Newmarket student Golden Stickwood has an uncommon title for someone still in school: CEO of his own company.
Stickwood now runs Newmarket Pressure Washing, which he started through the Summer Company Program at the York Small Business Enterprise Centre.
“I’ve received a lot of education, and it’s been absolutely fundamental in getting customers and growing my business,” he said. “We’re in the green this year, which is really great for a starting business.”
The program held its first in-person business showcase since 2019 at the Upper Canada Mall Aug. 18. The young entrepreneurs who got to start businesses through the program got the chance to show them off within the bustling mall and garner potential customers.
The program offers mentorship and start-up funding of $3,000. York Region small business consultant Vivian Ho-Tam said it is an important way to help aspiring young business owners.
“It allows students to go out there and interact with other entrepreneurial students. We were still able to run it virtually and give them the training that they need,” she said.
This year’s program had nine students, running businesses ranging from public speaking training to video production. The summer course is offered to youth ages 15 to 29 who are going back to school in September, whether high school or post-secondary.
Suleman Shah started Savari, an Arabic-style clothing brand. The East Gwillimbury resident said he hopes to continue expanding his business over social media.
“The startup money they gave me, that was really helpful,” he said, adding the guidance was also strong. “They’re really nice.”
Markham resident Amanda Lum began a business using her art, called Smol Art by AL Shop. She sells prints and stickers through an online storefront on Etsy.
“I’m very passionate about cute art, cute food, and I decided I’d spread the joy and happiness that I get from these two things,” she said. “With this grant, I was able to have the confidence. I was able to get support from all the mentors and the program providers to start a business.”
The summer program has been in place for more than a decade, in partnership with the provincial government. It has continued to run virtually amidst the pandemic, though Ho-Tam said it felt good to offer students an in-person experience to complete it.
“It definitely feels nice to be able to run (the showcase) again and share the next generation of entrepreneurs in our community,” she said.
“I definitely think we’re going to continue next year,” Stickwood said about his new business. “It’s been a really, really awesome time.”
You can find a complete list of this year’s businesses on the program website. Applications for next summer’s intake start early in 2023.
