ABRAM-VILLAGE – March 17, 2024 – Three participants from last summer’s francophone edition of the Young Millionaires Program (YMP), as well as a former participant who serves as an inspiration to the next generation of young entrepreneurs, were honoured for their magnificent efforts and achievements during the 2024 Entrepreneurs’ Gala March 16 in Abram-Village.
The award winners were:
• 2023 YMP Positivity Award: Jada Carragher from Jada’s Arts & Crafts of Huntley;
• 2023 YMP Francophone Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Casen Arsenault from Casen’s Perler Bead Creations in Abram-Village;
• 2023 YMP Legend Award (current participant): Ava Greencorn from Ava’s Candy Clouds in St. Nicholas;
• 2023 YMP Legend Award (former participant): Nico Durant from Durant’s Grass Cutting in Mont-Carmel.
RDÉE Prince Edward Island, which has been coordinating the provincial francophone edition of YMP for over 20 years, took advantage of the annual gathering of entrepreneurs to present the four awards. Recipients were told they were finalists for a single award. It wasn’t until the awards ceremony that they learned there were in fact four award.
The evening’s hosts began by explaining that the Young Millionaires Program encourages entrepreneurial spirit in young people aged 9 to 16 years. Participants undergo a series of training sessions. They then submit a business plan and receive a grant of up to $150 for individuals or up to $200 for partners to help start their small summer business. The program is managed provincially by the Central Development Corporation and is funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Innovation PEI.
« Last summer, a record 32 young francophones worked very hard and attained outstanding sales, » added co-host Amy Richard.
The honor of presenting the awards was bestowed upon Gala sponsor Radio-Canada Acadie, represented by Le Réveil ÎPÉ host Denis Duchesne (who had recorded audio clips of the Gala finalists’ biographies) and Sébastien Thériault, senior head of news and programming for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. They were assisted by Julie Gallant, the RDÉE PEI economic development officer who manages the YMP program.
GROUP PHOTO: During the 2024 Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala, RDÉE Prince Edward Island presented four awards for last summer’s provincial francophone edition of the Young Millionaires Program. Seen in the front row, from left, are Ava Greencorn, who earned the 2023 YMP Legend Award (for a current participant), Jada Carragher, winner of the 2023 YMP Positivity Award, and Casen Arsenault, 2023 YMP Francophone Entrepreneur of the Year. In the back row are Nico Durant, who won the 2023 YMP Legend Award (for a past participant), Denis Duchesne and Sébastien Thériault, representatives of sponsors Radio-Canada Acadie, and Julie Gallant, the RDÉE PEI development officer with manages the francophone edition of the Young Millionaires Program.
WINNERS’ PROFILES
JADA CARRAGHER – Jada Carragher, an 11-year-old girl from Huntley, near Alberton, established Jada’s Arts & Crafts in the summer of 2023 to create and sell paintings of all kinds on wood and canvas, as well as homemade bracelets. Over the summer, she sold her wares at Miminegash Days, the Potato Blossom Festival in O’Leary, and at school events. Jada is proud to have gained a sense of independence in her work, and to have learned how to budget for her business. Kindness and greeting every customer with a smile have been crucial aspects contributing to her success.
PHOTO: Denis Duchesne, representing sponsor Radio-Canada Acadie, and Julie Gallant, who manages the francophone edition of the Young Millionaires Program for RDÉE PEI, presented the 2023 YMP Positivity Award to Jada Carragher from Jada’s Arts and Crafts.
CASEN ARSENAULT – Casen Arsenault of Abram-Village founded Casen’s Perler Bead Creations, creating and selling magnets, key chains and 3D creations of various logos, characters, flags and more from plastic beads that he joins together by melting. Last summer, Casen sold his products at the Winsloe Farm Market, the Wellington Co-op, the Acadian Festival and at other locations. Even at the age of 11, Casen had already learned the value of what a small act of generosity can contribute to his business; he donated a motorcycle-shaped ornament to « The Guardians of the Children » group, which in turn brought him many happy customers.
PHOTO: Casen Arsenault from Casen’s Perler Bead Creations accepted his 2023 YMP Francophone Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Denis Duchesne, representing sponsor Radio-Canada Acadie, and Julie Gallant, who manages the francophone edition of the Young Millionaires Program for RDÉE PEI.
AVA GREENCORN – At just 10 years of age, Ava Greencorn, from St-Nicholas, has enjoyed tremendous success with her business « Ava’s Candy Clouds », selling mainly cotton candy and popcorn. Determined to provide the best possible product, Ava has learned a lot about quality control and food safety, but the most important thing for her remains making sure every customer feels important. With over 20 flavors of cotton candy sold at various markets, craft fairs, local festivals and private customers, Ava has realized over $9,000 in sales since late last spring.
PHOTO: Sébastien Thériault, representing the sponsor Radio-Canada Acadie, presents the 2023 YMP Legend Award (for current participants) to Ava Greencorn from Ava’s Candy Clouds, while Julie Gallant, who manages the francophone edition of the Young Millionaires Program for RDÉE PEI, presents her with a cinema gift card.
NICO DURANT – Former program participant and winner of a regular Young Millionaires award, Nico Durant established several businesses as a child and teenager. But it was Durant’s Grass Cutting that gave him the chance to shine and win a national award at RDÉE Canada’s Lauriers de la PME Gala in Ottawa in September 2022. With over 50 customers last summer, Durant’s Grass Cutting is still going strong, providing jobs for many people. In addition to his entrepreneurial career, Nico is now a financial planner with Front Gate Financial Group in Fredericton, serving clients throughout the Maritimes.
PHOTO: Former Young Millionaires participant Nico Durant, centre, accepts the 2023 YMP Legend Award (for past participants) and a cinema gift card from Julie Gallant, who manages the francophone edition of the Young Millionaires Program for RDÉE PEI, and Sébastien Thériault, representing sponsor Radio-Canada Acadie.
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For more information, please contact:
Julie Gallant
Manager, French edition of the Young Millionaires program
RDÉE Prince Edward Island
(902) 954-1286
julie@rdeeipe.org