JA Company Program Yearbook 2020-21
Here’s a yearbook for our 2020-21 Company Program!
Here’s a yearbook for our 2020-21 Company Program!
Taylor McRae
My four years as a Company Program student opened the doors to a wealth of opportunities. Throughout my time with the program, I had fabulous mentors like Karen Chafe, Omar Hamid & Robert Atkinson, among many others. During the program, I was also able to chat frequently with Lesley Quesnelle and Bev Robinson, who were always more than willing to share their wealth of knowledge with students like me. My favourite memories include end-of-term trips to InfoTech, which certainly upped the ante of final board meetings and always included a tour of the inspiring facility. Experiences like this helped me to shape what I looked for in a future career and how I wanted to show up and perform each day. My favourite product made during my time in the Company Program was with the company ‘Centsibility’ during my final year in the program. Our company focused on a simple product, the ‘Save, Spend, Share Jars’ coupled with a financial literacy program. The term felt like a great finale to a wonderful four years.
In my final two years of Company Program, I also spent time volunteering and then later working with Camp Business Basics and Camp CEO. The six weeks of camp each summer were always so inspiring to see kids brainstorm, produce, and then sell their products each week on an ultra-accelerated timeline. Regardless of monetary success, everyone walked away each week having learned something, which was phenomenal to see.
I have also been lucky since moving to Ottawa to volunteer on and off with Company Program. Albert Wong, director of JA Ottawa leads a phenomenal team delivering JA programming across the city. I have volunteered with JA Ottawa both in person and as a virtual mentor during the pandemic. Working with students via the program never ceases to amaze and inspire me, as each year students come back with bigger, better and more brilliant ideas than ever before.
My favourite pieces of advice to give to high school students are a) to take their time and b) to try a little bit of everything.
We truly live in a world of specialisation, and this can be somewhat to our detriment. While it is different from my direct experience, from my time working as a student advisor during university, I’ve learned that taking an extra year or two to take time between high school and university/college/trades school can make a world of difference and save someone thousands of dollars. High school goes by in the blink of an eye, and what you think you want at 17 or 18 will most likely be different from what you want at 22 or 27.
My second piece of advice is to try a little bit of everything is something to hone in on while in high school: try as many clubs as possible, say yes to different experiences, and seek out programs like JA. What this will do is give you the chance to explore what you like and who you are outside of the classroom, which in turn will help you to shape what you might like to do in the future.
Everyone always thought I’d be a lawyer, even I. I had always done horseback riding, so when I got to university, naturally, I joined the school’s team. As part of being on the team, we had to host one competition annually. Throughout doing so for four years, I fell in love with competition organising. Coming out of my undergrad, there was an opportunity to be an event assistant at Wesley Clover Parks. I continued that work through my master’s and now today, after a brief time away writing grants and funding for a major defence company, I am back at Wesley Clover Parks doing something I love every day. Had I not participated in extracurriculars, I would’ve never discovered a way to pursue my passion as a career.uable, providing better preparation for life and future careers, regardless of the chosen industry.
Graham Pedregosa
I was the President of a Cookie Mix company in Grade 11 and learned so many real-world professional skills, such as office management, understanding corporate finance, board meeting essentials, and stakeholder relations. I also had the opportunity to win the JA 2013 Peter Mansbridge Positive Change Award, where JA sent me to Toronto to attend the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.
The JA Company Program is an amazing resource for secondary school students to prepare themselves for the real world. It opened a lot of doors that, looking back, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve without the skills I gained from JA.
Looking back on my time in the JA Company Program from Grade 10 to 12, I’m filled with appreciation for the experiences and growth it gave me. Over those three years, I was fortunate to take on multiple roles, including President. Each offering new challenges and opportunities. Whether it was running meetings, collaborating on product development, learning the ins and outs of sales and customer service, or simply figuring out how to work effectively as a team—I was constantly learning. The program gave me an incredible hands-on introduction to business, but more than that, it gave me confidence. By the time I stepped into university, I already had a solid foundation—and a passion—for business that continues to grow. I’m incredibly grateful for the foundation JA gave me. I always encourage young aspiring entrepreneurs to get involved in JA. It’s an unforgettable opportunity to learn, lead, and lay the groundwork for your future.
