The Brag Basket is open! This one is for Feb 17-19, 2017. Bring your good news, big or small, to share with everyone.
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The rural small business blog. We talk about small town business, with how-to articles, especially on social media marketing and making your community a better place. We use this “author” for announcements and other things you’ll want to know.
Hi, I’m Clark Hoskin from Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada. We have some big — and small — news to share that we’re really proud of.
The small news is … last week, we won the “Private Public Partnership Award” at this year’s Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) conference in Toronto.
The big news is … what happened in order for us to win the award:
Last February, we hired Jerry Sucharyna as our new Economic Development Analyst and he moved across the country to work for us. Jerry has a passion for youth entrepreneurs, so he wanted to bring a new idea to Ontario: piloting student startups in Grades 6 to 12.
We created SSUP Norfolk – Student Start Up Norfolk – which provides $200 to a student to start a summer business if they provide a brief business plan. At the end of the summer, whether successful or not, they receive another $100 if they hand in a report.
Since our office has no cash laying around to fund such an endeavour, we asked local businesses to help. About 12 businesses and non-profits stepped up and pledged about $9,000 in the matter of a couple of weeks. It seems old entrepreneurs LOVE to support young entrepreneurs.
Jerry took his show on the road and presented to every elementary and secondary school in Norfolk County (except for two – they weren’t interested). In the end – more than 80 kids applied, most of them in Grades 6, 7 and 8!
We scraped up some more cash and funded 40 student businesses involving 52 students. From grass cutting to babysitting, from ice making to swim lessons, there were a lot of great student businesses. Many of them filed their final reports and received the extra $100. Some made LOTS of money (ranging from $1,500 to $10,000 in profit) and others lost their shirts. But they all tried, and we are so PROUD of them.
For more info about SSUP, visit http://www.norfolkbusiness.ca/incentives-supports/ssup-norfolk/.
Thanks for the opportunity to share.
Clark, that is terrific! A smart way to grow your next generation of entrepreneurs.
We are excited to let you know that a Business Start-up & Expansion session will be held in Kipling, Saskatchewan, Canada. It will be a chance for those considering going into a business can informally meet with financial representatives, business services representatives and pitch their ideas. Guest speakers, including Pat Beaujot who (along with a few partners) successfully grew an agricultural manufacturing business from scratch to employing nearly 500 workers. Then sold the business for a profit. The event will be on Saturday, May 6th at the Community Centre. Sponsored by Kipling Entrepreneurial Group (KEG) and other local businesses. Students will be encouraged to attend.
Scott, that is a wonderful project for Kipling! Congratulations!