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DC Entrepreneurship and Small Business grad launches Agile Fat Guy Spirits

As a mechanic, Jeremy Coulis liked his nine-to-five lifestyle, but once his kids were older he decided he wanted to open his own business. After going back to school to try something new, Coulis completed the Entrepreneurship and Small Business program at Durham College (DC) in August 2015 and launched Agile Fat Guy Spirits, a craft distillery.

“I chose DC’s program for its focus on helping students develop the knowledge base needed to build something from nothing and start their own business upon graduating,” said Coulis. The Entrepreneurship and Small Business program guides students through the ideation stage and right through launching a business, with courses that encourage them to think outside the box — an integral characteristic of any successful entrepreneur.

A no-nonsense kind of guy with no entrepreneurial experience, Coulis appreciated the program’s hands-on approach, including a mentorship component that sees students receive 24 hours of mentorship from a local entrepreneur. Coulis landed at Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company for his mentorship, where for three days he spent time learning in a variety of departments.

When FastStart DC (FastStart) launched in January 2015, Coulis immediately got involved. FastStart’s official kickoff at DC included partnering with the Student Association to launch a social media contest that asked students to share their thoughts on what entrepreneurship meant to them. As one of 11 prize winners, Coulis received an all-expense-paid trip to Canada’s East Coast to attend the Starting Point Student Entrepreneurship Conference at St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Winning the trip catapulted Coulis into becoming a FastStart client. The DC Summer Accelerator program launched soon after in the spring of 2015. He applied and became part of the inaugural accelerator program, facilitated by the college’s partners at Spark Centre. Coulis immersed himself in the start-up world at DC’s regional innovation centre, attending workshops, seminars and mentoring sessions. He even took home a $500 prize for winning one of the summer’s three pitch competitions — all just the beginning of his entrepreneurship journey.

In an unconventional move, Coulis came up with his Agile Fat Guy brand name even before deciding on a business or product. “I race sailboats, and anyone who sails knows that you have to be agile to race,” said Coulis. “Someone called me an ‘agile fat guy’ once and I thought it was fun — so it stuck!” Coulis doesn’t just feel passionately about his brand, he believes he is his brand. At Agile Fat Guy, he often jokes that he’s the CFG – Chief Fat Guy.

Once he had the name, Coulis wanted to capitalize on it. Originally planning to start a craft brewery, he later changed his mind to focus on craft spirits instead. Soon after, Agile Fat Guy Spirits was born and officially incorporated in August 2015. After receiving $5,000 in seed funding from the DC Summer Accelerator program for successfully completing the program and meeting the prize criteria, Coulis put the money toward his start-up, using it to secure the equipment required to start a distillery. He credits being part of FastStart DC with helping him to source suppliers and giving him the support needed to start a company in today’s ever-changing economy.

“Agile Fat Guy probably wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for FastStart DC and Spark Centre,” said Coulis, identifying the program and regional innovation centre as key components to his success thus far. “Working at The Loft [at Spark Centre], I learned how critical it is to remain focused on your core idea until that idea gets established.”

With his core idea of creating craft spirits established, Coulis is moving on to his next goal: getting those spirits into LCBO stores. He recently submitted his vodka and gin products for consideration and is optimistic that they’ll be on retail shelves soon.

“Getting products on LCBO shelves is a unique process,” explained Coulis. “The LCBO has a product call once a year where they decide what they want to sell. But once you get in, it sets the standard for selling everywhere else.”

While continuing to navigate the LCBO’s regulatory process, he is keeping momentum going for Agile Fat Guy by focusing on marketing, especially the brand’s social media presence. He’s also working on developing new products, including coolers. Coulis also recently secured a deal with George Brown College to partner with the school’s Food Science department on research and development for his company.