My biggest advice to high school students is this: don’t rush into deciding your future—explore. High school is the perfect time to try new things, gain a variety of experiences, and really discover what excites you. Even though it can feel like there’s pressure to choose a career path early, now is actually the time to experiment, learn, and see what truly sparks your interest. We spend a significant part of our adult lives working, so ideally, you want to find something you genuinely enjoy. That takes time, and the best way to figure it out is by trying as many different things as you can. Programs like JA are a great example. Even if you’re not sure business or entrepreneurship is “your thing,” the experiences and lessons you gain—teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and communication—are valuable in any path you choose. You might even discover something you hadn’t considered before. Be curious, be open, and give yourself the space to grow through experience. You don’t have to have it all figured out right now.
One specific story from this year was helping a student with post-secondary guidance as they were considering how they wanted to incorporate business into a future career! As a mentor, it was a great chance to see them want to turn this extracurricular activity into a career.
I would say try something out of your comfort zone. Apply for an executive position at a club, or learn a new sport, but try to always be learning and exploring.
I was the President of a Cookie Mix company in Grade 11 and learned so many real-world professional skills, such as office management, understanding corporate finance, board meeting essentials, and stakeholder relations. I also had the opportunity to win the JA 2013 Peter Mansbridge Positive Change Award, where JA sent me to Toronto to attend the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.
The JA Company Program is an amazing resource for secondary school students to prepare themselves for the real world. It opened a lot of doors that, looking back, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve without the skills I gained from JA.
I was in three companies, making everything from stainless steel serving trays to mugs made from liquor bottles, but the one that excited me most was working for a radio company, doing surveys for a Windsor radio station and doing weekly high school reports on the air. It helped me into a university program (Communication Studies) and my first career, working 10 years in the radio industry.
Be open-minded to ideas. Be resilient.
I got involved in JA in 1971 mostly because my older sister was a member. I was in a company for 4 years, starting with Jarwil in 1971, making Pen sets with antique model cars mounted on a base. That year, we won Product of the Year. In 1974, I won President of the Year as a member of the JA company Jalopy. In 1974 and 1975, I was elected President of the JA Council. During those years, JA was not only a place to learn about business, but was also very active in involving members in social activities. We ran dances, bowling nights and many more social events. During my years as president, I organized school visits to promote JA, organized and ran the Wellington Mall annual display and many other activities.
Callie Sweet
My experience with JA started with the summer camp back when it was still called Business Basics. I attended the camp for two years. Later, in high school, I participated in the Company Program.
I was the VP of Marketing for the Roseate Collection 2021-2022 Company Program, driving change in the mental health community through a love of reading by selling bookmarks featuring positive affirmations and building an online community of readers.
I was also the President of the Spark Change Club 2022-2023 Company Program, facilitating community partnerships to raise money and awareness surrounding the devastating February 2022 earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.
In 2022, I was recognized as VP of Marketing of the Year in the JASWO charter. In 2023, I was honoured with the Brayl Copp Business Leader Award. In both years, I received the Company Leadership Award and represented my company at the Dragons’ Lair Trade Show and Pitch Competition.
After graduating from the Company Program, I returned to JA as a Summer Camp Counsellor to share my love for entrepreneurship and to inspire campers.
JA continues to be a fantastic way to connect with like-minded individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a drive for social change. I made some of my closest friends and professional connections through the JA community, and the mentorship of fellow members of the JA network has helped me launch my future career in marketing.
My advice for high school students is to participate in activities related to their future career aspirations. It’s an excellent opportunity to explore their interests and gain experience that will be beneficial in the future.
Emilio Villamar
My JA experience was one that I am greatly thankful to have experienced. Having started later than many other members on my first team, everyone was just as welcoming and excited to share their knowledge. Gaining a VP position in my first year through the help of encouraging mentors really helped me explore new areas that I had previously never considered. The teamwork that was experienced throughout the years was really amazing, and many friendships that were made from those years persist to this day. In my last year, I was really able to get the most out of the experience through a fantastic team and mentors who really encouraged our creativity and leadership opportunities that really allowed me to gain the experience and knowledge that have greatly helped me today.
Enjoy your time to the max! The memories made with friends and peers are the best. Keep working hard and have fun.
I didn’t really know much about JA until a long-time mentor, Omar Hamid, presented the idea at our workplace. I was a young salesperson, looking to establish myself and I passed on the opportunity for a few years. I finally decided I would give it a shot one year, and now it’s been over 15 years.
