Student receives $3,000 grant for summer business

Thirteen students from Guelph and Wellington County will be launching their summer businesses with a helping hand from the Ontario government.

The students applied for a $3,000 grant and will participate in the Summer Company Program sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development Employment and Infrastructure (MEDEI). They will be mentored and coached during the summer.

The grant is designed to give the opportunity to youth aged 15 to 29 to experience entrepreneurship.

Olga George-Cosh, a business adviser for Guelph-Wellington Business Enterprise Centre said she is excited about the program.

“Working with youth is always enjoyable. It keeps you on track with everything that’s happening, so I am very happy I have this opportunity,” she said.

This year the student businesses in Guelph and Wellington County range from rabbit farming to lawn maintenance and from handmade yarn toys to pastry sales.

Rebecca Pronk, a grade 11 student from Centre Wellington  District High School will be starting up her own lawn care business.

“I’m going to be running a lawn care business and I’m going to be doing detailed gardening work and cutting lawns … I already have a couple customers,” said Pronk.

She will be doing everything she can outside such as cleaning pools, cutting grass, weeding, and yard work but focusing on detailed garden work.

“It’s just something I’ve always loved,” she said.

“Ever since I was really little I’ve weeded my mom’s garden, I’ve always enjoyed it.”

She found out about the grant through a friend and said the application process, which includes a business plan, took quite a bit of time, but she is excited to be outside for the summer.

“I’m really thankful for the grant that the government gave. It’s awesome.”