Summer Company 2020

Five entrepreneurial students had the opportunity to participate in the Summer Company program in 2020. Businesses included Mackenzie Blaze Prints, Navi Games, The Handmade Goods Company, True You Cosmetics, and Ruby Residential Services. Students received training and mentoring, as well as a grant of up to $3,000 to jump-start their summer businesses.

5 grants = $15,000 grant value

True You Cosmetics

Emily Abt

True You Cosmetics is a small home based business operated by high school student Emily Abt. The business specialized in small batch manufacturing of cosmetics, soaps and bath bombs. Using only the best quality ingredients, Emily made sure her products appealed to a variety to clients, including local Spas, who were more than pleased to support Emily in her entrepreneurial Summer endeavor.

Navi Games

Michelle James

Board games and Pizza? Why not! Navi Games combined the things that most people love the most. Pizza and games. Selling a variety of popular games was a bit challenging due to COVID-19 restrictions, but a simple and fun approach of bundling games with food take-out was the avenue that Navi Games took during their Summer Company experience.

Mackenzie Blaze

Mackenzie Deamude

Unique is the name of the game with Mackenzie Blaze. Utilizing a technique called printmaking, Mackenzie was able to transfer tree log rings onto paper and create her own product called “Tree Cut Prints”. These prints, made from various trees, were beautifully framed and sold online – to raving reviews!

The Handmade Goods Company

Ronak Lad

Forced to pivot fairly early on – The Handmade Goods Company went from offering food products to sewing masks. This was quite the chage, but with Ronak’s experience operating a sewing machine, it made perfect sense. Always looking to support the local community, a portion of the revenue was donated to local charities. As the summer went on, Ronak and his business added additional handmade products to businesses inventory.

Ruby Residential Services

Andrew Pauls

Window washing and property maintenance? Definitely things we don’t always look forward too. Ruby Residential Services on the other hand was eager to get the job done – and at a fair price. As the summer progressed, world of mouth spread, and Andrew was busy travelling all across the Niagara Region providing much needed services to his customers. “Entrepreneurship is definitely in my future”, says Andrew, “… and this is just the beginning”.

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