Start a Micro-Business or Side Project
Launch something real, even at small scale
Why It Matters
Nothing signals entrepreneurial ability like actually doing it. Even a small tutoring service, Etsy shop, or web design business is more impressive than any club.
How to Start
Pick a skill and find a way to monetise it - tutoring, photography, web design, reselling, creating digital products. Track your revenue, expenses, and lessons learned to discuss in applications.
Commitment
- Medium commitment: a few hours most weeks during the school year.
- Best starting grade: G8
- G8 is a perfect time to start small. Two to three years of running and growing a business by G12 tells a great story.
Programs It Supports
- Business
- Entrepreneurship
- Computer Science
- Design
Majors it supports
- Entrepreneurship – high 70s to high 80s
- Computer Science – high 80s to high 90s depending on school
Universities where it fits
Our profiles for these schools suggest Start a Micro-Business or Side Project as a good fit for their applicants.
- Western University – London, ON
- Toronto Metropolitan University – Toronto, ON
- University of Calgary – Calgary, AB
Similar extracurriculars
- DECA (Ontario DECA & provincial chapters) – Business and marketing competitions with regional, provincial and international rounds
- Junior Achievement Canada – Run a real student company for a semester
- Investment / Finance Club – Manage a mock portfolio and study markets
- Enactus Canada – Use business skills to create community impact
- School Store Manager – Run the daily operations of the student 'Tuck Shop'
- School Event Sponsorship Lead – Secure funding from local businesses for school events
- Investment & Stock Market Club – Run virtual stock trading simulations