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Success Stories


Every year we get to brag about new businesses and existing businesses that have something new and exciting happening.Check these out!
Randy Matthews
Randy MatthewsRandy Matthews has been interested in music since he was a boy. He won the first Port Aux Basques Idol in 2005 and received 4th place at the Newfoundland Teen Karaoke Idol. At 16, he released his first CD and since then has been writing music. Recently, Randy has recorded his second CD titled “The Last Call Has Gone”.
Essential Coding Inc.
Essential Coding Inc.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 bring
innovative web development and design to Newfoundland and Labrador in a what he says "A simple, accessible, usable and attractive way".

You can see all about his Professional Web Development and Design in Newfoundland at the company website. or visit his personal website at Scott Oldford.
Long Range Adventures
Long Range AdventuresDaine Hewlin, 25-year-old owner/operator of Long Range Adventures, has been a participant of the Youth Ventures Program for two years. In 2003, he improved on the business by working on the weaknesses he had found in his first year of operation.

Daine's business, an eco-tourism operation, offers activities such as kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and biking. He has developed tour packages for special markets, such as seniors. Long Range Adventures' ideal location in Gros Morne National Park, coupled with partnerships with Gros Morne Resort and the Atlantic Canada Company, gives it the potential to be a viable long-term venture.

Daine is studying for his adventure tourism certificate at the College of the North Atlantic in Corner Brook.
Jeseau's Summer Watch
Jeseau's Summer WatchJonathan Jesseau has been a client of the Youth Ventures Program for three years. He runs a home-care business providing peace of mind for homeowners while they are away on vacation. Services offered by his business include home security, lawn care, pet care and just about any other services home owners might request.

Over the past three years, Jesseau's Summer Watch has experienced steady growth as is apparent by his growing number of customers and increasing inventory of equipment. Jonathan had more than 30 clients last summer, up by 13 clients from the previous year. To accommodate for his growing number of clients he successfully applied for a $3000.00 loan which he used to purchase two lawn mowers, two gas blowers, a whipper snipper, a cell phone and truck rental.

Jonathan has made a profit of $8000 in 2002 and hired two part time students to work for him. In 2003 Jonathan plans to continue to expand his business and provide employment for students in Goose Bay. Jonathan was the recipient of Venture of the Year in 2001.
Pam's Cotton Candy
Pam's Cotton CandyShe's a financial management award winner, she's been in business for four years, she's been profiled by CosmoGirl…and she's 17 years old! Meet Pam Snow, owner of Pam's Cotton Candy. Pam has been in business for several years and she's enjoying sweet success. Each year her sales increase and her competition doesn't! Pam discovered an unused cotton candy machine when she was 12 years old, and her business has been growing ever since. Not only is she selling her products to 35 stores, but she's also selling mix and materials wholesale.

Pam shares some of her credit with the Youth Ventures Program. She's been a participant for several years and has had a great deal of help from the Gander Area CBDC. Each year, as her goals change, so does her reliance on the YVP. "At first, the YVP helped me create a business plan and provided me with ideas on how to generate sales. Now, we're working together to develop a plan of attack for expanding geographically. I want to be more mobile." Pam's most recent success was being named one of the "Top Ten Most Successful Women Under 25 in North America" by CosmoGirl.
Take a Little Bit
Take a Little BitIn May of 2004 Christy Groves of Forteau, Labrador, was listening to Lanny Barney, the YVP coordinator for the Labrador Straits Chamber of Commerce, give a presentation about starting a summer business. "I knew I wanted to start my own business, I just didn't know what business it would be!" After some discussions with the coordinator, her family and friends, Christy decided to turn her artistic ability into a business. She decided that she wanted to take advantage of the tourism industry in her community and determined that miniature painted sets would be something she could sell.

Each set is a unique depiction of local berries and flowers in homemade pine frames. She displays her products at a local tourism company and a hotel and has received requests to increase her product line to include portraits and larger-sized sets.

