Amara, a Grade 9 student, has a business idea. Lots of her classmates own sneakers they love, but the shoes get dirty fast. She wants to start Sole Revival, a sneaker-cleaning service. Students drop off their shoes at lunch on Monday and pick them up clean on Wednesday. She has worked out that she needs $360 to start: a cleaning kit, a drying rack, some flyers and a folding table. She has saved $160. So where does the other $200 come from? And who can she ask when she gets stuck? This lesson is about the help that is out there for young entrepreneurs, and how to ask for it.
Two kinds of support: money and know-how
Support is anything that helps a venture get started or grow. It comes in two kinds. Financial support is money: savings, loans, gifts, grants and prizes. Non-financial support is help that is not money: advice, skills, contacts, equipment you can borrow, or a place to sell. New entrepreneurs often think only about money. But advice from someone who has done it before can save you more money than a small loan would give you.
| Support | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Personal savings | Your own money, from a job, gifts or allowance | You keep full control and owe nothing. It is often the first money in. |
| Family and friends | A gift or a small loan from people who know you | Write down the amount and when you will pay it back, so no one is confused later. |
| Mentors | An experienced person who gives advice for free | A mentor might be a family friend who runs a shop, or a volunteer from a community program. |
| School and community programs | Business clubs, library workshops, community centre programs | Often free. They teach skills and connect you with mentors. |
| Youth entrepreneurship programs and competitions | Programs and contests run by non-profits, colleges and governments | Some give coaching, some give prize money, and some give both. |
| Crowdfunding | Raising small amounts from many people online | Backers often pre-pay for your product. Most platforms require an adult to run the account. |
| Small grants and pitch competitions | Money you do not repay, if you qualify or win | You usually must apply, meet rules, and pitch your idea. |
Why access to resources and mentorship matters
Access means being able to reach and use something. Two students can have equally good ideas, but one has a parent who runs a business, savings in the bank, and a laptop at home. The other has none of these. The first student starts with a big head start. Some groups face extra barriers (things that block the way), such as young people, newcomers to Canada, Indigenous entrepreneurs, women, racialized people, people with disabilities and people in rural areas. A barrier might be less money to start, fewer business contacts, or no one nearby who has done it before.
- Mentors share know-how. They help you avoid common mistakes and answer questions you did not know to ask.
- Networks open doors. A mentor can introduce you to a supplier, a customer or a program.
- Confidence grows. Seeing someone like you succeed makes it easier to try.
- Fair access helps everyone. When more people can start ventures, communities get more jobs, more choice and more new ideas. That is why many programs are designed for groups that face barriers.
How a pitch helps you secure support
A pitch is a short, persuasive talk that explains your business idea and asks for something. Almost every support on this page involves a pitch of some kind. A pitch competition is a pitch on a stage. A grant application is a pitch on paper. Even asking an aunt for a $100 loan is a pitch at the kitchen table. A good pitch shows three things: you understand the problem, you have a real plan, and you know exactly what you need. Supporters say yes when they can see where their money or time will go.