I have had the pleasure of working with some amazing companies over those years. Every year is very different and I enjoy learning something new along with sharing my wisdom and experience with the achievers and the mentors. In my time I have also experienced seeing achievers move on to be successful entrepreneurs which gives me great satisfaction.
Honestly, this is a real experience. In school, you can learn about business, but with JA you get to become an entrepreneur, and there’s no replacement for that experience. You’re either going to get that experience when you finish school or get it while you’re in school, so why not get a head start?
I joined the JA Company Program following a recommendation from a friend who had a great experience the year before. I remember being so nervous leading up to the first night. I had never joined anything like it and didn’t know any of the other students in my group/company. The leaders were fantastic, I quickly became comfortable and volunteered to be a leader of the company.
We made rice bags for hot and cold use and I became the purchaser of all the materials for our company. I quickly learned how to price out supplies needed to ensure we had the most amount of profit possible and our company worked hard on creating the product. I even used my past sewing experience to help train others in the company. It was a blast all year long and I looked forward to going every week to be with my new friends and build our company. The year ended with a weekend at a hotel with special events which was a fantastic way to end the year. My clearest memory from that weekend was having the power to punch through a wooden board and having a feeling of empowerment.
Explore things you find of interest despite what your friend’s groups are doing. Being different and learning about yourself is rewarding and allows you to experience new things and meet great people.
I’ve been involved with the JA Company Program during all my years of high school. Starting from Grade 9, my company made eco-friendly tree kits for consumers to plant. That year I was elected VP of Technology and we had a fun year. In Grade 10, I was part of an online company, where we sold workbooks for kids and parents to use if they were bored. Grade 11 was one of my most memorable years. That year, I was part of a company called Roof as the VP of Sales. Our main focus was to help homeless youth by supporting a non-profit in London, ON called Youth Opportunities Unlimited. We did this by selling a tote bag with a custom design and donating 33% of our profits to the organization. As the VP of Sales, I had to ensure that everyone reached their sales goal and monitored how to ensure the products reached the salespeople as the company was completely remote. That year, all the members were very motivated and we had great team spirit. We communicated frequently, not just about business, but we also became genuine friends (who I still talk to today) who urged each other to do better. Because of the motivation, each member surpassed their sales goals and we did well in all aspects! This hard work paid off as we won Company of the Year and were the best social enterprise in all of Canada. I won Sales VP of the Year, and this experience helped teach me a lot about how company morale matters. In Grade 12, I became President of my company. Although we had some struggles, mainly regarding team confidence, I was able to push my team to succeed and perform well. In the end, we succeeded in developing a successful company. I believe the skills learned helped me to achieve President of the Year and also provided insight into leadership and my future professional life.
JA gave me dozens of amazing opportunities. I was able to volunteer and speak about my Company Program experience at the Canadian Business Hall of Fame and the London & District Business Hall of Fame. These events were a great insight into the real business world and have motivated me to hopefully one day be invited back! JA has given me a lot of experience and made me love entrepreneurship, so much so that I have decided to pursue business in the future!
Sometimes the struggle is part of the process and you need to be able to overcome it to see how far you’ve come.
In JA In-Class workshops, I learned the fundamentals of business processes, including cost of goods, pricing, markup, sales production, and bottlenecks. The following year, we built on these concepts by creating business plans, finding suppliers, managing staffing and sales, setting prices, calculating break-even points, and handling marketing, advertising, and inventory management. We applied the knowledge from this to sell chocolate bars at recess to fellow students. I remember the excitement from students who enjoyed the preparation and planning when calculating how we could succeed.
I learned about the JA Company Program from an in-class workshop hosted in my high school business class. I remember pitching ducktape wallets to my group, and our team began our work from there. Shortly into deliberation, we were encouraged to expand our horizons and be creative. We then pivoted into ducktape book bags. I was voted to be the CEO of Rainstorm Co. (the name was based on the idea that we would be keeping books dry in the rain). Going into production, we found that our early samples did not look promising as a sellable product. One of my friends had a great idea that got us off the ground with an idea that would work, with creative and custom phone cases. This was the era when custom phone cases were very desirable and trendy. We now had a great product to sell and began offering these to fellow students at our school.
