Logan Cole had little trouble landing his first summer job thanks, in part, to the Ontario government.
The 17-year-old just started his own summer landscaping company and he’s doing well– both with the number of clients and the amount of money he is earning.
“I have been doing quite well for myself, way more than I could at my age working for someone else,” said the young entrepreneur.
It’s not only about the money, said Cole, who is entering Grade 12 at Nicholson Catholic College this fall.
“It’s been a great learning experience and working for myself has taught me a lot of things,” he said. “It has definitely taught me what the real world is like and how hard you have to work to succeed.”
Cole credits the Summer Company entrepreneur program funded by the provincial government and co-ordinated locally by Enterprise Quinte for giving him a head start in the business world.
“Without the $1,500 they gave me at the start, I’m not sure I would be at the point of success where I am,” he said. “And without the continuing mentoring classes and meetings, I don’t feel I would be as successful as I am now.”
Summer Company provides full-time students ages 15 to 29 with hands-on business training, mentoring and awards of up to $3,000 to help start up and run their own summer business.
Successful students are selected through a competitive process which required them to have a good idea for a business and prepare a detailed business plan.
They receive $1,500 at the beginning of the program to help with start-up costs and another $1,500 on the successful completion. In between, they have to undergo a minimum 12 hours of business training from mentors who are successful business people.
More than 350 students from across the province were accepted into Ontario’s 2008 Summer Company program.
Cole is among eight students from the Prince Edward-Hastings riding involved in the Summer Company program.
Leona Dombrowsky, the riding’s Liberal MPP, said young entrepreneurs selected for this year’s program will benefit greatly from the funding and mentorship they will receive through the program.
“The program will allow them to develop and apply fundamental business skills that will last a lifetime,” she said.
Lisa Price, program co-ordinator for Enterprise Quinte, said there are 12 students from the entire Quinte region — which extends beyond the provincial riding — participating in the Summer Company program.
Last summer, there were eight students involved from the Quinte region; in past summers, there have been as many as 18 operating summer companies.
Examples of companies this summer include personal home-fitness, child care, lawn maintenance, web design, video production, custom T-shirts and photography/specialty cards.
“There is a wide range of interesting summer companies. All the companies are successful and they’re all generating sales,” Price said.
One student is running his own high definition video production company.
“He owns all his own equipment and that’s rare because it allows him to keep his costs down.”
Price also singled out Cole for his landscaping business.
“He is well-rounded with the dealings of his business and doesn’t neglect any area of his operation. He is very conscious of his clients and seeing to their needs,” said Price.
Cole, meanwhile, said he knew he wanted to work for himself “and be my own boss.”
Being in business for himself has also taught him an important lesson.
“It’s a lot more work than you expect. When you come home, the job is not done. You still have to do all your book work and contacting clients.”
Why a landscaping company?
“I grew up doing this type of work around my house. I liked it and I enjoyed doing it,” he said. “Besides, I love being and working outdoors.”
Through Cole’s Landscaping Services, he provides lawn cutting, grub control, lawn repair and shrub and tree care services.
“I also build fences if people want because I’ve had lots of experience with that. I also build sheds and lay bricks around gardens. One of my specialties is natural stone walkways.”
Cole started May 31, handing out flyers and going door-to-door to acquire a client base. His business got a boost when he was asked by Nicholson principal Joan MacDonald to provide a quote to do some lawn maintenance work at the high school.
“I gave her a quote that she was pleased with. And I’m still maintaining some of the gardens at the school,” he said with a smile.
Nicholson is one of his 11 clients — the rest are homeowners.
“I got so busy that I was booked ahead of time. But I still have room to accept more business if they call me at 613-968-2861,” he said.
Cole plans to grow his landscaping business even after he returns to class in September.
He already has clients lined up to carry out lawn repairs and re-seeding during the fall and plans to do snow removal in the winter.
“Last winter, I did some snow removal for people, but that was by hand. This year, I hope to acquire a snowblower,” he said.
Cole will continue with the business next spring and summer and plans on taking some college business courses after he graduates next June.
“My career goal is to run a successful business of my own,” he said.
Source: The Belleville Intelligencer
