...I wasn't even prepared!
Check, check, check.
One two three,
one two three, one two three!
Good afternoon, Humber!
[audience] [cheers quietly]
 [man] Come on, I said,
good afternoon, Humber!
[audience] [cheers, applause]
[Mark Breslin] Thank you.
I'm Mark Breslin, I'm CEO and founder
of Yuk Yuk's, the world's 
largest chain of comedy clubs.
[audience] [cheers]
But that's not why I'm here today.
I'm here today
because we are going to find
a great entrepreneurial idea,
and we are going to find 
a great financial partner,
right here at Humber College!
[audience] [cheers, applause]
So are you ready for
"Dragons' Den – The Humber Edition"?
[audience] [cheers, applause]
Okay.
So my....
[music plays]
That's supposed to be 
Dragon's Den music.
[music ends]
Okay.
My financial partner today 
is the president of Humber College.
Please welcome, Chris Whitaker!
[audience] [cheers, applause]
Welcome Chris 
and thanks for having me here.
H- thanks for having us all here.
[Chris Whitaker]
Thank you for being here today, Mark.
I hope you found the place easily.
[Mark] Well, actually, um, 
I wound up at North Campus.
It's a long story, but you know,
about three blocks away,
there was a great shawarma restaurant,
so it was okay.
[Chris]
Okay then.
[Mark] [chuckles] 
[Chris] Well, I'm really sorry to hear that,
uh, but I'm definitely 
happy you're here.
[Mark] Good.
[Chris] Uh, because our first and only
entrepreneur of the day
says that he has an idea
that you, specifically,
may find interesting.
[Mark]
Wait. There's only one guy?
[Chris] [chuckles] Yes, uh,
and apparently, he's all you need.
So, ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome, Chuck Peters!
[Chuck Peters] 
Hey, hey! Hey, whoa, hey guys!
Hi! Hey, hey dragons! Dragons.
 Happy to see that you're not,
uh, real dragons. [chuckles]
[Mark] Ha ha ha.
[Chuck] That's just a joke. Okay, uh...
uh, not to say 
that you're not good at your job.
Anyway, oh God.
Uh, hi. I'm, I'm Chuck Peters,
and I am from London, Ontario,
uh, and I studied fine arts, of course,
in Paris, Ontario.
And, uh, uh, but don't think of me
as just a regular "Joe Ontario,"
because I have an idea
that, uh, will change 
the face of comedy in Canada forever.
I call it, "Chuck Chuck's."
[audience] [laughs]
A chain of national comedy clubs
that would span the country
and feature live stand-up comedy 
six nights a week!
Huh? Yeah!
[Mark] No, I... I don't think 
we're gonna wanna be interested in that.
A- are we?
[Chris] No, no, hold on, let him finish.
[Chuck] 
Oh yeah! Alright!
[Mark]
Chris, are you serious? Come on....
[Chuck]
See, not only is my name Chuck,
but Chuck Chuck's is a perfect name
for this comedy club
because it's short for....
[Chris] 
I get it – Chuckle Chuckles!
[Chuck] Hey...! 
See, now you're getting it!
There we go!
[Chris] I like this guy!
[Mark] 
No, we're not doing this idea.
I mean I don't want to toot my own horn,
but frankly, it's been done.
[Chuck] Well, see, 
that's the best part about it 
is that this is 
a totally untapped market.
For some reason,
this does not exist yet in Canada.
Somebody screwed up...
[Mark] Wait a minute! That's not true!
What about my clubs?
[Chris] 
Well, hold on a minute, Mark. 
This guy, this guy's got something.
Don't you see?
Yours is a comedy club,
whereas this is more of a comedic club.
[Chuck] Mmmm!
[Chris] And to be honest,
for the longest time,
I thought you were in the, uh,
business of gross foods 
or something.
I mean,
"Yuk Yuk's"?
[Mark] 
That's the sound of laughter!
[Chris] It's the sound 
of someone eating Brussels sprouts.
Mark, let's face reality.
I'm sure tons of people
step into your club
expecting to be grossed out.
[Mark]
Yes, but not from the food!
[Chris] Chuck, what do you need 
to get this thing off the ground?
