Youth Entrepreneurs: Get Expert (Business) Advice
- EFN Staff | January 09, 2014
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is launching a new program called Owners Wanted to help potential business owners move from an idea to opening day.
For the month of January, CYBF experts will be stationed at independent coffee houses in four locations across Canada, including Regina and Saskatoon, to provide mentorship and advice.
"There can be such pressure when it comes to exploring a business idea and this is amplified for a younger people,"says Taunya Woods Richardson, Director, CYBF, Saskatchewan. "There is no shortage of great business ideas here in Saskatchewan, but the unknowns can be intimidating. We created the Owners Wanted campaign for exactly this reason, to take the fear out of exploring that business idea."
A local youth entrepreneur who has benefitted from working with CYBF is Kendal Netmaker, CEO of Neechie Gear, a lifestyle apparel company that empowers youth through sports.
"I took my life experience and through the help of CYBF, Ive created a socially branded clothing line that gives back to youth in communities by encouraging and supporting participation in sport," he says.
According to CYBF, there are nearly 95,000 small businesses in Saskatchewan, which it says is not on pace with other provinces, which are experiencing a "small business renaissance." It says between 2001 and 2011, self-employment among youth between the ages of 15 and 24 decreased by 29 per cent, which contrasts with other provinces that are experiencing growth in the same demographic.
Until the end of the month, a CYBF expert will be at independent coffee shops in the province's two largest cities, The Underground Café in Saskatoon and Atlantis Coffee in Regina.
If you would like to book a time with an expert, visit the Owners Wanted website.