Young entrepreneurs from across Northumberland County put their businesses in the spotlight Wednesday during the annual BECN Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase at Staples Cobourg.
The trade-show-style event, hosted by the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland, brought together 28 youth-run businesses from the organization’s Summer Company program for ages 15 to 29 and the My Future My Career Kids Entrepreneurship Program for ages 8 to 14.
The showcase gave the young business owners an opportunity to meet customers, promote their products and services and get hands-on experience running a business.
Among the entrepreneurs was 20-year-old Port Hope resident Ella Short, who operates Winking Goose, selling her artwork, homemade cards, magnets and 3D-printed designs.
Cobourg’s Max Martin is taking a different approach, operating a mobile detailing business that he started at the beginning of the summer.
Martin says he’s already completed dealership work and developed maintenance plans for customers.
Seventeen-year-old Seth Sparks is using the program to build his driveway-sealing business, which he launched this summer after previously doing snow removal and yard cleanup.
The showcase generated approximately $1,020 in sales, along with 51 inquiries and quote requests.
For those who missed Wednesday’s event, selected BECN youth entrepreneurs will have another opportunity to sell their products at the Youth Entrepreneurship Market at the Cobourg Farmers’ Market on Saturday, August 22, from 9 a.m. to noon.
BECN Business Development Coordinator Kailyn Coupland says the goal extends beyond simply helping young people make sales.
The Summer Company program is available to young people ages 15 to 29 and can provide eligible participants with up to $3,000 in microgrant funding, while the My Future My Career program supports youth ages 8 to 14 with microgrants of up to $500.
