Summer Company Program

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Applications are now CLOSED for the 2024 Summer Company program.

Be your own boss this summer!

The Thunder Bay and District Entrepreneur Centre oversees the Summer Company initiative, which operates at the local and regional levels. This program, endorsed by the Province of Ontario, is designed to empower ambitious individuals between the ages of 15 and 29. It offers them the chance to establish and operate their own seasonal businesses.

Upon acceptance into the program, participants become eligible for a grant that can reach up to $3,000, serving as essential seed funding for their business ventures. Alongside this financial support, participants will also benefit from hands-on business coaching and mentoring. Local community business leaders will actively engage with and guide participants, assisting them in turning their Summer Company concepts into tangible enterprises.

How it Works:

Through a program called Summer Company, you can get:

start-up money to kick-off a new summer business
advice and mentorship from local business leaders to help get the business up and running

Learning how to run your own student business is one of the best summer jobs you can have. You get to be your own boss while learning what it takes to manage a business. Sales, marketing, bookkeeping, customer relationship management and networking are just a few of the highly useful skills you’ll develop.

Who is eligible

Go to high school, college or university

Live in Ontario

Are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Between 15-29 years old (>18 parent/guardian required)

Are not already running a business

Are not working at another job or going to school for more than 12 hours a week during the program

Are returning to school after the program ends

If you are on social assistance (Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program) you can still apply to Summer Company. Payments from the program may be exempt as income and assets under social assistance, so your monthly social assistance payment may not be affected. Call your local Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program office for more information.

You cannot apply again, if you have received a Summer Company grant in the past.

See our Past Summer Company Participants:

Past Summer Company Participants

Abby, Owner, Aspect Ontario 2021 Summer Company Participant

Ailiin, Owner, Mummu’s Pulla 2021 Summer Company participant

Mummu’s Pulla is a baked goods company that is selling pulla. Pulla is a Finnish cardamom loaf that can be eaten as is or dipped in coffee/tea. Ailiin is offering fresh baked (per order) regular loaves as well as raisin loaves.

Travis, Owner Elite Window Washing 2021 Summer Company Participant

Travis is offered window-washing services through his business Elite Window Washing Co. Services were available for both commercial and residential buildings that are located in Thunder Bay and the surrounding areas. Travis is offered free quotes to anyone interested in the services and successfully completed the 2021 Summer Company program.

Imran, Owner, Northern Writing Consultants 2020 Summer Company Participant

Northern Writing Consultants offers a wide array of writing services. Imran Bagha, the founder, is a professional writing consultant and he helps people improve their writing, presentation, and interview skills. His specialty is with helping people applying to graduate and professional university programs such as law and medicine.

Erika, Owner, Keramiikka Maan 2020 Summer Company Student

Erika creates small batch pottery that focuses on creating unique but functional art in the form of ceramic vessels such as mugs, bowls, vases, etc. She also creates decorative work and ceramic sculptures. It has always been a goal of Erika’s to make a career out of art, as it has always been a love and hobby of hers. As a young potter and aspiring artist, Erika would like to continue doing what she loves while providing people with the functional fine art that they need in their everyday lives.

Zach, Owner, Super Green Lawn Care 2019 Summer Company participant

With his own vehicle and a trailer as well as some updated equipment, he started “Super Green Lawn Care” and worked hard to get his name known around the area. We had a very good summer season for weather, which meant it kept him busy as he found the niche to work an area of a remote part of the city and could keep himself busy in just one area.

Andrew, Owner Andrew Faulkner Film & Photography 2018 Summer Company participant

Andrew Faulkner is a Film Production student at Confederation College in Thunder Bay. He has recently completed his first year in the program and his participation in the Summer Company 2018 program was his first stab at entrepreneurship.

