Finding the right Summer Company
Summer Company offers mentorship, training and awards of up to $3,000 to students aged 15 to 29

torontosun.com
March 9, 2016
By Joanne Richard

Youth entrepreneurs are thriving. From odd aquarium pets and rare vinyl records to a cutting-edge tech startup featuring wearable software for chronic health conditions, some youth are taking charge of their future.

And they’ve all taken part in the Summer Company program, which helps youth start their own business and gain the skills they need to succeed. Summer Company offers mentorship, training and awards of up to $3,000 to students aged 15 to 29. Students can apply online at ontario.ca/page/start-summer-company-students until May 6.

Last summer Michael Guglielmelli launched an online business A Lot'l Axolotls, an ornamental freshwater fish store that specializes in the breeding and keeping of the Axolotl. “The Axolotl is a very cute, odd, interesting and intelligent aquarium pet. They are 10% aquatic yet have the body of a salamander, including arms and legs.”

Guglielmelli, 18, expects to open up his first retail location within the next couple of years, but in the meantime he plans to expand his variety of live stock at alotlaxolotls.ca, as well as to breed and distribute to other pet stores across Canada and possibly globally.

A grant from the Summer Company program along with gaining valuable mentorship, business basics and opportunities made his aquatic efforts possible, says Guglielmelli, who now studies biotechnology at Seneca@York.

Western University graduate Eric Dolan, 24, created Neutun, an app that works with smart watches and wearable devices that warns the wearer when an epileptic seizure is imminent. “Our product enables those with chronic conditions and their families to have peace of mind. Our tracking and notification software enables those struggling with a condition to accurately monitor their condition and alert those who need to be informed of an event and its location.”

Dolan participated in Summer Company program in 2015, and has since secured new business partnerships, developed a strong user base, and is expanding to address other chronic conditions, wearables and connected devices.

The wearable software company is now funded by high-level investors from the U.S., adds Dolan, of neutun.com, and is focused on “building the real-time picture of human health through software and data science. We’re the software and data layer between a chronic condition and the devices they use.”

Meanwhile, almost 7,000 students across the province have launched a summer business through Summer Company since 2001. “Young entrepreneurs are tomorrow’s future and investing in youth is key to shaping tomorrow’s ever changing marketplace,” says Dolores La Caprara Rotondo, manager of the Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre which delivers Summer Company to Vaughan’s youth. “Economic vitality is critical and we need to prepare our young, forward thinkers for what is to come.”

Young people get the opportunity to experience entrepreneurship first hand, and get to see if they actually have what it takes to consider entrepreneurship as a career choice, says La Caprara Rotondo. “They learn transferable skills and discipline. They also have a chance to generate revenue. Some of our most successful candidates have earned anywhere from $3,500 to as much as $40,000 during the summer months.”

Meanwhile, Jordan Chesney created Jordan’s Vinyl Garage, a business based out of his Thornhill, Ont., garage open for business on weekends last summer. “It was set up like an official record shop. On some days close to 50 individuals searching for records and stereo equipment would enter my garage.”

At the end of the two months of operations, the 18-year-old generated approximately $5,000 in total revenue and close to $4,000 in net profit. “Giving students the ability to pursue their ventures is the best way for any individual to see what it takes to make a living in the real world,” adds Cheseny, a commerce student at Queen’s University, who will be trading in his vinyls for an intern position at an accounting firm this coming summer.

Words of wisdom:

Jordan Chesney, of Jordan’s Vinyl Garage: “Failure is the most crucial tool in creating a successful business as the information to succeed comes from unsuccessful events. If an individual created a profitable business, it was a great use of the $3,000 Summer Company awards money; if an individual failed, it was an even better use of taxpayer’s money.”

Eric Dolan, creator of neutun.com: “Build the minimal product and sell/see reactions. You’ll save a lot of time and money while ultimately building the best product.”

Mike Guglielmelli, of alotlaxolotls.ca: “Stick to your passions and interests...chances are that if you are passionate about what you are doing, you will be successful. If you could see yourself purchasing and using the product or service you are offering, then there is a high chance many others will.”