Aurora resident and business owner Connor Cobbold recalls a nasty sight in the hockey-playing days of his brother.
When he was younger, he said a teammate of his brother, Eddie, got a nasty cut from a skate on the ice, describing it as a “very bad incident.”
It prompted the two of them to want to start a protective equipment company called Pucktective, which produces hardy apparel, like jerseys and socks, and equipment, better able to resist cuts from skate blades. With a patent-pending, the two hope that their hockey apparel can make a mark and also help keep more players safe.
“Our future hopes is to grow it and just see how big we can eventually get it,” Cobbold said, adding they hope to get to distributors in the days ahead. “We're trying to make this one of the biggest hockey apparel companies out there.”
That is one of the many business ideas that has gained growth through the York Small Business Enterprise Centre. The York Region-run initiative is getting a funding boost, with the provincial government announcing July 16 an extra $59,600 for the centre this year to boost its student-based summer company program and its starter company plus program.
Combined with regular annualized funding, the total allotment for the centre in 2024 is $287,100 from the provincial government.
Government dignitaries came to York Region’s building at 17150 Yonge St. in Newmarket for the announcement and a showcase of this year’s contingent of summer student businesses.
York Region CAO Erin Mahoney said the centre has been able to help countless individuals and organizations turn ideas into thriving businesses.
“One idea we’re particularly passionate about is supporting young entrepreneurs by fostering their talents and providing necessary resources, we are investing in the future of our communities,” Mahoney said.
The centre’s summer company program supports students ages 15 to 29 . The program provides them with resources, mentoring and up to $3,000 to start a business over the course of several weeks.
The other program receiving additional funding is the starter company plus program, which helps young entrepreneurs get training, help, and a grant of up to $5,000 to help launch or expand a business.
Michelle Sundborg of Newmarket’s Little Red Bake Shop is one of the success stories of that program. She said that when she decided to launch a new business, she did not have the expertise but got the help she needed from the York Small Business Enterprise Centre starting in 2019.
“I kind of got my team of cheerleaders behind me to help encourage me and keep me going,” Sundborg said. “The starter company plus program really helped me get that advantage.”
Newmarket-Aurora MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy said the funding is a way to help local businesses thrive and invest in the people behind them.
“Our government is proud to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in Ontario, who play a critical role in economic growth,” she said.
Some of the summer student businesses on display included Decked out Boat Detailing, clothing company Designbyhasti and grass-cutting company Cook’s Cut and Care.
Newmarket’s Yegor Ignheenko is starting a 3D printing company called PrintedShapes. He said he got a passion for the field from a young age and the program is helping him turn it into something beyond just a hobby.
“They really helped me out,” he said.