Coulis’ long-term goals include a 12-month plan to have Agile Fat Guy vodka and gin products in the LCBO, and a 24-month plan to add coolers to the retail mix, with all products being available in as many LCBO outlets as production will allow. By the end of 2017, he would also like to be exporting Agile Fat Guy products across Canada. His vision for Agile Fat Guy also includes building a distillery in Cobourg, Ontario, his hometown and the home base for the company. Coulis has plans in place to create jobs and hire local employees to run production services — his way of giving back to the community that’s supporting his start-up venture.

“Using resources like FastStart DC and Spark Centre gives you a step up in the right direction,” said Coulis, reflecting on his DC and DC Summer Accelerator experience. “It allows you to be different from everyone else and still be a part of their world — new entrepreneurs should stay with them as long as they can. You meet so many people and the system works well with the whole team in it.”

Drawing on his own experience as a student entrepreneur, Coulis now shares his own advice with aspiring entrepreneurs: “If you can’t talk about your business non-stop to anyone at any time, then you are not in the right business. Just be passionate about it. You have to have a passion for your business. Tell everyone about your idea. Ask everyone for help. Take free money. Take risks.”

 

Durham College Centre for Food named 3 Star Certified Green Restaurant®

Durham College (DC) announced today that its Centre for Food (CFF), located at the Whitby campus, has been named a 3 Star Certified Green Restaurant®. The certification builds on the CFF’s previous 2 Star rating, which was awarded by the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), a non-profit organization that guides restaurants on becoming more environmentally sustainable, in 2014.

The rating applies to a total of nine CFF spaces, including Bistro ’67, the college’s full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant; Pantry, a unique retail store that brings student-created goods straight from the field to the culinary classroom and on to the community; the large quantities, culinary and culinary baking kitchens; the wine-tasting/mixology lab; the food distribution centre; the lecture demonstration theatre; and the banquet hall.

“This advancement from Durham College’s previous 2 Star rating, received only two years ago, is a credit to the incredible work of everyone at the CFF in conjunction with our Sustainability office as we work to integrate both field-to-fork and environmental sustainability into all aspects of the CFF’s operations,” said Kevin Baker, principal, Centre for Food. “It’s also a powerful demonstration of the college’s dedication to environmental leadership and I am proud of our commitment to teaching students by example how they can go on to incorporate sustainability into their careers, workplaces and personal lives post-graduation.”

The CFF received 177.03 GreenPoints™ in recognition of implementing 63 environmental steps across the categories of energy, water, waste, disposables, chemicals and pollution, food, and buildings and materials, marking a 40-per cent increase in points over the centre’s initial GRA certification. Points were awarded in recognition of numerous sustainable features including:

  • A two-storey living wall herb garden
  • On-site food production, use of local produce and offering of vegan and vegetarian main dishes
  • A comprehensive recycling program that includes food waste in order to reduce the CFF’s carbon footprint
  • A hydration station for filling reusable water bottles
  • Use of compostable take-out containers
  • Low-flow toilets, touchless sensor faucets and waterless urinal technology

“Our new 3 Star rating is a true reflection of what we’re doing with eco-focused facility improvements, practices and standards at the CFF,” said Michelle Darling, senior project manager, DC, who oversees the college’s Sustainability office. “We’ve made incredible progress in a short period of time, and achievements like this keep both employees and students motivated as we continue to green DC.”

Focused on the field-to-fork concept, which is based on the harvesting, storing, processing, packaging, sale and consumption of food – in particular the production of local food for local consumers, the CFF opened to students in September 2013. Supported by ambassador and celebrity chef Jamie Kennedy, it boasts numerous sustainable building features in addition to those identified by the GRA. These include a glass curtain wall to maximize natural light, a fully automated building controls management system, occupancy sensors and the use of safer hand soaps.

The CFF’s grounds feature an apple orchard, agricultural planting fields, gardens and greenhouses that support academic applied-learning and research while growing fruits, vegetables and other produce for use in its kitchens, laboratories and Bistro ’67. Production methods have low environmental impact, demonstrate water stewardship and result in reduced energy consumption.