Madison, Owner Tribal Change 2017 Summer Company participant

Madison Steadwell is operating a business called Tribal Change; an ethical, sustainable, organic t-shirt business with prints that voice global issues to create change. Her tees are eco-friendly screen printed locally in Thunder Bay, and have been low impact dyed so the dyes and chemicals used for colour don’t damage our water. Her goal is to allow people to create change by speaking a message non-verbally- simply through wearing a t-shirt, and to allow messages to spread to as many as people as possible. Through the summer company program, she learnt a lot, one of her major lessons was that not everything always goes according to plan and that you have to be adaptable as an entrepreneur.

2023 Summer Company Participants

Mliss’ Makings

Mliss is the owner and operator of Mliss’ Makings, a small cut flower farm outside of Kakabeka Falls. The farm features a lovely selection of cut flowers and is offering a ten-week bouquet subscription with the bouquets being delivered right to her customers door once a week.

NAMA Candles

Mariyah is the creator and owner of NAMA Candles, specializing in crafting natural soy-based scented candles. The candles are handmade and made in small batches, to ensure each candle is unique and perfect for use. All her candles come with a wax embed, which are delicately moulded in the workshop and placed on these candles.

Sarah’s Personal Training

Sarah is the owner and trainer behind Sarah’s Personal Training, an Atikokan based business that is providing individualized exercise programs and coaching to members of the community. The services are being offered out of the Ironworks Fitness Centre in Atikokan.

Simply Aesthetics

Hope is the owner and technician behind Simply Aesthetics, a new start-up offering certified full body waxing services. Hope will be offering services Tuesdays from 9am-7pm and Fridays 9am-7pm through 1114 Victoria Ave. E. (The Aesthetics and Laser Clinic).

Jase’s Designs

Jase is the creator and owner of Jase’s Designs, making custom artwork creating what the customer would like, and the applying the artwork to custom items such as shirts, mugs, canvas and much more.

Love for Dogs

Avery is the owner of Love for Dogs, providing a veterinary-approved superfood dog food topper, a powder added to your dog’s food to provide extra nutrients and missing ingredients to the dog’s diet. These ingredients combined provide dogs with extra fibre, antioxidants, calcium, and vitamins to let your dog live a happier, healthier, and longer life.

Mowing the Way

Sarah is the owner of Mowing the Way, providing yard and lawncare maintenance such as lawn mowing and trimming, planting, garden and weed control, spring/fall prep and clean up, mulching, and dethatching.

Rancheros del Sur

Rodrigo is the owner and cook of Rancheros del Sur, making real Mexican food, using traditional recipes, natural ingredients, and real Mexican flavours.

Superior Senses

Char is the owner and creator of Superior Senses, is a locally owned business providing candles, soaps, body scrubs and other wellness products.

2022 Summer Company Participants

Crafts with Ash

Ashley is the owner of Crafts with Ash. The business offers designs and printing of both vinyl and paper crafts. Ashley uses a Cricut machine to create an assortment of custom items such as clothing, car decals, greeting cards, drinkware and more. Find Crafts with Ash on Facebook @getcraftywithashley.

Duchesne’s Services

Braeden is the owner/operator of Duchesne’s Services. The business is a locally owned and operated business offering commercial and residential exterior home service needs. Currently the business is offering services of weekly and biweekly lawn care, hedge trimming, edging, aerating, dethatching, and seeding. To learn amore about Duchesne’s Services visit www.duchesneservices.com or explore the business Facebook and Instagram @duchesneservices.

Dawn and Daisy Designs

Brooke is the owner of Dawn and Daisy Designs. Dawn and Daisy Designs creates and sells jewellery and small accessories in Thunder Bay such as rings, anklets, bracelets, necklaces and keychains. To explore Dawn and Daisy Designs products visit Instagram @dawnanddaisydesigns or the business website www.dawnanddaisy.myshopify.com

Port Arthur Lawncare and Landscape

Tyler is the owner/operator of Port Arthur Lawncare & Landscape. The business offers residential and commercial year-round exterior services. Currently the business is offering services of weekly and biweekly mowing, aeration, dethatching, yard cleanup, fertilization, sod and soil installation, supply delivery, garden bed installation, paver patio and walkways, and snow removal. To learn amore about Port Arthur Lawncare & Landscape visit www.palawncarelandscape.com or explore the business Facebook @PortArthurLawncareLandscaping and Instagram @pa_lawncare_lanscape.

