For Immediate Release
-“22nd Annual Youth Ventures Awards Celebrates NL’s Young Entrepreneurs”-
ST. JOHN’S, NL, August 8th, 2019– Youth Ventures Newfoundland and Labrador hosted its 22nd Annual Youth Ventures Awards, recognizing the growing trend of youth business owners in Newfoundland and Labrador. The event, hosted by the St. John’s Farmers’ Market, is dedicated to celebrating the tremendous success of the young entrepreneurs and future leaders of our province while promoting entrepreneurship as a viable career option for youth. In its 27 years of operation, Youth Ventures has helped 7,000 entrepreneurs start 4,600 businesses by providing advice on idea development, business planning, marketing direction, financial advice, and more.
At the event, eight youth entrepreneurs were awarded for their entrepreneurial excellence, along with a Star Coordinator and Mentor of the Year.
Venture of the Year
Matthew Lawrence – TutorNL, Conception Bay South, NL
Sponsored by Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs
Excellence in Financial Management
Micah Sacrey, Jonathan Sacrey, Janelle Sacrey – 3D Portrait Prints, Stephenville, NL
Sponsored by East Coast Mortgage Brokers
Excellence in Marketing
Brady Huxter – e-Motion Video, St. John’s, NL
Sponsored by Commonwealth Pharmasave
Trailblazer of the Year
Alyssa Barrett – Candy Treasures by Alyssa, Old Perlican, NL
Sponsored by iDesign Ltd.
Outstanding Venture (17 years and under)
Anna Hickman, Ashlee Hickman, Jack Hickman – The Dawg House, Fortune, NL
Sponsored by Newfoundland Power
Excellence in Arts & Tourism
Shana Brown, Dillon Brown – Shillon Music, Whiteway, NL
Sponsored by Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
Excellence in Customer Service
Cora Hogg, Devyn Hogg – Cakes by Two Peas in a Pod, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
Sponsored by Jungle Jim’s
Community Impact Award (In honour of Nevaeh Denine)
Adam Hill – Comet Cupcakes, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL
Presented by Nevaeh’s Lemonade Stand
Mentor of the Year
Morgan Kelly – Association for New Canadians
Sponsored by Event3Sixty
Star Coordinator
Kristen Murray – Metro Business Opportunities
Sponsored by Islandiwde Promotions
On hand to help celebrate the achievements of the young business owners were representatives of Youth Ventures partners: Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East; Sarah Stoodley, MHA for Mount Scio and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry, and Innovation representing the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador; and Aiden Wadman, Chairperson of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Community Business Development Corporation (CBDCs). His worship Danny Breen, Mayor of the City of St. John’s, was also in attendance.
“We see more and more youth thinking creatively about what is a small business. We want to make sure that the idea becomes a reality. Running a small business for a day, a few weeks or part-time while in school have the same weight in terms of lessons learned. Being a small business owner teaches youth people skills, money management skills, and builds confidence,” said Roseanne Leonard, Managing Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs. “We want all youth to learn from, and recognize the value of running a business.”
The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), contributed $425,009 towards the delivery of the Youth Ventures Program this year.
“Our government understands the importance of entrepreneurship to future economic growth, especially among youth – our next generation of leaders who will help drive our economy. That is why we support the Youth Ventures Program, which provides young people with the entrepreneurial skills and confidence needed to establish and grow their own business,” said Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA. “I congratulate this year’s outstanding award winners whose entrepreneurial drive, creativity and commitment shone through in their business ventures this summer. All participants are to be commended for their hard work and vision, and I wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.”
The Provincial Government, through Service Agreements for Youth and Students, provided $95,000 to Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs, in support of this year’s Youth Ventures Program.
“Starting a business is a great way to build a brighter future for those individuals involved, the local community, and the province as a whole. The Youth Ventures experience provides idea development, business planning, marketing support, financial information, hiring assistance, and more. Congratulations to all the award winners for their hard work and dedication,” said the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour.
Youth Ventures is a program presented by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs that promotes entrepreneurship as a primary career option for youth in Newfoundland & Labrador. Youth Ventures employs regional coordinators across the province to foster youth business development.
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For more information, please contact
Robyn Evans: 709.745-4406/ robyn.evans@cbdc.ca
Cell: Roseanne Leonard – 691-5530