The south side of the building includes a ramped garden feature with a pollinator garden for native birds, bees and butterflies and planning for a two-acre arboretum is underway. This will see the planting of more than 200 species of trees, shrubs, perennials and fruit-bearing plants, providing a teaching and learning environment for students, the local agri-food industry, community organizations and the general public.

DC faculty and students are also collaborating on unique, agri-focused applied research projects at the CFF, including the development of cold-frame technology, which harnesses the sun’s energy to support the growth of fresh, local produce year-round, and the improvement of drones’ data-collecting capabilities to help local farmers with crop management.

Able to accommodate 900 students, the CFF is home to the college’s Horticulture – Food and Farming, Horticulture Technician, Culinary Management, Culinary Skills, Advanced Baking and Pastry Arts, Event Management, Hospitality – Hotel and Tourism Operations Management, Hospitality Skills and Special Events Planning programs.

DC and UOIT to enhance partnership through new Innovative Initiatives Fund

Long-standing campus partners Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) announced today a new Innovative Initiatives Fund that will support collaborative initiatives proposed by staff and faculty at both institutions.

The fund has a project budget of $300,000 ($150,000 from each institution) to be used in a pilot year (2016-2017), after which funding will be considered on a more permanent basis.

“DC and UOIT have enjoyed a productive partnership for over a decade,” said Don Lovisa, President, DC. “This fund represents how we can broaden that partnership to include innovations in academic initiatives, research and innovation, support for entrepreneurship and joint partnerships involving the community.”

“The underlying spirit of the successful projects should be that students benefit from collaboration and that the campus and its institutions become more than the sum of their parts,” said Tim McTiernan, President and Vice-Chancellor, UOIT.

A steering group of senior staff and faculty from each institution are developing decision-making criteria and rules related to joint project proposals. The funding can be used to leverage joint partnerships and matching funding, where available. Projects could begin as early as this fall.

The two institutions’ history of collaboration includes an array of seamless and flexible academic pathways programs for students. The university and college also share services, such as campus security and information technology, that enhance administrative efficiency.

DC grad Sarah Mark hits the Top 40 with song 'Tun Up'

Less than a month after her Durham College (DC) convocation ceremony, Music Business Administration graduate Sarah Mark is certainly making her mark on the Canadian music industry with her hit song, “Tun Up.” The song debuted on June 25 at number 49 on Canada’s Billboard Contemporary Hit Radio Top 40 chart and quickly climbed to a spot in the Top 30.

 “Tun Up” is getting airtime on popular radio stations across Canada, including Virgin 99.9 in Toronto and Winnipeg, and even caught the attention of TV personality and radio host Ryan Seacrest.

When she graduated from DC in June 2016, Mark, an International student from Trinidad and Tobago, also landed a spot on another top list: the President’s Honour Roll, which recognizes students with a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 or greater.

The two-year Music Business Administration program prepares students for the competitive music industry. Students develop skills in management, marketing, promotion and small business while learning the essentials of event production, live sound reinforcement, studio operations and media.

DC Governor selected to 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women list

Durham College (DC) Board of Governor Nneka Bowen joined other distinguished and remarkable individuals honoured during the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women gala ceremony at The Brighton Convention and Event Centre on June 16. One hundred women from across Canada were celebrated for their social, educational, political and professional accomplishments.

Her nomination for the award reads like a world-class resumé, highlighting her tireless commitment to education through a position on DC’s Board of Governors, among a number of other impressive achievements. Namely her leadership as vice-president, Commercial Banking at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) of Durham Region, helping local businesses grow; her contributions to the development of students through hiring and mentoring summer co-op students and creating RBC projects for UOIT capstone students; and her involvement with a number of other local organizations.

