A dozen small bilingual businesses established to sell variety of products this summer

Thanks to Young Millionaires Program

jeunes millionnaires 2014 lowresCHARLOTTETOWN – July 18, 2014 – Fourteen young Francophones, aged 8-13 years and spread throughout the province, have just established a dozen small businesses to sell a wide variety of interesting products – from postcards, wallets and campfire wood to fresh vegetables, snacks and treats of all kinds.

Thanks to training sessions and grants from the Jeunes millionnaires /Young Millionaires program, these youth learned how to establish and operate their business. Some of them are returning after a successful summer last year while most are trying their hand at entrepreneurship for a first time.

“Our bilingual Young Millionaires are working very hard, at the sweat of their brow, to ensure the success of their business,” says coordinator Daniel Gallant. “It is quite impressive to see a group of such a young age that is so involved, inspired and disciplined. It takes a lot of motivation and courage to become an entrepreneur so it is great to work with a group that wants to go through the entrepreneurship experience so early in life.”

Again this year, RDÉE Prince Edward Island is delivering the provincial Jeunes millionnaires program, which is the French version of the Young Millionaires Program managed provincially by the Central Development Corporation. The program is funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Innovation PEI.

TRAINING

The participating youth attend three workshops learn the basics of entrepreneurship, including business plans, market studies, customer service, quality control, budgets and other subjects. They then have to present their business plan during an individual interview.

Each participant then receives a grant (up to $100 for individuals and $150 for partnerships) to help establish his or her business and to purchase production materials. In early July, the youth start producing and selling their products or services, sometimes with the help of their parents.

SALES

In addition to supervising the establishment and management of these youth businesses, the coordinator identifies joint sales locations throughout the summer. For example, the youth who were available could attend the following events where booths had been reserved for them: Canada Day celebrations in North Rustico on July 1, the Summerside Lobster Festival on July 19, the Rendez-vous Rustico July 26-28, the National Acadian Holiday in Charlottetown on Aug. 15 and the Evangeline Area Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival in Abram-Village Aug. 30.

In addition, the youth also found locations in their own neighbourhoods and communities where they could sell their wares.

“We really hope Islanders and tourists will support our entrepreneurial apprentices by buying their products and services to encourage them to further develop their business skills,” concludes Gallant.

THE SMALL BUSINESSES

Here is a list of the businesses that have been established in various Island communities by program participants.

In the Evangeline region:

  • Rainbow Bands (bracelets) by Gilbert Arsenault;
  • Tout de Sweet (chocolate) by Chloé Arsenault;
  • Brady’s Candies (candy kabobs) by Brady Arsenault;
  • Sticky Creations (duct tape wallets and bracelets) by Joël Gallant.

In Charlottetown:

  • Simply Sno-Cones (flavoured snow cones) by Michael MacEwen and Elliott Fraser;
  • Cormier’s Candies (candy bags) by Ian Cormier;
  • Snacks on Wheels (snacks and beverages) by Félix Thériault;
  • Alyzée’s Refreshments (cold snacks and beverages) by Alyzée Cyr-Comeau.

In Souris:

  • Chapman’s Firewood Sales (camp firewood) by Daniel and Renée Chapman;
  • Harlee’s Postcards (homemade postcards) by Harlee Grenier;
  • Delaney’s Fresh Vegetables (fresh vegetables) by Delaney Roche;
  • Trinity Candy Kabobs (candy kabobs) by Trinity Roche.

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CUTLINE: Michael MacEwen from Simply Sno-Cones was one of the Jeunes millionnaires / Young Millionaires who was at the Canada Day celebrations in North Rustico to sell his products.

 

For more information:
Daniel Gallant
Coordinator
Jeunes millionnaires
902-370-7333, ext. 407
daniel@rdeeipe.org