The purpose of the YOU program is to assist young adults between 18 and 34 years of age to consider opening a business in their community.

YOU has three components:

Through the Saskatchewan Enterprise and Inovation's Small Business Loans Association (SBLA) Program, a YOU entrepreneur can access up to $15,000 to assist in starting or expanding his/her business.

To qualify for these loans, the YOU entrepreneur must present a complete and feasible business plan including a three-year financial projection to their local SBLA. In addition, the loan applicant must complete a loan application that includes a demand promissory note, a general security agreement and an application fee. During the application process a YOU entrepreneur will be expected to provide information to the SBLA related to his/her intentions for training and arranging for a mentor.

YOU entrepreneurs can use SBLA loans to purchase assets, such as equipment. Monies cannot be used for operating expenses or for repayment of existing debt. Loans are granted at competitive interest rates, which vary with each association, up to a maximum of 10% per year. Businesses have up to five years to repay their loans.

The Board of Directors of the SBLA will assess all proposals on the feasibility of the business concept and approve or decline your loan. Applicants may be required to pledge additional security such as specific assets, provide a co-signor or a guarantor.

There are many workshops, seminars, training programs and courses available to help you succeed in business in Saskatchewan, so it can be confusing when you try to determine the one(s) that best meet your interests, locale, wallet, etc.
YOU and our partner organizations offer workshops on:

• Introduction to Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Financing Your Business
• Introduction to Business Management
• Introduction to Marketing Your Business

These workshops will help you learn what you need to know to become a successful entrepreneur. They offer the type of practical business knowledge - assessing the viability of your business ideas, developing a business plan - that helps transform dreams into reality.

The Business Mentorship Institute of Saskatchewan (BMI) was formed to assist community groups to establish a mentorship chapter in their area.   For additional information on eligibility details, visit the Canada Saskatchewan Business Service Centre.   For further information on mentorship, the Business Mentorship Institute office is located in Saskatoon and available to mentors and protégés throughout the province. 

Entrepreneurship is a key to job creation in Saskatchewan. Entrepreneurs, working alone or in co-operatives, create the small businesses that provide most of the jobs in the province.

The Business and Co-operative Information Resource Materials Index contains links to all of the information to guide you through the steps toward starting and operating your business.

A Memo of Understanding was announced in June 2007, between the Ministry, the Business Mentorship Institute and Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) to help enhance available funding to young entrepreneurs and to support training and mentorship. At the heart of making this unique partnership work with CYBF and BMI is Saskatchewan's network of 236 active Small Business Loans Associations who serve as an access point for these young entrepreneurs.

The CYBF is a national charity founded in 1996 to provide start-up mentoring, financing and business resources for young Canadians aged 18-34 to create their own successful businesses. More information on the CYBF can be found at www.cybf.ca.

• Canada Revenue Agency offers New GST Registrant workshops; phone Regina (306) 780-7688 or Saskatoon (306) 975-5945
• Canada-Saskatchewan Business Service Centre - The CSBSC offers a wealth of information and assistance to help you with your entrepreneurship or small business plans. CSBSC offers events and seminars throughout the province and online tools such as Business Toolbox (includes a Business Start-up Assistant, a step-by-step tool for creating a comprehensive business plan, a performance benchmarking tool). Visit www.canadabusiness.ca/sask/ or phone 1-800-667-4374 for more information.
• Community Futures Development Corporations - CFDCs throughout the province offer programs that foster job creation through business creation and expansion. Each office offers unique training opportunities. Find the CFDC office closest to you.
• Equifax Canada - Consumer Information Centre - When applying for financing, your credit history is a major factor. This link helps explain your credit file and how to access your credit history.
• Saskatchewan Finance provides provincial sales tax training; phone (306) 787-6633
• Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) - SIAST offers post-secondary education and training out of four main campuses across the province: Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert. Discover what each campus can offer you.
• Saskatchewan Regional Colleges - Provides the opportunity to access post-secondary education and business training in a community near you. This link has information about, and links to the colleges in the province.
• Saskatchewan Regional Economic and Co-operative Development -- Regional Offices
• Western Economic Diversification Canada - A department of the Government of Canada, WD administers programs and services that advance innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable communities through innovative partnerships with public and private sectors, other levels of government, academic and financial institutions, and research centres to make the most of its investment in Western Canada. This link will take you to a list of events and training seminars offered by WD.
• Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc.(W.E.) - A non-profit organization, assisting women considering starting a business or operating an existing business. W.E. offers a wide range of programs and services including business advising and resources, business loans, publications, networking and mentoring opportunities, youth initiatives, as well as training workshops and seminars that focus on business skill development. This link will take you to a list of conferences and events offered by W.E.
• SaskYouth.Net - Your portal to the latest information, tips and news about school, career, health, money and more. If you're considering starting your own business, you have to do some serious thinking, and SaskYouth.Net offers links to a variety of programs and services to help you BE YOUR OWN BOSS!

YOU Initiative
Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation
200-3085 Albert Street
REGINA SK S4S 0B1
Phone: 1-800-265-2001
Fax: (306) 798-0796
Email: YOU@gov.sk.ca