This afternoon, eight young people received awards celebrating their entrepreneurial achievements during the Sixth Annual Youth Ventures Program Awards banquet held at the Park Avenue Community Centre in Mount Pearl. Award winners were selected from the more than 400 participants who received advice, assistance and counselling from the program to plan and operate their own businesses this summer.

The Youth Ventures Program, now in its 11th year, was founded in St. Anthony and quickly expanded to other regions of the province. There are now 23 delivery sites across Newfoundland and Labrador, with the most recent one having been established in Hopedale, Labrador this summer.

The following awards were presented today, each of which was sponsored by the business community:

The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) administers the Youth Ventures Program, which has helped students as young as 12 years old start businesses in areas such as web page design, adventure tourism and jewellery design.

“Today’s event is an important way for us to recognize some of the innovative and creative young business minds we have here in Newfoundland and Labrador. These youth have demonstrated that they have the ability to take a hobby, interest or other business idea and turn it into a successful venture – and their success helps provide inspiration for other budding young entrepreneurs,” said Max Taylor, chair, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs.

A number of special guests participated in the awards presentation today, including: Karen Skinner, director of federal-provincial programs, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA); Dr. Smita Joshi, manager of curriculum and learning resources, Department of Education; and Nick Hurley, executive director, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs.

“Again this year, there has been an impressive array of businesses started through the Youth Ventures Program, which certainly highlights the entrepreneurial acumen of our province’s youth,” said the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for ACOA and Newfoundland and Labrador’s representative in the federal cabinet. “These participants have had the opportunity to gain valuable skills in business management, finance, marketing and many other areas, which will serve them well as they pursue other entrepreneurial ventures.”

Gwen Mahaney
Provincial Coordinator
Youth Ventures Program
(709) 834-8343

Stephanie Lewis					
Office of the Hon. Gerry Byrne
Minister of State for ACOA		
(613) 941-7241

Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs
ACOA 
(709) 772-2935

BACKGROUNDER Profiles of 2003 Youth Ventures Program Award Winners

Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Community Business Development Corporations Venture of the Year Long Range Adventures- Daine Hewlin Location: Sally’s Cove, NL

Description: Daine Hewlin, 25-year-old owner/operator of Long Range Adventures, has been a participant of the Youth Ventures Program for two years. In 2003, he improved on the business by working on the weaknesses he had found in his first year of operation.

Daine’s business, an eco-tourism operation, offers a number of activities such as kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and biking. He has developed packages for various markets, such as a special package for seniors. Long Range Adventures’ ideal location in Gros Morne National Park, coupled with partnerships with Gros Morne Resort and the Atlantic Canada Company, gives it the potential to be a viable long-term venture.

Daine is presently studying at College of the North Atlantic in Corner Brook and is working towards an Adventure Tourism certificate.

Newfoundland Marine Farms Inc. High Achievement in Innovation Award Just for You- David Burden Location: Port Hope Simpson, NL

Description: 13-year-old David Burden of Port Hope Simpson has been a Youth Ventures Program participant for the past two years. David makes unique jewellery by inscribing a personal message chosen by the customer, such as a name, secret or town, on a grain of rice, which is then encased in a glass bottle and hung on a necklace.

David sells his products to several Labrador stores in Port Hope Simpson, Battle Harbour and West St. Modeste. This year, David improved his marketing efforts with a brochure, and targeted the area’s tourism industry, which has helped him reach customers from all over the world.

David is an honours student at DC Young School in Port Hope Simpson. He has been named senior athlete of the year and is a Junior Canadian Ranger.

Fishery Products International High Achievement in Customer Service Award Southern Shore Kennels- Brian Ronayne Location: Witless Bay, NL

Description: This summer, 14-year-old Brian Ronayne turned his love of dogs into a business when he realized that there was a demand for dog sitting services in his community of Witless Bay.

Since the inception of his business, Brian has focussed on offering the best care for the animals he looks after, providing personal attention, exercise and quality dog foods and treats.

