PEAK – Self-Employment Training for Adults
Launch your future. Build your business.
PEAK is a bold, supportive training experience for Young Adults considering business ownership.
In just a few sessions, you’ll:
- Explore your ideas
- Build confidence
- Learn foundational business skills
- Decide whether entrepreneurship is the right path for you
With group workshops, one-on-one support, and practical tools, PEAK makes space for possibility—without pressure.
PEAK
Push. Elevate. Achieve. Keep Rising.
The PEAK Mindset
P
ush Limits
Try new things. Challenge comfort zones.
E
levate your vision
Go from idea to plan. From "maybe someday" to "I’m doing it."
A
chieve with purpose
Create value. Build momentum. Define success on your terms.
K
eep rising
Learn. Iterate. Grow. There’s always a next step.
No matter your background, experience, or idea stage—
PEAK is where your next chapter begins.
Your Entrepreneurial Toolkit
PEAK is a focused, practical training experience designed to give you a well-rounded business foundation. Here's what we cover:
Build a Business Idea
- Explore what makes a strong business concept
- Clarify your goals, motivations, and values
- Learn to articulate your "what," "why," and "how"
Understand the Money
- Income vs. expenses vs. profit — and how to balance them
- Build a basic budget using real-world numbers
- Learn the difference between financial risk and reward
Know Your Customer
- Define your market and niche
- Develop a basic customer profile
- Learn how to talk to (and sell to) your audience
Develop a Marketing Plan
- Understand your brand message
- Choose smart marketing methods based on your strengths
- Build a simple plan to test your idea in the real world
Draft a Real Business Plan
- Piece together your business idea, money plan, and operations into one page
- Walk away with a functional, flexible business plan draft
1-on-1 Business Coaching
(Post Program)
After completing the workshops, each participant will receive a personalized coaching session where they can troubleshoot specific challenges, refine their business plan, and receive tailored advice on next steps toward launching or validating their business idea.
Explore Self-Employment with Confidence
PEAK is designed to help young adults discover whether entrepreneurship is the right next step. In just a few sessions, you’ll dive into business planning, financial literacy, operations, and marketing — all focused on making self-employment real and achievable.
Topic | Date and Time | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
From Idea to Action | Part 1 | 5 PM - 7 PM | Participants explore creative brainstorming techniques to generate business ideas based on personal interests, market needs, and community opportunities. They learn how to "sift through" possibilities and focus on ideas with real-world potential. Key Skills:
|
Part 2 | 5 PM - 7 PM | ||
Show Me the Money | Part 1 | 5 PM - 7 PM | This lesson introduces participants to business financial basics in an accessible, beginner-friendly way. They will learn how to analyze if their idea can realistically make money by understanding key financial concepts like income, expenses, and profit margins. Key Skills:
|
Part 2 | 5 PM - 7 PM | ||
High Key Action | Part 1 | 5 PM - 7 PM | Participants move from planning to action: how to sell their product or service, how to choose the right legal structure for their business (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership), and how to plan for growth by identifying when they need to upskill, hire, or partner with others. Key Skills:
|
Part 2 | 5 PM - 7 PM | ||
Who is My Customer and Where Are They? | Part 1 | 5 PM - 7 PM | This final lesson focuses on understanding the marketplace. Participants learn what defines a market or market niche, how to pinpoint where their target customers "hang out," and how to begin testing their product-market fit. Key Skills:
|
Part 2 | 5 PM - 7 PM | ||
If You’ve Got the Spark, You Belong Here
This program is for:
- Young adults exploring self-employment
- Side-hustlers testing a new idea
- First-time entrepreneurs looking for guidance
- Anyone who wants to learn how to build a business on their own terms
We especially welcome:
- Indigenous participants
- Newcomers to Canada
- Women entrepreneurs
- People from underrepresented communities
No business experience? No problem.
Take the Next Step
Whether you're looking to join, refer someone, or support PEAK, here's how you can plug in:
I’m a young adult
Ready to build your future? Apply today and take the first step.
I’m a school, organization, or youth worker
Looking to refer a potential participant? Download the info pack or contact us to set up a presentation.
About PEAK
PEAK is a project of Community Futures Capital Region designed to spark entrepreneurship in rural adults. It's also part of the Young Entrepreneurs Training Initiative suite of programs
We believe great ideas don’t need permission. Just a push, a plan, and a little support.
If you are 15 to 18 years old or in senior high school, and looking for a meaningful activity over the summer, try our YETI program
