Success Story Details
Student Entrepreneur Sews Up Her Dream
Young Oshawa entrepreneur, Tiffany Tuttle, now 17, dreamed of owning a quilting business since the age of 12. Now, thanks to the Summer Company Program, through the Business Advisory Centre Durham and the Ontario Government, this summer her wish has come true. The Summer Company Program provided her the opportunity to start her very own sewing and quilting business.
Tiffany has been sewing since she was 8 and quilting since she was 12. Her inspiration, passion and love of quilting came from a very close friend of hers, Carole Gould, former owner of "Gould’s Cards and Gifts" located downtown Bowmanville. Carole taught Tiffany everything she knows about quilting and more importantly that "if you can dream it, do it, there is no such word as CAN'T".
At the "Quilter's Workshop", Tiffany teaches sewing lessons for ages 8 and up. She feels that sewing and quilting are becoming a lost art, so it is very important for children to learn to sew to ensure that the next generation does not forget how important, creative and fun quilting and sewing can be. She finds great pleasure watching how proud students are of themselves when they complete a project.
On top of running her first business, Tiffany realizes the importance of giving back to the community. The Cuddle Quilt Program is something that she participated in at the quilt store where she formerly was employed for several years by Carole Gould of Gould's Cards and Gifts. In the program quilts are made for Sick Kids Hospital and given to patients who undergo multiple treatments a month. The quilts give the children something to hold and look at during their treatment or surgeries and of course something to make them smile. Sometimes Cuddle Quilts also are delivered to various nursing homes or other causes. Tiffany encourages her fellow high school students who are fulfilling their community service hours to come and help make Cuddle Quilts. Besides receiving their community hours, the students also learn how to sew creating a simple quilt!
Says Wenda Abel, Young Entrepreneur Program Manager at the Business Advisory Centre Durham and coordinator of the Summer Company program, “Tiffany has the true entrepreneurial spirit. What’s more, she puts 110% thought and effort into everything she does. Her students have a great example in her quilts of the kind of beauty, creativity and craftsmanship that can be produced with care and dedication. They also have a great teacher! Her Summer Company business has been a success in every sense of the word.”
The Summer Company program offers students 15-29 assistance in getting started on that road to success through training, mentoring and an award of up to $3000 to start and operate their summer business.
The success of Tiffany’s Summer Company venture has inspired her to continue teaching sewing and quilting throughout the fall and winter on Saturdays from 9-11AM and 12-2PM. For questions about her fall lessons please contact Tiffany at 905-725-3701 for more information.
For more information about the Summer Company Program, contact Wenda Abel, BACD, 905-438-4008 X226 or go to www.bossmaker.ca
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