The Huron Expositor, 1994-12-21, Page 8II -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Decomber 21, 1994
Feature
Entrepreneurs start new businesses
BY TIM CUMMING
Expositor Editor
A new group of entrepreneurs is
being let loose in Huron County.
Thirteen area people have just
finished a 10 -week course at the
Huron Business Centre in Seaforth
studying how to become successful
business owners.
The Introduction to Self -Employ-
ment course is conducted through
Conestoga College and is sponsored
by the Community Futures program
and Huron Industrial Training
Advisory Committee (HITAC) on
behalf of Human Resources Devel-
opment Canada.
For students in the program it is a
chance to prepare a formal business
plan to help determine if their busi-
ness ideas will work.
Local business people come in to
the classes to teach practical busi-
ness skills such as customer service,
bookkeeping and marketing. The
participants also learn valuable
skills in personal development.
"The interesting thing is the shift
in attitude, from someone who
depends upon someone else (an
employer) for direction to starting
to rely on their own direction," said
David Barth, program coordinator.
"That shiftkin attitude is amazing."
Eighty to ninety per cent of grad-
uates of the program end up starting
their own businesses.
Financing will be the major chal-
lenge to the new business owners,
according to Barth. Some of the
new business owners will be eli-
gible for one-time, short-term finan-
cial assistance through the Self -
Employment Assistance (SEA)
program.
He acknowledges the economic
climate is tough but says entrepre-
neurs can have the attitude they
don't have to be dependent on
outside forces.
"If things don't work out you can
make changes, offer different ser-
vices," he said. "If you let go
because of an economic change
there's no choice involved, no self-
direction."
There have been four Self -
Employment classes along this
model in Huron and one in Perth,
said John Anderson, Senior Train-
ing Consultant at Conestoga Col-
legeL
He said:the wale gives partici-
pants a 'running start' into business
ownership.
"Most of our trainees seem to be
going into a service business," said
Seaforth
Legion
by Barbara Scott
Loss of World
War I veteran
saddens Legion
Branch 156
At the general meeting of
Seaforth Legion Branch 156 last
Thursday night initiation of seven
members took place with Comrade
Jim Watson, Errol Skillender and
Mel Melanson taking part. To Ray
Anstett, Sharon Evans, Jerry De
Jong, Nancy Bos, Doreen Bowers,
Violet Guertin, welcome to the
Branch. Other names were passed
for membership and will be
initiated later.
On Sunday the 42nd annual
Legion Children's Christmas party
was held. President John Lansink
welcomed everyone and introduced
the children taking part in the
concert. While waiting for Santa to
arrive the children all sang carols
and Christmas songs accompanied
by Mrs. Brenda De Jong on the
piano. Santa gave each child a bag
containing apple, orange, candy and
nuts.
There will be a stag euchre
tonight. Prizes will be turkeys. On
Saturday, Dec. 211 there will be in
Branch turkey draws starting at 3
p.m. The Branch closes at 6 p.m.
Btanch President John and Ladies
Auxiliary President Ann would each
like to thank all members for their
co-operation this past year and they
wish everyone a very Merry
Christmas and a Happy and
Prosperous New Year.
The Branch was saddened this
past week to hear of the death of
Comrade Harry Palin, our last
Veteran of the First World War, at
the age of 96 years. To his sons,
their families and friends we extend
our deepest sympathy. A Legion
Service was held Friday night
conducted by Padre Major Frank
Golding.
'They shall not grow old as we
that are left grow old. Age shall not
weary them nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and
in the morning we will remember
them.'
TIM ctJ .Dtnvd PHOTO
BUSINESS GRADUATES - Students in the Introductory Seff-Employment Course offered through the
Community Futures Program and held in Seaforth, graduated last week. Shown at their graduation
banquet in Seaforth are (front row, left to right) Louraine Brooks, Eileen Hern, Martine MacDonald, (back
row) Steve Haggitt, Juanita Carrick, Ruth Uyl, Sharron Baechler, Debrah Regier, Karen Moore, Ken
Regier, Carol Luiting and Richard Estey.
