The Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre (PREC) and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR), in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, supported the creation of six new businesses run by young entrepreneurs of the region during the summer of 2025.
Thanks to the Summer Company program, students who are 15 to 29 years of age benefit from personalized guidance from business professionals. In addition, each participant receives a grant of up to $3,000 to help launch his/her/their business. In total, $18,000 was awarded to the participants of the 2025 cohort.
The six student-founded businesses from the 2025 cohort are:
PRECISION CAR DETAILING – Plantagenet
A premium mobile car detailing service that comes directly to clients’ homes. Félix Bissonnette offers complete interior and exterior cleaning, polishing, and paint protection, allowing customers to enjoy a spotless vehicle without having to leave home.
LES PRODUCTIONS BONNEAU – L’Orignal
Specializing in video production and editing, Zavier Bonneau’s business helps local businesses enhance their online visibility. Whether for promotional videos or event coverage, Les Productions Bonneau showcases businesses in the region with high-quality content.
FINEYARDS – Rockland
Philippe Boutet offers professional landscaping services for his residential and commercial clients in Rockland. FineYards provides lawn mowing, weed removal, edge trimming, leaf collection, as well as other seasonal maintenance services.
SHINELINE CLEANING SERVICES – Clarence-Creek
Félix Lacelle and Trystan Thomas teamed up to offer high-quality exterior cleaning services, including the cleaning of windows, gutters, and driveways. ShineLine helps make properties cleaner and brighter.
OPTIMUM DETAILING – Embrun
This business offers meticulous interior and exterior car cleaning services. Nikolai Donskov and Alexi Marion place great importance on attention to detail and on quality results, ensuring every vehicle looks its best.
ENGLISH À MERVEILLE – Clarence-Rockland
Merveille Kabongo provides online English classes using a conversational, grammar-based, and pronunciation-focused approach. Her business also offers monthly activities to encourage immersive learning and real-life practice.
The participants of the Summer Company program were supported by three local mentors: Marc Lecompte (BCLP Stratégies, Kwik Tax), Louis Béland (Folio5 service-conseil, Compétences entrepreneuriales +), and Éric Charlebois (Apprends et entreprends, CE+, Stratèges BCLP). They generously shared their expertise throughout the summer. The PREC would also like to thank the program’s sponsor, the Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l’Est ontarien, for its valuable support and its commitment to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
“Starting a business, even for just one summer, requires discipline. What these students have accomplished is remarkable. They’ve shown that the entrepreneurial spirit can emerge early and that our youth in Prescott and Russell are full of talent and ambition. I would like to thank the PREC, the mentors, and the partners who supported these students throughout the summer. Their support is important, not only to the success of this program, but also to the future of our local economy,” said Yves Laviolette, 2025 Warden of the UCPR.
“This cohort impresses us with its diversity and its entrepreneurial energy. Each participant put into action an original idea and demonstrated strong managerial and innovative skills. The Summer Company program plays a vital role in supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and in presenting entrepreneurship as a real career choice for youth,” adds Liza Langevin, Project Officer at the PREC.