[Chuck] Well, that's,
that's almost the best part!
We have so many, uh,
famous Canadians 
that are already 
super invested in the idea.
You name it – Jim Carrey,
Norm Macdonald, uh, Jeremy Hotz....
[Mark] 
How did you get all these people?
[Chuck] Well, I mentioned it to them 
and they seemed extremely interested.
[Mark] But they're all millionaires!
They don't need you!
[Chuck] 
Wha- No, I mean....
Oh, no, no,
Jim Williams and Carey Smith,
uh, and, yeah, Norman Macdonalds, 
uh, Jeremy Hotz with a silent "q".
These are all guys 
in my a cappella group,
and they're super into the idea.
 Uh, they're almost too into it,
to be honest, it's a little weird.
[Mark] You don't have 
this kind of influence here.
Who do you think you are? 
Uh, Steve Bellamy,
Dean, School of Creative 
and of Performing Arts?
[Chuck]
Whoa!
I'm proud of myself,
but I'm nowhere near that guy.
That guy's on a whole different level.
What a guy.
[Chris] Yeah, I like your idea,
but nobody can touch Steve.
[Chuck] I agree, I agree.
[Mark] And why would you think
I would be interested in this?
You said I would find this 
specifically interesting. Why?
[Chuck] 
Yeah. Yeah, stage time!
Are you not Marc Maron,
the comedian?
[Mark]
No!
[Chuck] Oh. Wait. Who are you?
What are you even doing here?
[Mark] That's enough!
Just, just get outta here!
[Chuck] Oh jeez, oh okay, oh I'm,
I'm sorry to have wasted all your time.
[Mark] 
Yeah, well, you did.
[Chuck] 
Uh, hold on.
How about an idea
for a sketch comedy and improv theatre
that could launch the careers of many
and have its own spin-off TV show
 and have a training centre 
and theatre on Mercer Street,
and we'll call it The Third City?
[Mark] 
Now that I like!
[Chuck] 
Yeah!
[audience] [applause]
[Mark] A big thanks to Chris,
big thanks to Chris.
Oh, a microphone that works.
A big thanks to Chris 
and Marc Hallworth.
Let's give them a big hand.
[audience] [applause]
So good afternoon
and welcome to the grand opening
 of one of Humber's newest buildings,
the Centre for Entrepreneurship.
My name is Mark Breslin,
and I am pleased 
to be your emcee for today.
 It is an important day
for the college
as we open
yet another fantastic new facility
and celebrate more opportunities
for students to develop their skills
and knowledge they use 
as they embark on their careers.
Now, Humber has always, in its own way,
supported entrepreneurship,
and as an example,
I think that any college 
that has both a funeral director program
and a floral design course
understands the importance 
of synergy.
[audience] [laughter, applause]
Humber is important to me 
for several reasons.
A few yea- days ago,
in 19- in '98,
 I had the f- good fortune
of helping to found
the comedy writing 
and performance program,
and I'm still involved today,
 as chair
of the Program Advisory Committee
and producer-in-residence.
And I like to think 
I know a little bit about taking risks,
following your dream,
working with mentors and investors
to develop a successful business.
In 1976,
40 years ago,
we opened the first Yuk Yuk's
in the basement
of the Church Street Community Centre.
And though our little club has grown 
to more than 15 locations across Canada,
each one is still rooted
in the fundamentals
of innovation 
and entrepreneurship.
So let me tell you 
what entrepreneurship means to me.
I grew up in the '60s,
when business was a dirty word.
It meant conformity,
a cubicle, a grey flannel suit,
 and a gold-plated watch 
at the end of your run.
But when I was 24,
I started my own business 
with a comedy product 
that had never been seen before,
and I realized that entrepreneurship 
is the cutting edge of business.
It's all about the new,
all about freedom,
it's about 
making people's lives better.
Of course, I didn't realize
that in rejecting 
the world of nine-to-five,
I'd be working nine-to-nine,
and more.
So let's get down to business.
