Summer Company

Last Thursday, Dana and I were asked to attend the student entrepreneur night for 'Summer Company', put on by the Muskoka Small Business Centre at the Rotary Centre in Bracebridge.

Summer Company is a government iniative that creates exciting opportunities for enterprising students, 15 to 29 years old, by aiding them in starting and running their own summer busineses. The students are provided with hands-on mentoring from local community business leaders, as well as financial support to start up their business of choice.

I was not really sure what to expect from the evening, but when we arrived to the room in the Rotary Centre, I was blown away. There must have been at least 10 different booths set up that were displaying various creative businesses, run by young students who (mostly) had a look of pride on their faces.

We walked around to each booth and talked to the business owners about their process, and their vision. Muskoka Popcorn, The Lawn Ranger, Pizza of the Earth, Troy Glover Photography, Playin` Hookey Productions - the list goes on and on.

It was really refreshing to be in a room, surrounded by `youth`, who were passionate enough about their idea to take a chance and attempt to make some money.

The whole process of the Summer Company program really ties in well with the idea of the creative economy. You have to be willing to step outside of the box, use your mind, and create your own opportunities. It was truly awesome to see!

If you get the chance, I suggest you check out some of the students who are selling their products at the surrounding farmers markets, grab a slice at Pizza of the Earth (Dorset), or catch a performance put on by the fantastic actors of Playin` Hookey Productions (Port Carling Memorial Community Theatre - Wed & Thurs, Rosseau Memorial Community Hall - Tueedays).

-- Becky :)