2015-2016
News Release
REF NO.: 112
SUBJECT: Military transition business boot camp returns to St. John's
DATE: July 20, 2016
Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur (POE), a program of Prince’s Charities Canada, started its seven-day business boot camp for transitioning Canadian Armed Forces members at Memorial University of Newfoundland yesterday.
POE provides business education to transitioning Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans. The program helps military members embarking on their second careers to start their own businesses and create economic and social impacts in their communities.
Initially developed as Based in Business by Enactus Memorial (a community of student, academic and business leaders enabling progress through entrepreneurial action) in 2008, the boot camp provides an opportunity for participants to focus on their next mission and their own success.
Community and student collaboration are key components of the boot camp experience. Throughout the week, professors at Memorial University, on a volunteer basis, share their expertise and industry knowledge in the classroom. Undergraduate students from Enactus Memorial are paired with participants and provide one-on-one guidance to begin crafting plans for their businesses. Strong community support comes from local entrepreneurs who share their experience at networking events and local organizations that contribute to the program through meal sponsorships.
“These military members will be ready to start their second careers,” said Lynn Morrissey, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Business Administration responsible for the genesis of the program, as well as managing training for the week. “At Memorial, we are proud to support military members’ transitions and offer this group of 20 participants the skills and confidence they need to succeed in business.”
One of the military participants, Jody Mitic, a double amputee, author and Ottawa city councillor who served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 20 years, plans to open a gym. The facility will be fully accessible, focused on the inclusivity of children, have a community approach to fitness and be staffed by veterans.
“At boot camp, I hope to develop a plan that will guide me each step along the way to my goal,” said Mr. Mitic. “I’m looking for a map and compass to help me build my business idea.”
POE is the only program of its kind in Canada.
“We have seen many inspiring stories of business success,” said Amanda Sherrington, president and CEO, Prince’s Charities Canada. “His Royal Highness is deeply committed to supporting the military community, for whom he serves as colonel-in-chief to seven regiments.”
Since 2012, 161 businesses have been started by the 250 graduates of the POE boot camps.
About Prince’s Operation enterpreneur
The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur (POE) is a made-in-Canada program of the Prince’s Charities Canada that combines two of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales’ lifelong interests: encouraging entrepreneurship and support for the Canadian Armed Forces. The program’s founding partners are Enactus Memorial, Futurpreneur Canada (offering financing and mentoring to young entrepreneurs) and Prince’s Charities Canada.
POE provides education, mentoring and financing options for transitioning members of the military interested in starting their own business. Supporters of the program include the Government of Canada, True Patriot Love, Wounded Warriors Canada, TD Bank, The John C. and Sally Horsfall Eaton Foundation, BDC, Aimia, Boeing, Garda World, Cobs Bread, Boeing and Via Rail.
For more: www.princesoperationentrepreneur.ca.
About Prince’s Charities Canada
The work of Prince’s Charities Canada (PCC) is focused on the Prince of Wales’s core interests that have been well-established in the United Kingdom for more than 30 years. These include improving the lives of disadvantaged youth, education, responsible business, improving the built environment, regeneration of heritage, environmental sustainability and support for the armed forces. PCC works with existing Canadian charities already connected to Prince Charles and facilitates new opportunities for charitable organizations in Canada and the U.K. to work together.
For more: www.princescharities.ca.
REF NO.: 112
SUBJECT: Military transition business boot camp returns to St. John's
DATE: July 20, 2016
Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur (POE), a program of Prince’s Charities Canada, started its seven-day business boot camp for transitioning Canadian Armed Forces members at Memorial University of Newfoundland yesterday.
POE provides business education to transitioning Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans. The program helps military members embarking on their second careers to start their own businesses and create economic and social impacts in their communities.
Initially developed as Based in Business by Enactus Memorial (a community of student, academic and business leaders enabling progress through entrepreneurial action) in 2008, the boot camp provides an opportunity for participants to focus on their next mission and their own success.
Community and student collaboration are key components of the boot camp experience. Throughout the week, professors at Memorial University, on a volunteer basis, share their expertise and industry knowledge in the classroom. Undergraduate students from Enactus Memorial are paired with participants and provide one-on-one guidance to begin crafting plans for their businesses. Strong community support comes from local entrepreneurs who share their experience at networking events and local organizations that contribute to the program through meal sponsorships.
“These military members will be ready to start their second careers,” said Lynn Morrissey, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Business Administration responsible for the genesis of the program, as well as managing training for the week. “At Memorial, we are proud to support military members’ transitions and offer this group of 20 participants the skills and confidence they need to succeed in business.”
One of the military participants, Jody Mitic, a double amputee, author and Ottawa city councillor who served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 20 years, plans to open a gym. The facility will be fully accessible, focused on the inclusivity of children, have a community approach to fitness and be staffed by veterans.
“At boot camp, I hope to develop a plan that will guide me each step along the way to my goal,” said Mr. Mitic. “I’m looking for a map and compass to help me build my business idea.”
POE is the only program of its kind in Canada.
“We have seen many inspiring stories of business success,” said Amanda Sherrington, president and CEO, Prince’s Charities Canada. “His Royal Highness is deeply committed to supporting the military community, for whom he serves as colonel-in-chief to seven regiments.”
Since 2012, 161 businesses have been started by the 250 graduates of the POE boot camps.
About Prince’s Operation enterpreneur
The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur (POE) is a made-in-Canada program of the Prince’s Charities Canada that combines two of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales’ lifelong interests: encouraging entrepreneurship and support for the Canadian Armed Forces. The program’s founding partners are Enactus Memorial, Futurpreneur Canada (offering financing and mentoring to young entrepreneurs) and Prince’s Charities Canada.
POE provides education, mentoring and financing options for transitioning members of the military interested in starting their own business. Supporters of the program include the Government of Canada, True Patriot Love, Wounded Warriors Canada, TD Bank, The John C. and Sally Horsfall Eaton Foundation, BDC, Aimia, Boeing, Garda World, Cobs Bread, Boeing and Via Rail.
For more: www.princesoperationentrepreneur.ca.
About Prince’s Charities Canada
The work of Prince’s Charities Canada (PCC) is focused on the Prince of Wales’s core interests that have been well-established in the United Kingdom for more than 30 years. These include improving the lives of disadvantaged youth, education, responsible business, improving the built environment, regeneration of heritage, environmental sustainability and support for the armed forces. PCC works with existing Canadian charities already connected to Prince Charles and facilitates new opportunities for charitable organizations in Canada and the U.K. to work together.
For more: www.princescharities.ca.
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