HALIFAX, NS: Today Prince’s Trust Canada, along with Dalhousie University and the Rowe School of Business, hosted the graduation ceremony for their annual business boot camp. The boot camp, part of the Prince’s Trust Canada’s Operation Entrepreneur program, provides veterans and transitioning members of the Canadian Armed Forces with a crash course in business essentials including; marketing, finance, accounting and other need-to-know business practices. Its goal is to help military members launch their second careers as entrepreneurs while creating positive economic and social impact in their communities.

The boot camp, held exclusively online, began on September 10. Participants received live virtual classroom instruction, participated in online networking events and mentorship forums, and benefited from one-on-one coaching from Rowe School of Business faculty members. Professors from the Rowe School of Business volunteer their time and expertise to not only teach, but also work directly with participants to help craft their business development plans.

Trudy Gardner, boot camp participant and owner of Sew Little Handmade

Participants started the program with a developed business idea and signed-in remotely from their homes across Eastern Canada. Trudy Gardner has served 12 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and was looking to expand Sew Little Handmade, her PEI home-based business that makes well-constructed children’s clothing using sustainable materials. “I went into boot camp hoping to refine and clarify what exactly I want out of my business. I was challenged to continually define exactly who my consumer is and thus further identify what value my brand provides. There was also opportunity to discuss financials and evaluate profitability and timelines,” said Trudy. “The most valuable part of the experience though was the opportunity to discuss all these topics with business experts.”

At the graduation ceremony, the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, The Hon. Arthur J. LeBlanc, delivered a recorded message thanking participants for their service and wishing them well on their new careers as entrepreneurs.

This is the sixth time that Dalhousie University and the Rowe School of Business have hosted the program, and the first time it has been run virtually. Graduates have gone on to launch a wide range of businesses including food trucks, home inspections, artisan bakeries and kite-surfing tours.

Prince’s Trust Canada is a national charity whose vision is a sustainable future for Canada, where young people and communities thrive. Through innovative partnerships and guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, our programs help young people overcome barriers to employment and prepare for the future of work, provide entrepreneurship training and support for veterans, and address climate change mitigation and adaptation. Our work is inspired by our Founder and President, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and is driven by his vision for a more sustainable future.