Showcasing the best and brightest student business minds in the area

For the fifth straight year The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc. showcased the best and brightest student business minds in the area with the Annual Summer Company Tradeshow and BBQ Fundraiser.

The Summer Company Program promotes youth entrepreneurship by providing funding of up to $3,000 to students between the ages of 15 and 29 to start-up and run a business for the summer.

This year the program had 19 participants who are operating inventive and unique business ventures from lawn care, sports camps, arts and crafts, to shad fly clean-up.

The event, held at Léger Square at North Bay City Hall, gave the students community exposure and experience marketing and selling their products and services.

One vendor that caught the attention of tradeshow goers was Stephen Mason and his Goodwood Paddle Company.

Mason produces hand carved paddles that are works of art, he says not only is they works of art but they are produced to be used in the water by paddlers.

He says there are few paddles produced in Canada and ideally he would like to see his paddles distributed Canada wide if not worldwide.