In a few minutes, you'll hear 
from Humber president Chris Whitaker,
MPP Peter Milczyn, 
Councillor Mi- Mark Grimes,
IGNITE President Ahmeed-
Ahmed Tahir,
and from Courtney Coon 
and Faria Islam,
graduates 
of the HumberLaunch program.
First, some housekeeping notes.
For our guests, we've taken care 
of the most important thing –
Wi-Fi!
Just connect 
to the "Welcome to Humber" network,
click the 
"Guest Wireless Access" button,
accept the Terms of Use,
and click "Login."
Easy. Right?
Okay.
And since you've gone to all that fuss,
you might as well tweet away
and guilt all your friends
into not joining you to this party 
by using the hashtag #cfewelcome.
I hope you've all had 
a chance to have a drink,
something to eat, refreshments
will continue to be available
 after the ribbon-cutting,
and the other important note,
if needed,
the washrooms are in the basement.
 Please use them.
Thank you.
After a ceremony, there will be 
a self-guided tour of the facility.
Make sure you have your passports.
Once your passport is complete 
with a sticker from each area you visit,
drop off your passport 
and pick up your gift bag as you exit.
All completed passports
will be entered into a draw
for two tickets to the Drake concert 
on Saturday, October 8th,
at the Air Canada Centre.
Winners will be announced
tomorrow morning
and will be contacted directly.
We begin our program with a few words 
from the president of Humber College.
Please welcome me,
please join me in welcoming 
Chris Whitaker 
back to the stage.
[audience] [applause]
[Chris]
Well, thank you very much, Mark,
and seriously,
we have lots of opportunities 
 for you to invest in Humber,
so and,
and thank you for all your support 
over the years.
Good afternoon, everybody.
 It's a great pleasure to welcome
all of our colleagues 
and guests with us today,
on this fabulous day
as we celebrate
the opening
of the Centre for Entrepreneurship
in this fabulously restored 
G Building.
I want to
particularly recognize today
that we have Brien Gray, 
chair of our Humber Board of Governors 
and several other members 
from the Board here.
So I wanna welcome them today.
[audience] [applause]
As I begin,
I want to recognize 
that Humber is situated
on a traditional territory
of the Ojibwe Anishinaabe,
who have travelled along
the Humber waterways for centuries
between First Nations communities
throughout, throughout the upper 
and lower Great Lakes region.
This area will forever be known 
by the Ojibwe people as Adobigok,
the Place of the Black Alders.
We know it today as Etobicoke,
home of both of our main campuses.
So as you know,
we're in a very historic building.
We're preparing people 
for the future,
we're doing this out of a,
a historic building here.
Now, some of you know the history 
of Building G.
Uh, when it was closed, 
it was the administration office 
of the Lakeshore 
Psychiatric Hospital.
The building and the comples- it- 
complex ixself- uh, itself 
went by various names 
throughout history
 but it was originally opened in 1889,
and closed in 1979,
the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital.
So we do, uh,
sit on very historic property here.
We're absolutely delighted 
that this,
we're completing
the last of the cottages
in terms of, uh, restoration.
Also for history buffs,
and perhaps movie buffs,
uh, you know that this building,
uh, specifically,
is famous for appearing 
in the "Police Academy,"
and I know there's a few of you,
the movie "Police Academy,"
the first one,
there's a few of you here
that are old enough
to know what I'm talking about,
right?
And most recently, uh, 
we had the, uh, the cast and crew here 
for the filming of "Suicide Squad,"
for the newer people 
in the audience.
So you probably 
are aware of that as well.
So lots of history 
in this building.
So the re-imagining of the building,
uh, and the Centre for Entrepreneurship 
which, which led to this,
uh, celebration,
actually started about,
about five years ago.
Uh, and the restoration process
was completed 
within the past couple of years.
So in about 2011,
uh, Rani Dhaliwal, our VP here,
 led a group of architects
and designers
in discussing potential uses 
for the building.
So there was a charrette 
and other activities to do consultation.
And among the leading ideas
that emerged
was an idea to create
an incubator, uh, facility
that would house office
and meeting rooms
to provide, really, uh, uh,
programs an opportunity 
to bridge, uh, students,
uh, with faculty,
uh, to external businesses 
and entrepreneurial activities.