There are two things I would share:
Ask Questions. I struggled tremendously with asking questions about anything when I was in class. I thought it made me look stupid when I showed that I didn’t know something. Little did I know that I would ask questions every day to people who were around me. Not knowing is never a problem; not learning is always a problem.
Just try it. I wish I had taken some chances and tried some programs that I was curious about. As an unsure and anxious kid in high school, I didn’t jump for some truly unique experiences that I now regret missing.
During my time at JA, we created products such as candles, gift baskets, stress balls, clear organizers, and magnetic dry-erase boards. Even though it has been over 24 years, the lessons and skills I gained from JA remain relevant and impactful in my life. It was truly a transformative experience for me.
The CANJAC and OJAC conferences provided beautiful memories and experiences, including the unforgettable moment from the conference, “Are you a turtle?”. The laughter, the fun, and the valuable lessons from both our successful and unsuccessful products were unforgettable.
My advice to high school students is to seize every opportunity that comes your way. We are fortunate to have access to numerous opportunities that might not be available in other parts of the world. Build your connections, start small, start early, and start now!
The Company Program was a regular part of my week for all four years of high school. The program was an opportunity for me to connect with awesome mentors and peers from other schools who I would otherwise never have met. I am still connected with many of these people.
It was also an opportunity for me to learn the basics about how a business works; from ideation through to sourcing, marketing, and sales. And perhaps most importantly, it’s where I honed my sales skills and built confidence in my interpersonal skills. It was an invaluable experience that gave me the confidence to launch my own business which I still operate today with my team.
If you are interested in business, give the Company Program a try, and dive in head first. Today’s leaders will be tomorrow’s leaders… so be a leader!
I joined JA when I was in Grade 10 in High School. A person I know from high school was involved with JA and he recommended it to me. I went to one of the early meetings, and I really enjoyed it. I attended 3 provincial conferences and 2 national conferences and among other benefits, I met an international delegate from Barbados and we are still good comrades to this day, I have visited Barbados at least 5 times with plans to go back soon.
I participated in Toastmasters, which was one of the extra programs offered on Saturday Mornings. I was actually successful in our internal competition and was a guest speaker at our end-of-the-year banquet for all the JA attendees- back then it was called “FUB” which stood for Future Unlimited Banquet.
The only advice I can offer to students in high school right now is to get involved in any activities you can without letting those activities affect your marks. I got involved with the school canteen in grade 9, I was involved with building a float for a major parade in our city, and running the school newspaper long before laser printers even existed.
I joined JA in Grade 10 based on a tip from a friend who said it was a place to make money. Little did I know, the experience would lead to so much more. As a student, I loved learning about the different elements of entrepreneurship. Highlights included conducting sales training as VP of Sales for our at-home herb gardens, smashing our goals winning VP Sales of the Year, and attending the Next Generation’s Leaders conference and connecting with national and international JA students. Another favourite memory I had was attending and speaking at the Canadian Business Hall of Fame as a Deloitte Inspiration Award Recipient.
(1) Apply for scholarships and awards. (2) Success is great, but you’ll learn a lot more from mistakes. Don’t be afraid of failure, just be ready to learn from it. (3) Put yourself out there and make connections with your peers, they could be your business partners in the future!
I had a fantastic time at JA! We created these clocks made of fabric, wood, and lace. I was the VP of Production for a time until I stepped down due to other responsibilities. I made many great friends there, and the mentors offered incredible advice. I still speak with a couple of people from that program from time to time. It was a wonderful experience where I made friends, gained confidence and learned a lot!
Learn to be a great teammate and possibly a mentor some day. It’ll take you far.
From a very young age, I was entrepreneurial but maybe didn’t recognize it in myself. I created a monthly newspaper for my street selling Ads for $0.50, restarted my school canteen to resell Kernel’s popcorn, and created little websites from scratch. It wasn’t until my experience with JA though that I really got an opportunity to build with others. After lots of promising ideas, we created a holiday candle product we knew we could sell. I can still remember being in the London office after school assembling kits, talking through pricing and then ultimately bringing some home to sell. Proof of concept! My time in the Company Program was also pre-social media, so I remember fondly that JA was such an important part of growing my own social network and skills. I made new friends – some I’m still in touch from time-to-time with today!
There are an endless amount of opportunities out there work-wise including ones you create for yourself so trying different activities or skills is such a great way of deciding what you don’t want to do as much as what you want to. All of the experiences – whether it’s extracurricular, work, sports or other – you collect are going to help you create a unique journey for yourself – so just keep at it.
