Dust off the lemonade stand, kids, the Grande Journee des Petits Entrepreneurs is just around the corner
The third edition of Sherbrooke’s Grande Journee des Petits Entrepreneurs, a day celebrating the business spirit of 5 to 12 year olds, is set to take place on June 16 at the Plaza de l’ouest in Rock Forest, in front of the borough office at 1000 rue des Hautsbois. Between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. the public is invited to visit a marvel of miniature marketing as young businesspeople from across the city try to peddle their wares under the watchful eye of 12 local business ambassadors.
The initiative in Sherbrooke owes its start to Rock Forest Councillor Annie Godbout, who was inspired by the work of Mathieu Ouellet, Isabelle Genest, and Catherine Morissette who got the first event going in Quebec City five years ago.
“Youth entrepreneurship is very important to me,” Godbout said, explaining that the idea which started as a borough activity has grown into an event that is open to young people from all over Sherbrooke.the city councilor noted that although the focus of the
day is highlighting and promoting the entrepreneurial spirit of young people, the work often becomes a family affair.
“Family is at the heart of entrepreneurial development in Sherbrooke,” Godbout said, reminding those gathered for the launch of this year’s edition that the city was named the most entrepreneurial city in Canada by Futurpreneur Canada at the end of 2017.
Among the business ambassadors helping out with this year’s edition are Karen Hansen and Alexandre Hurtubise of the Maison du Cinema, local MNAS Karine Vallières and Luc Fortin, and Anik Beaudoin, the owner of the Auguste restaurant on Wellington Street.
According to Isabelle Grenier of Commerce Sherbrooke, more than 40 businesses have already been registered by local youths, with registration still open for others to join in. Anyone interested in registering a “petite enterprise” can do so for $5 on the event’s website, www.petitesentrepreneurs.com, keeping in mind that the site covers events all across the province.