Summer Company Program
Summer Company is the Government of Ontario’s flagship youth entrepreneurship program. It provides enterprising young people, aged 15 to 29, with the opportunity to start and run their own summer businesses.
If you are accepted into the program, you will receive an award of up to $3,000, hands-on business coaching, and mentoring from local community business leaders who will work with you to make your Summer Company a reality.
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
- Are between 15-29 years old (if under 18: a parent or guardian must sign the agreement for the applicant)
- 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
You cannot apply again, if you have received a Summer Company grant in the past.
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.
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.
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. Travis is offering free quotes to anyone interested in the services.
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. Ailiin is offering fresh baked (per order) regular loaves as well as raisin loaves.
To order a loaf or learn more visit www.mummuspulla.ca or on Instagram @mummuspulla.
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!
Aspect Ontario
Abby is the owner/operator of Aspect Ontario, an affordable creative niche marketing approach for small businesses serving Ontario’s tourism sector. The goal of Aspect Ontario is to make it easier for people to find and connect with the small businesses in their community. Abby is offering video features that assist in highlighting the businesses, as well as photo content.
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.
What kind of business
- Is a sole proprietorship, corporation, or a partnership where a partnership agreement is in place.
- Is an independent business venture (not a part of an existing or family business)
- Qualifies as “self-employed” for income tax purposes
- Operates in Ontario on a full-time basis
- Follows government rules for operating a business
Past 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
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
See what our 2020 Summer Company participants had to say about their experiences:
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.
