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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-08-18, Page 12Crossroads 12 Wednesday,August 18, 2004 Exeter Times Advocate Summer Company turns students into entrepreneurs By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Three South Huron District High School students are run- ning their own businesses this summer with the help of a program run by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT). The Summer Company program is designed to encourage youth to start their own businesses by giving them funds and information that will allow them to succeed. The program is designed for students aged 15-29 who are going back to school full time. It provides up to $1, 500 towards start up costs and upon successful completion of the pro- gram requirements, the students may be eligible for an additional award of up to $1, 500. MEDT granted 250 Summer Company pro- grams this summer and six of them are in Huron County. Three of those six are located around Exeter. Ryan Brintnell, Mark Smith and Matthew Miner each submitted a business plan to the Huron County Business Enterprise Centre in Seaforth before being selected for the program. After they were selected they participated in train- ing workshops to ready them for running their own companies. Alison Lobb is the busi- ness consultant at the centre and said the pro- gram, which is in its fourth year, is going very well. One of the criteria the centre looks for in a busi- ness plan, according to Lobb, is how the program will benefit the student. "Sometimes I look at a business and think `you're not going to make the kind of money you think you are', because quite often they aren't. But you will learn a lot and probably be the type of person who will be an entrepreneur. And if that is the case I'm going to be voting for that person." Lobb said the types of businesses proposed are varied including selling firewood, Web design, computer repair and gar- den centres. One of the major parts of running a business, according to Lobb, is the bookwork. "They take training ses- sions in record keeping and we go through cash flows with them. We compare their budgeted amount with their actu- als. They're coming to a meeting on Aug. 17 and each one will have to give a little presentation." Lobb said each student will talk about what they projected for revenue and for profit, what actually happened and why, in their opinion. The students will identi- fy their best methods of marketing and what did- n't work. They have also been asked to identify one thing they have learned from the pro- gram. "It's a very interesting program. It's very rewarding to see them learning and enjoying and what they don't enjoy." According to Lobb, there have been entre- preneurship programs in high schools in previous years which made a tremendous difference to students looking to start businesses. "Last year in particular the plans I got were excellent. But a lot of the schools aren't having them anymore." Eye -Catcher Ryan Brintnell runs his Eye -Catcher business at 40211 Thames Rd. E just outside Exeter, selling garden and yard art he makes himself. It is the second business Brintnell has run, after cutting grass with his brother for several years. Brintnell heard about the program at school and worked on his busi- ness plan with the help of his father Jim for a cou- ple of months. He found out in mid July he had been accept- ed and received $1,500 he used to buy equip- ment, materials and advertising. Selling flowers, bird- houses, dragonflies, dogs and cats, Brintnell said sales have been good so far. He has been at several art shows, including Sidewalk Sale days in Exeter and Art in the Park and said it has been fun and a good learning experience. While not eligible for the Summer Company program again, Brintnell is looking at other pro- grams run by the centre, including a contest for business plans. Eye Catcher is open from 8 a.m. until dark and can be reached at 235-2075. Right on the Mark Mark Smith, who runs Right on the Mark, says business has been "pretty good and fairly steady." and other than a few soft- ware problems has gone smoothly. Smith also became interested in the Summer Company program after hearing about it in the assembly. After being interested in computers for about five years, he decided to try the program. He provides computer repair services from his office at 15 John St. E Exeter. Smith used the $1,500 he received for some ren- ovations to the office, as well as computer equip- ment, rent and advertise- ments. While not fording record keeping difficult, he says it has been a learning experience. "It's been dif- ferent than I thought and more work." Smith said he would like to keep his business going after the program ends. "I think I'm going to make money. I haven't made my fortune yet, but it's getting there." He says overall it has been a positive experi- ence and he might apply for other programs. Right on the Mark can be con- tacted at. 235-4565. Miner Web Design Miner Web Design is run by Matthew Miner, who thought it would be something great to try after hearing about it in the SHDHS assembly. He says he always liked Web design and figured he might as well get paid for designing and main- taining sites for local businesses. Miner says he didn't think it would require as much marketing as it has since it has been tough convincing companies the Internet is viable as an advertising option. "There have been dif- ferent types of responses, you really can't tell." Miner plans to carry the business on through the winter because he feels it takes time to build up a constant stream of cus- tomers. He offers three different packages of Web site design and also does maintenance if the com- pany chooses. He hopes to make a profit this summer and is hoping he won't need other assistance after the business is established. Miner Web Design is located on Kirkton Rd just past the Exeter Golf Course and can be reached at 319-1043. For more information on the Summer Company program contact Alison Lobb at the Huron Business Enterprise Centre in Seaforth at 527- 0305 ext 35. Three South Huron District High School students are running their own businesses this summer through the Summer Company program. (Above) Mark Smith is providing computer repair services with Right on the Mark, while (below) Matthew Miner is designing and maintaining Web sites for local businesses. (photos/submitted) Ryan Brintnell is running Eye Catcher, which makes and sells metal and wood yard and garden art. (photo/submitted)