Local youth aspiring to become entrepreneurs will soon get the chance to attend a free course aimed at helping them realize their dreams.
Business Works Youth is a new training program for young entrepreneurs in the Cowichan Valley that is free for all residents between 15 and 29 who are unemployed or working less than 20 hours per week, and includes training and tips from successful business owners to help participants start their own business within three months.
“We provide business planning tools and training to help everyone rise to the challenge ahead,” explained the program’s local business coach William Deveau. “We provide a clear road map,” he added.
Course participants may continue their existing jobs as they take part, since Business Works Youth is willing to offer flexible hours as well as online coaching, training and mentoring, if desired.
“You can start from the kitchen table right now,” Deveau said, adding that the course allows participants to run business experiments, try out prototype projects and work on developing their ideas before deciding whether to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams full-time.
Topics covered include market research, development of a business plan, marketing with an emphasis on social media and financial and business operations.
Deveau has run his own businesses for more than a decade, and said an increasing number of young jobseekers and would-be entrepreneurs are taking the plunge.
“More and more they’re saying ‘no thanks’ to the conventional job and are busting out of their beige offices to create remarkable lives on their own terms,” he said.
To find out more about Business Works Youth call 1-877-714-0471 or visit www.bwy.ethoscmg.com.
