Anais Guimond, founder of Burnside's Atlantic Cirque circus training school, is the Canadian Youth Business Foundation's 2010 pick as female entrepreneur of the year.
Guimond, a former Cirque du Soleil performer, opened the school in Halifax as a way to introduce the arts of circus to all interested. The circus school offers its students the opportunity to develop and hone coordination, strength, flexibility, concentration and creativity in a structured and safe environment under the instruction and supervision of circus professionals.
From its inception, the school now boasts more than 100 registrations per session, from kids of five-years-old to adults.
In addition to the school, Atlantic Cirque also developed Atlantic Canada’s first professional circus troupe, Cirque Siana. The troupe, founded in 2007, has presented several sold out shows at the Alderney Landing Theatre.
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) Chairman's Awards program celebrates excellence in youth entrepreneurship across Canada and recognizes the importance of these businesses to Canada's economic growth and prosperity.
"A hearty congratulations to all of this year's applicants for their significant contributions to the business communities in which they operate, as well as to the greater Canadian economy," says Vivian Prokop, chief executive officer, CYBF . "All of CYBF's entrepreneurs are outstanding representatives of the calibre of young entrepreneurs in our country."
The award winners will each receive a prize package valued at more than $5,000 which includes national profiling through the media, social media and advertising.
Additionally, the five businesses will compete for the grand prize, the CYBF National Best Business Award, at the CYBF Chairman's Awards celebration scheduled to take place in Spring of 2011. The National Best Business Award winner will receive a prize package valued at more than $25,000, which includes a cash prize of $20,000. The winner will also receive an all-expense paid trip to France to participate as an official Canadian delegate at the 2011 G20 Young Entrepreneur Summit and will have the opportunity to network with 400 bright young entrepreneurs from the G20 nations. The cash prize portion of both awards packages is privately funded by an anonymous third party.
Joining Guimond in the winner's circle are:
Best Innovative Business: Invenia Technical Computing Corporation, Matthew Hudson, www.invenia.ca.
Best Green Business: Solegear Bioplastics Inc., Toby Reid, www.solegear.ca.
Best Socially-Minded Business: Momzelle Nursing Clothing, Christine Poirier and Vincent Poirier, www.momzelle.com
Best Newcomer Business: La Tortilleria,Axel Arvizu and Juan Roman, www.latortilleria.ca.
To read about these award winners or for additional information on CYBF, please visit www.cybf.ca/awards.