I have great memories as an Achieve in the program in Trinidad and in Mississauga. One year our company in Mississauga our JA company ran a store in a mall (Erin Mills Town Center) and charged all of the other JA companies a fee to have their products in our store and a commission for anything sold.
As a volunteer over the past 29 years I’ve had the pleasure and honor to work with amazing Achievers, Volunteers and Sponsors. Coaching and mentoring Achievers is truly rewarding! Volunteering with JA has also continued to help me grow as a leader, business professional, and as a person. I continue to learn from the Achievers and Volunteers I work with every year! One of the highlights for me was attending 15 NGL/CANJAC! This was a great opportunity to work, learn and collaborate with achievers and volunteers from around the world! It’s great seeing many of the achievers I embark on their own entrepreneurial journey. JA continues to be a huge part of my life and my success!
Constantly seek out new experiences. Join clubs, try out for sports teams, volunteer. You will learn more about yourself and the world by fully participating.
Embrace Challenges, see them as opportunities to learn and grow. Even if you can’t overcome a challenge, you’ll still develop as a person.
Set Goals (SMART). Goals are the outcome you are hoping to achieve. After setting your goals, build your strategy and tactics to achieve these goals. What will you do, when, how. Constantly evaluate your progress and adjust your strategies and tactics as needed. Celebrate your millstone successes!
Read, or listen to podcasts, Develop an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a trait of lifelong learning.
My four years as a company program student open the doors to a wealth of opportunities. Throughout my time with the program I had fabulous mentors like Karen Chafe, Omar Hamid & Robert Atkinson among many others. During the program I also was able to chat frequently with Lesley Quesnelle and Bev Robinson who were always more than willing to share their wealth of knowledge with students like myself. My favourite memories include end of term trips to InfoTech which certainly upped the ante of final board meetings and always included a tour of the inspiring facility. Experiences like this helped me to shape what I looked for in a future career and how I wanted to show up and perform each day. My favourite product made during my time in company program was with the company ‘Centsibility’ during my final year in the program. Our company focused on a simple product, the ‘Save, Spend, Share Jars’ coupled with a financial literacy program. The term felt like a great finale to a wonderful four years.
In my final two years of company program I also spent time volunteering and then later working with Camp Business Basics and Camp CEO. The six weeks of camp each summer were always so inspiring to see kids brainstorm, produce, and then sell their products each week on an ultra accelerated timeline. Regardless of monetary success everyone walked away each week having learned something which was phenomenal to see.
I have also been lucky since moving to Ottawa to volunteer on and off with Company Program. Albert Wong, director of JA Ottawa leads a phenomenal team delivering JA programming across the city. I have volunteered with JA Ottawa both in person and also as a virtual mentor during the pandemic. Working with students via the program never ceases to amaze and inspire me as each year students come back with bigger, better and more brilliant ideas than ever before.
My favourite pieces of advice to give to high school students are a) to take their time and b) to try a little bit of everything.
We truly live in a world of specialization and this can be somewhat to our detriment. While it is different from my direct experience, from my time working as a student advisor during university I’ve learned that taking an extra year or two to take time between high school and university/college/trades school can make a world of difference and save someone thousands of dollars. Highschool goes by in the blink of an eye and what you think you want at 17 or 18 will most likely be different than what you want at 22 or 27.
My second piece of advice to try a little bit of everything is something to hone in on while in high school, try as many clubs as possible, say yes to different experiences, and seek out programs like JA. What this will do is give you the chance to explore what you like and who you are outside of the classroom which in turn will help you to shape what you might like to do in the future.
Everyone always thought I’d be a lawyer, even myself. I had always done horseback riding so when I got to university, naturally, I joined the school’s team. As part of being on the team, we had to host one competition annually. Over the course of doing so for four years, I fell in love with competition organizing. Coming out of my undergrad there was an opportunity to be an event assistant at Wesley Clover Parks. I continued that work through my masters and now today after a brief time away writing grants and funding for a major defense company, I am back at Wesley Clover Parks doing something I love every day. Had I not participated in extracurriculars I would’ve never discovered a way to pursue my passion as a career.uable, providing better preparation for life and future careers, regardless of the chosen industry.
My experience with JA started with the summer camp back when it was still called Business Basics. I attended the camp for two years. Later, in high school, I participated in the Company Program.