Anderson. "These are the ones
which will survive."
The most recent class started with
15 participants but two left to take
new employment. About 25 per
cent of the business class will
require some financial assistance to
begin.
The real test of success will be if
the businesses can last more than
three years, said Paul Nichol,
coordinator of the Huron Commun-
ity Futures program.
Although some participants won't
start a business Nichol said the
program helps if class members
discover a certain business idea
won't work well.
"That does people a world of
good (to know),he said, noting
that someone can be saved the
trauma of that business failing.
Rather than training people for a
limited number of jobs Nichol says
this program actually gears people
to create jobs.
One of the program's new entre-
preneurs is Steve Haggitt, of
Auburn, , ho hopes to begin the
retailing Of finished and unfinished
furniture such as kitchen cabinets.
He has worked in construction in
this area and has worked in cabinet
manufacturing in the past.
For Haggiu, full-time school was
not an option because of family
commitments, so he was glad to be
able to take this course.
"It equips you with a good busi-
ness plan, you know where the
business is going," he said. "You
do the numbers first so you know if
the business is worthwhile or not."
The business plan is valuable for
preparing the students, he said.
"If you didn't have that you
would just jump in and possibly
lose the business because of not
having the marketing study."
Karen Moore, a participant from
Goderich, found that her business
idea wasn't feasible after conduct-
ing a business plan...but she says
she's still positive about the pro-
gram.
She says the course helps make
starting a business an educated
choice. The instructors also give
lessons in life skills and business
skills which can be used on any
job.
"I have all the skills learned
through the course and will hope-
fully apply them through another
business."
Another Goderich participant,
Carol Luiting, found through the
course that her initial business idea
wouldn't be successful. Now, she
hopes to have a home business.
Blyth photographer Ruth Uyl also
hopes to start a business at home.
,,'� r
She learned about the . value
customer service and how to reaa
target customers cost-effectively.
The class held a graduation dinner
at The Bistro restaurant in Seaforth
on Friday.
In her address to fellow partici-
pants Sharron Baechler said she
learned the value of market research
during the program.
"When we no longer dream, we
no longer grow," she told her fel-
low participants.
The next Self -Employment pro-
gram in the area takes place on
Feb. 27.
o vitim
thIl i i s t i.ii
l% joy
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Not only at Christmastime but all the year
through, the joy you give to others is the joy
that comes hack to you!
Many thanks for your loyal
patronage. Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year!
Dsere Cacti of FrcoNe nee DOA,,
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NORTHOF
MI 1 CHLL
County Rd. 11 - Bornholm
FARM EQUIPMENT 119881 LTD
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Your friends at
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Insurance Brokers Inc.
ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE
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REPRESENTATIVE IN YOUR AREA
CLINTON OFFICE 482-9747
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527-1286
66 North Main St. Scaforth
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FASHIONS
BOXING DAY
SALE
off
FALL
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CLOTHING
STARTS TUESDAY DECEMBER 27
ALL SALES FINAL
No exchanges, credits or refunds
Store Hours 10 AM to 5 PM
attt
FASi uyu; t:.'�/
4 J ono -in tt
43 Albert St. 482-7872
Clinton
A very Merry Christmas and
a Happy and Prosperous New Year
from all of us at Ball -MacAulay.
We thank you for your
business the past year.
BOB & SHARON WILSON
AND STAFF.
HOLIDAY HOURS
FRIDAY DEC. 23: Closing at 1 p.m.
SATURDAY DEC. 24: Closed
MONDAY DEC. 26: Closed
TUESDAY -THURSDAY DEC. 27, 28, 29: Open Regular Hours
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YEAR-END
NOTICE
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your attention to any outstanding
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Payment may be made by mail or
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CLINTON - MOithiNG cENTRE
482-3405
BALI- MACAULAY