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Community Futures Central Okanagan is pleased to announce a new youth entrepreneurship program entitled Youth Mean Business. The program is targeted at unemployed youth aged 18-29 who are not Employment Insurance (EI) eligible and have not had an EI claim for the past three years (5 years if maternity claim). Those that are accepted into the program can expect:
- Financial support of up to $5,000 for agreed upon living supports, targeted support such as daycare or bus pass, seed business funding, training grants and a $500 completion bonus upon successful completion of the program
- Support for completing the application to the program including participation in a 2 day entrepreneurship assessment program
- A personal interview to review the application
- Support in developing a participation plan
- Ongoing one on one counseling support to assist in developing their business plan
- Group instruction where appropriate to assist with the preliminary business examination and detailed business planning
- Mentorship and business introductions
- Additional specialized business training where appropriate
- Assistance to complete their business plan and/or business examination
- A resource centre to conduct research and development
- Committee review of final business examination and/or business plan
- Recommendations regarding start-up, action plan and implementation including seed funding, education grants and access to financing
- The program is expected to take not longer than 6 months or less depending on how quickly the participant can complete their business plan
Next steps
1) Participants register and attend an Entrepreneur Assessment Program (EAP).
2) Complete Youth Mean Business application based on results of the EAP.
3) Submit Youth Mean Business applications and schedule an interview
If you are ready to proceed, please contact Community Futures at 250-868-2132 to register for the next Entrepreneur Assessment Program.
Success Stories
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An inspiring interior designer and environmental enthusiast, Brittney Misutka wanted to take her education and passion to the next level. CFDCCO’s Youth Mean Business (YMB) program was the perfect fit. The YMB program provided Brittney with the tools and mentorship to build her business from the ground up. “The program has helped us find our weaknesses and strengths so we could determine how to set up our business to work in our favour”, says Brittney. Brittney Misutka and her partner Alden Vienneau develop income properties along with ecological building systems at Suite Reno Solutions. To see projects of the team at Suite Reno Solutions, go to http://www.suiterenosolutions.ca
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Laurel Combs came to CFDCCO almost a year ago with a business idea. Her background in Veterinary education and work experience as a dog groomer led her to want to fulfill her passion as a business owner in the pet grooming industry. Laurel attending the Youth Mean Business program, “The course taught me how to find the information I need to make a plan for my dream business”, say Laurel. The YMB program gave Laurel the foundation for a comprehensive business plan and seed funding for her business, Creative Combs Pet Salon & Boutique. Check out Laurel and the gang on her Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/creativecombs
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Funding provided through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement
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