The Summer Company 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 empower young entrepreneurs aged 15 to 29 by providing them with the resources and support they need to start and run their own summer businesses. Participants receive up to $3,000 in financial assistance, mentorship from experienced business professionals, and access to valuable training and networking opportunities.
The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this summer.
Meet Alexandre and A ONE Property Service

Alexandre is high school student and the founder of A ONE Property Service, a versatile property maintenance company serving the Horseshoe Valley area, including Orillia and Barrie. The company prides itself on delivering high-quality service at competitive prices. From routine lawn and garden maintenance to intricate projects like designing new walkways and garden beds, A ONE Property Service covers a wide range of property care needs.
Here About Alexandre's Journey to Entrepreneurship this Summer
What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur?
I enjoy the flexibility of my schedule and the ability to continuously improve and expand my business. Meeting new people and forming connections with other entrepreneurs is rewarding, and it’s rewarding to help clients and see them happy.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through your entrepreneurial journey?
I’ve been surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed socializing with clients. Talking to over 250 clients has taught me a lot about building relationships and making meaningful connections with people.
What’s the best piece of advice you would give to another youth entrepreneur?
Learn from your mistakes. Mistakes are inevitable but treating them as learning opportunities is crucial for growth.
What do you hope to achieve through the Summer Company program?
I hope to expand my business, learn as much as possible about business management, and fully utilize the knowledge and resources offered by the program.

Explore A ONE Property Service
For more information about A ONE Property Service, visit the website. Discover how Alexandre’s expertise and commitment to quality can help you achieve your property management goals.

Learn more about the Summer Company program
To learn more about the Summer Company program, reach out to the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County & Orillia today at smallbusiness@barrie.ca or 705-720-2445.
Invest Barrie can connect businesses, big and small, to the information, connections and support you need to start or grow your business, attract talent and stay competitive. Please reach out to 705-728-9850 or email us atinvest@barrie.ca. You can also follow along and access the latest updates through our social media platforms:
- LinkedIn (Invest Barrie)
- Twitter (@InvestBarrie, @SBCBarrie)
- Instagram (@creativebarrie)
Want the latest Barrie economic news and analysis delivered right to your inbox? Sign up to receive the Invest Barrie Quarterly!
Interested in finding out what’s going on in Barrie’s arts and culture community? Sign up for the Creative Barrie Culture Pop newsletter!