Ben Kennedy

Kennedy’s Cubes

Contact: (902) 783-2043

Ben Kennedy has been working hard this summer making, preparing and selling bags of ice from his home in Lochaber, NS. Each bag is approximately 8 pounds and sells for $3.50 and can be picked up by stopping in at the family home where Ben will happily retrieve your much-needed ice from his freezer. Customers can also purchase ice lakeside from the family’s dock and make orders in advance by calling Ben directly.

Ben originally started working in the ice business with his brother Alex 5 years ago. At the time Alex was interested in making money to purchase a four-wheeler. By working with his brother, Ben learned that in order to get the things that he wanted he would have to work for them and earn them himself.

By operating his own business Ben has learned that being an entrepreneur can be challenging at times as you have to stay on top of things and making sure that you refill your ice trays to keep up with demand. Being a business owner can also be fun, meeting new people and making some extra spending money is always a positive experience.

This summer Ben learned that if you have a business it has to be your own project and that if you do a good job people will say nice things to you. He also learned that business ideas do not have to be complicated – sometimes it can just be water and trays!

With the help of Summer Launch Ben was able to get new business cards and some new ideas on how to further develop his business idea. He was also able to purchase a bigger upright freezer to make and store a larger amount of ice.

Caleb Peters

Caleb’s Lawns and More

Contact: calebpeters2017@hotmail.com

Caleb Peters worked hard this summer offering lawn care services to members of his community. He was able to meet new customers with the help of his family’s connections and promoting the business on social media. Caleb also used email to communicate with his prospective clients and set up times to provide his services.

As Caleb is too young to work a full summer job he found starting a business to be a great way to spend his time and be active in the community. When coming up with his business idea he thought back to the various activities that he had done in the past and the resources he had at hand to come up with “Caleb’s Lawns and More”.

Running a business for the summer came with many ups and downs, but Caleb was prepared for these events and anticipated there would be challenges along the way. One of the biggest things he learned by operating his business was self-discipline and that you really have to focus on your goals in order to make the activity successful.

Caleb is very pleased with how his summer went and is proud of his accomplishments. He received many compliments on his work throughout the summer which made him feel good about himself and the work he was doing. He is also pleased with the new skills that he learned such as changing the oil in his lawnmower and getting the word out about his business. In the future Caleb plans on exploring other entrepreneurial activities and continuing to work on building his personal brand.

Katie MacNeil

Fizz Bath Products

Contact: www.facebook.com/fizzbathproducts/

Katie MacNeil, along with her business partner Brooke, makes and sells various naturally sourced bath products. Their product selection includes bath bombs, body butter, and bath crumble. The pair intend to add more scents and products as they learn more about their customers’ interests. The pair can often be found selling their products at the Antigonish Farmers’ Market, Art Fair, and direct to the consumer through their Facebook page.

Fizz Bath Products was born when Katie and Brooke decided to make bath bombs and body butter for their 4-H demonstration. They decided to build on their original demonstration and make it their summer business activity as they thought it would be something neat to do over the summer months and allow them to learn more about running a business.

Katie didn’t really know what to expect when starting up her business – other than that she would have to make a product to sell. However, through trial and error and with the help of her partner and parents she learned about budgeting for supplies, organizing time, and how to better improve her product.

The most important skill Katie learned this summer was the importance of communication. Having good communication leads to a stronger partnership. A strong partnership will often lead to a good business.

Brooke MacDonald

Fizz Bath Products

Contact: www.facebook.com/fizzbathproducts/

Brooke MacDonald, along with her business partner Katie, makes and sells various naturally sourced bath products. Their product selection includes bath bombs, body butter, and bath crumble. The pair intend to add more scents and products as they learn more about their customers’ interests. The pair can often be found selling their products at the Antigonish Farmers’ Market, Art Fair, and direct to the consumer through their Facebook page.

While Brooke has had other jobs in the past, running a business for the summer was something very new to her. However, she found the transition to business owner to be quite valuable in that it taught her to be patient and wait for the return on her investment, to respond to consumer needs and preferences, and to find the best locations to sell their products. She also learned to improve the recipes used with her partner and to find the best source of ingredients.

Brooke, as well as her partner Katie, have found interacting with the public to be quite fun. It has taught them how to better sell their product to those walking by their table and to get out and attract attention. They have also had many fun and exciting interactions with members of the public as they explain their product and the many benefits it offers.

Overall Brooke greatly enjoyed working on her business this summer with her partner Katie and is very proud of the accomplishments that they made individually and together. She also enjoyed the ability transform raw ingredients into something that is used and enjoyed by many in her community.

