Young entrepreneurs, big ambitions: Welcoming the 2026 Summer Company participants

Community NewsKawartha Lakes
Written By Meg Barton

Kawartha Lakes – Get ready to cheer on an incredible group of young business owners! The 2026 Summer Company Program is excited to introduce this year's entrepreneurs. They’re a creative, hardworking, and inspiring group ready to make their mark this summer.

This year's lineup includes:

Ayva Callieu - Game On Event Rentals

A jumbo games rental business for events

At Game On Event Rentals, they offer a wide selection of jumbo yard games, including Giant Connect Four, Giant Guess Who, Giant KerPlunk, and many more! Their games are perfect for birthdays, weddings, corporate events, school functions, and other special occasions.

Emily Durley - Essential Equine

An equestrian show prep service

Essential Equine offers premium horse show prep services, including braiding, clipping, bathing, grooming, and tack cleaning. Her attention to detail ensures every horse steps into the show ring looking its absolute best.

Teddy Haber - Haber Handyman and Hauling

Handyman and Hauler

Haber Handyman and Hauling does almost all the odd jobs you can’t do (or don’t want to!).  

Kendra Korpela - KissaMoon

A retailer of products from Finland

KissaMoon is a specialty retail pop-up shop offering Finnish candy, gifts, and Nordic-inspired products in downtown Haliburton. The store celebrates Finnish culture while creating a unique local shopping experience at 201 Highland Street, Haliburton, ON.

Teagan MacIntosh - Scrum Queen Athletics

Rugby Ware for Females

Scrum Queen Athletics. Teagan designs and sells premium women's rugby apparel, for athletes on and off the pitch. You can find all her products and her rugby story on Instagram.

Caden Parker - Caden's Professional Mobile Detailing

A car detailing business

Caden offers premium mobile car detailing delivering showroom-quality results at your doorstep. He specializes in deep interior cleaning, stain removal, and high-quality exterior detailing.  

Turning ideas into reality

From helping customers shine to bringing fun to community events, these entrepreneurs are turning their ideas into reality and gaining valuable business experience along the way.

The Summer Company program gives students the opportunity to launch and run their own businesses while receiving mentorship, training, support, and a grant of up to $3,000.

This program is an initiative offered through the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Centre (KLSBC) in conjunction with the province of Ontario. It's an exciting first step into entrepreneurship, and this year's participants are ready to show what they can do.

We invite everyone in the community to say hello, follow their journeys, and support these amazing young entrepreneurs throughout the summer. Whether you're looking for a service, a unique product, or just want to encourage local youth, every bit of support makes a difference.

Here's to a summer filled with big ideas, new experiences, and entrepreneurial success. We can't wait to see what this talented group accomplishes!

More information

For more information about the Summer Company program, visit the Summer Company web page or email Sandy Greenberg at sgreenberg@kawarthalakes.ca.

The Kawartha Lakes Small Business Centre (KLSBC) offers a no cost, confidential, and customized advisory service for launching and growing your business. KLSBC is your first stop for advice or resources for your entrepreneurial journey. For more information visit the KLSBC web page or contact Christine McLean at cmclean@kawarthalakes.ca.  

Meg Barton https://launchworthy.co
Previous

Globus Theatre’s 6th Annual Downtown Detective Trail Celebrates Bobcaygeon’s 150th Anniversary  
Next

Residents Urged to Protect Themselves During Air Quality and Heat Warnings