Summer Company
What is the Summer Company Program?
The Summer Company program aims to inspire students age 15-29 to explore entrepreneurship and to equip them with the tools they need to succeed. Students learn how to run a business, receive mentorship and training, and develop skills that are highly valued in all workplaces.
Summer Company includes:
- In-class training (mostly virtual) with experts in their fields on all aspects of running a small business.
- 1:1 business coaching sessions with a Business Coach.
- Individual and group mentorship opportunities.
- An opportunity to receive up to $3,000 in micro-grant financing. Participants receive $1,500 up front to help with start-up costs, then up to $1,500 upon completion of the program requirements at the end of the summer. Plus, all the money they make running their business!
Program Enrollment – Now Closed!
Enrollment for the 2025 Summer Company intake will open in February 2025 and close mid-May. The program will start in early June and wrap at the end of August.
Eligibility Requirements
You could be eligible, if you:
- Are a student between the ages of 15 and 29.
- Are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who lives in Ontario.
- Are not working at another job more than 12 hours a week during the program or going to school.
- Are returning to school after the program ends.
- See the full Summer Company eligibility check list.
Over the summer program period, participants must be prepared to commit:
- Minimum of 280 hours for high school students
- Minimum of 420 hours for post-secondary students
Application Process
The 2024 Summer Company program intake period is now closed.
- Check your Summer Company eligibility.
- Submit your application package in one email to smallbusiness@huroncounty.ca
- The package includes: the application form with business plan, cash flow and a current resume.
- Summer Company Application Form (word)
- Summer Company Application Form (pdf)
- Summer Company Cash Flow Template (Excel)
- We are here to assist with the whole process including the business plan template.
- Following an application, staff will ensure the application meets program requirements and contact the applicant for an intake meeting.
- Those accepted into the program will receive an initial grant payment of $1,500 to support the start-up costs related to the business.
- Participants will also be assigned a Business Coach and will be provided basic business training to launch and promote their summer business!
For more information or assistance in developing your business idea, contact smallbusiness@huroncounty.ca or (519) 524-8394 ext. 6
Thank You to Our Partners:
Meet Past Participants
Brohman Custom Designs
Brette Brohman
Founded by architecture student Brette Brohman, Brohman Custom Designs specializes in building custom closets, mudrooms, and built-ins. Through the Summer Company program, Brette was able to provide the local market with affordable and completely customizable storage spaces while getting the chance at some experiential learning – putting the skills she gained at Carleton University into action.
“I wouldn’t have had this kind of experience anywhere else – it’s an experience that is 100% worth the time and effort.”
Lily By Design
Lily Conley
Lily By Design features handmade, all-natural and eco-friendly products that support self-care. From unique soy candles to beeswax lip gloss, lotion, bath bombs and bubble baths, Lily Conley offers health driven amenities to Huron County – from the community, for the community.
“It wasn’t just the training, coaching and grant money that helped me, it was the work that was required for the program – it actually got me doing the things I had avoided or didn’t know how to do…. The fact that I had to do it gave me the opportunity to double down and understand these important aspects of my business.”
Happy U R Here
Sara Nogueira
Based in Exeter, Happy U R Here is an art company that sells prints, stickers and original artwork. Owner Sara Nogueira used the Summer Company grant to bet on herself, take a risk, and grow because of it.
“….because I knew I had the safety net of the grant, I decided to just go for it. I’m really proud of myself for applying for the program and going through the whole process.”
Open Heart Studio
Anna Lang
Open Heart Studio, owned by Anna Lang, offers fully customized bucket hats, with bespoke branding, style, materials, and size. The Summer Company program helped Anna turn her previous entrepreneurial adventure into a sustainable business.
“I had experience running a small business prior to this one, but it was not nearly as clearly defined. Through the training sessions, I was able to change my thinking from being an employee to being an entrepreneur.”
Huron County Horse Trailers
Claire Mitchell
Huron County Horse Trailers is owned and operated by 18-year-old Claire Mitchell and is located outside of Walton. Huron County Horse Trailers refurbishes and resells pre-loved horse trailers, ensuring affordable and safe horse transportation options for local equestrians.
“Without the training from the Summer Company, I would have had a much harder time marketing my business and connecting with customers…The amount of support and guidance is amazing and it was so much easier than if I was trying to start my business on my own.”
Ontario’s West Coast Honey
Neil Haas
Ontario’s West Coast Honey is a small-scale apiary, selling fresh, local honey in the Goderich and Clinton area. At 17-years-old, Neil Haas used a grant from the Summer Company program to overcome the high startup costs protective bee-keeping equipment demands.
“….I wouldn’t have been able to afford the start-up costs without the funding from the Summer Company. Now that I’m over that initial cost, I’m able to keep going and generate sales and profits. The funding really helped me to expand my business and make it sustainable.”
The Whistling Woodworker
Josiah Peterson
Woodworking has been Josiah Petersen’s hobby since he was 9 years old. After connecting with the Summer Company program, he was able to start his business and make money doing something that he already loved and was skilled at – and get support in the areas he wasn’t as practiced in.
“…there is a lot more to selling things… there’s a lot of things you don’t think about originally: packaging, shipping, and advertising. You don’t find out until you try it out.”
Brody's Builds
Brody Nesbitt
A thoughtful Mother’s Day gift idea turned into a flourishing business for Brody Nesbitt, owner of Brody’s Builds. Offering custom built, hand made yard games, the 16-year-old was able to produce over 150 pieces in the 2020 season.
“The Summer Company really changed everything. It made it so much easier to make more and sell more. I couldn’t have done it without it.”
Blake Street Bakery
Sydney Pollack
Sydney Pollack opened the Blake Street Bakery on her grandparent’s suggestion, and it was an immediate success. So much so that her last-minute application to the Summer Company program helped her deal with tidal wave of support from the community. She now owns and operates a thriving brick-and-mortar bakery on West Street in Goderich.
“It’s a really great way to figure out what I wanted to do. …. Definitely just jump right in… Don’t hold back. [Summer Company] will provide the money and help with the tools. Just go for it.”
How Can We Help?
Huron County is always excited to support new and innovative ideas and businesses.
We’re here to help!
Find Us
57 Napier Street,
Goderich, ON
N7A 1W2
Canada
Phone
+1 (519) 524-8394 ext.6