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Prince's Operation Entrepreneur Brings Bootcamp to Halifax

Program helps transitioning members of the Canadian Armed Forces  start their own businesses 

HALIFAX, June 4, 2018– Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur (POE), a program of  Prince’s Charities Canada, will be returning for its fourth year for a seven-day business boot camp for transitioning Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members in Halifax at Dalhousie University June 3-9th.  

POE provides business education to transitioning CAF members and veterans. It is a made-in-Canada program that combines two of HRH The Prince of Wales’ lifelong interests of encouraging entrepreneurship and support for the CAF.  The program helps military members embarking upon their second careers to start their own businesses and create economic and social impacts in their communities. 

Community and university collaboration are other key parts of the boot camp experience. Professors at Dalhousie University and Halifax business leaders volunteer to teach in their area of specialization. Additionally, undergraduate business students are connected with participants to help them create a plan for their business.  

“These military members will be ready to start their second careers after the week,” explained Mary Kilfoil, Dalhousie professor who is also responsible for the training coordination of the program. “At Dalhousie, we are proud to support participants’ transition and offer them the skills and confidence they need to succeed in business”. 

One of the military participants, Rose Quann of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, plans on starting a business offering yoga and meditation to seniors, veterans and the disabled. Rose, herself an amputee, wants to share her passion with those often excluded from traditional classes, “I’m super passionate for what I do and so excited to help others accomplish something they thought they couldn’t do,” says Quann. “Losing a leg is devastating. You have choices, you can sit in a wheelchair and let people push you around or you can get up and do whatever the hell you want.”  

“Boot camp will not only provide me with all the information I need like finances, accounting, etc. but will also build up my confidence level in the Business World.”  

The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur is the only program of its kind in Canada. “The program reaches more veterans each year, with a priceless impact – increasing hope and confidence for a future that may have felt very uncertain,” said Sharon Broughton, CEO of Prince’s Charities Canada. “Graduates have gone on to start over 250 businesses in every sector, in communities all across the country.”