I was the VP of Marketing for the Roseate Collection 2021-2022 Company Program, driving change in the mental health community through a love of reading by selling bookmarks featuring positive affirmations and building an online community of readers.
I was also the President of the Spark Change Club 2022-2023 Company Program, facilitating community partnerships to raise money and awareness surrounding the devastating February 2022 earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.
In 2022, I was recognized as VP of Marketing of the Year in the JASWO charter. In 2023, I was honoured with the Brayl Copp Business Leader Award. In both years I received the Company Leadership Award and represented my company at the Dragons’ Lair Trade Show and Pitch Competition.
After graduating from the Company Program, I returned to JA as a Summer Camp Counsellor to share my love for entrepreneurship and to inspire campers.
JA continues to be a fantastic way to connect with like-minded individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a drive for social change. I made some of my closest friends and professional connections through the JA community, and the mentorship of fellow members of the JA network has helped me launch my future career in marketing.
My advice for high school students is to participate in activities related to their future career aspirations. It’s an excellent opportunity to explore their interests and gain experience that will be beneficial in the future.
We lived in a Steel town, and our product was pen set made out of a railway tie made from scrap metal from Sydney Steel. We got the product for free. We had to file it down to a smooth product and drill holes for pens, and then sent the product to be dipped in chrome. Once returned we attached the pens and sold it for $16.95. A student’s dad’s company did the chrome for us, but we ended up getting a large amount of pre-orders, and they got overwhelmed with the amount they were doing for us, so they increased the cost. Our issue was now we didn’t feel we could increase our prices on the pre-orders. At the end of the day, we broke even, but didn’t make any money and we didn’t manage to fulfill all of the orders. We won best product of the year nationally and I won Comptroller of the year and The Schulich Award for Entrepreneurship scholarship of $1500.
Money is the one subject that doesn’t seem to get taught to students, whether it’s through parents or the school system. I would encourage high school students to learn basic money management concepts. Learn about how to use credit cards properly, what a credit score is and why it’s important, budgeting, and what to do today to reach long term goals such as buying a home and retirement. The internet has amazing content and courses, and parents are a good resource to have money conversations.
I feel that money is still considered a taboo topic and my company’s mission is to normalize money conversations. Learn how money works, learn how to save before spending, paying yourself first, and how compound interest works. I believe parents can start teaching simple strategies as early as 5 years old with allowances to teach these topics and more. Money is a tool and should be used to teach kids and young adults today for preparing for the future.
I would let kids know that it’s important to understand that we have an relationship with money and the better our relationship with money is, the more money we will have. I would tell students that making money isn’t the goal. The goal is the freedom and opportunities that money offers, and making money and managing it properly is vital to having the life you want in the future.
I wish I really understood how compound interest and investing worked when I was younger and took advantage of being young and investing early. Even though I met with Financial advisors in my 20s they weren’t explaining it in terms that I understood and I felt embarrassed that I didn’t understand what they were telling me. When I saw my investment lose money, I took it out. lol.
So today, I make sure I teach young people about why money is a critical tool to learn how to use and how it impacts every aspect of your life and something you need everyday for the rest of your life.
As the controller of my JA Company, I learned about bookkeeping. I have always enjoyed working with numbers and today educating others on how to manage their own money can be directly related to my experience with JA, especially when I work with entrepreneurs.
JA really helped me to come out of my shell and sparked my entreneurship journey! I remember making chalkboards one year, wine bottle holder another and metal bookmarks and necklaces another year. I remember going to Montreal for CANJAC where I got to meet other JA students from around the world.
Check out programs like JA as early as you can as it’s going to benefit you in more ways than one.
I participated in two years of the Company Program. The first year I was super shy but by the second year I took on the role of president for my company. Both years my company sold the same product; A Night at the Movies at Home. This included a large popcorn bowl with two cans of pop, two bags of microwaveable popcorn, two chocolate bars and a coupon for pizza. It was $10 and probably weighed 10 pounds as we walked door-to-door and neighbourhood to neighbourhood. 😉
Try out as many different things in your life as possible. Maybe that’s a business idea, maybe that’s exploring a topic you know nothing about or engaging with a group of people you don’t think you have anything in common with.