"By starting my own business I am able to make money doing something that I really enjoy!"
Tackle Master
Tackle MasterAdam Baker of Marystown considers fishing to be one of his favourite pastimes. This passion for fishing led to the start of something big for Adam: his own business. 'Tackle Master' is heading into its sixth year of successful operation, providing quality handmade fishing spinners available in a wide variety of colours and blades.

A grade 10 student at Marystown Central High School, 15-year-old Adam has a strong entrepreneurial sprit. His business enthusiasm is evident in the quality of his work he puts into making his spinners and in the confidence he has in himself and in his business. "I consider myself an outdoorsman; I love hunting and trout fishing." says Adam. " I don't really consider this a job, it's more like a hobby, something I enjoy doing every day. I like meeting new people and I love the challenge of creating customized spinners based on customer requests." His business has been registered with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency since he was 10 years of age! He regularly reports his earnings and keeps a close eye on his finances. For such a young businessperson, his organizational and financial management skills are superb.

Just as Adam projected, 2003 was one of his biggest and best years. His goal was to strengthen his market presence by increasing his local and provincial product availability. His products were sold in establishments on the west coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, a new market area of the province for Tackle Master. At the beginning of 2003, Adam had already established a market presence in 70 stores; by year's end he'd increased his market presence to include 90 stores.

To take his sales to this next level, Adam will have to focus intensely on marketing and distribution. In 2003, Adam established a strong market presence and increased awareness of his spinners. With the help of the Youth Ventures Program, he distributed posters and business cards to locations across the province and got great feedback when the Youth Ventures coordinator went on one of the provinces open line talk shows to promote Tackle Master.

Adam was profiled four times by newspapers across Newfoundland and Labrador and has more requests from other editors. Tackle Master is also being profiled in schools across Newfoundland and Labrador in a program sponsored by the provincial government.

Adam is an award winning business owner. He received the 'Youth Venture of the Year' award at the 2003 Burin Peninsula CBDC Youth Ventures award banquet. He also won the 'High Achievement in Marketing' award at the 2003 Provincial Youth Ventures award banquet. His most recent accomplishment involved being featured on the cover of the Atlantic Chamber Magazine and in their Chamber Spotlight article. These and other marketing initiatives have ensured that Adam and Tackle Master are headed in the right direction for 2005 and beyond. Adam is confident he'll be able to satisfy future market demands with a production level of 300 spinners a day.

Adam has maintained great contacts over the years to help grow his business. He's currently investigating the possibility of becoming a registered member of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Society to increase his involvement with trade shows and exhibitions, to broaden his contact network and increase his market presence.

Always the professional, Adam gives credit where credit is due. "I would really like to thank my customers. The business would not be what it is today without their support and encouragement. I'd also like to thank my family and the Youth Ventures Program. They have really taken an interest in my work and have helped me in every way possible."
Flower's Island Museum
Flower's Island MuseumChris Mitchelmore always wanted to own his own business and become his own boss. High profile business owners like Vince McMahon of WWE, Donald Trump of Trump Real Estate and Bill Gates of Microsoft inspired him. However, it was his mother who played the most significant role in driving Chris to pursue his dreams. Chris's mom always had faith in everything he did. She supported his ideas and endeavors over the years. Without her overwhelming confidence in him, Chris's story would have unfolded as it has.

Chris got the idea for a museum in the Strait of Belle Isle when he visited the National Museum of Civilization in Ottawa as a member of the Forum For Young Canadians. That got him reflecting on his own past and he realized how interesting the Strait of Belle Isle's history and culture was. But there was no museum to tell the story. Light bulb goes on! Chris came up with the idea of starting a museum and a tearoom in a small dwelling owned by a family member. Now all he had to do was make it happen.

Most customers for a museum are tourists plus some local residents interested in history. In Newfoundland and Labrador that means a seasonal business. His goal was to educate his customers by telling the region's story.

A true entrepreneur, this determined 16 year old isn't one to stand around waiting for things to happen. Chris immediately went to work, with a lot of help from family and friends, punching a lot of late hours, even while final exams were gong on. The building had to be inspected and cleaned. Displays were set up and a large collection of family antiques and artifacts were gathered and placed in the building.

