An Oxford County women has been awarded a $1000 bursary to start her own business.
OXFORD COUNTY - SureStart has given out it's first $1000 bursary.
The new collaborative partnership between Community Employment Services and the Fusion Youth Centre offers youth entrepreneurial training and then an opportunity to create a business plan and present it to a 'Dragon's Den' style
Interim SureStart Program Coordinator Heather Haldane says the bursary went to Jody Bennett who hopes to open her own eco-friendly yoga studio.
"Jody did exceptionally well. She was really dedicated to the training and she was really dedicated to launching this business, I mean she was going to make it happen. She worked incredibly hard."
Haldane says one of the things they teach youth about is Social Purpose Businesses.
"In that training, Jody then decided that her business, Stone Roots Yoga would have a social purpose. So her tag line is "People. Poses. Planet" so for every membership that she sells to her yoga studio, she will plant a tree."
Haldane says being a part of the SureStart program really got Jody connected with other business leaders in Oxford County.
"I think that's really part of our goal, wrapping the business and the network of supports around these graduates and that really did truly happen for Jody and everybody knows about her know and is offering their support and their help and making sure that she launches."
Haldane says Bennett had to present a business plan and then defend it to a panel in a 'Dragon's Den' type situation before being awarded the full grant money.
Bennett says she will spend the money on yoga mats, blocks, straps and bolsters for her studio.
This new program is offered to anyone aged 18-29 who thinks they may want to be an entrepreneur. More information can be found on the Fusion Youth Centre website.
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