So that idea came out of this, uh,
this charrette 
and the research 
that was done in 2011.
So when you take, uh,
that, that vision,
and you combine it
with our mission at Humber
of developing broadly educated, 
highly skilled and adaptable citizens 
 to be successful in careers,
significantly contributing 
to the communities they serve,
locally, nationally, and globally,
this has led to the completion
of this wonderfully restored 
and renovated building.
So congratulations 
on everybody involved,
to everybody involved.
[audience] [applause]
The CfE, as we call it,
is dedicated to making Humber
a provincial leader
in providing
entrepreneurship training
and opportunities 
for all of its students, graduates,
 and community members 
looking to start their own business.
The Centre, a collaboration
among the College's
eight academic schools
and virtually 
all staff departments,
is dedicated 
to teaching and learning.
Our approach is unique.
Rather than providing infrastructure 
in return for financial benefits,
the CfE provides educational
and foundational support
including mentorship,
seed funding, networking,
and access to space and technology
needed to turn an idea 
into a successful business venture.
As you'll see in the tours 
following the program,
 spaces in this building 
include a focus group facility,
 a media production lab,
a computer lab featuring a 3D printer,
and of course,
this multi-purpose event space,
 all of which are available 
to our students, faculty, and staff.
The CfE is home to HumberLaunch
and will host 
the LaunchPad pitch competition,
along with events including 
the New Venture Seed Fund contest,
start-up workshops,
the Launch Your Big Idea contest,
awards and appreciation nights,
pop-up shops,
and I know that's just the beginning,
there'll be much, much more.
So in closing, 
I would like to take this opportunity 
to thank specifically
a number of people
who've helped realize 
what the G Building could become.
First of all, Rani Dhaliwal,
our Senior Vice-President,
 Planning and Corporate Services 
and CFO, and Rani's here.
Scott Valens, Director,
Capital Development.
Our partners in the project,
PCL Construction,
Moriyama & Teshima Architects,
Project Manager Frances Grabowski 
from Tiree,
 Goldsmith Borgal Architects,
our heritage consultant.
Also Peter Madott
and the work completed
through the CfE's Steering Committee.
I know Peter's here.
Wanda Buote 
and Patricia Morgan,
the co-chairs 
of the G Building Steering Committee,
and all those who contributed 
to the work of that team.
 Let's give them all 
a huge round of applause.
[audience] [applause]
Congratulations
and thank you to everyone 
who's contributed 
to this wonderful project.
We have much to be proud of,
and I look forward
to the many success stories
that will emerge 
with the support of the CfE.
Thank you once again 
for being with us today.
Now, as I leave the stage,
 I'd like to introduce a video 
from Deb Matthews,
our Minister of Advanced Education 
and Skills Development,
 who can't be with us today,
but brings greetings 
on this very special occasion.
Thank you.
[Deb Matthews]
Good afternoon, I'm Deb Matthews,
Ontario's Deputy Premier
and Minister of Advanced Education 
and Skills Development.
On behalf 
of the Government of Ontario,
congratulations on the official opening 
of the Centre for Entrepreneurship.
The Centre will add to Humber's
already strong reputation
for excellence 
in post-secondary education.
It will also help you push
the boundaries
of leading-edge training 
in our province.
And your timing is perfect.
Our economy is rapidly changing,
and to ensure Ontarians succeed 
in the new economy,
we're looking for new ways
to encourage and support
innovators and entrepreneurs,
because we know
they will become the business leaders
of today and tomorrow.
As you know,
becoming a successful business leader 
doesn't happen overnight.
It takes great ideas, top-notch skills,
and a lot of courage.
 It also takes having
the right support
and the right conditions 
at the right time.
And that's where Humber's new Centre 
for no- Entrepreneurship comes in.
It will help Ontarians
learn and refine
the skills they need 
to make a difference.
With that, I would like to wish everyone
at the new Centre of Entrepreneurship
all the best 
for a very successful future,
a future full of great ideas, 
dedicated teachers,
 and inspired students.
Have a wonderful afternoon,
and enjoy the ceremony. Thank you.
[audience] [applause]
[Mark]
Thank you, President Whitaker.
