The South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Centre is pleased to to launch four new businesses with the support of the Summer Company program.
The entrepreneurs are participants of Summer Company, Ontario’s flagship youth entrepreneurship program for students ages 15-29. The program offers hands-on business training, mentorship, and funding up to $3000. The South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Centre is proud to introduce the four participants of the 2020 Summer Company program:
Gabriel Rossitter of Belong: Gabe Rossitter is a 16-year-old student and entrepreneur who lives on his family’s farm in Grey County, Ontario. He has a passion both for business and for understanding the seriousness of mental health challenges that face many youths and their families. With the support of a provincially funded “Summer Company” grant, Gabe is launching a new business venture.
His company, Belong, is a branded apparel, e-commerce based business. What’s unique about Belong is that it focuses on youth and mental health. The Belong logo represents inclusivity, hope, health, and awareness. Gabe wants people who wear his apparel to be more informed on the serious issues of mental health and to help spread awareness around the issue. His goal is to promote positive mental health for youth in a unique way.
Since delivering his grade 8 Valedictorian speech to his peers, Gabe has maintained a place on the academic honour roll, and has continued his involvement in school and REP-sports. Gabe has also greatly expanded his musical skills with piano and guitar, and has started songwriting. He has been awarded several music awards at various competitions. Gabe is looking forward to applying to university for his MBA.
Please visit thebelongway.com to view his website and apparel.

Lauren Reid of Live Good: Lauren Reid, a grade 11 student from Elmvale District High School has always had a passion for living sustainably and wanted to help others do the same. This year she put her dream in motion by starting Live Good. www.live-good.ca is an online marketplace offering a carefully selected collection of sustainable products from Canada and around the world; products are both functional and kind to the earth. Lauren is on a mission to help Canadians find the best sustainable products from around the world, and her blog “The Journey” provides helpful advice, tips and inspiration for others to start or continue their journey to Live Good and be kind to the earth.
(647) 545-0480
Please visit www.live-good.ca

Ian McDonald of SupCanada Kicks: SupCanada Kicks is owned and run by Ian McDonald out of Wasaga Beach, Ontario. Ian is going into grade 12 at CCI and is 17 years old. Ian first got into sneakers and clothing when he was 13 or 14, at the end of grade 8. Ever since then, Ian has had a desire and passion for exclusive items and their secondary market value. The whole purpose of his business is providing Canadians and Americans with limited, hard to acquire rare sneakers and clothing. Ian holds inventory of in-demand products at great prices for the people who couldn’t purchase them on “release day”. Ian prides himself on great customer service, high morals and deep rooted ethics.
Please visit ebay.ca/usr/supcanada
Jayda Houston of Little Firefly: At Little Firefly, Jayda will be selling handmade greeting cards for you to send to your friends, family and loved ones. Jayda believes that social connection is extremely important, especially at a time like this. Despite being in a world that is very technologically advanced, often it’s the little and more personal things that mean the most. Jayda values sustainability and the environment; so she has decided to use supplies that are all FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, that are made using post consumer waste, and/or have eco-conscious features. She will give back 15% of the profits towards causes she is passionate about in her community. Little Firefly is a brand and greeting cards are a starting point – keep an eye open for more art related products in the future. Overall, Little Firefly represents inclusivity and positivity and strives to make the world a better place… one card at a time.
Please visit littlefireflydesigns.ca