Cold Slate Creamery

Tim Sherlock is the owner and lead crafter at Cold Slate Creamery. Cold Slate Creamery provides a delicious and unique rolled ice cream experience with ice cream orders made fresh before your eyes on a mobile cold-plate, instant-freeze crafting station. Cold Slate Creamery’s mobile crafting station will be located at various locations throughout Thunder Bay and will offer 3 signature flavors: Dutch Chocolate, French Vanilla, and Strawberry Cream. To learn more about Cold Slate Creamery and see the location schedule visit https://aspectontario.com/coldslatecreamery

2021 Summer Company Participants

Key Components 3D Printing and Design

Will is the owner and operator of Key Components 3D Printing and Design. Will designs and 3D prints products that help to improve the golf course turf maintenance industry. Key Components currently offers pocket keys (that can be customized) and bike plow attachments.

Items can be purchased through Will’s website at www.keycomponents3d.ca or viewed on Twitter @keycomponents3d.

Parkdale Lawn Care

Noah is the owner/operator of Parkdale Lawn Care, a student-run lawn care company. Services include turf care, lawn cutting, lawn treatment, landscaping, and gardening. Parkdale Lawn Care offers custom scheduling, no contracts, and competitive pricing while meeting client’s needs.

Services can be viewed at www.parkdalelawn.com or you can contact Noah at (807) 355-3008.

Static Signal Suits

Meet Marshy, the owner and operator of Static Signal Suits. Marshy will be pulling inspiration from their character designs to create wearable costumes, called fursuits. This process includes creating the mould, casting, and building the costume.

View Static Signals Suits on Instagram and on Twitter!

The Art of a Chicken

Meet Hailey, the owner and creator of The Art of a Chicken. Hailey is going to be creating and selling her artwork that is inspired by nature and the chickens that she owns.

Find The Art of a Chicken on Instagram @theartofachicken to meet the chicks and see the art for sale.

Heartless

Zakk is owner of Heartless, a custom clothing business. Zakk will be creating the designs for the business and printing them onto apparel including shirts, sweaters and hats. Over the summer, Zakk hopes to explore the options for purchasing an embroidery machine to expand the apparel designs.

Sargent Swampy Art

Meet Jaimie, the owner of Sargent Swampy Art. Jaimie is located in Longlac, and is selling art products that she creates including commission pieces and resin art. Sargent Swampy Art’s items that are more popular include resin rings and resin self-defence keychains. Jaimie intends to donate a portion of her sales to charities in her community.

Find Sargent Swampy Art on Facebook @ Sgt Swampy Art and on Instagram @ sgt.swampy.art.

Elite Window Washing Co.

Travis is offering window-washing services through his business Elite Window Washing Co. Services are available for both commercial and residential buildings that are located in Thunder Bay and the surrounding areas. Find Elite Window Washing Co. on Instagram @elitewindowwashingco, email at EliteWindowWashingCo@gmail.com or call Travis at (807) 252-8875.

Mummu’s Pulla

Ailiin recently launched Mummu’s Pulla, a baked goods company that is selling pulla. Pulla is a Finnish cardamom loaf that can be eaten as is or dipped in coffee/tea. To order a loaf or learn more visit www.mummuspulla.ca or on Instagram @mummuspulla.

Aspect Ontario

Abby is the owner/operator of Aspect Ontario, an affordable creative niche marketing approach for small businesses serving Ontario’s residents and tourism sector. The goal of Aspect Ontario is to create an online platform that inspires people to engage with the small businesses in communities across Ontario. Aspect Ontario creates unique photo and video advertising content, as well as provides businesses with a creative platform to showcase that content. Aspect Ontario works to highlight the aspects that make each business unique, while highlighting the company’s humanness. Connect with Abby at hello@aspectontario.com, on her website at aspectontario.com, Instagram @aspectontario or on LinkedIn.

