YES Program Honours Young Business Owners

Eight young Nova Scotians who chose running their own businesses over hourly wages and summer jobs were recognized today for their entrepreneurial successes.

The young entrepreneurs include three partners who ran a flooring-material and surfacing company, a painting contractor, two friends who created a summer hockey league, and a pair who had a unique way of marketing their hand-designed T-shirts.

The business owners were selected as regional winners for their achievements in operating student-run companies under Nova Scotia Economic Development's Youth Entrepreneurial Skills (YES) program. The winners and their companies are:

• Matthew Hennigar, 20, of Canning -- Painting 2000;

• Matthew Barker, Ryan Carty, and Taylor MacIvor of Pictou County, all 18 -- TMR Stoneworks;

• Chris Cameron, 17, and Jeffrey Ellis, 16, both of Sydney -- Summer Blades

• Mark Bergman of Halifax and Jordan Allen of Bedford, both 20 -- Day Dream Designs.

The winners are selected on the basis of entrepreneurial qualities, loan repayment and reviews by consultants and regional development officers.

"Our young entrepreneurs have great ideas and an attitude that persistence pays off," said Economic Development Minister Gordon Balser, who presented the awards at a luncheon in Halifax. "The YES Awards encourage entrepreneurship, which we know is a key to prosperity and a cornerstone of Nova Scotia's economic development."

The YES program provides business counseling and training to full-time students who want to set up and run their own enterprises. The program also offers interest-free loans through a partnership with the Royal Bank.

Last year, 48 students took part and $78,445 in loans were approved. Since YES began in 1984, more than 1,400 students have benefited and more than $3.3 million in loans have been administered. A 1996 survey indicated one-third of YES participants to that date subsequently started their own full- time businesses.

NOTE

Following are profiles of the YES Award Winners:

Southwestern Region

Mr. Hennigar and his team of workers completed 43 painting jobs last summer, from Windsor to Annapolis Royal. His determination and sales ability landed him 10 booked jobs and 30 estimates before he lifted a single brush. Mr. Hennigar knew that working hard and long hours would pay off, and he especially enjoyed working for himself.

Northeastern Region

Mr. Barker, Mr. Carty and Mr. MacIvor brought a unique flooring product and service to Pictou County. Their product -- Sierra Stone, a stone and epoxy overlay -- and their services were well- received by their customers. The three entrepreneurs are all working toward bachelor of commerce degrees at Saint Mary's University. They plan to restart their company, TMR Stoneworks, next summer.

Cape Breton Region

Mr. Cameron and Mr. Ellis brought a summer hockey league to the hockey fans in Cape Breton Regional Municipality. The young entrepreneurs organized a full season, playoffs and an awards presentation for 16- to 18-year-old hockey players at Centre 200. Next year they expect to add more teams and a new division for ages 14 to 16. Mr. Cameron is in his first year at the University College of Cape Breton and Mr. Ellis is in Grade 11 at Sydney Academy.

Halifax Region

Mr. Bergman, Mr. Allen and their staff sold Mr. Allen's hand- designed cotton T-shirts on the Halifax Waterfront. They caught the eye of tourists by wearing period costumes and gearing their display with wooden rigging, old rope and wooden containers to give it the look of an era long past. Mr. Bergman is studying for a bachelor of commerce degree at Saint Mary's University and Mr. Allen is working toward a bachelor of design degree at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.