If you think that you have a talent or an idea, and imagining yourself living in a way where you get to act that talent or idea out makes you excited and nervous at the same time, you owe it to yourself to move one step closer in the direction of that calling to see what happens.
Also, you can reinvent your life as many times as you want!
I have never stopped being an entrepreneur since my days at Junior Achievement. From a vegan cupcake business in University to a Coworking Community Space out of an old farmhouse, I continue to explore and create businesses that reflect my passions and human needs.
Junior Achievement taught me that you can get started with just a piece of paper and an idea. You don’t need an elaborate business plan. You don’t need a team. You just need to believe in a vision and take that first action towards making it real.
The one year the first product we made was gold spray-painted Christmas wreaths made of old computer punch cards. The second one I can remember was coasters made of plastic that was shaped in a mold. In my second year I was vice president, likely of production, as we had no HR in those days. I remember the banquets at the Ivanhoe Curling Club and other small parties we held on site. I actually met a boy there from another high school (Beal) that I started to date (for over a year), which was just before I met my husband. I attended Beck Secondary School during the time I was a member.
Get as much varied experiences as you can while you’re young!
Zoe’s JA journey began with the JA summer camp at the age of 11. They attended the camp for three consecutive summers, crafting various items and forming cherished memories. Over the years, they transitioned from camper to volunteer and then to camp counsellor, spending five summers in roles that helped shape the experiences of other young participants. In addition to their camp involvement, Zoe participated in the JA Company Program twice during high school, where their teams created products like infinity scarves and bath bombs. Their commitment to JA extended to mentoring a JA Ottawa team during their time at the university, and they have continued to be involved with JA in various capacities.
Zoe encourages high school students not to fear failure. They emphasize that taking risks and attempting challenging tasks can lead to valuable learning experiences, regardless of the outcome. Zoe’s journey with JA, which took them out of their comfort zone and provided opportunities to build confidence and explore new possibilities, serves as a testament to the personal growth that can come from embracing challenges.
Maysee’s introduction to JA occurred during a high school business class presentation, sparking her interest in the Company Program. In her first year as the VP of Marketing, Maysee’s team developed the Catch Board, a practical and aesthetically pleasing product made from repurposed pallets. The success of this venture, winning Best Product and being a JA Dragon’s Lair Finalist, set the stage for Maysee’s impactful JA journey. In her second year, the team created Arbor’s Art, overcoming challenges and earning Maysee the Top 20 Under 40 Junior Achiever award.
Maysee encourages students to seize opportunities and take advantage of what comes their way. Drawing from her own experiences, including hosting a show on Rogers TV, creating a short film with a professional production company, and helping build two companies through JA, she emphasizes the importance of going for opportunities, even if they seem daunting. Maysee’s advice underscores the potential for personal growth and unique experiences that come from embracing opportunities.
Theresa’s JA journey was marked by three diverse product ventures, each contributing to her personal and professional growth. The success of Strength in Strings, winning Company of the Year locally and representing at the national level, stands out as a highlight. The experience of meeting people from around the world at the Success Summit in Calgary left an indelible mark on Theresa.
Theresa’s advice to high school students centers on pushing oneself beyond perceived limits. She emphasizes that confidence is built, not born, and encourages students to explore their full potential by stepping out of their comfort zones. Theresa’s own experience with JA and beyond serves as a testament to the transformative power of pushing one’s boundaries.
Brittany’s JA experience was marked by three unique years, each contributing to her personal and professional growth. The first year involved creating customizable greeting cards and teaching Brittany about leadership, inventory management, and quality control. This experience pushed her out of her comfort zone, building confidence and resilience. The second year as the President of Jac and the Bean Bag allowed her to deepen her understanding of leadership and team management. The third year, selling copper bookmarks and handmade paper, showcased her versatility as she took on the roles of VP of HR and VP of Accounting, fostering her interest in HR.
Brittany’s advice to high school students emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience alongside academic learning. She highlights that practical, real-world experience in trying things out is invaluable, providing better preparation for life and future careers, regardless of the chosen industry.
Casey’s memories of JA include a small but competitive group, emphasizing teamwork, competitiveness, and camaraderie. The rural setting of Strathroy created a unique bonding experience for the team. The reheatable wheat bag not only demonstrated their entrepreneurial spirit but also provided a practical and popular product. Casey highlights the fun and teamwork as the most enjoyable aspects of her JA experience.
