Young entrepreneurs launch summer companies
MORE THAN TWO DOZEN high school and post-secondary students in the Hamilton area are getting a hand starting their own businesses this summer, thanks to a provincial initiative. The Ontario Summer Company program offers mentorship, handson training and grants of up to $3,000 to startups to help young entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 and 29 get their ventures off the ground. This year’s participants include:
Hamzah Mamoon Smadi
SS CREATIONS
Designs websites for local small businesses. Aidan Curran
DIGITAL AGE PINS AND PATCHES
An e-commerce company that sells pins and patches featuring video game characters, group logos and other internet phenomena. Harneet Gill
HG PHOTOGRAPHY & MEDIA
A photography and media company with a focus on capturing special moments. William Dang
WILLIAM DANG PHOTOGRAPHY
Provides event coverage, personal portraits, business advertisements and other photography services for customers in Hamilton, Mississauga, Brampton and the Toronto region. Catharine Nguyen
JUST CHIC CLOTHING
Nguyen creates and sells custom clothing with airbrush art using stencils. Andrij Luczkiw
NATURAL ADS
A promotional company that helps businesses market their products or services using placemats. Nicole Dragus
DOLLED N’ DRESSED
An online company that rents out new
and gently used dresses to women of all shapes and sizes. Lindsay Falconer
JL GARDEN & LANDSCAPE
Provides landscaping and gardening services through summer and fall. Trinity Duffy
TRINITY’S BATH DELIGHTS
Specializes in natural skin and body care products, including bath bombs and salts. Julia Giavedoni
JULIA’S ART PALETTE
Home-based custom art and pet portrait company that delivers the finished work to the customer’s home. Andrei Paun
MIND ‘N MUSCLE ATHLETICS
Online fitness clothing store that offers attire for the gym and other activities like yoga and walking. Randy Mapumba Tshikuna
AIM AND ACHIEVE
Upscale clothing line targeting youth between the ages of 12 and 20. Olivia Jordan
UNIVERSITY LANDSCAPING
Landscaping and lawn maintenance services for customers in Grimsby and Hamilton. Humaira Seta
WHAT’S IN A FRAME
Their custom framing systems incorporate clothespins so customers can hang multiple pictures and switch them up easily. Jesse Kochanka
KOCHANKA VISUALS
Video services for businesses, not-for-profits and local artists. Alex Svarc
PURE LONGBOARDS CANADA
Handmade, custom-designed longboards, built to the client’s needs. Luca Valeri
STUDENT LAWN CARE
Provides basic lawn care services on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
Christina Stolte
THE HERB AND LADLE
A stall at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market that specializes in bowl-based meals. Lidia Luczkiw
T-CREATE
Prints customized logos on T-shirts and mugs. Liam Coffen
LEAF EATER
Merchandise promoting vegan and vegetarian lifestyles. Alen Saric
FROZN
Offers urban streetwear.
Harsh Bansal
ARTLY
Monthly, subscription-based collection of art supplies delivered to clients to encourage them to learn about visual arts by creating a project with included materials and instructions. Robert Anderson
3D ARMOURY
Customized 3D printing services focusing on cosplay trinkets, props and memorabilia.
Bassem Yacoub
BASSMEDIA
Photography and social media marketing. Zackaria Khodr
FINDMEADEALONKIJIJI.COM
An online company that helps budget-friendly customers find what they’re looking for. Yosi Ladio
FOCUS
Monthly subscription package for students looking to excel in their studies by providing them with two one-hour sessions a week. Sabrina Ramnanan
MUSIC THERAPY
Provides music therapy as a way to help calm children with special needs.
For more information on the program, go to:
WWW.ONTARIO.CA
Search for summer company program.
npaddon@thespec.com 905-526-2420 | @NatatTheSpec