Six young entrepreneurs from Peterborough and Peterborough County are celebrating after spending the summer transforming their business ideas into operating enterprises.
The students graduated from the provincially funded Summer Company program during a ceremony and tradeshow hosted by Community Futures Peterborough’s Business Advisory Centre at the Venture North building in downtown Peterborough on Wednesday morning (August 26).
Attended by local leaders, community partners, family members, and members of the media, the event allowed the graduates to showcase the businesses they launched and share what they learned from their entrepreneurial experience.
This year’s graduates are:
- Aiden Budd of Dock to Driveway Detailing in Peterborough
- Zander Bromley of Clearview in Peterborough
- Caleb Galbraith of Joy Collectibles 3D in Lakefield
- Emma George-Peters of Kawartha Luxe Cottage Care in Peterborough
- Rutger Huntley of Peak Beach Volleyball in Millbrook
- Rielle MacDougall of Lake Safe Swim Lessons in Peterborough
Throughout the program, the six students gained experience developing business plans, marketing their services, serving customers, managing finances, and overseeing day-to-day operations.
For MacDougall, the support available through Community Futures Peterborough made the experience of launching a business on her own less daunting.
“Community Futures Peterborough gave me a sense of community and belonging throughout my summer,” she said in a media release. “There is such a wide range of knowledge and expertise from the team. Whenever I had any sort of curiosity, I always knew where to find answers.”
“Having a team to back you up through a solopreneurship journey made starting a business feel a lot more manageable.”
Funded by the Ontario government through the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Summer Company is available to students between 15 and 29 years old who want to start and operate a business during the summer.
Participants can receive up to $3,000 in grant funding, along with business training and ongoing mentorship. Community Futures Peterborough delivers the program locally through its Business Advisory Centre.
“The Summer Company program allows students to do more than work a summer job,” said Community Futures Peterborough entrepreneurship officer Allison Adam. “It gives them the opportunity to explore what it takes to be a leader, make decisions, solve problems, and build something of their own.”
“These students worked incredibly hard to create their own summer jobs, taking their ideas from concept to operation and learning firsthand what it takes to run a business. They rose to the challenge and excelled, which speaks volumes about both their dedication and the impact this program can have on young people.”
Each of the six graduates successfully operated a business during the summer and expressed an interest in continuing as an entrepreneur, either by expanding the business they launched or pursuing another idea.
Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith congratulated the students and said small businesses play an important role in supporting vibrant and growing communities.
“The Summer Company program equips these future leaders with practical skills, confidence, and real-world experience,” Smith said. “I congratulate all six graduates on a successful season and look forward to seeing where their drive takes them next.”
Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal and Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark also congratulated the graduates and recognized Community Futures Peterborough and the Business Advisory Centre for providing young entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and other business supports.
“Young entrepreneurs are the future business leaders of our community,” Leal said. “Congratulations to the graduating students — a bright future lies ahead.”
Community Futures Peterborough is a not-for-profit organization that provides financing and other support to small businesses in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County.
According to the organization, it has invested more than $44 million in over 1,900 small businesses since 1985, helping create or maintain more than 4,900 jobs.
The organization is funded by the federal government through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Its Business Advisory Centre is part of the Small Business Enterprise Centre program funded by the Ontario government, with the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County also providing operational funding.