Charlie MacDonald

Red Horse Treats & Antiques

Contact: (902) 872-0220 redhorse@gmail.com

Charlie MacDonald operates a small shop in Ballantyne’s Cove selling home décor, antiques, and homemade goods. He has always had a passion for entrepreneurship and always dreamed of starting his own business. As Charlie lives in a popular tourist destination with other seasonal businesses, he felt the time was perfect to branch out and make his dream a reality.

Over the course of the summer Charlie was able to gain some additional independence by running his business and exceeded his initial expectations. Charlie notes that “Red Horse Treats and Antiques has allowed me to organize my own time and have given me the opportunity to display my creativity”. His business has also allowed him to build close connections with suppliers as well as the people who stop in to purchase his wares.

Charlie found that at times getting his operation up and running was a lengthy, and at times a complicated process. However, once he registered his business name and completed renovating his shop he was able to put his previous collecting and repairing experience to good use. Many people are surprised when they enter Red Horse Treats & Antiques and learn that it is run by a younger member of the community, but they are always impressed at Charlie’s initiative and willingness to continuously improve his set up, location, and product offering. Hopefully word of this exciting business will spread beyond Nova Scotia as many customers are from outside the region, coming as far away as Vancouver.

This young entrepreneur has also been surprised by the strong support he has received by his customers and the interest he has been getting and plans on staying open in the shoulder season. Charlie has plans to offer a Christmas themed selection in the year before taking some time off to prepare for next summer’s busy season.

Éabha Price

Coastal Crafts

Contact: (902) 870-4904 eabhakprice@gmail.com

Éabha Price operates a small crafts business from her home in Antigonish County. Currently her main items are decorative photo-on-wood souvenirs. These photos depict beautiful locations in and around the Antigonish area or can be customized with the buyers own photo. Éabha is also planning on having the option for personal engravings to be made on the wood to make the product even more unique.

Many of the prospective customers Éabha has interacted with so far have been very supportive of her work and are very interested in the product and have asked many questions about her creative process. Éabha is very pleased with her accomplishments so far and hopes to continue building her business in the future to increase the value she is able to offer her customers.

You can learn more about Éabha’s work by contacting her at the information above. She also intends to sell at the Antigonish Farmers’ Market once she builds her inventory.

Nathaniel Smith

NAS Originals

Contact: www.facebook.com/NAS-Originals-145627079327010/   NASOriginals@outlook.com

Nathaniel Smith is the proud owner of NAS Originals, a small business devoted to “finding the new in the old”. Nathaniel offers a wide variety of goods to his customers including shelving units made from repurposed barn boards and railway hooks, welded sign holders, fish flies, and survival bracelets. He also offers a wide array of custom signage options and is always seeking new products to offer his growing clientele.

While Nathaniel had completed the Junior Achievement program in his school and had a basic understanding of business essentials he had yet to put his skills into motion and on his own. One of these new skills was getting out and speaking with his prospective clients and continuously improving his sales pitch to those who would stop buy his table at the Farmers’ Market and ask him questions about his product. He was also pleased to improve his welding skills and create new products through trial and error.

Customers have been very supportive of NAS Originals and are happy to see young people out in the community doing something that they really enjoy. As well, having items of his own handiwork in the homes of his customers and knowing that his work is being enjoyed by others makes Nathaniel very proud of his accomplishments.

Anna Ross

Treasure Box

Contact: www.facebook.com/Treasure-Box-by-Anna-Ross-269137953588182/

Anna Ross has been very busy this summer making and selling doll scarfs. As the owner of Treasure Box she has learned many creative techniques for designing doll scarves that appeal to a wide audience.

Running a summer business was something very new to Anna, but she knew that she wanted to build on her previous sewing skills and promote the work that she already does as a hobby. She was happy to have the support of her parents along the way and benefited from their advice. Anna also liked being a part of the Summer Launch program as it helped to keep her motivated and on track knowing that she had regular check-ins to see how she was progressing.

Outside of her social media presence Anna hopes to find additional places to show and sell her product and get a larger customer base. Anna plans on continuing her business into the falls and hopes to put the time management skills she has learned over the summer to good use in broadening the selection of doll scarves she has to offer.

Jordan MacDonald completed an eight month work term with the StFX Extension Innovation and Enterprise Centre. He worked with the Centre from January to August, 2017.

Working with the StFX Extension Innovation and Enterprise Centre has been a deeply gratifying experience. Being in the entrepreneurship program at StFX I have always had an interest in the entrepreneurial ecosystem that assists individuals in realizing their business potential. I have also had a keen interest in community development and the benefits created when individuals come together and work toward a common cause. Working with StFX Extension allowed me to combine these two interests and view them as they play out in real life. I was able to work alongside deeply devoted innovators and community leaders and experience these two worlds.

