GEDC's Kid-Preneur Workshop
The Greenstone Economic Development Corporation Introduced a New
‘Kid-Preneur' Youth Entrepreneur Workshop
This March, the GEDC business centre held its first youth entrepreneur workshop geared to children aged 8 to 12 years old. It was called Kid-Preneur. The free, two-day workshop was designed to assist new and existing young entrepreneurs with getting started or expanding their business. The first of these educational workshops was facilitated virtually by Trista of Head Start in Business, while GEDC's Manager, Randi Miron, hosted seven young entrepreneurs at the centre. The workshop was held on Tuesday, March 12th and Thursday, March 14th , which was during the schools' March Break. Each day introduced various topics important to the development and successful operation of a small business. The Kid-Preneurs developed a variety of ideas regarding the goods and services they could provide to their communities.
The March Break workshop was so successful that the GEDC decided to facilitate the workshop two more times in April. Once again, each workshop was held over two days. This time, however, both instances were facilitated by the GEDC. On Monday, April 15th and Wednesday, April 17th, Randi facilitated the Kid-Preneur workshop for over ten participants at Majorie Mills Public School in Longlac. She also facilitated the workshop on Tuesday, April 16th, and Thursday, April 18th , in the evening, at the GEDC business centre with six participants joining.
All the participants who completed the two-day workshop at the GEDC business centre – in March and April – were then invited to join the GEDC at the 2024 Greenstone Trade Show. Ten Kid-Preneurs registered to participate. In preparation for the Trade Show, participants and guardians had a brief meeting regarding set-up and expectations for the event. Seven tables, hosting nine different Kid-Preneur businesses were set up in the lobby of the Geraldton Community Centre for Friday, May 10th, and Saturday, May 11th. Kid-Preneurs had the opportunity to sell their goods, promote their services, learn more about their business and gain some public exposure.
Happy Lemon sold flavourful lemonade, candy surprise bags, and handmade bracelets. Doggo Dog Treats made two varieties of homemade dog biscuits. Jeremy's Caramel Corn sold two different types of homemade confections – caramel and vanilla popcorn. Mow Town promoted their Camp 25 lawn care services and sold fresh bannock. S's and Sketches created and sold custom art creations. Gotta Catch ‘Em All sold a variety of Pokémon cards. Quinn's Crochet sold handmade crochet plushies. Kyza's Babysitting promoted their babysitting service, sold a variety of snacks and ready-to-make art projects. Lastly, Aryiella's Hot Chocolate sold hot chocolate and a selection of add-ins.
The Kid-Preneurs put a lot of thought into what they would provide and promote for the Trade Show. Many of the young entrepreneurs even took what they learned the first day, Friday, and adjusted in preparation for the Saturday. The GEDC is very proud of all their hard work.
One of our Kid-Preneurs, Cooper Kennedy, even decided to do something very special with his earnings. Cooper ran his booth, Doggo Dog Treats, both days of the Trade Show and sold out of his product on his very first day! Some time after the Trade Show, Cooper decided he would like a portion of his profits to be donated to a worthy cause – a local animal rescue. Want a Pet? is a non-profit organization and registered charity that provides animal rescue services to the Thunder Bay District and surrounding First Nation communities. On Wednesday, May 22nd, Cooper presented Lusia Wilson, on behalf of Want a Pet?, with his donation. The GEDC and its employees are all very proud of our Kid-Preneurs and were delighted to see Cooper go one step further and contribute back to the community.
The GEDC would like to thank all the Kid-Preneur participants, parents & guardians who encouraged and helped the youth entrepreneurs. We thank the Trade Show patrons who came to the booths to ask questions and support them. Also, Majorie Mills Public School, North Claybelt Community Futures Development Corporation, and Head Start in Business for the opportunities to provide local youth the knowledge of entrepreneurship. The GEDC will be running more Kid-Preneur workshops in the future. If you would like more information or to be notified for our next workshop, please call the GEDC at (807) 854-2273 ext. 21 or send Nicole an email at nicole@gedc.ca.