Helping Vaughan’s Student entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into reality

Weeklyvoice.com
Aug. 12, 2022

The City highlights the Summer Company program’s success so far

Over the years, the City of Vaughan’s Summer Company program has had great success in helping student entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into reality -- and this year is no different!

Check out the 2022 Summer Company Directory (PDF) to learn more about this year’s participants and innovative businesses, which include selling sustainable tote bags, offering lawncare services and teaching swimming, among many other ventures. For more information or to connect with any of these businesses, email ed@vaughan.ca.

Delivered by the Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC), in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, the program equips young entrepreneurs with a pipeline of tools, skills, connections and resources required to succeed in their business ventures. The program contributes to the Economic Prosperity, Investment and Social Capital priority outlined in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan by providing students aged 15 to 29 years old with mentorship from Vaughan’s business community, access to business advisory services and workshops to help them develop the skills needed to become Vaughan’s future leaders.

Last year’s Summer Company program:

• received 61 student applications.
• helped start 10 new businesses.
• created 11 summer jobs.
• inspired six students to consider entrepreneurship as a career option.
• generated about $3,000 in revenue per business between June and September 2021.

For more information about the program, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/Summer-Company.

Looking for additional support to start or grow your business? You don’t have to wait for annual City programs like Summer Company to receive business advisory services. The VBEC offers a robust list of services to entrepreneurs all year round, including:

• free business advisory consultations (virtual or in-person).
• business planning support, including marketing strategies, financial forecast and cash flow, and general business development.
• information on the development process, regulations, zoning, licensing, permits, business registration and legal structure.
• end-to-end site selection support.
• connections to funding sources, financing and grants.
• connections to business professionals, organizations and resources from various levels of government.
• research and business intelligence support.
• business development and marketing support for tourism organizations.
• business workshops, seminars, events and networking opportunities.