“Looking back on my first start-up venture, I wish I had the chance to integrate with other entrepreneurs and build an entrepreneurial community earlier. I can’t say enough about surrounding yourself with support. Having people around you who are going through the same thing is critical to survive the rollercoaster of start-up life.”

“I have benefited greatly from the support I received from my Futurpreneur Canada mentor John Craig. He has been an invaluable resource for my business and a sounding board for any ideas. I really feel that he understands my business and gives me great insight into the path to success.”

“Being an entrepreneur in the start-up stage has a stunning effect. No one arrives there alone. You have to communicate your passion and encourage other players to follow suit. Being an entrepreneur is not so easy, so you must ensure that the small decisions you make every day will make you happy. - Félix Marzell”

“It’s all about surrounding yourself with good people. That is one of the most valuable assets you can have. Your idea may be great, but it is very seldom that your idea alone can take you to the top. You need to have the right people who share the same vision. Once that is accomplished, the rest will start to fall into place.”

“Being an entrepreneur means you have the power to do something no one has ever done before. You have the ability to improve the way things work and ultimately dream of a better tomorrow. Your actions can inspire others to make a difference. It’s an incredible feeling.”

“Know your market. A business plan isn’t just for the banks! A lot of time should be taken researching your business. Support is offered by many levels of government and private organizations to help you. Also, consider co-working. If you’re on your own and can join a community like HUB and CSI, the benefits are considerable. Get involved and meet fellow entrepreneurs and organizations big and small to share business ideas and find opportunities to help each other grow.”

“I’ve always believed that providing a powerful vision of the future is the most important legacy we can give to our youth; supporting self-sufficiency via Futurpreneur Canada's entrepreneurship mentoring is a powerful influence one can have on the future.”

“My mentor, Ryan Henry, helped me stay focused on my goals. Since I can be very ambitious as a day dreamer, sometimes a reality check helps. Discussing my business vision and strategic goals with an active listener helped set realistic goals to achieve them.”

“My mentor was very instrumental during the entire start-up process of my business. All the advice and coaching he provided helped improve my entrepreneurial skills during the most crucial moments.”