Jenn Survives the
PropertyGuys.com "Den"
Moncton, NB - November 20, 2009
In the end ... the "Dragons" were sold on Jenn.
A 24-year old native of Oakville, Ontario, has become the
first-ever winner of the YPreneurGene.com, National Youth
Entrepreneurship contest. Jennifer Howarth combined passion with
professionalism as she withstood the scrutiny of some of the
toughest judges of business acumen in the country.
Before a live audience of close to 600 people Friday, November 13th
at the Barbara Frum Atrium, Howarth was one of three finalists
presenting their best case in the hopes of winning their own
franchise from PropertyGuys.com. Each had about 10 minutes to
explain to "Dragons Den" stars Jim Treliving and Arlene Dickinson
as well as "Honorary Dragon" Ken LeBlanc of PropertyGuys.com why
they should be the ones walking out of the building as the proud
owner of their own business. And it was Jenn who seemed most at
ease fielding follow up questions from Treliving and Dickinson and
once the "Dragons" had huddled with LeBlanc for about 10 minutes,
the trio selected Howarth and her bid to launch her own
PropertyGuys.com franchise out of Windsor, Ontario.
Currently completing her business studies at Cape Breton
University, Howarth plans to attend the PropertyGuys.com National
Franchise Conference the end of January in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her
initial plan is to load up on summer courses to fast-track her
graduate degree before opening her business. Other finalists
included 22-year old Mallory MacDonald of Truro, Nova Scotia and
24-year old Andrew Maconachie of Barrie, Ontario.
As part of her prize package, Howarth becomes eligible for
financial and mentoring support from the Canadian Youth Business
Foundation which partnered with PropertyGuys.com on this
first-of-its- kind initiative. CYBF Chief Executive Officer Vivian
Prokop was also on stage Friday and in chatting with event host
Dianne Buckner, acknowledged the reaction to "YPG" far surpassed
anything they could have hoped for.
From the outset, Ken LeBlanc, fed up by the spread of recessionary
doom and gloom in the news media, maintained something needed to be
done to show Canada'''s youth another way of thinking. Perhaps
instinctively, the PropertyGuys.com CEO knew solutions to adult
problems of the future depends to a large degree how young minds
are taught in the present. And as the "YPG" idea and mission began
to crystallize in that Moncton boardroom, he envisioned a campaign
to inspire Canada's youth to learn the values of hard work by
working hard; one that would reward risk-taking and celebrate the
courage to follow a dream.
It the case of Jennifer Howarth that dream has come true.
PropertyGuys.com
PropertyGuys.com is unlike any ordinary real estate company. In
fact, we're not agents or brokers. That's because from day one, we
knew we could be something different - something much better.
Simply put, we use the power of the internet combined with our
experts on the ground in your community to provide a safe and
practical way for buyers and sellers to connect while avoiding the
high cost of commission. Instead of commission, we charge an
affordable marketing fee (as low as $349 and collect absolutely no
commission when your property actually sells. You keep the money.
That's the PropertyGuys.com way. That's fair right?
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is the 'go to' place
for youth entrepreneurship. As a national charity, we are dedicated
to growing our nation's economy one young entrepreneur at a time.
Founded in 1996, CYBF has invested to date in more than 3,000 young
entrepreneurs, creating more than 16,600 new jobs, $76 million in
tax revenue and delivers its program through a national network of
more than 150 community partners and 2,800 volunteers including
business mentors.