While my official position with the Innovation and Enterprise Centre (IEC) was “Marketing, Communications, and Events Coordinator”, I was able to express my inner creativity and propose ideas for new initiatives and partnerships. For example, I developed and delivered the Summer Launch program, an initiative that provides a grant to students in grades 7-12 to start their own business in the summer months. I was also able to contribute to the design and coordination of the Leadership Development Conference and a broader partnership between StFX University and 4-H Nova Scotia. These two activities not only brought me out into the community, they also allowed me to explore my own entrepreneurial talents and practice the skills I learned in the classroom to effect real change in my surroundings.

This position also changed my perception of the Antigonish community and the employees of StFX. By working alongside community volunteers, I feel as though I have become more connected with the people of Antigonish and I feel more imbedded in the local community. As well, by working at StFX I have gained a better understanding of how diverse the campus really is and how many things go on behind the curtains – outside of a regular students’ perception.

Through my work at StFX Extension I have helped to increase the visibility of the Department’s various areas of expertise, most especially the Innovation and Enterprise Centre. I was surprised to learn just how many opportunities and programs exist at the Centre that allow students to generate ideas for social change or business ventures, provide meaningful learning opportunities, and connect students to the broader Antigonish community.

In a previous edition of this newsletter, Sam Gan and Mitch Allen remarked on their ability to operate a business in lieu of traditional work term. The Innovation and Enterprise Centre is working to provide an “Entrepreneurial” co-op experience in the coming semesters alongside the current marketing and events coordinator position. As well, the Centre is always available to consult with any StFX student or member of the public who is interested in starting or expanding their business.

The Extension Department is a fantastic environment to work in and I encourage all students to explore the many ways to get involved in its programming. This opportunity has deepened my interest in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the social sector of the Maritimes.

Conference Marks the Beginning of a New Partnership Between 4-H Nova Scotia and StFX University. Event Benefits Greatly from Extension Department Support.

The StFX 4-H Society is coming off a tremendous high after hosting its first successful “Leadership Development Conference” focusing on one of 4-H Canada’s Leadership Development Pillars. The theme of this year’s conference was “Sustainable Food and Agriculture” and was held June 27- 29, 2017. The Society worked collaboratively with 4-H Nova Scotia and St. Francis Xavier University in a new partnership to welcome 45 youth, ages 13-18, to Antigonish.

The conference was open to both 4-H’ers and non-members alike with representation from each of the four Atlantic provinces. While on campus, the students were given a real “university experience” – staying in residence, eating with friends at meal hall, and meeting with StFX students, faculty, and staff throughout.

By the numbers:

• 45 Delegates
• 20 University Faculty and Staff
• 12 Student Volunteer Facilitators
• 10 Community Members

Highlights of the conference include:

Cooking for the Future:

Upon their arrival, delegates were first tasked with making the meal for the opening banquet. Participants were introduced to several Human Nutrition and Sociology faculty and were challenged on where exactly many of the foods they have come to know and love actually come from, and the environmental and social impact some of these foods have on our society. Many student’s remarked that this was their first time being able to actively participate in preparing a meal and that they felt a sense of pride in having had a part in making the meal shared later in the evening with invited guests.

Welcome Dinner:

After a busy afternoon of mashing potatoes and preparing broth, delegates were able to finally enjoy their homemade shepherd’s pie and chicken stew. Sitting amongst the delegates were representatives of the local and provincial 4-H body, StFX 4-H Society members, StFX faculty, and many invited sponsors and engaged community partners. Dr. Kent MacDonald, president of StFX brought greetings on behalf of the university while Central Nova MP Sean Fraser encouraged delegates to showcase their leadership skills in their local communities.

Growing Local at Martha’s Garden:

Day two began with delegates boarding the StFX bus and heading to the Martha’s Garden in collaboration with the Sisters of Saint Martha and the Martha’s New Growers program. Here students were divided into small groups and rotated through various stations focused on Atlantic farming practices. These included organic vegetable growing, beef and dairy production, and beekeeping.  The Sisters also shared their stories from when the farm served to feed the initiatives of the organization, including the local hospital. Delegates were especially enthused when discussing how the chickens were prepared in earlier times and the labour intensity of the farm work conducted by the Sisters.

