The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants.
The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall.
Meet Brad Ferguson and Upchuckle
Starting his career as an Animator & Character Designer, Brad Ferguson has taken his love of inspiring, training and working with people into the field of art & entertainment education, experiences, and mentorship. Now, Upchuckle Education and its parent company Upchuckle Entertainment, are truly unique in their personalized approach. Brad offers custom-tailored 1-on-1 lessons in art, animation, and design, as well as ‘Mom & Me’ and ‘Dad & Me’ workshops to foster memorable family bonding experiences, while their Upchuckle Student Sponsorship Program provides wonderful creative-learning opportunities for children in need. Overall, Upchuckle is like piano lessons—but for art, animation, story, filmmaking and more – all for any age and any level of experience.
Arts Education is on the way UP with Upchuckle!
What is your favourite part about being an entrepreneur?
My favourite part about being an entrepreneur is the freedom to run my company in a way that best serves our students. This flexibility allows me to make immediate decisions and implement changes that enhance student experiences without needing permission or waiting for anyone else's approval. Ultimately, it empowers Upchuckle Education to adapt and focus on what’s truly best for our clients.
What inspired you to start a business?
After many years working in the animation industry, I transitioned to teaching at a private art & animation college, to then become director of the 4-year Animation Diploma Program. When the college was unexpectedly sold, I returned to the animation industry but quickly realized how much I truly missed teaching and working with my students. This experience, combined with my desire to provide the support and knowledge I wish I had as an aspiring artist, inspired me to take the leap and start my own school.
What services/ products do you offer?
Upchuckle Education offers a wide variety of training options in art, animation, storytelling, filmmaking and more. We provide custom-tailored 1-on-1 lessons, group workshops, events and day camps for all ages and skill levels—from beginners to professionals. Our unique high-quality training options ensure that every student receives the guidance they need to achieve their creative goals.
Who do you look up to for inspiration when it comes to either being an entrepreneur or your business?
I find inspiration in the many wonderful local entrepreneurship resources, programs and mentors, particularly those offered by the Barrie Small Business Centre and the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre at Georgian College, both of which have been instrumental in supporting my journey. Additionally, the workshops and networking events at the fantastic Sandbox, along with connections made through all three of these amazing organizations, have allowed me to form strong, supportive friendships with fellow entrepreneurs who share similar goals for their businesses.
How did you come up with your business name?
When determining the name of Upchuckle Education’s parent company, Upchuckle Entertainment, I wanted to give a little nod to my extensive career in animation. In one of the shows I directed, the antagonist often called our heroes 'Chuckleheads,' which inspired me to come up with the name Upchuckle. (Don’t worry—when we evolve into a college, it will include a name change!) ;)
What is unique about your business?
Upchuckle Education is truly unique in its personalized approach, offering custom-tailored 1-on-1 lessons in art, animation and design to meet each student's needs. Among our many offerings, the Mom & Me and Dad & Me workshops foster memorable family bonding experiences, while our Upchuckle Student Sponsorship Program provides wonderful creative-learning opportunities for children in need. Additionally, students often discover fun bonuses and surprises throughout their journey with us, making their Upchuckle Education experience even more memorable.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through your entrepreneurial journey?
One of the most surprising things I've learned about myself through my entrepreneurial journey is the depth of my resilience and adaptability. While I've always known I'm a very hard worker, this experience has taught me how to face challenges head-on, multi-task and find creative solutions (even more so than my days directing television–which is really saying something!). I've also discovered the importance of building a supportive community, which has been invaluable in navigating the many twists and turns of entrepreneurship.
What’s the best piece of advice you would give to another entrepreneur?
I'm going to totally cheat and give three pieces of advice, as I believe they're equally important:
1) Believe in yourself and your business—don't give up! If you don't believe in your mission, how can you expect anyone else to? This journey isn't easy–if it were, everyone would do it. There will be difficult times when you question yourself, so stay strong.
2) Be hungry to learn and flexible enough to do something about it—You need to be strong and objective enough to be really honest with yourself, listen to valuable feedback and make the changes you need to for success. If something about your business isn't working, you very likely need to change something about it. Dissect it.
3) Do NOT isolate yourself—I'm guilty of this too when things get busy. Time goes by very fast and before you know it, you can become a hermit. You need the support, feedback and interaction with others throughout your journey—you're not alone. Never forget that.
What do you hope to achieve through the Starter Company Plus program?
Through the Starter Company Plus program, I hope to gain the support and mentorship needed to put Upchuckle Education on a more secure path of growth and success. Specifically, I aim to strengthen insights into effective business strategies, complete a robust business plan, enhance my marketing and financial strategies, and connect with other entrepreneurs who can provide valuable feedback. This program will be instrumental in refining my offerings and ensuring that I can better serve creative students, both in our community and beyond.
Explore Upchuckle Today
To learn more about Brad Ferguson and Upchuckle Entertainment and Upchuckle Education, you can head to their website www.upchuckleentertainment.com. Follow Upchuckle on social media to stay informed about their services.
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upchuckleentertainment
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UpchuckleEducation
- TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@upchuckle.education
Learn More About the Starter Company Plus Program
To learn more about the Starter Company Plus program, reach out to the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County & Orillia today at smallbusiness@barrie.ca or 705-720-2445.