“My sons are my greatest inspirations,” Bowen said. “Having grown up with nothing but a dream for what I wanted my future to look like, I am driven every day and with every breath to give them the life I didn’t have growing up; to live as an example for them to follow and aspire to achieve and contribute even greater than my most ambitious dreams.”

Bowen’s motivation stems from those who came before her, like former federal Liberal cabinet minister Jean Augustine and the mentors and managers she had at RBC. She credits the support and encouragement she received from both of her teams at RBC and DC as the source of her leadership and mentorship philosophy, with inclusivity as a major cornerstone.

Asked about her secret to success, Bowen offered a piece of wisdom she gives her children: “Never feel entitled; work towards your definition of success, earn it, achieve it, do not apologize for it, and pay it forward.”

Even with all her tremendous achievements, Bowen sees the award as a call-to-action to do more to help others live up to their full potential; something she’s perfectly positioned for on DC’s Board, her team at RBC, and the surrounding communities.

Sun shines on DC’s Professional Development Day

A sunny sky and pleasant temperatures greeted more than 250 Durham College (DC) employees at the second annual Professional Development (PD) day. Open to employees from DC’s campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and the Pickering Learning Site, the event celebrates the contributions of all employees to inspire the imaginations and unlock the potential of students throughout the year.

Scott Blakey, DC’s chief administrative officer, welcomed participants to the event and reminded them that providing the best possible educational experience for DC students is truly a team effort.

“This day is about you, our employees, and how much we value your significant contributions to the college,” he said. “No matter what part you play, each of you has an important role in helping Durham College stay true to its mission – the student experience comes first.”

 The event’s theme, the importance of playing your role, was emphasized on social media with participants encouraged to tweet about their experiences with the hashtag #youmatter. The day’s keynote speaker was Sami Jo Small, a long-time member of Canada’s world champion and Olympic gold-medal women’s hockey team, Small told her audience that everyone at DC, no matter what job they have, should feel proud to be part of a team that’s producing great results for students.

“We all have different roles. Some we strive to be in, others we have been put in. They’re all important; win or lose, it’s about the journey you take,” Small said.

The PD Day events coincided with National Aboriginal Day, which is marked across Canada as a tribute to Canada’s indigenous people. Elder Shirley Williams and representatives of the Aboriginal Students Centre participated in a smudging ceremony to promote harmony and balance for the day’s activities. In addition, a flag-raising ceremony took place at the Oshawa campus to recognize the unique culture, history and significant contributions made by First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to DC and to Canadian society.

Participants took part in breakout sessions throughout the day, where they discussed current best practices in education with experts from DC, and also learned about current trends in social media, nutrition for families and creating an appropriate work-life balance.

With more than 770 employees, DC is one of the region’s largest employers and provides more than $800 million in positive economic impact annually. DC has been named one of the Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for  the past six years, and events such as PD Day are just one of the reasons why the college is not only a school of choice for thousands of students, but a great place to work as well.

DC welcomes announcement of Lakeshore East GO line extension into Bowmanville

Durham College (DC) is welcoming yesterday’s announcement by the provincial government that it will extend the Lakeshore East rail corridor east across the rest of Oshawa and into Bowmanville. The news is great for DC students and our community and will help to generate economic growth and development in Durham Region and well beyond.

In particular, the college is proud to play a key role in the Durham Learning and Business District (dLAB), a partnership between DC, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Trent University Durham, River Oaks Group and Halloway Developments Ltd. which released the following statement about yesterday’s announcement.

Photo: Province of Ontario news conference formally announcing plans for eastward extension of GO service through Oshawa and Courtice to Bowmanville (June 20, 2016). Photo courtesy: Sandra Austin, Regional Municipality of Durham.

Centre for Success graduates ready to take on the world

Hundreds of proud family members and friends were on hand at Durham College’s (DC) Oshawa campus on Thursday, June 16 to celebrate the accomplishments of the newest group of students from the Centre for Success (CFS) program. Now in its ninth year, this unique initiative is a partnership between DC and four local school boards – Durham District School Board, Kawartha Pine Ridge School District Board, Durham Catholic District School Board and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board.

