A group of ambitious young people is gaining important tools for their future thanks to a youth entrepreneurship program run by Northumberland County.
The Youth Entrepreneur Showcase by the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre of Northumberland (BECN) is a showcase that enables young people to sell their products, learn about business, and bring their hard work to their community.
This was highlighted at the Youth Entrepreneur Showcase that took place on August 3 at the Cobourg Staples on Elgin Street West. There were eight young entrepreneurs showcasing their self-developed products and services.
This event was part of the My Future My Career Kids Entrepreneurship and Summer Company programs, according to Kailyn Coupland, the Entrepreneurship Programs Coordinator of Northumberland County.
“It’s a great opportunity for them through the programming, the mentorship, [and] the business planning…” said Coupland.
The showcase was an opportunity for these young entrepreneurs to gain experience and exposure as well as to make sales for their new businesses.
The My Future My Career Kids Entrepreneurship program, one of two programs working with these youth, is available to those aged 8 to 14, said Coupland. The program started in 2021 based on an influx of youth entrepreneurs in the community and is funded by the Economic Development Department of Northumberland County.
“I wanted to give them that opportunity: to start their own business or grow an existing business,” said Coupland.
She said students are encouraged to make sales based on their passions and receive mentorship throughout this process. In this program, young entrepreneurs apply for microgrants of up to $500 to fund the supplies and marketing of their business. Seven youth enrolled in this program in Northumberland County this year.
The Summer Company, a program for people aged 15 to 29, is for older youth who want to start or grow a business and is funded by the Ontario government. It has been running for over 20 years, Coupland said. She has facilitated the program for seven years.
Participants of the Summer Company are awarded $1,500 to support start-up costs and an additional $1,500 based on an applicant’s participation and completion of the Summer Company programming, according to Coupland. These grants are non-repayable.
This year, in Northumberland County, five young entrepreneurs were approved for this program. According to Coupland, the approval process includes rostering through a scoring panel by judges and the program facilitators working closely with the Ontario government.
With guidance, each participant is responsible for creating their own business plan from start to finish, including determining prices and budgeting.
“They’re their own bosses,” said Coupland.
At the showcase, each entrepreneur displayed their hard work for the browsing customers.
One young entrepreneur, 12-year-old Farah Morris from Port Hope, started her company, FM Scrubs, with the help of the My Future My Career Kids Entrepreneurship program. Morris said she sells skin products, including salt, sugar and lip scrubs. She got the idea from a family trip to Florida.
“[This program] has been really fun to do and we’ve made some good money,” said Morris. “You get to learn how to work with money and run your own business.”
With the help and mentorship, 10-year-old Wyatt Wierenga from Harwood has created a business called Fetched, operating in plant and vegetable sales. Wierenga said, he sells wildflowers, herbs and houseplants.
“I like selling, I think it’s fun. I also like plants, so I like helping with growing,” says Wierenga. According to Wierenga, he will participate in this program in the coming years.
A third My Future My Career Kids Entrepreneurship program participant, 11-year-old Eli Kloosterhof, runs his business, Big E’s Homemade Playdough. Kloosterhof said he got the idea for his business from making playdough with his mom.
“[This program] has been fun,” says Kloosterhof.
He is a Port Hope resident and sells several different variations and colours of playdough and playdough kits.
One of the older participants, Sarah Clarke, 18, also from Port Hope, is a participant in the other program, the Summer Company program. She operates and manages her business, Creative Designs by Sarah. Clarke makes custom tumblers, t-shirts, mugs, bags, and hoodies, and works with her customers to create her designs.
Clarke said she has always wanted to run her own business.
“I’ve learned a lot from my business,” she said. “[I’m] becoming a better entrepreneur.”
This Youth Entrepreneur Showcase was the first since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and supported ambitious local youth with unique exposure, funding, and experience, Coupland said.
“Working with them throughout the planning process,” she said. “Seeing the smile on their face and the hard work that they’ve put into it: it’s rewarding on all levels,” says Coupland.
