SARNIA, ON: Sarnia-Lambton area student entrepreneurs were supported in creating new businesses this summer through the Summer Company Program. Their accomplishments were honoured during a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, August 19th. The event celebrated their small businesses, recognized their participation in the Summer Company Program and premiered two new promotional videos, featuring current participants and program alumni.
The Summer Company program is a joint initiative between the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership and the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. The program provided each participant with a $1,500 grant to launch their business, as well as mentoring and training in various aspects of entrepreneurship over the course of the summer. Upon successful completion of the program, the students were also eligible to receive another $1,500 for a total of $3,000.
On hand to celebrate the student entrepreneurs were County of Lambton Warden, Kevin Marriott, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership Board Chair, Katherine Walker, and Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership CEO, Stephen Thompson, who recognized the students’ accomplishments during the virtual ceremony.
Open to students between 15 and 29, in high school, college, or university, the 2021 Summer Company Program marked the 22nd consecutive year that the program was offered to Sarnia-Lambton students by the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership.
Businesses included a lawncare professional, allergy sensitive soap and cleaner manufacturer, tennis lessons, and a digital marketing company.
Students were guided through the program by Student Entrepreneurship Coach, Jared Waller, where they learned about business planning, bookkeeping, marketing, communication, diversity, and inclusion and how to leverage their entrepreneurship experience. “The students approached the summer with a willingness to learn and desire to take full advantage of what they were being taught” said Jared Waller, Student Entrepreneurship Coach.
“I am very proud of the summer company participants this year, the current economic climate added extra challenges, but the students persevered, and I am happy with the growth that they were able to achieve” Waller exclaimed.
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership CEO, Stephen Thompson, said “receiving feedback from students who have participated in the Summer Company program is inspiring. Hearing about their experiences as entrepreneurs when they first complete the program and again years later as alumni validates the experience summer company provides. We are pleased to share some of the feedback we receive with the release of two new promotional videos.” Videos available at: https://www.sarnialambton.on.ca/Summer
A full list of 2021 Summer Company participants and their businesses can be found below, while applicants interested in the 2022 Program can find out more at www.sarnialambton.on.ca/Summer or by contacting Chantelle Core at chantelle@sarnialambton.on.ca
ASHR Media
Anthony Clark started ASHR Media offering web design, graphic design, and business consulting services. Anthony credits coincidence and stroke of luck to his start up and believes ASHR Media is the result of every piece of the puzzle falling into place exactly when it was supposed to. Anthony’s has a broad and diverse education background. Having recently graduated from Lambton College, he is a self-taught website accessibility consultant whose marketing expertise was honed on the job.
Hillcrest Heritage Home Goods
Jayme McCully has started Hillcrest Heritage Home Goods, producing, and selling all-natural cruelty free cleaning supplies and soaps. Jayme was motivated to start Hillcrest Heritage Home Goods because she has witnessed firsthand the impact commercial cleaners have on people with rare allergies, and the obstacles they face to find natural products. Jayme is excited to launch her product offering to an e-commerce customer base before returning to studies at St. Patrick’s Catholic High School this fall.
Facebook- @hillcrestheritage
Jack’s Grass Cutting
Jack Vrolyk launched his business, Jack’s Grass Cutting, offering residential lawn care service with trimming and optional bagging to Sarnia and Point Edward residents. He is providing a low cost, high quality lawn care service across the City of Sarnia and Village of Point Edward, currently servicing over thirty customers. Jack strives to ensure every customer is completely satisfied. He is passionate about taking care of lawns without harming local wildlife, carrying out this belief in his day-to-day work. Jack is a business student at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Mueller Tennis Services
Matt Mueller’s business, Mueller Tennis Services offers tennis lessons and stringing services to maintain client’s rackets in Sarnia-Lambton. Coming from Petrolia and working his way up the national and international tennis ladder, Matt has experienced the joys tennis has to offer. This summer he aims to spread awareness for the sport and inspire others in the community. Being physically active has helped Matt cope with the pandemic and he hopes by offering these lessons, local children and youth will have a positive experience that will better their physical, social, and metal health. Matt is a business student studying through Huron at Western University, where he is a student-athlete representing Western Mustangs.
ABOUT Summer Company Program
Operating for the 22nd year in Sarnia-Lambton, the joint initiative between the Economic Partnership and the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade has provided local students with a $3,000 grant to launch their business, along with mentoring and training over 12 weeks this summer. Open to high school and post-secondary students between the ages of 15 and 29, the 2021 Summer Company Program recruited participants through media releases, social media and radio advertising, and offered an online information session. To inquire about the services of one of the four businesses listed and for more information about the program, please contact Chantelle Core at chantelle@sarnialambton.on.ca or by calling 519-332-1820.
ABOUT Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is the lead economic development agency for the Sarnia-Lambton area. Funded by the County of Lambton, we have a focus on promoting the distinct advantages that Sarnia-Lambton proudly offers companies and residents. By coordinating community-based economic development initiatives and working to maintain a commercially attractive environment, we foster new business creation, help ensure that established firms remain and grow here, and work to attract growing businesses to the Sarnia-Lambton area. Visit sarnialambton.on.ca to learn more.
Program Contact
Chantelle Core, Development Coordinator
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
519-332-1820
chantelle@sarnialambton.on.ca
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