Youth-Run Companies Open for Business as Entrepreneurship Program Comes to a Close

July 27, 2007: Today, the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) is pleased to announce the launch of 10 youth-run businesses in Sault Ste. Marie thanks to the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP).


Supported by project partners BDO Dunwoody and the John Howard Society, the Innovation Centre’s YEP program was an amazing opportunity for young entrepreneurs in our community,” said Tom Vair, Executive Director, SSMIC. “It’s not often that people are given the opportunity to focus on developing their own business idea and get paid for it at the same time. The program provided a good balance of independent research, business and skill development.”


The program paid and provided guidance to local youth for 10 months while they planned, developed and opened their own businesses. Originally launched in September 2006, YEP participants are paid for 35 hours a week to focus on their business idea and receive additional training and support to develop their entrepreneurial skills.


The funding for this program has been provided by Service Canada through their Skills Link program and the successful participants of this program will receive a cash bonus upon completion of the 10-month program.


“We are pleased with the outcome of the program and particularly that some of these young entrepreneurs have already successfully established their business in the community,” said John Hatherely, Business Development Manager, SSMIC.


The youth-run businesses who got their start as a result of the YEP program include:

• A+ Delivery Services: Provides delivery services to local businesses. For more information, contact Aaron Richardson at: everythingsaok@hotmail.com.
  
• Angeco: Provides interactive ways to study and learn the Ojibwe language. For more information, contact James Angeconeb at: angeco@shaw.ca. 
  
• Flare Communications: A strategic public relations and marketing communications firm that offers a broad array of services to businesses and organizations of all sizes. Clients have included the National Residential School Survivors’ Society (NRSSS), Coalition for Algoma Passenger Train (CAPT), Great Lakes Power and Children’s Rehabilitation Centre of Algoma. Bringing great ideas to light! For more information, contact Michael Ward at: mike@flarecom.ca.
  
• Gamer’s Euphoria: Recreational event coordination/console arcade business who has secured two events at The Outback for September 2007. For more information, contact Ryan Dunn at: RyanEarlWesleyDunn@hotmail.com.
  
• KTS Technical Solutions Inc.: Provides custom documentation services for businesses and industries of all sizes. It is Sault Ste. Marie’s first dedicated Technical Writing establishment who recently signed contracts with Flakeboard Company Ltd., and EXsalgo Corp. Make your company knowledge work for you! For more information, contact Tyler Pistor at: tpistor@knowledgetransferservices.com.
  
• Mythic Tech: Specializes in website design and has currently signed a 5th web contract with Blue Diamond Cleaning. Mythic Tech also provides a full range of technology services, ranging from networking to spyware removal. If it’s tech related, odds are we do it. For more information, contact Trevor Seabrook at: trevor@mythictech.ca.
  
• Northern Prestige: Independent living assistance. For more information, contact Sara Collins at: S_Collins_psw@sympatico.ca.
  
• Rachel’s Art: Turn your favourite photograph into fine art! Send your landscape, favourite ride, house or cottage, pet or vintage family photo along with your contact info. For more information, contact Rachel Murray at: rachel@rachelsart.ca.
  
• Teaze Catering: For more information, contact Sachia Tasz at: taszmainia@hotmail.com.
  
• Wiccan Ways: Special events and products for Wiccans. For more information, contact Rikki-Lee Gibons at: only_angel101@hotmail.com.

For more information about the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, visit www.ssmic.com.





-30-