COVID-19 has put a big dent into the possible job opportunities for summer students in both 2020 and now 2021.
So for those looking for summer work, they have had to look at jobs that would likely not face a shutdown due to COVID-19 restrictions.
For Cameron Moore and Eric Mondoux, former teammates with the Powassan Voodoos, they decided to create their own landscaping business to help make some money during the summer months.
"Jobs are hard to find during the pandemic so we decided to take matters into our own hands and build our own company," said Moore, who is currently enrolled at Nipissing University and plays on the Varsity Men's Hockey Team.
"We are two young entrepreneurs trying to get a taste of what it is like to run a business and work for ourselves," said Mondoux, who is looking at getting into a pre-service firefighting program while keeping university options open to pursue hockey opportunities.
Moore and Mondoux came up with the name MM Lawn Care. They are among a number of student-athletes in the area that have exchanged their skates and textbooks for work boots and whipper snippers.
"Of course, we had to purchase equipment and we collaborated on a business plan and received family support. In terms of marketing, we have done it ourselves going door to door and using social media and word of mouth," added Moore.
"We think we will learn important business skills that we can benefit from for our future. Being able to experience working for yourself and running our own business gives us a taste of what being self-employed would be like. However, we know that it takes a lot of work to be successful."
Moore and Mondoux are among a number of other young entrepreneurs that are trying to make the cut and make a few bucks in the landscaping industry this summer.