On June 7, a small group of Sunshine Coast business owners listened to presentations held at the Gibsons Chamber of Commerce, from the owners of four new businesses created on the Coast, thanks to the YMCA Self Employment Program and the Open Door Group. The long-time business owners were delighted to hear about the new ventures and offered their congratulations to the new entrepreneurs.
One of the new companies presented was started by Pam Robertson, of Robertson Safety Solutions. She saw a need for safety training. Her company has a vision of “zero harm” by championing safe and healthy workplaces.
“The program helped to take an elaborate business plan template and break it down into comprehensible sections,” Robertson said. “I was amazed at how well they simplified the process and made it a positive experience. I would recommend this to anyone who is considering starting a company.”
Scott Collison found that his business idea aligned with his unique talents and his wife’s worldwide performances at festivals and concerts. It encouraged him to create Captain Ampersand, Collison’s persona as a children’s entertainer. Captain Ampersand has a light-hearted spirit and wonderful enthusiasm. He brings a quirky mix of play, music and stories that he shares at festivals and children’s parties on the Coast, as well as internationally.
“This was such a great course. I learned so many things about my industry and how to run my business properly,” Collison said. “But the best part was having a forum of entrepreneurs to bounce ideas off as well as progress all of our ideas and put them into fruition.”
Aaron Fitzpatrick, who is new to the Coast, is pleased to have been in the program, and looks forward to bringing his artistic talent to The Road More Fitz. His small family-run business specializes in hand-made screen-printed T-shirts featuring originally designed artwork inspired by B.C.’s Sunshine Coast.
“The program was great. Very intensive, very informative,” Fitzpatrick said. “There was a lot of information crammed into the 10 weeks, but as someone who’s always dreamed of starting my own business, the self-employment program really got me going and gave me a starting point for making my dream a reality.”
Anyone who wants to be educated in fly fishing needs to consider taking part in Murphy’s Forest Tours and Adventures in Fly-Fishing. Stephen Murphy has more than 40 years of fly-fishing experience on three continents in both fresh and salt water and seven years of teaching experience in institutional, retail and private settings. He is excited about sharing his knowledge and expertise with tourists and locals alike as a new business owner.
“The self-employment program offered by the YMCA and the Open Door Group enabled me to develop a solid business plan for my business idea,” Murphy said.
The YMCA Self Employment Program is part of Employment Services British Columbia and is sponsored by Open Door Group. It is a 48-week program that offers 10 weeks of business plan development and continues with monthly support for another 38 weeks during the implementation of the business plan.
This program would be of benefit to anyone who has a viable business idea and meets the eligibility criteria. The next program on the Coast starts on Sept. 19.
For more information, contact the WorkBC office in Gibsons (604-865-7729) or Sechelt (604-885-3351), or see www.gv.ymca.ca or www.opendoorgroup.org