Words I hope I never have to use –
thank you, President Trump.
[audience] [laughter]
And if you liked 
Deb Matthews' video,
I really recommend you go on YouTube 
and see her cat videos – they're a hoot!
[audience] [laughter]
[Mark] 
Okay, uh, let's see.
Uh, [chuckles] 
he made a mess of my notes!
Where are we?
Uh, yes, here we go.
Um, now, I'm int- 
I'm pleased to introduce you
to a fellow entrepreneur.
Before he entered politics, 
our next speaker founded 
and led his own architectural 
and design consulting firm.
Please join me in welcoming 
Peter Milczyn,
the MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
[audience] [applause]
[Peter Milczyn]
Well, good afternoon, everybody.
Uh, President Whitaker, 
and members of the Board of Governors,
and, uh, Councillor Grimes,
ladies and gentlemen,
uh, it is a, uh, great honour,
and an inconvenience 
to be here with all of you today.
Uh, but, uh,
there was very little traffic,
so I was able to breeze down 
really quickly to come back home,
uh, to the Lakeshore 
to share in the festivities today.
Today is a, a reason for us to celebrate
on a number of levels.
As a, as a Mimico boy that I am,
uh, I'm immensely thrilled 
that the last building, uh,
of the old heritage buildings
on the Lakeshore Hospital grounds
is finally renovated and completed 
and will be used again.
As a Mimico boy
and as a representative
of, uh,
for Etobicoke-Lakeshore,
I'm also thrilled
that we have such a tremendous partner 
in Humber College.
 For decades,
we've thought and debated 
and struggled and, and pondered
how we're gonna revitalize 
the Lakeshore.
Well, one of the best ways 
that the Lakeshore is being revitalized
 has actually been the presence 
of Humber College,
your students, your staff,
and the tremendous investments 
that you're making,
both in the physical 
facilities here,
uh, but in the opportunities 
that you create in our community.
That's another reason to celebrate.
But the specific reason 
that we're here today,
to celebrate the grand opening 
of the Centre for Entrepreneurship,
is an example 
of how the key pillars of our strategy,
 uh, to build Ontario up,
are, are being made real.
The first one, of course, 
is investing 160 billion dollars 
in infrastructure 
over the next twelve years,
in roads and bridges, public transit, 
and in educational facilities like that.
 Like this.
But that's coupled with investing 
in people and their skills,
and this is, uh, the best example
of how that investment 
is going to make Ontario stronger.
We will be investing, uh, 
starting, uh, next year,
in free tuition for hundreds 
of thousands of Ontario students
so that no bright person
who has the drive and the ambition
will ever have to choose 
between food and rent and an education.
Education 
will be available to them.
And those people will be able
to come to places like Humber College
and other, uh, institutions,
and develop those ideas,
and those skills.
And those of them 
that have that entrepreneurial spirit,
I'm sure, 
will find a great home here.
And they will be the ones 
who innovate,
who create the new products,
the new ideas,
the unique services
that are gonna create 
more jobs in Ontario,
 more and more prosperity.
So this is a very tangible example
of how our investments,
and bricks and mortar, and in people,
are gonna make Ontario 
much stronger.
So thank you to Humber
for your tremendous vision 
in developing this.
I have a, a scroll 
that I'll present to you, uh, Chris.
And, uh, it is just, uh,
such a thrill that, uh,
 you've brought this tremendous idea 
to fruition.
[audience] [applause]
[Mark] [clapping]
Okay, thank you!
Let's give them a big hand! 
Thank you, MPP Milczyn.
Our next speaker a- also knows
a little something
about entrepreneurship
as the founder of the logistics firm 
MGA International.
But you may know him better
for his tireless work 
in municipal politics.
Welcome to Ward 6 City Councillor,
Mark Grimes!
[audience] [applause]
[microphone creaking]
[Mark Grimes]
So Mark, so two Irish guys,
they walk out of a bar....
Never mind, forget that.
What a great pleasure 
to be here today,
 uh, for another exciting announcement 
with Humber College.
 I have the proud, uh....
Um, I'm a New Toronto boy.
Peter's a, a Mimico boy,
I'm a New Toronto boy.
