CORNWALL, Ontario – The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre (CBEC) unveiled their ten new companies that were taking part in this year’s Summer Company program.
This year’s batch of students had a chance to show off their companies at the Cornwall Civic Complex on Friday, June 29.
Candy Pollard of CBEC explained that after potential businesses are successful in their pitches and are invited into the program, they are offered weekly seminars to help them with book keeping, sales, marketing, customer service and more.
“Many of them haven’t even had a job before this and this is the first thing they do,” explained Pollard.
The program runs from now until Labour Day, but Pollard said that many companies live on well past this summer program.
“Around 50 percent continue with their businesses even if it is part time,” said Pollard. “One student did a wood turning business and still does it.”
Some of the companies that made it into this year’s program include a stretching and strengthening camp for gymnasts. Created by graduating Holy Trinity student Mackenzie McAllister, her business offers girls aged 6 to 17 a chance to train and practice gymnastic techniques from Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cornwall Gymnastics Club at 525 Boundary Rd. After running from June 11 to July, her classes will pick up again July 3 and run to Aug. 24.
Another business is Smartastic Designs by Azka Naz. Azka’s business combines her love of art with her love of education. Azka’s business is geared towards making educational graphic art for classrooms, promotional material for businesses and home decour.
A third business that Seaway News spoke with was Glengarry My Home, a clothing business started by Cory Hagen to create hoodies and t-shirts for Glengarry enthusiasts.
Hagen is a third year St. Lawrence College student who started his business three years ago, but says that the Summer Company program has really helped him to expand. He explained that he wants to run a community conscious business and revenue from some sales goes to local causes. Hagen explained that he had already donated $250 to the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame.