In 2002, within weeks after his bright idea, Chris opened the doors to the Flower's Island Museum. Since then Chris has added many new features to the business.

Chris's advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is: "Follow your dreams and believe in yourself. If you can dream and have faith in your idea, then you will succeed in business."
Your Computer Connection
Your Computer ConnectionMichael Hopkins, 19, will gladly admit that his life revolves around computers. He is the owner of Your Computer Connection, which opened in 2004 and is based in Green’s Harbour. If he can’t fix their computer, he doesn’t charge customers for his services. Making customers happy is one of his strongest motivators. He breaks everything down step by step and explains what they can do to prevent the problem from reoccurring. He also provides easy to understand tutorials and guides. After the job has been completed, a repair summary is printed off which outlines exactly what was done to fix the problem. In addition to repairs, he offers image editing, image design, photo restoration, photo printing, CD burning and video editing. Free consultation guides are also given to home users so that they can learn how to use their computer in a better and safer way.
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Newfie Designs
Newfie Designs officially opened in September 2005 and has been successfully growing ever since. Jared Perry, 18, of Trepassey, strives to offer efficient, low cost solutions to his customers in the information technology field. His business offers computer repair services, web design for local and international businesses, as well as web hosting services via the Internet. Jared has looked beyond the borders of traditional business practices. He owns servers in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. From these servers he rents space to companies, organizations and individuals who wish to host their websites. Jared’s hosted websites offer very fast upload times, ease in making changes and 24/7 support. Visit their website for more information.
Painting the Possibilities
Kayla LaSaga, 18, began her painting career in 2005 and has already established herself as a talented young artist in the Stephenville area. She has turned her talents into a business, Painting the Possibilities, where she sells her larger artworks and gift cards featuring her work. This past summer, Kayla produced a series of postcards of her paintings of local sights and scenery. She has been invited to sell her artwork at the Flat Bay Pow Wow event and displayed her work in an art exhibition in the Native Friendship Centre in St. John’s. She has enrolled in the Digital Animation program at College of the North Atlantic where she hopes to continue developing her artistic skills.
Jeremiah’s Mosaics
Jeremiah’s MosaicsJeremiah Johnson is the 13-year-old business owner of Jeremiah’s Mosaics. His business was created as a result of his artistic abilities. Jeremiah started creating stained glass and tile mosaics. After learning about Youth Ventures in a presentation, he felt that the program could help him capitalize on a growing trend in the community of Labrador City – gardening. Believing that his mosaic designs would be something that people would buy to decorate their gardens with, Jeremiah made the decision to try and make a profit from his artistic talent. He produces large garden stones from cement and stained glass. The designs are primarily of his own imagination, although he does surf the internet for inspiration, and has designed samples based on logos, team names, and house numbers from the request of a customer.
Matt Sharpe Magic
Matt Sharpe MagicMatt 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.

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Ricketts’ Art and Entertainment
Ricketts’ Art and EntertainmentSince becoming involved with Youth Ventures, Allan Ricketts, owner of Ricketts’ Art and Entertainment, has developed from an aspiring young entrepreneur possessing raw artistic talents to a year-round artist and entertainer. The 18-year-old musician/singer/artist has climbed his way to becoming one of the province’s most well-known young entrepreneurs in the music business. He is a multi-instrumentalist, a singer and an artist. He can be seen playing at venues locally, nationally and internationally and if music success is not enough, his artwork can be seen on sale at the Rockcrest Cottage and Café in Pouch Cove.

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Tidy Tyler’s Wash and Mow
Tyler Mills, 16, has owned and operated Tidy Tyler’s Wash and Mow for the past three summers. His successful business offers general lawn care and outdoor cleaning services. He has run an extremely cost effective business, earning him a substantial amount of revenue. He prides himself on his customer service and precise financial records. He is always conscious of his inflows and outflows of cash. To keep up his top level customer service, he can state how often he has done work for a customer as well as how much profit he has earned from each customer. Tyler spends a significant amount of his revenues on marketing his services and trying to increase his customer base. This is a full time job for Tyler and he plans to continue with his business for the next several years.

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