The Douglas College Newsletter

 

New Westminster Campus, David Lam Campus

April 2005

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Douglas College

 

Self-Employment Program celebrates 10 years

of makin’ it work

The Self Employment
Program marks two
milestones this spring: 10
years of success and its
100th graduating class.
The program is a national
leader in successfully
creating small businesses

that stay in business.

Since opening its doors in
1995, the program has
helped launch over 1,800
businesses across the
Lower Mainland. What’s
more impressive is that 93
percent of the operations
are still running after one
year and 67 percent after
four years — compared to
national averages of 76
and 40 percent.

‘T'm still applying
every inch of what I

learned in the

program.”
Claudia Amaya

Klanico Productions Host,

Spanish-language Hola TV

    

Get First-
Se CL CLT S
at Douglas
College
celebration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

‘The program breeds
success by relentlessly
focusing on the nuts and
bolts needed to keep a
business going. Most
sessions are taught by
experienced business
owners who give straight
talk on everything from
licensing to marketing.
Learners expecting to run
businesses must do the
legwork and planning

needed to get started.

Claudia Amaya, a
successful graduate who
runs her own TV
production company,
liked the blend of
business skills and

understanding support.

President Susan Witter
and the Faculty of Health
Sciences invite you to join
to celebrate the contribu-
tions of everyone involved
in establishing the first
Douglas College Degree:
the Bachelor of Science in

Nursing.

 

“At the beginning
you just want to
jump into the
pool and do your
business — it
seems like a lot of
work to be
looking taxes
and paperwork,
but later when
youre running
your business you
find that’s
important. I’m
still applying
every inch of
what I learned in
the program,”
says Amaya who
runs Klanico
Productions and hosts
Spanish-language

Hola TV.

 

April 11 in the
Performing Arts ‘Theatre.
Includes a no host bar

and nibblies.

“T hope you will be able
to attend this very special
recognition event,” says

Witter. “In the history of

Festivities from 4 to 6pm,

 

The 100" Self Employment Program class is ready to get down of business. They are
from left to right (starting at the front) Annette Gander, Xiaohong (Tina) Chen Carlos
Ruzza, Aiwu (Tina) Oiu, Behjat Benam, Angela Girard, Hongli Guo, Kristi MacLeod,
Taryn Sexton, Li (Daisy) Liu. Back Row: Robert Lukey, Regan Beaulieu, Adon Albanese,
Pauline Sandland, Shiraz Bhoja, Lucian Mircioiu. Missing: Monika Hawrylko and

Vincent Sweeney.

 

“T also remember the
human-touch advice that
helps you manage the
problems and challenges.
It’s a good combination,”
says Amaya, whose
husband Nicolas also
graduated from the
program and is the
technical manager at

Klanico.

Carefully screening for
applicants with serious
business ideas — the
program only accepts 200
to 250 learners annually —

is another factor in the

Success StOry.

   

Douglas College, this is a
very significant event —
one in which we can all

take pride.”

The College community

£ ;
will feel honoured to have
you share in this special

occasion, says Witter.

  

“Most of our clients are
very motivated,” says
Valerie Lockyer, the
program's marketing
advisor. “They were
people who, in the back
of their minds, always
thought about running
their own business while
they were in a secure job.
But when circumstances
change and they become
unemployed, they saw
this as an opportunity

and go forward.”

Over the years, graduates

have launched businesses
from dog walking and cat
sitting to specialties such
as biopharmaceutical
research, organic
clarified butter making,

g
driving instruction, yacht
mill working, accounting,
clothing design and

wedding cake baking.

‘The Self Employment
Program begins new
sessions every 10 weeks
and operates at the David

Lam Campus.

Excellence Award

‘There’s still time to acknowledge exceptional people by

nominating them for a Douglas College Educational

Excellence Award.

‘The categories are: Student, Faculty, Staff and

Administrative Excellence. Nomination forms are avail-

able in the Library and department offices on both

campuses (or contact Debra Flewelling at 604-527-5190

or Hewelld@douglas.be.ca).

‘The deadline for nominations is May 13, 2005.

 

Quote of the Month

‘And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the

running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.”

~William Shakespeare