Self-employment

Advice for young start-ups

You don't have to wait for those first grey hairs to start your own small business. In fact, almost one third of all new businesses in Canada today are launched by people under the age of 30.

ROGER PIERCE -- www.bizlaunch.ca
[ 2007-08-15 ]

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Some very successful companies have been started by young people who just couldn't stomach the thought of working in a regular job. If you're a young person considering venturing into your own business, consider this advice:

- Find a program. There are a few excellent programs available for young entrepreneurs in Canada. Contact your local Small Business Enterprise Centre within City Hall about The Summer Company Program offered by the Government of Ontario. The non-profit Canadian Youth Business Foundation (www.cybf.ca) offers a start-up program for people 18 to 35-years-old that includes mentoring, training and financing up to $15,000.

- Get a mentor. It helps to have access to a seasoned business owner with a few of those grey hairs. Approach a business person in your community and ask to meet with him or her monthly.

- Start small. You've got the rest of your life to build your business, so begin with something manageable. Don't launch a business that requires too much start-up money or that's too complicated. Service-based businesses are the easiest and fastest to get going.


Entrepreneurship expert Roger Pierce advises startups at BizLaunch.ca.



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