This summer, 79 veterans and transitioning Canadian Armed Forces members took the next steps towards becoming successful business owners by attending a Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur (POE) seven-day business boot camp.

Held every year between May and August, the four boot camps are led by business faculty and student volunteers at Université Laval, Dalhousie University, Memorial University and the University of Regina. Designed specifically for the military community, they provide participants with the opportunity to deepen their business knowledge and skills. Topics covered include marketing, accounting, social media, finance and human resources.

In addition to coursework, participants attend networking events, workshops led by local business leaders and receive one-on-one coaching. They finish the week with a refined business pitch, a variety of tools and resources, a detailed plan and the network and confidence to take their business to the next level.

Chris Power served 15 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and attended the 2018 boot camp at Dalhousie University.

“The POE Boot Camp was a game changer. Not only did we learn amazing lessons from experts, we also had the opportunity to meet and learn from other veterans that are on a similar path. Thank you, POE, for a life changing experience!”

Chris is the owner of Power Leadership Consulting in Toronto.

Since POE’s inception in 2012, graduates have gone on to start over 270 businesses in every sector, in communities across Canada. For a listing of veteran-owned businesses in your community or online, visit www.buyveteran.ca

Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur is the hub of entrepreneurship for the Canadian military community. The program provides a continuum of training and services plus the confidence building opportunities needed to start and grow successful businesses.