2020 Summer Company Participants

Augustine’s Beaded Designs

Alexis Augustine is an indigenous student that attends Lakehead University. She started her business, Augustine’s Beaded Designs, where Alexsis creates handmade small batch beaded items such as earrings, keychains, or hair barrettes. The idea to start the business came from her friends and family asking to purchase the items that she creates. Alexsis thought it was a great opportunity to sell the products outside of her circle while supporting her family.

Items can be purchased through her Facebook page @Augustine’s Beaded Designs

Marusyk’s Lawn Care and Pressure Washing

Jase Marusyk is the owner/operator for Marusyk’s Lawn Care and Pressure Washing in Atikokan, ON. His company provides lawn care services including lawn mowing, gas trimming, minor landscaping projects, and home pressure washing services including, deck paint removal, driveway cleaning, siding and window washing, and gutter cleaning. Jase provides services on a scheduled rotation or on an as needed basis – depending what the client prefers. He offers a flexible schedule, as well as catering to shift workers and cabin owners weekend requests as needed.

Jase is looking forwarding to learning about the rewards and challenges of owning your own business.

Keramiikka Maan

Erika Niva is running a pottery business, known as Keramiikka Maan. The name Keramiikka Maan is Finnish and translates to “Pottery of the Earth”, ultimately connecting Erika’s future career with her Finnish heritage. Erika had first started with pottery through her studies at Lakehead University in the visual arts program in 2017. Since then she had been selling her items off and on, but finally decided to take the leap and start her business.

Items can be purchased through Erika’s website at keramiikkamaan.com. You can also follow her on Facebook @Keramiikka Maan, and Instagram @erika.niva.art.

Mariday Mowers and Lawn Care Company

Joe Newhouse is the owner of Mariday Mowers and Lawn Care Company. He will be offering services such as raking, lawn mowing, and grass trimming. Joe feels that this type of business is a good way to help out individuals that may not be physically able to mow the lawn themselves. Mariday Mowers is also available for individuals that are unable to complete lawn care tasks themselves or are away from their home often.

Mariday Mowers Lawn Care Company can be reached on their Facebook page @Mariday Mowers Lawn Care Company.

Northern Writing Consultants

He also helps grad students, MDs, and PhDs with writing tasks. This includes consulting, reviewing, and polishing research grant applications, Master’s thesis projects, essays, reports, and so forth – no matter the writing need, Northern Writing Consultants does it all.

Appointments and services offerings can be viewed at northernwritingconsultants.com, on Facebook @Northern Writing, and Instagram @Northern Writing.

2019 Summer Company Participants

Tyler: Tyler’s Tune Ups
Kohl: The Lawn Doc T-Bay
Manny: Superior Mobile Detailing
Tyson: True Shine Window Cleaning
Zachary: Super Green Lawn Care
Chase: Chase’s Crafts
Julaine: Lazy Pearl
Daisy: Superior Cards
Kevin: Plex Design & Development

2018 Summer Company Participants

Jordyn Calderon – Calderon Baking – Desserts made to order – calderonbaking@gmail.com | (807) 631-8543 | Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/CalderonBaking1/ | Instagram: @CalderonBaking

Ian Campbell – Film Converters – Film and photograph digitization – filmconverters@gmail.com

Andrew Faulkner – ISO Studios – High quality corporate video and photography services – andrewefaulkner@gmail.com | (807)632-8271 | https://andrewfaulkner.ca/ www.youtube.com/channel/UCXNP0RG7Yzj9BXNpfesnyrw

Brianna Fiddler – OnyxBri Art – Mixed media artwork Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onyxbri.art Instagram: @onyxbri.art https://www.onyxbri.com/

Krishna Jani – Superior Marketing – Digital and traditional marketing services – superiormarketingtbay@gmail.com | (807)356-6808 | Instagram: @superiormarketingtbay

