For Immediate Release
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-“21st Annual Youth Ventures Awards Celebrates NL’s Young Entrepreneurs”-
Conception Bay South, NL, August 9th, 2018 – Youth Ventures Newfoundland and Labrador’s 21st Annual Youth Ventures Awards Ceremony is dedicated to celebrating the success of the young entrepreneurs and future leaders of our province while promoting entrepreneurship as a viable career path for Newfoundland and Labrador youth. In its 26 years of operation the Youth Ventures program has helped 7000 entrepreneurs start 4350 businesses by providing advice on idea development, business planning, marketing direction, financial advice, hiring employees and more.
The awards were presented to 7 outstanding entrepreneurs as well as 1 Community Mentor and 1 Youth Ventures Coordinator.
Venture of the Year
Kimberley Dunphy – KMD Designs, Carbonear, NL
Sponsored by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs
Excellence in Financial Management
Matthew Lawrence – TutorNL, Conception Bay South, NL
Sponsored by BDC
Excellence in Marketing
Justine Anderson – Wildflower Company, Port aux Basques, NL
Sponsored by Commonwealth Pharmasave
Trailblazer of the Year
Micah Sacrey, Jonathan Sacrey – 3D Portrait Prints, Stephenville, NL
Sponsored by iDesign
Outstanding Venture (17 years and under)
Dariya Sooley – Bills & Beaks, Trepassey, NL
Sponsored by Newfoundland Power
Excellence in Arts & Tourism
Logan Humby – Logan’s Bergy Bits, St. Lunaire-Griquet, NL
Sponsored by Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
Excellence in Customer Service
Alyssa Barrett, Karlie Squires – A&K Candy Boutique, Old Perlican, NL
Sponsored by Jungle Jim’s
Mentor of the Year
Virginia McNeil, Trepassey, NL
Star Coordinator
Gary Noseworthy, Carbonear, NL
On hand to help celebrate these young business owners’ achievements are representatives of Youth Ventures partners: Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon, representing the Government of Canada; Betty Parsley, MHA Harbour Main, representing the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador; and Larry Fawcett, Chairperson of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Community Business Development Corporation (CBDCs). Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East and Richard Murphy, Deputy Mayor of the Town of Conception Bay South, were also in attendance.
“We need to allow youth to think creatively in order to better prepare them for the unknown jobs of tomorrow. The Youth Ventures Program is a safe space to try out a new idea, take a risk and learn financial responsibility,” said Roseanne Leonard, Managing Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs. “We are trying to foster an ecosystem that will enable youth to thrive in business.”
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) provided $425,009 through the Business Development Program (BDP) to enable the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Community Business Development Corporations to deliver the Youth Ventures Program this year.
“This summer, young people all across Newfoundland and Labrador had a taste of what it takes to run a small business, thanks to the guidance and mentorship provided through the Youth Ventures Program,” said Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA. “I applaud them for their hard work, thank them for their contributions to their communities and to the economy, congratulate them on their successes and encourage them to continue to strive for excellence.”
The Provincial Government provided $95,000 to support this year’s Youth Ventures Program.
“Youth Ventures harnesses the entrepreneurial spirit of young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, supporting them as they plan to start their own business and guiding them through every step of the process,” said Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour. “Our government is pleased to support Youth Ventures and its efforts to help youth create new opportunities right here at home.”
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 25 site coordinators across the province to foster youth business development.
For more information, please contact Ashley Pomeroy: 709-745-4406 / ashley.pomeroy@cbdc.ca
Cellular: Roseanne Leonard / 709-691-5530