Young Entrepreneurs Receive Awards

Jonathan Moules, a Grade 12 student at Shelburne Regional High School, has won the Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the fourth annual Young Entrepreneurs Going Places Conference.

The 17-year-old entrepreneur established his own lawn-care company last year. He now has a large clientele that runs the gamut from individual homeowners to government clients. He has been able to invest more than $15,000 in equipment and complete all necessary safety and training courses.

"I started to mow lawns because I like to be busy and I like to see property looking good. I also like to make my own money, to buy more equipment for the business and provide myself with spending money," said Mr. Moules.

"By earning my own money I have learned not to waste it. I've also learned to invest it. Last year, for example, I bought a house."

He was presented with his award Friday evening, May 8, at a gala banquet at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax. More than 500 young entrepreneurs gathered there the last few days to network, learn and share at the Young Entrepreneurs Going Places Conference. The event was hosted by the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED).

The Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award, which is sponsored by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, was one of the highlights of the awards ceremonies. This prestigious recognition is given to a young entrepreneur who has a well-planned business with the potential to grow, has completed extensive research of the market and has taken creative and innovative steps to market their product or service.

"More and more, we are seeing young people creating jobs for themselves. This conference is helping our youth develop the skills necessary for them to realize their goals," said Chris Curtis, chief entrepreneurship officer with CEED. "Young entrepreneurs are rapidly becoming a major force in our economy and we salute them for their achievements."

Other award winners recognized at the banquet were:

Rhonda Burke-Irvine of Dartmouth was the recipient of the Innovation Award, a $500 cash prize sponsored by Industry Canada. The award goes to a business or product that is original and out of the ordinary or is technology-based and brings out aspects of intellectual property (patents, industrial design, trademarks, topographies).

Ms. Burke-Irvine's business is Lingerie Elegance, which manufactures designs and markets lingerie for the full-figured, plus-size woman. She relies on contemporary marketing strategies, including advertising her products over the Internet and in mail-order catalogues.

Kim Doherty and Melodie Stewart of Dartmouth won the Royal Bank Service Excellence Award. The award is presented to a business that goes beyond the mere servicing of its clients and consistently demonstrates service excellence.

The two women own and operate Pro-Net Business Connections Inc., a professional networking service that helps people meet potential partners and form valuable alliances. Their products and services have been designed to address the needs of all entrepreneurs, organizations and corporations throughout Canada.

Michael Sponagle, Morgan Hicks, Carrie Donovan and Mary Middleton of Mount Uniacke won the YES Entrepreneurial Award, which is sponsored by Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism. It is given to a Youth Entrepreneurial Skills program participant or group who has shown determination and the ability to overcome obstacles to create profit in an innovative way.

This enterprising quartet of Grade 9 students own the Post Road Tea Room, which is in Uniacke Estate Museum Park. The Tea Room is a unique, 1850s-style establishment with a welcoming and quaint ambience where visitors can enjoy sandwiches, desserts and other refreshments, as well as buy museum souvenirs and local crafts. Customers remark that the service is consistently friendly and efficient, the place is spotless and the atmosphere is warm and cozy.

Dennis Campbell of Halifax won the Supporter of Young Entrepreneurs Award, which is sponsored by Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism. The award is presented to a person who continually supports and fosters entrepreneurship as a way of life in today's society.

Mr. Campbell, who is the president of Ambassatours, first displayed his zeal for the entrepreneurial life at the ripe old age of seven when he started his paper route. Today he oversees the largest tour operation in Atlantic Canada. In his spare time, Campbell is a mentor and advises young entrepreneurs on how to develop a winning business strategy.

Paul Wareham of Sydney, founder of DynaGen Systems, won the Entrepreneurship and Technology Award. This award, which is sponsored by MT&T Business Communications, is given to a business that has displayed an innovative approach to incorporating technology into their business or has established a technology-based business.

DynaGen has developed and is now manufacturing an auto-start system that relies on a microprocessor to provide control of engine equipment and emergency power back-up systems. This new technology, which has been used to help jumpstart an older industry, cuts costs by using electronics that are less expensive and more reliable.

Bill Curry, who has taught Entrepreneurship 12 at Lockeport Regional High School since 1994, won the Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year Award. The award, which is sponsored by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Culture, goes to a teacher who exhibits outstanding leadership, ignites the entrepreneurship spirit in their students and is a champion of entrepreneurship in their school and community.

Mr. Curry's students describe him as an innovative teacher who is willing to let them take risks and learn from their mistakes. This year his class entered the Small Business Week Competition and won an award for developing an electronic map of their community with hot links to businesses in the town.

The Young Entrepreneurs Going Places conference is sponsored by CEED, Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Human Resources Development Canada, the Royal Bank, Clearwater, Sobeys and MT&T Business Communications.

The Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development has a broad mandate covering many facets of entrepreneurship. CEED is a joint venture funded by the Department of Education and Culture and the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification, managed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Economic Development and Tourism.