When Langley’s Alice Grey was planning the launch of her healthy, hand-crafted chocolate snacks business, the young entrepreneur knew she would need a little help.
Futurpreneur’s comprehensive program for aspiring young business owners was the perfect solution. Grey took advantage of their business plan writing tools, advisor support, and financing and mentoring program, and in December 2020 she opened Mindful Monk, producing healthy chocolate snacks, sweetened with monk fruit juice and packed with good fats, fibre and protein.
Futurpreneur is the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18 to 39. Their internationally recognized mentoring program connects young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 2,400 volunteer mentors.
“The mentorship was the main reason I chose the Futurpreneur programs,” Grey says. “They’re really focused on planning your cash flow – I feel like if I hadn’t used them, I might have just winged it!”
Their interactive Business Plan Writer simplifies the business planning process with tips and tricks for creating a well-structured plan to secure the financing you need to get your business off the ground.
For 26 years Futurpreneur has helped aspiring young entrepreneurs launch successful businesses that contribute to sustainable economic development in their communities. They work to drive inclusive Canadian prosperity by fueling the success of young entrepreneurs.
They provide access to startup capital that young entrepreneurs often lack, combined with the guidance of experienced mentors to help their business grow and thrive.
“I really liked the mentorship support they gave me – they’re really there for the entrepreneurs they work with,” Grey says. “When I expressed that I wasn’t getting what I needed from the mentor that I was initially working with, they set me up with another one, which really worked out great. The mentor still reaches out to me to this day, checking in to see how things are going.”
They also make it easier for aspiring young business owners to secure financing by partnering with the Business Development Bank of Canada to offer collateral-free loans at better interest rates than most banks.
“My advice for other young entrepreneurs is to take full advantage of everything they have to offer as far as financing – just in case,” Grey says.
Listen to Futurpreneur’s Startup & Prosper podcast to hear more stories of young entrepreneurs who have started their business with Futurpreneur’s help. Also take part in a free 3-part workshop series coming this November called Rock My Business.
Find out more on Facebook and Instagram, or call 604-598-2923 for their BC office located at 2015 Main St., Vancouver.