Young Business Owners Receive Awards

Five young Nova Scotians who ran their own businesses last summer were recognized today for their entrepreneurial spirit and business success. These young entrepreneurs include two partners who ran an ice cream barn, a painting contractor, an organic vegetable grower and a restauranteur.

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

The winners and their businesses are:

• Amelia Dauphney, 15, and Jenessa MacInnis, 14, Englishtown, Victoria Co. -- Chirping Chicks Ice Cream Barn;

• Joe Fraser, 20, Canning, Kings Co. -- Cornwallis Painting Service;

• Scott Van der Linden, 15, Brierly Brook, Antigonish Co. -- Veggies 'n Blooms;

• Paul MacInnis, 23, Indian Harbour, Halifax Co. -- Oceanstone Dining Room.

"These young entrepreneurs had great ideas and put them to work successfully," said Economic Development Minister Gordon Balser. "I am pleased to present them with their awards of merit and scholarships to continue their education."

The winners were selected on the basis of entrepreneurial qualities, business reviews by consultants and regional development officers and on the satisfactory repayment of any loans that may have been disbursed under the program.

"Government actively encourages the entrepreneurial attitude and works steadily to improve the business climate of the province to make it easier for businesses in Nova Scotia to start and grow," said Mr. Balser. "Entrepreneurship is a great way of keeping our brightest and best at home."

NOTE TO EDITORS: Following are profiles of the YES Award Winners for 2002.

Southwestern Region

Joe Fraser is attending Acadia University and is enrolled in the co-op English program. Last summer he and his lone employee literally painted the town in Wolfville and anywhere in a 30- kilometre radius. He'd been a foreman on a painting crew and felt he wanted to be the boss. He found the job great for meeting people in the community and understanding more how the economics of the Valley really work. A bonus for Joe was that he not only met clients, but also made friends.

Joe was able to complete all work scheduled and at the same time enjoy learning the history of the homes he painted. He and a friend bought a 60-year-old house together, fixed it up and rented it out. He recently sold his interest in it to his partner. As an entrepreneur, Joe's learning that diversification has its benefits.

Northeastern Region

Scott Van der Linden, a Grade 10 student at Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School, had a fresh approach to his business. Scott is just 15 years old and has his fingers in the earth. He travels to the Farmer's Market in Antigonish each Saturday to sell his veggies and blooms. Once a vegetable picker, Joe figured out that he'd make lots more money if he grew the vegetables and picked them himself. And so he did. And he didn't just rely on the Saturday market to sell his organic produce. He picked up the phone and landed orders from restaurants, too.

Scott would like to expand his business next year. More acreage and more help. He is also working toward becoming organically certified, which adds value to his produce. Scott's 10-year-old sister, Jeanette, is an entrepreneur too. At the market, her sunflowers, gladiolas and bouquets grace Scott's stall.

Cape Breton Region

During the school year Amelia Dauphney and Jenessa MacInnis are students at Baddeck Academy. Yet they spent the past summer in a much colder place -- 45 minutes outside of Baddeck and up to their elbows in ice cream!

Just 15 and 14 years old respectively, Amelia and Jenessa rolled up their sleeves and served tourists and local customers all summer. Who could resist these Chirping Chicks in their pale yellow ice cream barn? What did they like best about being their own bosses? Picking the flavours, meeting lots of people, choosing their own hours and handling their own money.

Halifax Region

Paul MacInnis is 23 and in his final year of studies in political science at Dalhousie University.

He started a restaurant in the family-owned Oceanstone Inn and Cottages at Indian Harbour two summers ago. With some cooking lessons and menu assistance from a chef friend, he did very well. Last summer, he decided to expand his menu, service and staff. The interest-free YES loan was enough to help him purchase more equipment and a new prep area to make the 34-seat Oceanstone Dining Room more efficient.

Customer satisfaction is important to Paul and so, too, is keeping his staff motivated. To that end, Paul set up staff accommodation on-site. He also helped staff maintain an apartment in Halifax so his 12 employees could spend some time in the city to offset the isolation of the beautiful ocean setting.