City Showcases Next Generation of Successful Entrepreneurs

RICHMOND HILL – Seven local area students made the most of summer 2020 by harnessing their entrepreneurial spirit to start their own businesses with support from the City of Richmond Hill.   

Funded through the Ontario government’s Summer Company program, the students received up to $3,000 each in start-up funding along with comprehensive online business training and mentoring coordinated through Richmond Hill’s Small Business Enterprise Centre. By the end of the three-month long program, the group collectively generated close to $80,000 in revenue. Six of the seven student entrepreneurs plan to continue their businesses beyond summer through the school year.

This year’s participants offered a range of creative business ventures:

• Alan Mak (18) – Alan Mak Photography provides photography services for local food businesses
• Joshua Gao (21) – Started two companies: Orange Juice the Brand is a fashion brand focused on encouraging youth to be more confident in their social persona, and MentumQR offers restaurants an improved digital presence through the use of digital menus
• Emily Ng (23) – Lashes by Em provides clients with eyelash extension services, however, due to COVID-19, she pivoted her business into providing an online retail experience offering premium lashes
• Serin Chun (19) – Nightalks is an online retail company selling her original artwork as merchandise in the form of posters, accessories and/or apparel
• Tim Zhang (17) – Lawn Lovers provides socially-distanced lawn mowing services in Richmond Hill
• Vanessa Yu (18) – Adagio Lettering specializes in hand-lettering and modern calligraphy, offering services such as customized goods, live calligraphy and event signage

Over the past 16 years through the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade’s Summer Company program, Richmond Hill has supported over 150 local student entrepreneurs aged 15-29 to start or expand their businesses, by providing business training as well as personal one-on-one mentoring from fellow Richmond Hill business owners. This year’s participants also had the opportunity to collaborate with big brands like MUJI, Arteza, Skillshare, Daniel Wellington, Zebra, Shopify and Clearbanc and obtain capital funding from private sources.

Each year, the City selects one entrepreneur who has demonstrated excellence in the program to receive the William F. Bell award from the Mayor. This year’s award winner will be announced in October. 

Learn more about Summer Company at RichmondHill.ca/SummerCompany and this year’s students at RichmondHill.ca/SuccessStories.

Quotes 

“We are proud to continue building the next generation of successful Richmond Hill business owners. Running a summer business is a great opportunity for students of all ages to learn the ins and outs of business. From marketing and sales to accounting and customer service, Summer Company helps support these young entrepreneurs with the skills they need to make a business successful and grow. I am amazed by the show of ingenuity and drive this year in spite of the challenges we faced with the pandemic. This makes me proud that they are a part of our great city and reinforces the importance for us to support and encourage young local talent.”   – Mayor Dave Barrow

“The Summer Company program is an important way we are supporting student opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. I was excited to see what great ideas this year’s participating students were able to develop and grow. Partnering with student entrepreneurs is a great way to help our youth gain practical advice and drive future economic growth.”    

– Ward 6 Councillor Godwin Chan, Chair, Recover Richmond Hill Task Force and Chair, Richmond Hill Economic Development Committee

Quick Facts 

• Richmond Hill students are encouraged to start thinking ahead to next summer. Applications for Summer Company open in January and close in May.
• To apply, applicants need to submit a launch-ready business idea and a short business plan.
• Summer Company is a program for full time students between 15-29 years of age. Successful applicants get business education, two months of mentorship and up to $3,000 in funding.
• The City of Richmond Hill offers many entrepreneurship-funding programs to assist residents of all ages in starting or growing their own company through its Small Business Enterprise Centre.

Media Contact

Libbi Hood, Communications Advisor
libbi.hood@richmondhill.ca