Jesse Leach – C-Clear – Window and Exterior Cleaning Building maintenance services – cclearexterior@gmail.com (807)631-4119 | https://www.facebook.com/CClearwindowandexterior/

Jacob Luczak – Luczak’s Wrestling and Conditioning – Wrestling classes, technical instruction and high intensity training – jacobwrestling@outlook.com | (306)807-0057 | Facebook: @LuczakWrestling

Aidan Marchant -River Forge – Let me hammer out your details – www.river-forge.com | aidanmarchant1@gmail.com | (807)632-6905 | Instagram: @river_forge

Jenna Mayor – Superior Show Jumping – Coaching riders and horses for the sport of competitive show jumping superiorshowjumping@gmail.com | (807)629-2960 | Instagram: @superiorshowjumping

Nicole Mighton – Nicole’s Creative Customs – Upcycled and refurbished furniture and housewares https://www.facebook.com /NicolesCreativeCustoms email: nm.creativecustoms@gmail.com

Eraj Rehman S- UDS Bath Company – Organic and eco-friendly bath bombs – sudsbathcompany@gmail.com

Paw’leh Shan – Clean Paws – Building and residential indoor cleaning services

2017 Summer Company Participants

Sierra Boire Rose River Pesticide and GMO free succulent plants in upcycled pots

Grace Francis Constructive Multimedia Photography (807)633-7055 | constructivemultimedia@hotmail.com

Caleb Garrow-Ledoux Caleb’s Lawn Care Lawn and yard maintenance

Jordan Kelly Kelly Construction Landscaping and construction (807)631-8429 | jordankellyjk@gmail.com

Matthew O’Reilly O’Reilly Fine Arts Ceramic and painting (807)633-8068 | mjoreil@lakeheadu.ca www.oreillyfinearts.com facebook.com/m.o.finearts

Erik Tillberg and Andrew Austin Snagme Ride sharing application (807)621-2932 | erik@snagme.ca | andrew@snagme.ca www.snagme.ca facebook.com/SnagMeApp

Tyler Lesschaeve True View Property Services Lawn and window cleaning services (807)620-4568 | tylerlesschaeve@hotmail.com

Cameron Murray Murray’s Eco-Friendly Yard Maintenance Lawn and yard services (807)622-5151 | dcmurray@tbaytel.net

Robert Haynes Blue Truck Pizza Mobile Pizza Stand (807)707-1877

Justin Nadon Justicks Thunder Bay Refurbishing and restoring hockey sticks (807)356-2929 | jcnadon29@hotmail.com

Marco Palermo Marco’s Mowing Lawn and yard services (807)630-4027 | marcoguidopalermo@gmail.com facebook.com/marcosmowing

Thomas Veneruz Grass Master Lawncare and yard services (807)631-2946 | tveneruz37@hotmail.com

Keander Smith Keanders Custom Carpentry Building and selling custom furniture (807)633-4384 | keandersmith@hotmail.com

Madison Steadwell Tribal Change Eco friendly and ethical t-shirts (807)627-3382 tribalchangeco@gmail.com

Carly Schultz Luminary heART Original artwork through painted canvas (807)631-9354 luminaryheart@gmail.com

Brandon Rodeghiero Royal Wizards Production Filmography (807)474-1293

2016 Summer Company Participants

Tracy Barry The Nest Studio Created works of art (807)621-5310 tracybarry@theneststudio.ca

Jordan Bellinger Superior Northshore Designs Custom 3-D carving (807)578-7747 superiornorthshoredesign@gmail.com

Mary Black Northern Wildflowers Handmade Quilts (807)621-7196 mary@northernwildflowers.com

Stevie Anne Clark Full Plate Prep Health meal preparation (807)633-0986 fullplateprep@gmail.com

Marc Degagne Degagne Lawn Care Lawncare (807)631-8701 degagneyardcare@gmail.com

Christina Foresto Clean Sweep Professional home organization (807)472-1975

Christopher Krasnichuk Innovative Circuit Development Idea and circuit concept development (807)633-6468 chris@icdevelopment.io