Growing up on these grounds as a,
as a young lad,
my grandma was a patient 
in some of these cottages.
I tell Wanda all the time,
what a great transformation 
it's been to see this happening.
We have two
more exciting announcements
– I wanna jump ahead of myself – 
but you look at the welcome centre 
 as you come in today,
absolutely really transformed 
the entrance into these grounds 
and it's fantastic.
The athletics centre,
that's coming down the pipe,
 uh, really, really exciting 
for Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
And my, and my friend 
Peter Milczyn commented on it,
it's part of the transformation 
of Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
And I do wanna thank Rani and Scott 
for all their hard work.
 There's lots of things 
going on these grounds,
how it all works together,
it's important,
but Wanda Buote, 
you've been fantastic to work with.
Uh, Wanda is out there 
in the community.
Humber College is out there 
working with our business....
She, she's at our, our, at the table 
for our joint BA's every morning.
But if you look at 
the Lakeshore now,
the new flags 
that are all now on Lakeshore,
working with Wanda to make that happen 
has been fantastic.
But it really, really is exciting.
Uh, I did go to Humber North,
um, as a, as a young lad,
 took hotel 
and restaurant management,
but think I spent 
too much time in Caps.
Is that still open up there,
Caps?
But look what happened to me,
I became a city councillor.
But it... it's fantastic, 
and I... and I now say 
to my good friend up there,
the deputy mayor Vince Crisanti,
this is turning into the flagship 
of Humber College,
but, uh, they work very well together,
it's awesome.
You can be a young boy here,
a young... a young girl here,
and go from your, your kindergarten 
all the way through your education,
and one of my sons is doing that –
Colin, who's taking 
the golf program here, he's lovin' it.
But I'm looking forward, uh,
forward to more announcements,
and I wanna thank our friends
at the provincial government
 who's been funding 
Humber College, uh,
 inside and out,
and, uh, hope that continues.
But it's just, it's a great partner 
in Etobicoke-Lakeshore,
 and I can't wait for it to continue,
and, uh....
So Wanda, congratulations.
Chris, congratulations. Thank you.
[audience] [applause]
[Mark] 
Thank you, Councillor Grimes.
I'm looking forward 
to hearing the Irish joke later.
Humber's Centre for Entrepreneurship
will support student entrepreneurs
as they fuel their creative sparks.
Our next speaker and his colleagues
do the same in all aspects 
of Humber student life.
Please join me in welcoming Ahmed Tahir,
president of IGNITE.
[audience] [applause]
[Ahmed Tahir] 
Thank you, Mark.
Uh, I just wanna begin by just talking 
about how impressive this building is.
I know... I know
that not everyone has been able
 to go inside the building yet,
but I was able to do that 
last week through a tour,
 and I think by far,
it is one of the best buildings 
I've ever been in,
 and you guys 
are really gonna enjoy it.
I think it's so impressive to see,
um, just how much work 
and dedication was put into that.
And I think it's really fitting
that this is
the Centre for Entrepreneurship
 because you can see 
inside that building,
how many different complexities
were probably involved
in creating that building 
to make it usable,
and those kind
of thought processes
are the same kinds of thought processes
that we need to have nowadays
to solve all the issues and problems 
that we face around the world.
So, uh, I just want to give a hand 
to this building.
And once guys to get in there,
I think you're gonna really 
 gonna be blown away 
by how amazing it really looks.
Um, I think,
I think beyond that as well,
I am so proud to be at an institution 
that not only recognizes,
but also reacts to the belief 
that, uh, that learning happens
not only inside the classroom,
 but everywhere,
and we're seeing it through
the new spaces that are being built
all over Humber campuses
that that type of learning happens 
all over the place,
and the types of conversations 
that will happen in this building,
whether it is in my favourite spot,
the top loft floor, 
which is just so chill.
Go up there, listen to some music,
do some work, check that out.
Um, those conversations are going to,
I think,
eventually lead to improvements 
on the campus,
in the city, uh, in our country,
in our province, in our world.
