Young Entrepreneur Awards Presented

School was out for four of Nova Scotia's young entrepreneurs today. They were presented with awards of merit by Economic Development and Tourism Minister Manning MacDonald at a luncheon this afternoon in Halifax.

The full-time students started their own businesses last summer. They were among 45 enterprising young people who tested their business skills in the Nova Scotia Youth Entrepreneurial Skills (YES) program. This year's regional award winners are:

• Cape Breton Emma Locke (University College of Cape Breton) - This 19-year-old Sydney resident operated Balloons by Emma. As Bubble Gum the Clown, she sculpted balloons and painted faces to the delight of children from Sydney to Pictou. Emma's YES loan helped her purchase supplies.

• Northeastern Christopher MacIsaac (St. Mary's Rural High School) - At 16, Chris has been the proprietor of Chris' Little Stop in Isaac's Harbour for several summers. His ice cream and candy shop is a welcome stop for residents and visitors on a hot day. Chris says the training sessions he's received through the YES program are a highlight of his business experience.

• Southwestern Tyler McAdoo (Compu College) - McAdoo's Lawn & House Care is a well-known name from Windsor to Wolfville. Since the age of eight, Tyler has been caring for lawns in the Windsor area. Now at 21, he employed seven people who serviced the landscape design, lawn care and house painting needs of more than 100 customers. The YES program has helped Tyler purchase equipment to provide quality services.

• Halifax Metro John Nadarajah (DalTech) - At 25, John is in his final year of a Masters of Architecture degree. John's creativity in developing his own web page led others to request his services. He used his YES loan to purchase computer equipment and software to operate 600 Pixels Productions, his web page design and production company.

"Young business people like these represent Nova Scotia's future," said Mr. MacDonald. "People with vision and energy who are turning their ideas into working businesses - young people who identify opportunities for success."

The YES program assists full-time students, over the age of 16, in setting up and operating their own business. Students are provided with business counseling and training. Interest free loans, through the Royal Bank, are available for those who require start-up funds. Since the program began in 1984, over 1,400 students have benefited from the program.

"The best way to learn business is to do business," said Mr. MacDonald. "Entrepreneurship is a great way of growing the economy, creating wealth and opportunities. It's also a great way to keep our brightest and best at home."

Applications for the 1999 YES program are available through Economic Development and Tourism's Business Service Centres across the province, or by calling 1-800-565-2009. The deadline for applications is May 28.