Carly Dean has been working in the landscaping business since she was a teenager. But after nearly a decade working as a labourer, the 27-year-old college student decided to start up her own landscaping business called Nature Wise Landscaping.
“I have always tried to get my foot in the door with a leadership role but never had the chance so I thought that this might be a good shot,” said Dean.
“I am also a student at Canadore College in the Environmental Technician program so it kind of goes hand in hand.”
Dean got some key support and confidence from the Nipissing Parry Sound Business Centre, which runs a Summer Company Program for budding young local entrepreneurs. That program includes a mini-trade show which took place earlier in July at Staples.
“Summer company students between the ages of 15 to 29 get to start up a business over the course of the summer,” explained Kennedy Horton, the business centre youth & mentorship coordinator.
“So they have the opportunity to write a business plan, startup budgets, cash flows, and they also get to participate in an opportunity to have a trade show such as this one to make sure they can promote their businesses throughout the summer.”
About nine businesses took part in the unique trade show. Dean says it was a great way to promote her summer business.
“It is really great to kind of get your name out there, your logo or your advertising just to let people know you are within the community,” said Dean.
“There are quite a few companies in the area so it is kind of good to stand out a little bit to say, ‘hey we were at that Staples tradeshow, you might have seen us.’”
Horton is impressed with the growth she has seen with these student entrepreneurs.
“They have grown from the moment I have met them to where they are now to see the development and the growth in them as an individual and as their businesses, it is great to see that as a coordinator I can see them evolving and growing as a business,” she said.