Go, which you may recall from past outdoor summer events.
She explained that the program is for those aged 15 to 29. Once accepted into the program, the entrepreneurs learn about business plans, and “the fundamentals” of running their own operation. There are workshops, and guest speakers from the local business community also offer some wisdom and advice.
Then the young entrepreneurs do a showcase at the mall to help introduce their goods and services to the community.
See: Summer Company Program helping young entrepreneurs get started
“It’s really rewarding to see the students learn and develop their businesses throughout the summer,” White said. And although the program is designed for summer businesses, many past participants carry on their operations throughout the year.
Kelsie Munro operates Creator’s Crystals, which sells various crystals, jewellery, and special stones. She also offers Tarot readings. She went through the program two years ago, and she continues to run the business. She enjoys participating in the pop-ups because “it’s nice to get different types of entrepreneurs together to see what kind of a community we can create.”
Munro ran Creator’s Crystals out of a storefront for two years, but now that’s she’s returning to school, is moving to e-commerce. “It’s been really great,” she said of the program. “I couldn’t have done it without the business centre.”
“They really set you up with all of the tools and resources that you need,” she added, “and they’re always there if you need a helping hand.”
Other new businesses setting up at the mall today were Sybear Creations, A7 Studio – a photography and videography service in Parry Sound – and Nails by Bella. All can be found on social media.
Nails by Bella was created by Izabella Hammill, who designs and produces press on nails. From understated to more intricate designs, she does it all, and after designing nails for friends and family, she decided to turn it into a business.
The decision was finalized after White came to her classroom to give some information about the summer program. “It sounded like a good idea, so I learned some more about the program, and here I am.”
For more information about the Summer Company business program, visit the Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound’s website.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
David Briggs, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, BayToday.ca
