Success Stories

Matt Sharpe can be found entertaining and performing for various events, festivals and parties throughout the Avalon Peninsula. Matt prides himself on keeping his performances innovative and cutting edge, and tries to not repeat a magic trick too often, as he wants to keep his audiences guessing. Matt performs a combination of modern magic, classic magic, clowning, balloon animals, mentalism and juggling. He has been in business for a number of years, but only this past summer decided to work with YV to help further develop his business. To promote his business, Matt recently developed a website that he uses to showcase some of his performances and to promote the events he attends: www.newfoundlandmagic.com.

Scott Oldford came to our Central regional Youth Venture Coordinator in the early summer of 2007. He already had what he wanted to do and how to do it, as he was doing it for five years already. However, he wanted to bring it back local, until then he was serving clients internationally from the United States to the United Kingdom. With the help of a local small business developer he was able to establish a store front, register his company and put himself on the tracks for success. Now after winning two youth ventures awards in the first year (Venture of the Year and Excellence in Technology) along with Small Business of the Year 2008 in the Central Region, he is bringing innovative web development and design to Newfoundland and Labrador in what he says "A simple, accessible, usable, and attractive way".

In the summer of 2006, Emily participated in an Aboriginal Youth Art Exhibition and Workshop where her peers encouraged her to develop a business. From there, she developed and marketed her berry switch-plates to a newly opened craft shop and within a week they sold out! With the assistance of Youth Ventures, Emily has been able to identify new markets and create a promotional strategy. In March of 2009, Emily began marketing her products via the virtual store emsgemscrafts.esty.com to attract global attention.

Youth and Technology seem to be a perfect fit. Uber Media is a that is profiting from such a fit. Adam Kavanagh first started a DJ service for the Southern Shore and as his client base started to expand, the services offered also expanded. Uber Media’s principal service is photography, including weddings, portraits, pets, landscapes, photo journalism and commercial work. In addition, he also offers video production, custom framing, printing, DJ service, graphic/web design, computer repairs, slide shows, and LCD projector and PDA rentals.

Below Zero, founded by Beth Reilly and Kathy Simon of Stephenville, began in an Enterprise 3205 class and quickly evolved into Youth Ventures 2009 Venture of the Year! The business provides customers with portion friendly, frozen treats that are made with 100% real fruit juice - a healthy alternative to the traditional Popsicle. Its motto “We treat everyone!” truly captures the products demand for both young and old customers. These bright entrepreneurs display an unwavering work ethic by doing everything from product development to marketing and finance. By attending almost every local event and festival on the west coast, the pair has been recognized for their solid reputation for quality and service.