By MARIANA C. MORALES
The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre is accepting applications for their Summer Company program.
If you are a student between the ages of 15 and 29 and are interested in starting up a business or learning more about business, you could be eligible for this program.
The Summer Company 2012 program provides hands-on experience from local community business leaders who provide coaching and mentoring to assist students with their goal of creating a business.
It is sponsored by the provincial government and enables students to start and run their own business.
“If you are looking for an exciting business opportunity to be your own boss this summer, Summer Company is for you,” said Chris Farrell, manager of the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre.
Last year the program had 24 participants including university, college and high school students. Eligible students can also receive an award of up to $3,000 to start up their own business.
The deadline to apply is May 7, and everyone is encouraged to apply early since spaces are limited. For information, visit the website, www.ontario.ca/summercompany.
“Not only do you get to run your own business, you will gain valuable entrepreneurial skills and funding to make your idea a reality,” Farrell said.
The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre is located in Kitchener City Hall, with other locations in Waterloo and Cambridge. They help entrepreneurs and small business owners develop their current or new businesses.
The centre provides services including seminars, business registration assistance, market research assistance and one-on-one consultation and advice.
The seminars in March include Finding and Researching Your Market on March 8, and Young Entrepreneurs Start-up Financing on March 12, and Income Tax for the Business Owner on March 15. These information sessions are usually held two to three times a week with sometimes more than one session a day.
Another opportunity for aspiring business owners is the Canadian Youth Board Foundation (CYBF) which assists young entrepreneurs, aged 18 to 34, with turning a business idea into a reality.
Business people have the opportunity to be educated in creating a business plan, overcoming challenges, financing, mentoring and using online business resources. CYBF has invested in more than 4,900 young Canadians who have created successful businesses that have produced more than 19,430 jobs since starting as a national charity in 1996.
To learn more about CYBF, visit www.cybf.ca.
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