The initiative is designed to enable in-risk secondary school students to complete their high school academic requirements in a college setting, offering them access to smaller class sizes, flexible schedules and increased one-to-one access to teachers. In addition, it provides an opportunity for students to earn at least one and potentially more college credits toward their post-secondary education at Durham College. This year, 92 per cent of participants successfully completed the program, which exceeds the provincial average of approximately 85 per cent at other dual credit college programs in Ontario.

DC president Don Lovisa praised the more than 120 students who completed the program, which began in February. He pointed out that many of the students had overcome personal hardships to reach this important milestone and offered them some words of advice for their future.

“Never be afraid to ask for help,” Lovisa told the audience. “Chances are someone will always be around to help you. You’ve taken an important step by working with your teachers here to get ready for the next stage in your life, where there will be new people to help you along the way.”

The students who completed the program were unanimous in their praise for the Centre for Success.

“The CFS made us feel like real college students,” said Micheline Poole of Bowmanville. “Students who may have had trouble in a traditional high school can come here and, like me, thrive. Good luck to all my peers on your journey to success.”

High fives, handshakes and hugs were the order of the day as each of the students were called to the podium to receive their competition certificates. For the students who have achieved a goal that many of them once thought was unobtainable, it was a day for celebration and one they won’t soon forget.

Alli McDougall of Oshawa echoed those sentiments: “The Centre for Success helped me utilize the skills I do have, while also helping me develop new ones that will allow me to continue my education. To my fellow classmates, always remember that you have a purpose and there is always a way to fulfil it.”

2016 spring convocation celebrates success

This year’s spring convocation ceremonies saw more than 3,800 Durham College (DC) graduates embark on the next leg of their journeys. Whether beginning their career or pursuing further education, these individuals will continue with the confidence and knowledge represented in their DC post-secondary credential. Proud friends, family and DC employees gathered at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa on Monday, June 13, Tuesday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 15 to witness students from more than 160 programs receive recognition for their accomplishments.

Graduates from the schools of Interdisciplinary Studies; Justice & Emergency Services; Media, Art & Design; Continuing Education; Science & Engineering Technology; Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology; Business, IT & Management;  Health & Community Services and the Centre for Food were honoured with diplomas and certificates during five ceremonies across the three days.

DC President Don Lovisa, who shared words of advice from Jon Acuff’s article, 20 Things Nobody Tells You When You Graduate College as part of his convocation address, said “It’s become a handy stereotype to say that this generation has a sense of entitlement when it comes to their work and personal lives. Don’t accept that. Don’t accept for a minute that your generation, and those who follow you, are any less prepared, any less capable and any less willing to work than previous generations. I know this to be true because of my work at DC, and when I look at you here today, I see individuals who are ready to take on the important issues of the world and make a positive difference.”

In addition to celebrating the success of its graduates, the college also recognized Hannah Elkington, Anna Forder, Melody Gaukel and Philip Pritchard with Alumni of Distinction Awards.

Elkington, a 2014 Police Foundations program graduate, is a police constable with Durham Regional Police Service. During her studies, she participated in the Impossible2Possible Botswana expedition, running 200 km across the Kalahari Desert over a four-day period. In her graduation year, she also received the prestigious Public Hero Award from the Intercultural Dialogue Institute.

Forder, a 1971 Public Relations program graduate, represented Canada in figure skating at the 1968 Olympic Games in Grenoble, France. She has worked as a professional figure skating coach mentoring young skaters in Durham Region for 45 years, including World gold medalist Barbara Underhill who also represented Canada at the Olympics and was inducted into the Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame in 1988 and recognized with the Canadian Women’s Mentor Award in 2000.

