Employment division of
the Association for New Canadians, NL
The Business Development Support Services (BDSS) program provides current information and practical advice for newcomer entrepreneurs interested in starting their own business in Newfoundland and Labrador. Individuals receive support from the Entrepreneurial Coordinator and a resource kit is also provided, which has been developed to assist newcomers in developing their business plan. The BDSS also links participants with networking opportunities within the business community and professional development organizations.
Sometimes a person may want to start a business, but may have difficulty discovering that winning business idea. The following are examples of where to look for business start-up ideas:
Sometimes a person may want to start a business, but may have difficulty discovering that winning business idea. Look at trade publications, newpapers/magazines, and online articles to get an idea of what is happening in the business world.
The following are examples of where to look for business start-up ideas:
Rainbow Art School is owned and operated by Maya Mi Oh. In 2009, Maya and her family moved to Newfoundland when her husband was offered a job in St. John’s.
Ms. Oh herself is a trained artist, having completed both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Fine Art in South Korea. She enjoys working with a range of materials and art styles, including oil, print, sketching, sculpting, and pottery. She also worked as a graphic designer and website designer for ten years in her home country.
After searching the local job market, she soon realized that the number of professional jobs available for a classically trained artist was limited. However, she was ultimately inspired by her daughter to go into business. “I wanted to send my daughter to art school, but it was hard to find one,” she explains. “So I started my art school for my daughter.”
Maya initially had a lot of questions related to starting her own business, and she turned to AXIS Career Services for answers. “It was a huge help,” she insists. Without AXIS help, there would be no Rainbow Art School.” AXIS assisted Maya with everything from researching the local market and developing her business plan, to meeting with city officials, creating content for the business website, and registering her business with the province.
Rainbow Art School began offering arts and crafts classes to students’ ages 3-18 in September, 2011. Students can book individual or group classes to learn the history and techniques of various eastern and western styles. Maya’s personal philosophy on art education goes far beyond composition and brush work. Instead, she draws on her own experiences to inspire creativity and self-expression in her students. As she explains, “With my experience, I encourage my students to access something they want to express with various types of art.”
Maya has a loyal group of young artists, including several standouts. One student recently won an art competition among several schools in the city, and according to his parents, it was all because of what he learned at Rainbow Art School. She regularly receives inquiries about adult classes, and is working with AXIS Career Services to look at ways to better serve her growing clientele.
Maya offers this advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: “Starting is important, once you start your business it will move on. If it is too hard to start, get consultation from AXIS, they really know how to make you get ahead.
There’s no denying that the number of Canadian female entrepreneurs is growing and there are more supports and initiatives to help level the entrepreneurial playing field. But the reality is that women still face more barriers and challenges than their male counterparts.
Did you know that AXIS can help you obtain money to advance in your career? Visit www.aiclf.ca to see if you are eligible to apply!
You can also read some success stories as well: aiclf.ca/success-stories/
Have questions? Email r.power@axiscareers.net.
Come in to AXIS Career Services today and let us provide you with the tools and support necessary to start your new business venture.