Cornwall’s summer company business leaders were featured at the lunch launch

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Abby Rose was in good company on the main concourse level of the civic complex late Thursday morning.

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Her Rose Arts & Design exhibit was at one of the tables, one of seven young entrepreneurs and small businesses featured at the Summer Company launch.

“I’m pretty excited,” said Rose, 15 — and about to start her first summer job.

To show that her first employment experience is through her own small business supported by Summer Company for young people and adults aged 15-29 and who request funding from tGovernment of Ontario. Rose, a student at Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School, is an accomplished young artist and will soon be able to monetize her skills.

“Well, I’m anticipating my first sale soon — I hope,” Rose said.

Across the hall was Abdul Khan’s setup for his entrepreneurial business, Arks Cards, which features Pokemon cards and sports cards. Khan, 17, just finished Grade 11 at Holy Trinity and explained that he has been a collector since Grade 5.

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“With the Summer Company funding, it’s an opportunity to grow and go to more high-end cards,” Khan said.

Sydney Smith, program manager at Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre, told Summer Company help students with seed money to launch a new summer business and that the program includes counseling and mentoring from the center and local business leaders.

Students who are accepted into the program will receive up to $1,500 upfront to help with start-up costs. Additionally, $1,500 will be available to participants who successfully complete the program requirements by the end of the summer. In total, successful Summer Company participants will receive up to $3,000 in grants.

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At Thursday’s presentation, visitors included Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry MP Eric Duncan, SDSG MP Nolan Quinn and other dignitaries.

“I think (the program) is extremely valuable and important,” said Quinn, owner of Dairy Queen in Cornwall. “I started by working (at DQ) and I knew from a young age that I wanted to own the business. . . so to see these kids here with the excitement on their faces because they’re starting a small business — it warms my heart.”

Quinn’s advice? Understand and accept that small businesses are the backbone of the economy and be aware of the tremendous benefits of owning a small business, but also the sacrifices that come with being a successful company.

“It’s hard work and some days are going to be better than others,” Quinn said. “But especially for students, at this age, running a business, they’re going to learn so much.”

Other businesses featured on Thursday are as follows: Pasrel Clean Services (Pascale Wabo Nana); The Button Gallery (Lillian Reid); lowKey Tech (Dolev Klein Harari); Basketball (Fajr Shamshad Gondal); and CultiveAide (Nicolle Delgado).

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