Return of a County Kid Part II

Trevor Crowe (right) concentrating. The lookalike beside him is Troy Crowe.

this blog is contributed by Janet Davies

In Part I of The Tale of Trevor Crowe, we told how getting laid off by Big Industry spurred TC to start a video production company. Here’s why he brought that company home to the County.

“When I came down to the County again, I was amazed at what’s happened since I left. Seriously! Maybe everybody else knew but I didn’t. At the  EDO’s Creative Minds meetings I met lots of  young entrepreneurs who understood that a lot of County business is website-driven. People shop, plan trips and look for services online. County businesspeople get that. I saw opportunity here.”

He moved Crowe Productions from Belleville to The Headland in Picton – a sort of creative incubation space where TV producers Dave & Stacy Hatch rent out space and share facilities. Trevor incubated fast and moved to bigger space at SparkBox, owned by young entrepreneurs Chrissie Poitras and Kyle Topping. “Then we almost bought the Ideal Bike condo property, (outgrown by yet another young biz growing fast) but we realized we’re going to need even more space. So we’ll wait a bit and see what develops.”

“I wish I had more time in the day. I have lots of ideas, and there’s so much opportunity here.” Really? “Oh yes. There’s a huge transition in industry, and Transition = Opportunity. I know the manufacturing world. Small firms handle a lot of the R&D today, and they could easily be based here. Manufacturing goes overseas, which is too bad, but design and prototypes can be done anywhere. I don’t think people realize how easy it is to connect with the rest of the world.” He’s busy,  optimistic, raising a young family in a beautiful place where “everybody knows your name” – and talking global. Stay tuned for Part III of Return of a County Kid. Meanwhile, Trevor tells it himself in a 5-minute film he made soon after coming home. Rural Renaissance

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Was Summer Company a Success?

Contributed by Lisa Price, Manager, Small Business Centre 

summercompanylogo

One of the concerns voiced to us when we are talking to local businesses owners, economic development and organizations is the concern for youth retention.

As always, the success would be the creation of viable businesses by youth in our local communities.   “Did we accomplish this?”  Yes, some of our youth will carry on running their businesses while continuing their education, some will operate seasonally and others have opted to take what they have learned to use later when they are ready to operate a business full time.  We learned that Summer Company is a great program to try entrepreneurship and to kick start a business. However much  more is required. Pre and post summer experience in terms of coaching, mentoring, education, and support is needed to create viable businesses and retain our youth. 

There is a very small window of time to work with these young businesses as it seems that they just get started and it is time to end the program.  In the small window of time that is given we see amazing things happen to the youth involved and their businesses. 

” Imagine what might happen if they were offered additional help and support pre and post summer experience!”

For more information on the Summer Company program and learn about other Youth programs visit Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

You can also reach us at email: info@smallbusinessctr.com, ph: (613) 476-7901 x213. We are here to help.
Small Business Centre
The Edward Building
Suite 103
280 Main Street, Picton,ON K0K 2T0
Ph: (613) 476-7901 x213

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So you want to be a Zillionaire..

Contributed by Elsie Whitelock, Small Business Centre

moneyandglobe

And now you think that you could achieve this by starting your own business right here in Prince Edward County.
Do you have what it takes? Follow this link for an entrepreneurial self assessment tool. Many thanks to the Business Development Bank of Canada.

This will be a multi part series on the steps needed to get your business going. I will cover the following topics in each post.

Write a Business Plan
Choose a Winning Business Name
Types of Ownership:
 1.sole proprietorship 2.incorporated 3.partnership 4.non profit
Register Your Business Name
Business Financing
Business Licenses/Permits
Register for GST/HST
Business Insurance
e-Commerce
Record Keeping and Bookkeeping
Sales and Marketing Plan
Networking and Associations

So please follow along and provide your thoughts and experiences both joyful and painful. Love to hear from you.

You can also reach us at email: info@smallbusinessctr.com, ph: (613) 476-7901 x213 or drop in Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am-11am. We are here to help.
Small Business Centre
The Edward Building
Suite 103
280 Main Street, Picton,ON K0K 2T0
Ph: (613) 476-7901 x213

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