SUMMERSIDE – July 10, 2024 – A record of 45 young Francophones from across the province will gain valuable entrepreneurial experience this summer, thanks to Jeunes millionnaires, the French-language edition of the Young Millionaires program. They’ll learn how to manage their small business, manufacture their products and serve their customers, but most of all they’ll get the feeling of having succeeded in a great project and having earned their own spending money.
This year’s participant total considerably surpasses the previous record of 32 set last year by the same coordinator, Mélodie Jordan. This spring, she led a successful recruiting campaign in the province’s six French schools, and the results of her hard work are self-evident.
The youth (aged 9 to 16 years), who are already hard at work producing and selling their wares, have established a total of 27 businesses, some as sole proprietors, others in partnerships. They sell a bit of everything: various kinds of food, snacks, sweets and beverages, jewelry, bags, art and souvenirs, toys, candles, cat accessories, sewing, T-shirts, fire starters, soap, bath bombs, plants, stickers, slime, beauty products, fans and knitted goods.
While most of the participants are new to the program, a few are back for a second or even a third year since they saw the vast economic potential that their entrepreneurial adventure provided. Some have also seen that the results of their work are directly proportional to the effort invested.
TRAINING AND GRANTS
After recruiting participants, Jordan delivered a series of entrepreneurial training sessions, some virtual, some in person. They explored topics such as business plans, market research, customer service, quality control, budgets, marketing and promotion, and other relevant topics.
The youth then each submitted a business plan and an application for a non-refundable grant of up to $150 for businesses run by individuals, and up to $200 for partnerships. These funds helped the Jeunes millionnaires to purchase their basic materials or any equipment they needed to get their businesses off the ground.
Some of the youth will sell their products from home or via Facebook pages, but most of them will go to public sales venues (farmers’ markets, flea markets, beaches, etc.) or special events (festivals, carnivals, etc.) throughout the province to gain access to an existing clientele. The coordinator provides them with a list of possible venues, and sometimes organizes tables for group sales.
ENCOURAGEMENT
« We strongly encourage people to support our Jeunes millionnaires / Young Millionaires by purchasing their products or services, » notes Jordan. « Who knows – it may be your purchases that encourage these young people to pursue their entrepreneurial interests as adults. Or maybe you’ll give them the opportunity to learn how to deliver good customer service, which will help them in any career choice they make. And you’ll help them learn how to better manage their money. So if you see any Jeunes millionnaires / Young Millionaires here and there this summer, be sure to check out their wares, buy some and congratulate them. »
Organizers are also encouraging the public to buy tickets for a raffle for a large basket filled with products (decorations, art, candy) made or contributed by the Jeunes millionnaires to pay for their year-end celebration. The youth have been asked to sell a predetermined quantity of tickets each, at $2 each or $5 for three. Tickets can also be purchased at RDÉE PEI’s Wellington office or by calling 902-315-3922. The draw will take place on August 12.
The Young Millionaires program has been in existence since 1991 and is funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Business Development Program and Innovation PEI. At the provincial level, the program is managed by the Central Development Corporation. RDÉE Prince Edward Island manages the French-language edition.
Here’s the list of companies in this year’s Francophone edition, under their school of origin:
ÉCOLE ÉVANGÉLINE (Abram-Village)
FRUITY SCENTS – Jaylynn Perry and Sarah Wagner (scented candles)
FUNKY LOOMERS – Jace Adams and Coral Gallant (bracelets and rings)
JALIE’S SWEETS AND TREATS – Jalie Arsenault (fudge and sweets)
JANIE’S SEASIDE FINDINGS – Janie Arsenault (sea glass souvenirs)
SOFIE’S BEADIFUL BRACELETS – Sofie Gallant (bracelets and key rings)
THE DIAMOND FUN – Addison Short (diamond art products and souvenirs)
ÉCOLE FRANÇOIS-BUOTE (Charlottetown)
BROOKYN AND VICTORIA BRACELETS – Brooklyn Deboer and Victoria Stella Fraser (clay bead bracelets)
CANADA’S XAKES AND XOOKIES – Isla MacDonald and Katie Townsend (decorated pastries)
ERIK’S FIRESTARTERS – Erik Gallant (camping fire starters)
FREEZIE BREEZIE – Adèle and Sophiane Cyr-Comeault (refreshments)
ISLAND TIME KEEPSAKES – Alexandre Bellamy, Ben Hickey and Jack Birt (T-shirts and cookies)
LES BIJOUX D’EMY ET COCO – Emilie Lortie and t Victoire O’Hanley (jewelry and souvenirs)
M ‘n’ L – Mark and Lutchina Makhleh (art and elastic bracelets)
SMELL HAPPINESS – Maisie Gallant, Daphne Walker and Melodie Pinto (soap and bath bombs)
STRINGS OF PEARLS – Norah Chevallier-Berthet (various plants)
TANGHULUED TREATS – Nour El Khoury and Mia Ayoub (slushies plus fruit and cookie dough balls called tanghulus)
ÉCOLE LA-BELLE-CLOCHE (Rollo Bay)
BEAUTY OF ART – Ikram Boulekhssaim and Annabelle Little (jewelry, art, souvenirs)
SEASIDE TREASURES – Caleb Lombardo and Leonardo Consejo Cadena (souvenirs and sea glass art)
SUMMER NEEDS – Hiba and Raouane Ait Mouloud (snacks, drinks and fans)
(BUSINESS NAME TO BE CONFIRMED) – Samantha Consejo Cadena (sewing)
ÉCOLE PIERRE-CHAISSON (Deblois)
FANCY TABBYS – Allison Wells and Scarlett McLellan (various products for cats: bandanas, toys, drafts, cards and stickers)
ÉCOLE SAINT-AUGUSTIN (Rustico)
RAINBOW STARS – Hannah MacNeil and Avery Cormier (knitted crafts)
SUNSET – Bronwen Reddin and Clara Domike (slime, bracelets and stickers)
ÉCOLE-SUR-MER (Summerside)
AVA’S CANDY CLOUDS – Ava Greencorn (cotton candy)
JULIE’S KEYCHAINS – Julie Anne Freire (key rings and Crocs accessories)
OCEANE & CO. – Fitia-Oceane Razafindrakoto (raffia jewelry and bags)
THE FUN SHOP – Addyson MacDonald (art and toys)
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PHOTO 1: Clara Domike and Bronwen Reddin from Sunset display some of their products, which include bracelets and stickers.
PHOTO 2: Jaylynn Perry and Sarah Wagner from Fruity Scents make fruit-scented candles.
PHOTO 3: Sofie Gallant of Sofie’s Beadiful Bracelets offers a variety of bracelets.
For further information, please contact
Mélodie Jordan
Coordinator
Jeunes millionnaires Program 2024
melodie@rdeeipe.org