Windsor-Essex County, Ontario, Wednesday, August 26, 2015 – The Small Business Centre, operating within the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation, has once again administered the Summer Company Program that offers full time students, 15 to 29 years old an opportunity to explore entrepreneurship hands-on. This year, the Small Business Centre received 26 submissions from across the Windsor-Essex region and 18 students were approved. Students who are accepted receive up to $1,500 to put towards the costs to start and run their own summer business and an additional $1,500 is awarded to the students upon successful completion of the program.
On Saturday, August 29th, many of the Summer Company Students will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services alongside other ‘local’ entrepreneurs at the Downtown Windsor Farmer’s Market (DWFM) from 8AM to 1PM in Charles Clark Square on Chatham Street. The public will have the opportunity to meet the students and see their products and services – a custom sneaker designer, a graphic designer, a fitness apparel brand, a bilingual tutor, a deck and fence painter, landscapers, swimming instructors, photographers, and more!
Rakesh Naidu, CEO (Interim) of the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation said, “We know that Small businesses represent 95% of all employers in Ontario, and they employ 28% of Ontario’s workers, so it’s gratifying to see former students making their summer business into a full time career after completing their post-secondary education. For the region to succeed it’s vital that we support youth to stay and prosper in the region.”
Sabrina DeMarco, Executive Director of the Small Business Centre added, “The Small Business Centre has delivered the Summer Company Program since 2001 in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure. We are so pleased to deliver this program and provide students in our region the opportunity to be their own boss, and learn what it takes to manage a business through hands-on coaching, training and mentorship by local business leaders.”
On Saturday, August 29, 2015 the following Summer Company students will be at the Downtown Windsor Farmer’s Market located at Charles Clark Square on Chatham Street from 8am to 1pm:
5Fifteen Photos– (photographer) Jenin Al-Taher; CeCe Tutoring– (education) Christina Walker; CKT Media Productions– (digital media) Colin Tuer; Ferocity Lifestyle (fitness apparel) Vu Ngo; Germs-Be-Gone (retail product) Noah Walker; Halfpace Pictures (film production) Frank Varga; HC Yardworks (lawn care) Hunter Newby; KW Images (photography) Kieran Wong; Kustom Kicks (retail fashion) Zaheem Riberdy; and Quality Cases (iPhone cases) Burhan Siddiqui
Media Contact:
Lana Drouillard Director, Marketing and Communications
WindsorEssex Economic Development Corp.
Tel: 519 259-9600