Casey’s advice to high school students centers on being open to change and taking chances. She encourages students to recognize that it’s okay to change their paths and forge new ones, emphasizing the flexibility to evolve and adapt. Casey’s own experiences of changing directions in life serve as a testament to the value of being open-minded and willing to take risks.
Enthusiastically joining JA during a presentation in her grade 11 accounting class, Dana’s three-year experience in the Company Program was transformative. She not only gained valuable business skills but also developed leadership, communication, and technical abilities. The products her JA team created – a book holder, cotton roll-up organizer, and a memo cork board – reflect the practical, hands-on nature of the program. Dana’s retention of the memo board highlights the lasting impact of her JA journey.
Dana’s advice to current high school students centers on financial literacy. She emphasizes the importance of taking the initiative to learn about finances from various sources, including parents, friends, and business professionals. This advice reflects the practical knowledge Dana gained through JA and suggests a proactive approach to personal and financial education.
Keith’s JA journey involved the manufacturing of four products: a spaghetti measurer, a panda bear shelf, a telephone book cover, and a back scratcher. His active participation in JA extended to attending two EPJACS and one CANJAC. Notably, he achieved recognition in the JA Celanese 1986 public speaking and essay contest for Ontario, securing the 2nd position. Keith’s connection with JA continued over the years, seeking advice from the late Paul Almond, which significantly influenced his career choices. Winning the JA Bursary in 1986 and several other awards underscored the impact JA had on Keith’s early career.
Keith’s advice to high school students emphasizes passion, skill diversification, and gratitude for each day. Encouraging students to be passionate and skilled in multiple disciplines aligns with their own journey in JA and beyond. This advice reflects a holistic approach to personal and professional development.
Laura’s participation in the JA Company Program between 1998-2002 in Strathroy left a lasting impact on her. She gained practical exposure to marketing, human resources, and business development, laying the groundwork for her future career. The lessons of maximizing resources, valuing individuals, and adapting plans to real-world conditions have stayed with her. Her company’s success and acknowledgment, potentially winning Company of the Year, showcase the practical application of JA principles.
The highlight of Laura’s JA journey was her attendance at the Canadian National Junior Achievement Conference in Calgary in 2001. This experience, combined with her commitment to the program, likely played a crucial role in shaping her perspectives on business and leadership.
Laura’s advice to high school students is valuable and echoes the essence of JA’s mission. She emphasizes the importance of involvement, curiosity, and seizing opportunities. Her own experiences demonstrate that saying yes to chances, being genuinely curious, and learning from both successes and failures can lead to unexpected and rewarding paths.
Over four years at JA, Ryanna was deeply involved in various aspects of the program, including holding senior positions in the JA companies she formed, such as VP of Marketing and President. Her journey was marked by unique challenges and successes, with her third year being conducted entirely virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, she adapted to the new circumstances, emphasizing leadership with compassion and a focus on her team’s well-being. In her final year, she shifted her focus from numbers to people. She achieved remarkable success in terms of competition results and team relationships. Throughout her JA experience, she learned essential skills like innovation, communication, and motivation, with a strong belief in the importance of caring for one’s team.
Ryanna’s advice to students based on her JA experience centers on the idea that true leadership is about genuinely caring for and wanting the best for one’s team. She stressed the value of people as a company’s greatest asset. Her approach, which emphasized building strong relationships and prioritizing her team’s well-being, proved more valuable than sales or competition success.
Sheila’s Junior Achievement experience did not involve a specific program. Still, she learned a lot about business, gained confidence, and found the motivation to pave her own path. Although she didn’t become an entrepreneur, she attributes her success to the knowledge and skills she acquired during her JA participation.
Sheila’s advice to high school students is to embrace mistakes as valuable learning experiences. She encourages students to step out of their comfort zones, emphasizing that the more uncomfortable it feels, the more they learn about themselves. Sheila also advises students not to be afraid of taking risks, as the pace of their success often depends on their willingness to accept risks.
Brad’s initial connection with JA dates back to 1972-1976 when he was a student in the Company Program in Brantford, Ontario. His JA experience ignited his entrepreneurial spirit, leading him to establish multiple businesses in technology, systems integration, publishing, and insurance despite not having a formal post-secondary education.
Aspiring high school entrepreneurs should study finance and law as a foundational base for business success and to develop a voracious reading habit, which has proven to be invaluable for him achieving success.
