2023 Program
The Brooklin Catalyst initiative is an exciting new program aimed at helping and encouraging young people (primarily in the 9-14 age range) who are running or thinking of starting their own business. We offer young local entrepreneurs FREE access to resources and workshops to help them on their way. Our program is first of its kind in Durham region with the goal to inspire and create interest in entrepreneurship in a safe and fun environment. These early skills and mindset will prove to be complementary and invaluable when they enter high school.
All sessions and workshops are FREE and will be held at the Brooklin Community Centre & Library, 8 Vipond Rd., Brooklin between April and November.
Mini Online Showcase
Starting in March, we have a mini showcase series online to highlight a few local young entrepreneurs. Each month, we will focus on a youth business and share the behind-the-scenes on how it all started, key learnings, tips and goals and future growth plans.
Young children often have lots of creative ideas, and often these ideas turn into a hobby, a project, and even a small business. Our goal with the mini showcase is to inspire and help other youths get started. Please join us in sharing their stories HERE.
Kids Startup Workshops
We are very excited to host a new Kid Start-up workshop including two hands-on sessions and a final Pitch session where participants will present their new business plans to the group and a panel of judges. For these workshops, we will be using free Shopify Kids workbooks to go through ideation, branding, marketing, product and audience, finance and more. These kits are a valuable resource for anyone thinking of starting or growing a small business – the workshops are an ideal and easy way of getting up to speed with the content with help on hand! Our workshops are not affiliated with Shopify, and these workbooks are available free to the public. Facilitators and mentors are all volunteers and members of the Optimist Club of Brooklin to support local youths.
Spaces are limited, so to join the Business Startup Workshops, please register your child before March 31, 2023 HERE
Speaker Series
Starting this Fall, we will resume our Speaker Series where local professionals will host learning sessions for youths. Topics will include business planning, finance 101, startup etiquette, events and market 101, etc. Stay tuned for updates!
Contact Us
Be a change agent in our community. Follow and share our program with your local schools, clubs, and groups!
For youth participation, volunteer as a mentor, guest speaker or join the Brooklin Catalyst team, please send us a message and we will be in touch.
Email: brooklincatalyst@gmail.com
Facebook: Brooklincatalyst
Instagram: @brooklincatalst