Gaukel, a 1998 Public Relations program graduate, is the vice-president of Corporate and Finance at Environics Communications where she played a major role in promoting the Ontario Tire Stewardship program, and makes time to mentor many DC graduates. She has been recognized with two Achieving Communications Excellence Awards from the Canadian Public Relations Society and three International Association of Business Communicators Ovation Awards.

Pritchard, a 1985 Sport Administration graduate, has visited more than 35 countries promoting the Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum as well as exhibits in its collection, but is best known for his position as Keeper of the Cup. In this role, he travels with the Stanley Cup during the National Hockey League playoffs and walks it out onto the ice to be presented to the winning team. In addition, he served for many years on the board of directors for the International Sports Heritage Association (ISHA) as well as the Canadian Association of Sport Heritage. In 2009, he received the Schroeder Award, the ISHA’s highest honour.

In addition, Katherine E. Cummings, former professor in the School of Health & Community Services, was granted the title of Professor Emeritus. This honorary designation recognizes the contributions and service of DC’s retired employees and was awarded to Cummings for her tireless pursuit of enhanced math literacy in nursing students. In 2012, she received the Registered Nurses of Ontario Leadership Award in Nursing Education and the Council of Ontario Universities’ Programs in Nursing Award for Excellence in Collaborative Education. Cummings, known for her passion for health care and innovation, has served as an inspiration and mentor to both students and colleagues alike for 35 years.

The five convocation ceremonies were broadcast via a live stream on the DC website so those unable to attend could celebrate with the successful graduates. Before concluding each ceremony, DC President Don Lovisa asked the class of 2016 to join him in a group selfie.

“I have always had mixed feelings about endings and often times in my life I have found myself reflecting on them with both joy and sadness,” said Elkington, guest speaker and Alumna of Distinction. “For it is only in the moments that we are walking away from something that we realize the significance it has had in our lives. It is only in endings that we are able to hold ourselves up to the light and reflect on how far we have come.”

With the spring convocation ceremonies, DC boasts more than 76,000 alumni over its 49-year history.

DC students earn best of the best recognition at Digifest

Durham College (DC) Interactive Media Design students Christopher Chai and Zachary Weaver are the proud winners of the Interaction Design category in the Best of the Best Student Showcase at Digifest, Toronto’s three-day international festival celebrating digital creativity. The students’ winning design, the fully interactive Unreal Museum Showcase, was an engaging way for participants to experience history and learning.

The unique Best of the Best Student Showcase brought together exciting work from the brightest student minds across Ontario, and at the forefront of it all was the Unreal Museum Showcase. Powered by the Unreal Engine and Leap Motion Gesture Control, users had the opportunity to explore and interact with the museum displays in an immersive, fully 3D environment.

Taking a new, extremely hands-on approach to learning, guests were encouraged to touch, manipulate and control exhibition objects at their own pace. From ancient Roman history to the fine arts, the Unreal Museum Showcase made learning a very real, very fun experience.

Requiring a partnership to operate, one user controls a pair of 3D hands with a gesture sensing device, while the other navigates the museum with an ordinary video game controller. The hands can touch and hold on to fully rendered models of sculptures, ancient weapons and other pieces, or activate media such as sound clips or videos by pressing virtual buttons within the application.

“Digifest was the first time I was able to show off something I was really proud of,” said Chai. “It was great seeing all the visitors playing about with the project, they all seemed so engaged – especially the smaller kids.”

Chai and Weaver’s Unreal Museum Showcase was one of 30 student projects from 10 institutions across Ontario, spanning categories such as graphic communication, interactive gaming, mobile app development, visual and interactive art, and web design. Hundreds of the most renowned Canadian and international designers attend the Student Showcase every year, making it an incredible opportunity for students to expose their creativity to the biggest names in their industries.

Creating and presenting the Unreal Museum Showcase was a serious challenge, but the two winners came prepared. The Interactive Media Design program gives students all the tools and skills needed to become masters in the world of animated and digital design.