Lahama Naeem Henna Harmony Henna tattooing (807)355-4430 lahama.neem@gmail.com

Aja Mayor Upcycle Furniture Furniture refurbishing (807)632-2247 ajamayer@icloud.com

Dustin Miller Dustin’s Lawncare Service Lawncare

Adam Poulter Superior Student Lawn & Home Lawn and homecare services (807)620-7207 adam@superiorstudent.com

Kyle Salmon Salmon Summer Lawn Care Service Lawncare (Nipigon, Red Rock, and Lake Helen) (807)630-7707 kylesalmon19@hotmail.com

Ashley Whistle Ashley’s Little Rabbitry Rabbit petting zoo (807)630-8638 ashley_whistle@hotmail.com Facebook

2015 Summer Company Participants

Zach Adams Zach’s Yard Maintenance Lawncare

Alexa Bohemier AB Creative Designs Original artistic clothing www.facebook.com/alexabohemiercreativedesigns

Bisma Iqbal Bisma’s Photography Family photography and promotional videos

Colin Maronese Edge Coating Powder coating www.facebook.com/EdgeCoating

Casey McFadyen Casey Mathematics Online and in-person math tutoring

Spencer Rideout Rideout’s Tackle Hand-made fishing lures www.facebook.com/RideoutsTackle

Justin Sauer Justin’s Lawn & Snow Lawncare including fertilizing, seeding, and grass cutting

Anirudh Shahi Flying Birdie Badminton Camp Badminton camp www.facebook.com/pages/Flying-Birdie-Badminton-Camp/478250772326687

Teagan Smeltzer Hello Wreaths Unique hand-crafted wreaths

Dalton Sparks Iron Giant Strength & Conditioning Personal training and strength coaching

Stephanie St. Jacques Canaan Apiculturalist – natural beauty products made with beeswax

2014 Summer Company Participants

Cory Bagdon Port Arthur Woodcraft Fine furniture and custom cabinets

Shannon Dobson Unleashed Photography Pet photography

Frank Felice Evergreen Landscaping Lawncare and landscaping

Gillian House A + G Sealing Driveway sealing and maintenance

Ryan Keleher Northern Professional Research Company Research and project management for companies serving the legal industry

Jordan Kelso Yellow Jacket Lot Maintenance Sweeping and lawn maintenance

Anthony Laudone CompuTech Onsite computer repairs

Josh McGeown Salus Strength and Weight Management Exercise and lifestyle counselling

Keenan Mihalcin Sunny Slopes Exterior Maintenance Lawncare

Jessica Puddicombe J. Noel Art Original paintings and art classes

Tamara Spence Sleeping Giant Corals Coral propagation of colourful and healthy SPS, LPS, Zoanthids and soft corals

Melissa Tempelman Bee Well Chocolate Chocolate made with healthy and local ingredients

Richard Wirkkunen Ice Age Games Gaming singles and gaming accessories

Victor Xiao Lakehead Piano Keyboarding lessons for beginners

Alexsis Augustine is an indigenous student that attends Lakehead University. She started her business, Augustine’s Beaded Designs, where Alexsis creates handmade small batch beaded items such as earrings, keychains, or hair barrettes. The idea to start the business came from her friends and family asking to purchase the items that she creates. Alexsis thought it was a great opportunity to sell the products outside of her circle while supporting her family.

Jase is the owner & operator for Marusyk’s Lawn Care and Pressure Washing in Atikokan, Ontario. Jase’s company provides lawn care services including lawn mowing, gas trimming, minor landscaping projects, and home pressure washing services including, deck paint removal, driveway cleaning, siding, and window washing, and gutter cleaning. Jase provides services on a scheduled rotation or an as-needed basis – depending on what the client prefers. He offers a flexible schedule, as well as catering to shift workers and cabin owners weekend requests as needed.