Summer program give young Sudbury entrepreneurs a shot at business success

A group of young entrepreneurs in Greater Sudbury are celebrating a successful summer being involved in the Ontario government's 2024 Summer Company Program.

The program gives them money and guidance on how to run a business through the regional business centre.

Lainna Munro is one of five students who received $3,000 through the program. With extensive experience in aquatics and a passion for entrepreneurship, Munro decided to provide one-on-one or semi-private swimming lessons both at her home and at personal pools.

She said she built on what she started last summer.

"Last year I did it kind of (for) friends and family," Munro said.

"I was maybe in the pool for one or two hours a day. This year I was in the pool from 10-6. There's such a high demand for these lessons. The city can't accommodate … all of them."

"I always like the idea of working for myself," she added.

Josée Pharand of the Regional Business Centre said the program has been operating across the province since 2001.

"It's a provincially funded program that is delivered by small business enterprise centres like ours," Pharand said.

A group of young entrepreneurs in Greater Sudbury are celebrating a successful summer being involved in the Ontario government's 2024 Summer Company Program. (Photo from video)

"It is for students between the ages of 15-29 who are returning to school in the fall (and) who want to start their own business for the summer. And then as part of that, once accepted into the program, they receive training, mentorship, guidance throughout the summer, just to help them along the way.”

From lessons to landscaping, Pharand said they see businesses of all descriptions.

"We've had drone videographers in the past, dog kennels, swimming … instructors, motivational speakers," she said.

"So really, anything that a student can dream of that they want to pursue, then we're able to support that.”

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For some, it’s a summer job, while for others it turns into businesses that continue for years to come.

"We've had some students or some alumni actually who have been operating the business continuously since 2015," Pharand said.

"Shake It Up Media is one of them. We've had Incapture, who is now, you know, full-time business. The Peach Pit, which you would recognize from your summer at the beaches and in the parks, and Amber Hill.”

For those wanting to be a part of the program next year, applications open in January.