Self-employment
Hot summertime bizWith their abundance of energy, fresh ideas and unbridled enthusiasm, young people make great entrepreneurs. ROGER PIERCE -- www.bizlaunch.ca |
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 [ 2007-08-15 ] |
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Sixteen-year-old entrepreneur Tom Brown loves being his own boss.
"I just can't see the point in working for someone else," entrepreneur Tom Brown says.
A student entrepreneur, Brown owns Platinum Lawn Care & Landscaping (647-502-8355 or e-mail platinumlawncare@gmail.com).
His company performs landscaping and maintenance work for homeowners in York Region. Services include grass cutting, gardening, and installing decks, patios and stone walls. In the winter, the company will also provide snow removal services.
Although he's been doing gardening and grass cutting since he was 13 years old, Brown, now 16, has officially launched his business with a little help from the Government of Ontario.
He was accepted into The Summer Company Program where he received start-up training, support and $1,500 to help launch his business. The program is designed to help full-time students earn money for their studies by running their own summertime businesses.
Brown believes it's never too early to become an entrepreneur. "I think I'm learning a lot more about business than I could by working in a regular job," he says.
He's part of a growing number of young people venturing solo. In fact, 30% of all small businesses launched in Canada are owned by people under the age of 30.
"I've learned that running a business isn't always easy," Brown admits. "There's lots of behind-the-scenes work that needs to be done. I've also learned that quoting the lowest price isn't always the most important factor; providing a quality product or service is more important to customers."
Planning to continue building his business every summer, Brown is currently shopping financing options to acquire a new truck and trailer so he can expand his market.
Despite its challenges, Brown says the most fulfilling part of self-employment is client satisfaction. "We try to provide our customers with the most beautiful property on their street and, when we're done, I enjoy seeing them smile."
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