12 innovative student businesses launched this year through Summer Company

RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill is proud to announce Tania Pouzeshvaran, founder of The Protein Pastry, as the recipient of the 2025 William F. Bell Young Entrepreneur Award. Presented as part of the City’s Summer Company program, the award is named in honour of former Richmond Hill Mayor William F. Bell and recognizes outstanding achievement, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. 

Tania stood out for her innovative approach to healthy baking and her determination to turn a passion into a thriving business. With the help of Summer Company, she launched The Protein Pastry, offering fresh-baked, high-protein, low-calorie and naturally sweetened cookies and baked goods. Tania demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial spirit and resilience, overcoming recipe setbacks, navigating compliance requirements and problem-solving under pressure. Her ability to adapt quickly, streamline production with mentor guidance and pursue new growth strategies reflects the promise of a true young entrepreneur with plans to expand her product line, strengthen her online presence and scale beyond a home kitchen. 

Each summer, Richmond Hill helps local students turn their business ideas into reality through the Summer Company program, providing mentorship, training and start-up funding. This year, Tania and 11 other talented young entrepreneurs launched innovative businesses ranging from organic smoothies and custom furniture to Virtual Reality (VR) birthday party experiences and even the world’s first ear-worn camera. 

Meet This Year’s Young Innovators

• Ryan Niramwalla (19) – Stratoview Media Solutions: Video production business with a focus on video editing.
• Antonios Goboitsios (19) – ANGO Competitive: Organizes basketball tournaments.
• Roberto Sanabria (18) – Northshine Property Services: Provides window and gutter cleaning services for homeowners.
• Aneesh Badola (18) – theNorthWoodWorks: Custom woodworking, including cutting boards, coffee tables, shelves and furniture.
• Alissa Primiani (17) – Alissa Nicole Designs: Designs and sells gemstone jewelry and custom bracelets.
• Darya Karami (17) – Dolled by Darya: Licensed nail technician offering acrylic, Gel-X, press-on and overlay nails.
• Maya Blumin (19) – GoParty4U: Sets up VR stations at birthday parties for immersive experiences.
• Forest Li (17) – Echo Eye Technologies Inc.: Developed the world’s first ear-worn camera with a retroactive recording buffer; preparing for a major Kickstarter launch.
• Nicholas Primiani (23) – Rug Rage: Produces custom rugs with personalized size, shape, design and colour.
• Tania Pouzeshvaran (17) – The Protein Pastry: Specializes in fresh-baked, high-protein, low-calorie and naturally sweetened baked goods.
• Wendy Li (18) – Wendy Li Golf Academy: Offers golf lessons using a simulator; Wendy is a Division 1 golfer recruited for college golf.
• Cheney Chen (17) – Chilly Fruits: Runs an organic smoothie stand using fresh ingredients; offers dairy and organic fruit smoothies. 

The Summer Company program offers students aged 15 to 29 the opportunity to learn essential business skills, receive mentorship and gain hands-on experience running their own companies. This year’s cohort collectively generated over $40,440 in revenue, engaged with the community at events like Hillcrest Mall Showcase and Richmond Hill Ribfest, and benefited from training sessions at City Hall featuring past award winners and local business leaders. 

Do you know a student with a business idea they want to bring to life?
Applications for the 2026 Summer Company program are due by May 15. Learn more at RichmondHill.ca/SummerCompany.  

Quotes

“Programs like Summer Company empower our youth to explore entrepreneurship, build confidence and contribute to our local economy. I’m so proud of the creativity and determination shown by all of this year’s participants, and I want to congratulate Tania on receiving our 2025 Young Entrepreneur Award. Her success is an inspiration to other young people in our community and I look forward to trying her tasty creations!”

- Mayor David West 

“Joining the Summer Company program was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. As someone who didn’t have much financial flexibility starting out, the support I received made it possible not only to launch my business, but also to transform the way I think about entrepreneurship. I learned that in business, you have to make sacrifices, stay resilient and push through challenges, even when it feels overwhelming. The program helped reduce many of the barriers I faced and made the process much more manageable. I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of this experience.” 

- Tania Pouzeshvaran, Richmond Hill’s 2025 Young Entrepreneur award recipient 

Quick Facts

• The William F. Bell Young Entrepreneur Award is named in honour of Mayor Bell who served Richmond Hill for 26 years, including six terms as Mayor
• In 2006, the City introduced the William F. Bell Young Entrepreneur Award to recognize successful young entrepreneurs taking part in the Ontario Summer Company program
• Since launching in 2004, Richmond Hill’s Summer Company program has provided over 190 local young entrepreneurs with foundational support to start and grow a business 

• Funded through the Ontario government’s Summer Company program, students receive 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 

Additional Links

• RichmondHill.ca/SBEC