Brian considers the needs of his customers to be a top priority, offering such services as flexible business hours. He also offers specials for repeat clients, such as a free stay after the first five visits. Brian has also learned the benefits of special promotions, and enters every customer into monthly prize draws.

Brian is a grade nine student at Mobile Central High.

The Royal Bank of Canada High Achievement in Financial Management Award Pam’s Cotton Candy- Pamela Snow Location: Embree, NL

Description: 16-year-old Pamela Snow, owner and operator of Pam’s Cotton Candy, decided to start her business after getting the idea from the CBC televison show Street Cents. She has operated Pam’s Cotton Candy from her hometown of Embree since the age of 12, and her business has enjoyed steady growth. Today Pam sells 10 different flavours of cotton candy to seven different locations, in addition to numerous festivals and concerts.

Pam has shown an aptitude for financial management through meticulous record keeping of expenditures, sales, distribution and inventory. She has also done research on the competition, which helps her make informed decisions on pricing.

Pam is a Grade 12 student at Lewisporte Collegiate and plans to attend Memorial University of Newfoundland to study marine biology. When she is not busy with her business, she babysits, does odd jobs and volunteers in her community.

Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council High Artistic Achievement Award NAC Magic- Nicholas Coleman Location: Corner Brook, NL

Description: 20-year-old Nicholas Coleman has practised the art of magic for a number of years, and over the past two years, he has transformed his hobby into a successful business. He sought help from fellow entertainers, such as musicians and buskers, and has also delved into books on magic in order to improve his business.

Nicholas also received assistance from the Youth Ventures Program, which provided promotion and advertising advice. His unique business continues to succeed due to his excellent presentation skills and ever-expanding repertoire of tricks. His show, which includes tricks using materials such as lights, ropes, cards and silks, has expanded from small audiences at children’s birthday parties to crowds of more than 1000 during magic shows.

Nicholas resides in Corner Brook during the summer months and attends Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario during the school year.

Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador High Achievement in Culture and Tourism Award Flower’s Island Museum- Chris Mitchelmore Location: Green Island Cove, NL

Description: In 2002, 18-year-old Christopher Mitchelmore spent countless hours turning a 61-year-old family home into the Flower’s Island Museum. This year Chris added to the appeal of the site with a nine hole mini golf course.

The addition of a mini golf operation has made the overall site more attractive to tourists. His business attracted people from as far away as the Netherlands and Alaska. This summer, he employed one full-time staff person and several part-time employees.

Christopher is planning to expand his business in the future. He is currently attending Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Newfoundland Power High Achievement in Technology Award Holding-Ground.ca - Chris Jackman Location: Bay d’Espoir, NL

Description: 18-year-old Chris Jackman, owner of Holding- Ground.ca, operates an award-winning company devoted to the betterment of Newfoundland and Labrador’s culture, society and economy through a unique Internet system. The company’s web page engineer handles all aspects of web page design for their clients.

Originally from Bay d’Espoir, Chris has won many awards at the local and provincial Enterprise Olympics competitions and has been featured in countless print and television interviews. His latest projects include speaking at the BayBYTES 2003 conference in Gander and profiling his business at the Rural EXPO 2003 trade show.

Chris is presently studying web site administration at College of the North Atlantic. He continues to run his business while attending school and has plans for expansion in the next few years.

OZFM/NTV High Achievement in Marketing Award Tackle Master-Adam Baker Location: Marystown, NL

Description: 14-year-old Adam Baker has been designing, manufacturing and selling high quality fishing spinners since the age of nine. Adam has expanded his business over the past few years and is now selling his products to national and international markets.

Adam’s marketing endeavours include improved packaging and becoming a registered member of the Manufactured Right Here Program, which provides brand recognition for local products. He is presently compiling a list of national retailers and wholesalers of fishing goods to establish an early market presence next spring.

Adam’s marketing efforts have been very successful and in 2003, approximately 90 locations across the province carried his products.

Adam is currently a grade 10 student at Marystown Central High School.