WEYBURN - Students in southeast Saskatchewan have been hard at work this fall, dreaming up creative business ideas and preparing their business entries for the 15th annual YouthBiz contest.
This award-winning youth entrepreneurship program is offered by Community Futures (CF) Sunrise, to encourage young people to experience the world of micro-business.
“We’ve seen a tremendous amount of interest in YouthBiz this year. Teachers and students are excited to explore business concepts and discover how businesses are started in Saskatchewan,” said Verna O’Neill, general manager of CF Sunrise.
YouthBiz has been making an impact in the lives of youth, with many examples of its effects showcased in the southeast region over the years. Most notable this year is the experience of one past YouthBiz participant, Katelyn Lascelle.
Katelyn grew up in Weyburn, participated in YouthBiz with her Grade 7 class and went on to become an educator herself. She now teaches at Sacred Heart School in Estevan, and this year she chose to involve her Grade 7 class in the YouthBiz contest.
“YouthBiz is a fun and engaging project that allows students to discover their passions and interests. It connects to many of our learning objects in the classroom, which leads to a rich learning experience,” said Lascelle. “When I participated in YouthBiz, my business idea was a unique and stylish clothing line and store that I wanted to open. I was very interested in design and fashion at the time and wanted to put my creativity to good use.”
Another young entrepreneur that is currently putting her creativity to good use is Kamryn Doud from Radville. Kamryn is entering the YouthBiz contest this year, and will be writing about her jewelry design business, Dzigns. She makes fashionable and fun earrings and is preparing for a busy Christmas season.
“I have an Instagram page with the handle dzign.doud and also will be at the Santa Supermarket trade show in Radville on November 20,” commented Doud. Writing about her business for the YouthBiz contest has helped her to think of many more aspects about her small business development.
The YouthBiz contest entry deadline is Thursday, Nov. 18, and student awards will be announced by mid-December. The sponsors of this program are Information Services Corp (ISC) and SaskTel.
