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Jodi Lundmark, tbnewswatch
MPP Michael Gravelle stands with Young Entrepreneur Program funding recipients George Guenther and Paul Amano.
After achieving success with three university degrees, Paul Amano was left with three degrees worth of student loans.
That made it difficult for him to approach a bank in order to get a loan to kick start his idea of a dog sled tourism business.
The answer to Amano’s problem was the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation’s young Entrepreneur Program. It provides northern residents aged 18 to 29 with up to $25,000 to start their own business.
"This is what gave me leverage to get other loans," Amano said. "They made the difference to be able to do it all."
Amano’s business is the Boreal Journeys Sled Dog Kennel, which he calls a tourism experience. Customers spend five days at his place and spend the first few days learning how to work with the dogs before embarking on an overnight camping trip.
"I sell a dog experience rather than I guess an attraction or just a ride," he said.
Minister of Northern Development and Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle said the program aims to mobilize a new generation of business leaders and community builders in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario.
Staying in Thunder Bay was important to Amano, who has lived in several places throughout his life.
"This is the community I fell in love with," he said. "I want to stay here the rest of my life. Having a role in the community is important to me."
Living in the community he grew up is also important to George Guenther who received funding from the Young Entrepreneur Program for his business the Village Smith.
Guenther is a custom goldsmith and blacksmith who creates custom jewellery as well as repairing jewellery and making knives and other metal work.
The NOHFC money allowed him to buy the equipment necessary for his craft.
"I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for them," he said. "The banks don’t like to look at you if you’re a young entrepreneur. You’re looking at five years of no income so the grant allowed me to start the business."
Streak of Green hair salon and Transitions Hair Salon both also received funding through the Young Entrepreneur Program.