Entrepreneurial Spirit

Entrepreneurial Spirit Runs in the Family

Grade 4 student Maya says that research is a key skill for an entrepreneur. She attributes her keen research skills to her success in the business she runs with her two brothers, including Evan in Grade 10.

Their company, Cheshire Games and Gifts, was inspired by their grandfather who spoke about traditional wooden games that are no longer available in stores. They thought it would be fun to try to make a game for him and their gift was a huge success! They then decided to make and sell wooden games to the public, soon expanding to other gifts, including hair scrunchies and soap.

Maya makes most of the soaps herself and came up with the idea of placing a toy inside to encourage children to wash their hands.

Evan’s role in the company is the design and creation of the wooden products. His process involves taking a new idea, coming up with the design, programming it into the laser cutter program and cutting the final product.

His advice to new entrepreneurs is to be a people person. He says polishing his social skills have helped him to make business connections which have directly impacted the company’s overall sales and growth.

The siblings recently received the Youth Entrepreneurial Spirit Award at the East Gwillimbury Chamber of Commerce Business Awards gala for their entrepreneurialism.