Small Business

Union brings expanded and improved services, networking, says Chris Emanuel, who will continue in his role as president and CEO at new Central York Chamber

King City parents have helped, promoted, and supported him on Instagram, especially the soccer dads since there’s a soccer field right next door to his house, which is in the Keele Street and King Road area.

The York Small Business Enterprise Centre celebrated another successful flight of students in its summer business program on Aug. 25, with a display of their success at 17150 Yonge St. The program invites nine students from secondary or post-secondary schools in York Region to start up their own businesses, receive skills development, mentoring and up to $3,000 of financial support.

“I was inspired by my fellow art friends on social media to open up an art product shop so that I would be able to physically share my art with a larger audience,” said Lum.

Students between the ages of 15 and 29 who registered to return to school full-time the following September are eligible to apply.

The program “helps students learn critical skills such as financial management, networking, and creating a detailed business plan,” he adds.

The Summer Company program offers mentorship and start-up funding of $3,000. York Region small business consultant Vivian Ho-Tam said it is an important way to help aspiring young business owners.

While COVID-19 caused major losses for many businesses, leading some to close, others were able to reinvent themselves. For some, the pandemic actually saw increased demand for their products or led to a new opportunity.