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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
- 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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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, pharmacy, and veterinary school.
