Enterprising a dream: the Y celebrates Small Business Week 2015

According to the Business Development Bank of Canada, 99 percent of all Canadian businesses are considered small businesses (those that employ 1-99 people). Entrepreneurs are a big part of building healthy communities; they employ skilled and talented individuals, cultivate and develop industries, and foster innovation.

This week, we at the YMCA of Greater Toronto are celebrating Small Business Week by profiling two success stories of people who created opportunities for themselves and successfully started their own businesses with help from the YMCA Employment Centre's Small Business Program.

 

Melanie Kidd, Glasstronomy Studio

Melanie had a dream that one day she would have a fused glass studio of her own. When her former boss closed up shop, Melanie, an avid glass enthusiast  and instructor, had been approached with many partnership proposals, but none matched her vision. It would take more than passion and money to successfully start up a business; she wanted a solid plan with in-depth research and planning, backed with sound advice and business skills training in order to make an impact.

Among Melanie’s initial questions at the YMCA Employment Centre's Ontario Self Employment Benefit (OSEB) workshop was to test the waters to see if her vision was viable.  Today, not only has Melanie’s dream come true, but the Glasstronomy Studio has also become a preferred craft and design destination in her community.

Carlson Yisheng Huang, Better Advances Press

Getting published in the academic world is no easy task. The typically lengthy peer review and vetting processes can cost time and money, and competition from other academic researchers is fierce. Carlson wanted to offer a better alternative for academic authors. Being new to the country and an academic himself, Carlson came to the OSEB program with a PhD and no business experience.  Getting his business associated with established international academic directories was another significant challenge, given Carlson’s language barrier.

Better Advances Press publishes 4 academic journals featuring articles in the fields of economics & finance for newly-minted academics and professionals who are required to publish to maintain their status as researchers. With uncompromised commitment and dedication, Carlson has managed to break barriers and has significantly grown his business in 5 short years.  His relentless efforts, backed by the OSEB program, have helped Carlson successfully achieve his goals in a new country.