Brampton’s largest ever group of young entrepreneur participants in the Starter Company program brought energy and inspiration to an event at the Rose Theatre.
The Brampton Entrepreneur Centre hosted a reception on October 29 for twelve local entrepreneurs who received $5000 grants the program provides to help launch their business dreams.
Mayor Linda Jeffrey, who congratulated the entrepreneurs at the event, commented: “It’s obvious that entrepreneurship is alive and well in Brampton. This group is an inspiration to me, and I hope, to other youth in Brampton with aspirations to start their own businesses.”
Starter Company is an entrepreneurship program designed to help young people in Ontario start a small business with support and money – up to $5,000. The program is funded through the Province of Ontario’s Youth Jobs Strategy, and delivered through regional or municipal offices like the Brampton Entrepreneur Centre. It’s one of the many resources entrepreneurs with plans to launch or grow a business can tap into. Starter Company’s value isn’t just in grant money. Applicants, even if they don’t ultimately qualify for a grant still get access to training, business skills development, mentorship and guidance.
The program has been so successful in Brampton that the Province has increased the amount of Starter Company funding allocated to Brampton.
The Starter Company grant recipients recognized at the event were:
Dane Clark: Energy Management LLCKiron Clarke: Athletic ShowcaseChristien Levien: Legal SwipeJohnathan and Natalie Lewis: Johnathan ProductionsMichael Nezbeth: Grassroots K9Ehi Obinyan: Paint Space Art LoungeAmanda Prat: Equine ConnectionRosemary Reid: Rosemary Reid LLCJay Sandhu: S & S Luxury Limited Inc.Chantelle Selkridge: Akoma Afro Dance StudioJessica Vella: Jessica Vella LLC
The Brampton Entrepreneur Centre is accepting applications for the next round of the Starter Company program. Visitwww.brampton.ca/bec for more information.
Following the Brampton Entrepreneur Centre reception, David Usher delivered more inspiration through his keynote presentation on creativity. He told the audience how the ability to be creative is built into everyone’s DNA, and while it may take effort and action to become creative again, creativity can be an incredible force for change.
David Usher is an artist, best-selling author and entrepreneur. As a musician, he has sold more than 1.4 million albums and performed worldwide. Mr. Usher shared his fascinating formula to stimulating creativity through a mix of music, video and experimentation. He brought to life the core elements needed for a more dynamic, fulfilling and innovative creative process at work.
In today’s world, creativity has become an imperative said Mr. Usher. “In the pre-internet age, ideas moved very slowly. Now ideas move fast like water. Things are changing so quickly, and to engage with those ideas, you really have to open yourself up and change the way you interact with ideas.”
Mr. Usher’s presentation and performance was the headline event for Small Business Month in Brampton, and a fall of programming hosted by the City geared to inspire innovation, entrepreneurial excellence and creativity.