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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, August 23, 2012 · 8 Retired colonel beefs up business skills at boot camp By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A retired Oakville soldier went back to boot camp last month, but this time, instead of military skills, he acquired some business acumen. Col. Guy Smith was one of 19 transitioning Canadian Forces members who participated in the `Based in Business' week-long entrepreneurial boot camp held at Memorial University of Newfoundland last month. The program, which entered its third year, is intended to help soldiers who are interested in moving into the business world develop their ideas through classroom presentations, discussion and one-on-one time with professionals as well as students and faculty from Memorial University's Faculty of Business Administration. The program was developed by the studentrun organization SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) Memorial and presented in partnership with the national charity, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF). "I found this course absolutely amazing," said Smith. "So many people try to go into business blind without an understanding of the different aspects. This course informs you of many of these different aspects and also talks about the pitfalls and the challenges that you run into." Smith, who served a tour of duty in Afghanistan, said the Ministry of National Defence Retired Col. Guy Smith directed him to this boot camp as it offered no similar programs of its own. He said the program completely changed his way of thinking with regard to his existing fishing charter company. He said he arrived at the university with some ideas about how to tweak the company, but left with an entirely new perspective. their ideas. The program is important, said Smith, as it gives returning soldiers the ability to move into the next chapter of their lives. The program is usually reserved for students 35 years of age or younger, however, this restriction was waived for the former Canadian Forces members. The cost of the course was also covered. The boot camp is part of the Prince's Operation Entrepreneur program -- a national program for transitioning Canadian Forces members interested in becoming entrepreneurs. The program offers entrepreneurial education and business planning support, access to start-up growth financing, and specialized business mentoring. "As the participants of the Prince's Operation Entrepreneur gather in Newfoundland, we offer them our full support and best wishes as they enter into the field of entrepreneurship," said Katrina White, chief strategy officer, Canadian Youth Business Foundation. "We are honoured to work alongside the team at SIFE Memorial to offer a program that is tailored to the success of transitioning Canadian Forces members and are committed to ensuring that the participants have access to the resources they need and the success they deserve." Lynn Morrissey, faculty advisor for SIFE Memorial and an assistant professor of communications at the Faculty of Business Administration, said her group is extremely proud to be offering this service to members of Canada's military who have provided such an important service to this country and its citizens. "SIFE Memorial and the Faculty of Business Administration are pleased to support their transition to becoming business owners who continue to support and serve their communities," she said. The Prince's Operation Entrepreneur program is supported by Prince's Charities Canada, the Department of National Defence (DND), Veteran Affairs Canada (VAC) and Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE). "So many people try to go into business blind without an understanding of the different aspects. This course informs you of many of these different aspects and... the pitfalls and challenges that you run into." Retired Col. Guy Smith "I've been doing fishing charters and pleasure cruises, but when you look at your business, at the end of the day, businesses have bottom lines and they are expected to make money. So now I will be gearing part of my business towards providing corporations a platform to do executive rewards programs or pleasure outings and that type of thing," said Smith. "This will focus more on the corporate world and provide an added value aspect to my business." Smith said another great part of the program is that the participants get access to a mentor for about a year who will help them implement SAVE UP TO $2700 ON NEW FURNACE & AIR CONDITIONER $700 OFF HI-EFFICIENCY CENTRAL AIR BIGGEST SALE EVER! WAS $ PRICE MATC H GUARANTEE. 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