News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS-WINNERS ANNOUNCED
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--NOT FOR RELEASE UNTIL 7 P.M., FRIDAY, APRIL 26--
Atlantic Canada's largest young entrepreneurs event saw six major
awards presented at the Young Entrepreneurs Going Places awards
dinner last night in Halifax.
The dinner was a major highlight of the conference, which
attracted 550 student delegates and over 180 business people
interested in finding out about the hottest young entrepreneurs.
"Young entrepreneurs are becoming a notable presence in our
economy and have started developing the entrepreneurial skills
required to create viable business opportunities for themselves
now and in the future," said Ian MacFadden, vice-president of
business banking for the Royal Bank, the sponsor of the dinner.
The awards included:
Innovation Award -- sponsored by MT&T, which went to the business
that proved to be creative original and technology oriented. The
winners were Christina Mallard, Maude Walsh, Krista McGrath,
Cindy Higdon and Elaine Harvey from Cabot College, St. John's,
Nfld., for their business Singing Sendsations Inc. The company
provides an innovative 1-900 service that provides callers with
access to a variety of singing telegrams for any occasion. The
company has the sole rights to the concept across Canada, and
they will be looking to move into the U.S. market in the future.
Customer Service Award -- sponsored by Canadian Airlines
International-Air Atlantic presented to the business that proved
it went beyond the mere servicing of their clients. The winner
was Tara Young, from Shelburne Regional High School, who started
Tara Young's March Break Day Camp. Unlike other day cares, Tara's
started during March Break so that parents who were unable to
secure care for their children would have an alternative option.
"The camp received such rave reviews," according to a parent, "we
convinced her to continue on with her business."
Arts and Culture Award -- sponsored by Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency -- went to the business which used and
maintained artistic talent to operate a business. Eric
Lafontaine, from Ecole du Carrefour, Dartmouth, who owns and
operates, Cartes Eric Lafontaine Cards, received the award. Eric
has used his creative abilities to provide bilingual visual tools
for business.
Best Overall Business Award -- sponsored by the Royal Bank
-- went to the business proven to be profitable, sustainable and
well thought out. Two businesses received the award: Renee
Poirier, from Riverview High School, Coxheath, N.S., who owns and
operates Trends for Tots, based upon a developing trend among
preschool children to wear the same clothes as their dolls; and
Wayne Lynch, Cabot College, St. John's, who started Quality
International Inc., a company specializes in marketing and
production consultation of under-utilized fish species. The
company is a recognized as a leader in Atlantic Canada in this
area and is currently heading a steering committee to develop an
Atlantic Canada strategy. Quality International Inc., has
established strategic alliances that have opened markets in Asia
for their products.
Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Award -- sponsored by the Nova
Scotia Economic Renewal Agency -- presented to the student who
executed the best overall business concept and profitability,
went to Dennis Khattar, Sydney, a student at the University
College of Cape Breton. His business, The Lobster Trap Gift Shop,
took advantage of a prime location in Louisbourg last summer to
target the several hundred thousand tourists who passed by his
roadside handcraft and souvenir shop.
The Entrepreneurial Teacher Award -- sponsored by the Nova Scotia
Department of Education and Culture, is awarded to a teacher who
has a proven track record in motivating and assisting students to
recognize entrepreneurship as a viable career option. Receiving
the award was Gordon Lewis, of the Annapolis West Education
Centre, who brought his own experiences into the classroom. Mr.
Lewis emphasizes the importance of proper planning and of
attention to detail, and has supported students in a number of
successful ventures.
The Young Entrepreneurs Going Places Trade Fair is being held
tomorrow, Saturday, April 27, at Park Lane Mall from 11 a.m. - 2
p.m. The trade fair will give the students the opportunity to
display and sell their wares to the public.
The conference is hosted by the Centre for Entrepreneurship
Education and Development.
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Contact: Maryanne McLorie 902-424-7246 or 902-456-3214
trp Apr. 26, 1996 - 3:40 p.m.
