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Moulding new business leaders

Journal Staff If you are a young aboriginal person looking to launch a business, a free 20-week program may be your ticket to success.
Aboriginal program_1
Dougall Meloney is a Business Development Facilitator for the Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program. He is hoping to attract 12 young people to the program, which kicks off Sept. 30 in Sarnia. Journal Staff

Journal Staff

If you are a young aboriginal person looking to launch a business, a free 20-week program may be your ticket to success.

The Tecumseh Community Development Corporation is partnering with I DO BUSINESS to deliver the Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship program, with the goal of providing young First Nations residents between the ages of 19-29 with the skills, knowledge, resources and support to successfully launch and grow their own businesses.

To register you must identify as an aboriginal person, fit the age criteria and not be a full-time student, says Dougall Meloney, Business Development Facilitator for the program.

“My main goal is to make sure we do the best job possible to help these young people with their business plans,” he said.

The 20-week business launch program includes training in entrepreneurship and job skills, life coaching services, one-to-one mentorship and the opportunity to apply for a grant of up $3,000 to start a business.

An information session is set for Sept. 9, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Goodwill Career Centre (1249 London Road), and the program begins Sept. 30.

Meloney said he’s hoping for a full house of 12 young people to take advantage of the free program, which is funded by Ontario's Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure. Some have already signed up.

“We can help them take their good idea and transform it into a successful business,” he said.

In addition to recruiting participants, Meloney is looking for aboriginal business leaders and those with business experience to serve as program mentors.

This is the second time it is being offered in this area, and has proven very successful in other parts of Ontario, said Meloney, who has a business background in advertising, marketing, small business and as a commercial diver.

“This is not theory, it is based on a successful business model.”

For more information log on to www.idobusiness.ca/tcdc1.html, or contact Dougall Meloney at 519-332-8143 or email [email protected].


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