Hunger Banquet:

After exciting adventures at Bethany, delegates were soon reminded of their global privilege. Instead of receiving lunch upon their arrival, participants were given one of four different coloured tickets. Each ticket representing a portion of the world’s population. A lucky five were selected as being members of the upper class and sat at a table fully set and catered by a local restaurant. Another five were assembled to be a part of the middle-income group and sat at a plain table with no settings and were given a fast food meal. The remaining participants sat on the floor with half receiving rice and beans, while the other half were given only rice.  These two groups represented the global poor and the reality that most people on Earth have very limited incomes and experience a high degree of food insecurity.

Following the meal pizza was provided to the delight of many in attendance who feared they would have to go the rest of the afternoon without!

Amazing Green Race:

In place of a traditional campus tour, faculty and staff of various departments were stationed at strategically located points on campus and acted as clue holders. Delegates moved from place to place on campus, followed by the clues from the previous station. This allows participants to be introduced to the physical aspects of campus, including the sustainable initiatives being undertaken by the university in its learning spaces, and be introduced to the faculty of many unique programs within each department. One of the stops along the way included the solar panels mounted on the roof of the Bloomfield Centre allowing each person to scale the roof and see the campus from a very different point of view!

Self-Actualization and Sustainability Leadership:

After a busy day outdoors, organizers and delegates alike were please to spend the evening listening to the keynote address of Frank Gallant and Veronika Brant. The pair discussed in depth the importance of self-actualization, goal setting, and independent thinking while relating it to their own experiences and perseverance in their gardening and working lives.

Learn to Lead by Leading – McKenna Centre for Leadership:

In partnership with the McKenna Centre for Leadership, members of the StFX 4-H Society organized activities and facilitated discussions that helped conference delegates put together the pieces gathered over the previous two days and create a plan for how they will improve and exercise their own leadership in their home communities. These activities began with the individual and outlined each person’s assets and strengths. Each individual was then asked to set goals for themselves aligning with their club, their community, and their country – a key element of the 4-H program. Participants were then moved into groups based on their home location and asked to create regional goals that they could fulfill together when they return home. These “regional declarations” were then collected and will be sent to each member later in the summer to remind them of their commitment to take the conference home.

Initial feedback from conference delegates, organizers, and stakeholders has been extremely positive with many indicating an interest of returning in following years to StFX for the Leadership Development Conference.

A 2018 conference is already in the works and will focus on Community Engagement and Communication. This theme comes at an important time for StFX as 2018 also marks the 100^th anniversary of the Antigonish Movement and the 90^th anniversary of the Extension Department. Such an event will fit nicely with broader university-wide celebrations.

The StFX 4-H Society looks forward to offering additional leadership opportunities to youth throughout Atlantic Canada and beyond through the continuous develop and support of the Leadership Development Conference. The Society also acknowledges the tremendous support of faculty advisor and Conference Co-Chair Dr. Norine Verberg, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture staff, Antigonish Leader’s Council, 4-H Nova Scotia, StFX University, and the many donors who made this event possible. The efforts of these groups have been enjoyed by many from across the Atlantic region.

What People are Saying:

Helping the world become more sustainable involves leadership, taking initiative, committing to making a change, and spreading this knowledge and ambition.

-Conference Delegate

The activities we did over the course of the last few days were where leadership became a large role… these activities made me realize that without someone having good leadership qualities simple tasks can become harder to overcome.

-Conference Delegate

Food security is an issue that I believe is most important to focus on. After waiting for lunch, then getting the group on the floor for the hunger banquet, I realize how affected people are by food security.

-Conference Delegate

When Veronika (Self-Actualization and Sustainability Leadership) was talking about her farm and her garden it made me want to be a farmer/gardener even more.

-Conference Delegate

The planning process has been highly rewarding, being able to engage with faculty members outside the classroom has been a wonderful experience and has given me a greater appreciation for the research and work that is conducted at StFX University.

 – Jordan MacDonald, Conference Co-Chair

The Leadership Development Conference enabled me to grow as an individual and to improve my own leadership skills. The structure and theme of the conference provided a strong framework for engaging with issues surrounding sustainability, and made me acknowledge and work on various issues which I may have otherwise not understood.

-Will Fraser, Conference Volunteer

The university administration has been an integral partner and taken on an ownership role in conjunction with the 4-H society and 4-H Nova Scotia. Their support has been invaluable as they have provided lots of in-kind services from assistance with various events to marketing to venues. We have also received tremendous support from faculty and staff from a variety of departments including nutrition, sociology and business. It’s amazing to see the StFX community come together to ensure the success of this conference and help our delegates go home with a new outlook on sustainable agriculture and food security.

-Jane Stevenson, President StFX 4-H Society