Our entrepreneurship bootcamp was designed based on the 3-year $500K valued student startup, as featured in Matt McCoy’s TEDx Talk titled “Are Universities Still Relevant?” which details the steps for students to conquer university and graduate with the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow.
SOLVING THE 5 PROBLEMS EVERY STUDENT FACES
The Summer Startup Program was designed to solve the 5 most common challenges (excuses) that our generation of students faces when it comes to starting a business.
I want to start a business but…
“I don’t have an idea I am passionate about”
“I don’t know where or how to get started”
“I need to work for a company to gain skills first”
“I don’t have a business partner”
“I don’t want to take a big risk and not have enough money to pay for school”
If this sounds familiar, don't worry – you're not alone. Our community's sole purpose is to help you get from where you are now, to doing work that actually excites you & puts you on the right path for after graduation (without having to drop out of school or radically change your life)
I got my start at 18 years old, in my first year of university with a niche summer cleaning business called M&M BBQ Boys. This small decision changed my life forever.
MATT MCCOY Bachelor of Commerce, Class of '20
Founded Start Smart inc. with the goal of breaking down the barriers for students to start their own business and transform their lives before graduating school.
Before
-> Previous work experience: Produce clerk at a grocery store ->Struggled with mental health and acute depression throughout high school ->Shy / introverted person, never felt like I could act myself in front of others ->Fearful about the change happening in the world and if I would have the skills to succeed
After
->Young entrepreneur and GenZ Leader -> Built a $500K valued summer business in 3 years of university ->Employed over 50 people as a student ->Deal on Dragons Den ->Sold my business at a huge profit before graduating ->TEDx Speaker ->30+ media features, tv appearances & online publications about me
I am living proof...
of the outcomes that are possible when you put your mind to something and commit to transforming yourself. And I am not alone, I’ve directly employed over 50 students and worked with dozens to get their startups and careers of the ground.
MICHELLE KOZDRAS
Bachelor of Commerce, Class of '21 Award Winning Student Entrepreneur
Before
-> Many different startup ideas - difficulties focusing on one -> Passionate about entrepreneurship but no specific direction to go
After
-> "Cambrian Solutions $4,000 Scholarship" Winner for entrepreneurial involved and success ->Launched her first successful business with our pilot program ->overcame obstacles with COVID-19 and developed key skills for future endeavors
"Start Smart walked me through the process of startup up my very own summer service business step by step. Not only that, but I got to learn from Matt, who previously got a deal on Dragons' Den! I ran a successful virtual math tutoring business this summer (S20) in response to COVID and could not have accomplished what I did without the resources Start Smart provided me with. Thank you Start Smart!"
-Michelle Kozdras, Georgetown Ontario
ZACH GOMES
Bachelor of Commerce, Class of '23 Regional Manager, Canadian BBQ Boys
Before
-> Previous work experience: produce at a grocery store -> Highly motivated first year student and aspiring business professional -> I hired him as a crew member and provided mentorship and training
After
-> Regional Manager responsible for overseeing 6-figures in revenue and 1000's of customers -> manages a team of over 20 employees -> Has a clear path to success after graduation with the skills he developed
"I worked with Matt in his previous company (Canadianbbqboys) beginning as a crew member, to later in the season being promoted to a territory manager. Matt was as great of a leader, and manager that I could have ever hoped for. To this day, I've found the information I learned from working for Matt, has completely transformed the way I approach business concepts and various workplace situations that I encounter. I can not put a dollar amount on what I have learned from Matt, but the value of the experience was priceless."
Try our proven step-by-step Guided-Discovery System and join our community helping each other do the work they’re meant to do.
SIMONE IANNIELLO
Bachelor of Commerce, Class of '23 Successful Student Entrepreneur & Co-op
Before
-> Aspiring student entrepreneur -> Many different ideas, difficulty narrowing it down -> Wanted to get the most learning out of the startup experience
After
-> Successfully manages a full-time co-op job while running his startup -> Motivated to innovate his industry -> Social enterprise founder -> works with students for free
"I’ve always been full of business ideas, but never been able to put any of them into practice. Then, I joined the start smart inc. program, and that changed everything! The course gave me knowledge, support and all I needed to get started on my business. I can clearly say that I would have never started my business if I didn’t have Matt and his videos helping me. Thank you StartSmartInc!"
-Simone Ianniello, Guelph Ontario
Here’s The Real Question…
Do you feel like what you are learning in school is preparing you for the jobs that will be available to you after graduation?
->You could try to find an idea, build your startup and launch on your own and waste time, money and resources on avoidable mistakes along the way
-> You could try to come up with a "big idea" and seek funding and support for this idea to get off the ground over several years
->You could apply for a student franchise and give away a high percentage of your revenue and be restricted to their service and processes (no ownership for you)
While these may and probably would help, they're restrictive and don’t put you on the best trajectory to your goals starting NOW.
Plus, none of them come with a guarantee to work with you at every step of the way, even after your startup is closed down.
So... Which Option Will Help You The Most?
Summer Startup Program 2021
Action-pact program providing the Structure, Systems & Support to build your very own successful summer business.
