Seven enterprising Sarnia-Lambton students are preparing to open their own businesses this summer thanks to the Summer Company Program.
The program provides students with a chance to create their own small businesses, become their own bosses, and develop transferable skills. By providing each student with up to $3,000, 12 hours of business training and one-on-one mentoring, the program gives Ontario students an opportunity to learn about themselves and experience what it takes to start and run a business; all without financial risk.
This year Sarnia-Lambton has approved seven program participants, with strong local demand exceeding the program availability. The 2012 Summer Company students and their summer companies are:
Lindsay Bulckaert, Cake Face, specializes in fun and delicious cupcakes and in-home cupcake parties. Lindsay is a Sarnia resident who is enrolled in a joint program between Lambton College and the University of Windsor. Contact: LindsayCakeFace@gmail.com or 519-491-7055
Gina Gillis, G.L.C. Pavement & Patio Scrub, powers through everyday dirt and grime on your concrete; improving the look of your property with her unique machine. Gina is a Brights Grove resident and University of Guelph student. Contact: 519-869-4216
Gordon Hannan, www.UniversityComputerServices.ca, provides IT support and repair for small businesses and individuals. Gordon is a Sarnia resident and both a University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College Student. Contact: Gordon@UComputerServices.ca
Owen Osinde, The Recruits Clothing Company, offers a creative lifestyle clothing brand that embodies a universal culture that galvanizes individuals to reach their ultimate potential through design aesthetics. Owen is a St. Christopher Secondary School student who will be attending Ryerson University in the fall. Contact: owen.osinde@hotmail.ca
Sarah Rogers, Aced Designs Photography, specializes in weddings, portraits, and digital retouching. Serving Lambton County. Sarah is a Sarnia resident and Lambton College student. www.aceddesigns.com
Matt St-Pierre, Matt St-Pierre Productions, creates high quality recordings and marketing services to get your music heard, getting you out of the garage and onto the stage. Matt is a Sarnia resident and University of Guelph student. Contact: st-pierre-productions@hotmail.com or 519-381-8985.
Katelyn Crooks, Marine Memories, is a Northern Collegiate Secondary School student who will be attending Lambton College in the fall. Katelyn is a student with a camera capturing your once in a lifetime moments on the water. You will be able to purchase an adventure photograph of your boating or Jet Ski moment from her website. www.marinemoments.com
The Summer Company Program is an initiative of the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, and is provided locally by the Business Enterprise Centre of Sarnia-Lambton, under the auspices of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership.
“This program gives us an opportunity to attract and identify creative and highly motivated youth in our community. It’s a great opportunity for Sarnia-Lambton to develop our youth into entrepreneurial minded adults,” said George Mallay, General Manager of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership.
Chantelle Core, Entrepreneurship Co-coordinator for the Sarnia-Lambton Business Enterprise Centre, noted that the skills students gain through the program are valuable whether they continue to own and operate their own businesses, or use the transferable skills they have gained to become entrepreneurial minded employees who work in our community. “We hope the community will support and encourage these student-run business startups and benefit from all they have to offer,” she said.
For further information:
Chantelle Lynne Core
Entrepreneurship – Agricultural/ Rural Development Coordinator
Tel: 519-332-1820 (toll free 1-800-972-7642)
chantelle@www.sarnialambton.on.ca
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership and
The Business Enterprise Centre of Sarnia-Lambton
Western University Research Park, Sarnia-Lambton Campus