 And that's really 
what this building is all about,
taking students' ideas, 
their dreams, their,
what they want to do with,
uh, with their life,
through business,
through entrepreneurship,
 through intrapreneurship,
and, and making that a reality.
And whether you're a student who,
who is just starting entrepreneurship 
– you have an idea, 
you wanna get started –
or whether you h- have a business,
and you really need to get over 
certain roadblocks that you face,
coming here and having a space,
an environment,
for that kind of dialogue,
I think is gonna be so powerful
in helping students overcome
the multitude of issues that you have 
when you're, uh,
trying to solve problems 
through business.
Lastly, I'd just like to thank everyone 
for being here today.
I'm really excited 
to go back in there,
an- and if anyone wins 
the Drake tickets,
like,
I would love to come with you.
I know there's two tickets.
Hopefully I can schmooze you after,
and we can, 
we can go together o- this Saturday.
So thank you.
[audience] [applause]
[Mark] Alright. Okay.
Thank you, President Tahir.
Our final speakers are Courtney Coon 
and Faria Islam.
 They are HumberLaunch graduates 
whose company, De-Clutter and Coco,
provides professional 
organizing services to homeowners.
Please welcome Courtney and Faria.
[audience] [cheering, applause]
[Courtney Coon]
Hello! Eh, so,
"You shouldn't focus 
on why you can't do something,
which is what most people do.
You should focus 
on why perhaps you can,
and be one of the exceptions."
Steve Case,
co-founder of AOL.
To all of you here today,
we can tell you 
that has been an ongoing theme 
during our education at Humber.
We were taught 
to think outside the box,
take risks,
and step outside of our comfort zones.
The quest in becoming an entrepreneur 
is not for the faint of heart,
but Humber has given us to the tools 
to make that into a reality.
I'm Courtney, and this is Faria.
We're the founders 
of De-Clutter with Coco.
Let us tell you about our journey 
to becoming entrepreneurs.
So we had heard of HumberLaunch,
now known as 
the Centre for Entrepreneurship,
back in our second year 
from Professor Youssef Youssef,
um, during 
a business case assignment.
 Um, he encouraged us to compete
with our business plan
in the New Venture Seed Fund 
and LaunchPad competitions.
[Faria Islam] 
For those of you who don't know,
 the New Venture Seed Fund 
encourages near grads, or graduates,
to submit their business plan,
for an opportunity to receive 
up to 10,000 dollars in funding 
for their business endeavour.
The second competition hosted 
is LaunchPad,
 which is Dragons' Den-style.
It allows students and alumni 
to win a share of 40,000 dollars.
We competed and successfully won 
both competitions,
totalling 29,000 dollars.
[audience] [cheers, applause]
The process and the journey,
however, was an arduous one.
It required many sleepless nights,
strict time management,
and continuous learning,
on top of our final year of studies.
 In a nutshell, De-Clutter with Coco
is a professional organizing service
that teaches people new habits 
to maintain a clutter-free space.
 People these days have dreams 
of a minimalistic,
 Pinterest-perfect home,
but with no idea how to achieve it.
We come into your space, 
whether it be a home, condo, office,
man-cave, you name it.
We want to,
we want you to be able to focus 
on the things you love 
and not the clutter in your homes.
[Courtney] The business school 
played a huge part in our success.
Without the knowledge 
we learned from our professors,
we know we wouldn't have gotten 
as far as we did.
Our education
gave us a solid foundation
that allowed us to implement
the expectations
for both competitions successfully.
The competitions offered us 
many opportunities.
We got the chance to receive feedback 
from several industry professionals,
learned how to give 
effective elevator sp- elevator pitches,
and were challenged 
to narrowly define our business,
just to name a few.
Ultimately,
we were given experiences 
most entrepreneurs wouldn't get 
before graduation.
The most beneficial component, though,
was the mentorship component.
Our mentor, Steve Bang,
has been invaluable.
He has guided us 
throughout the competitions,
never fails 
to give us honest advice,
and has been our biggest advocate 
in the Humber community.
[Faria]
Thank you all for coming out today
to support the opening 
for the Centre for Entrepreneurship.
Your presence here today
shows you understand
the importance 
of fostering young minds.
By supporting initiatives 
such as the CfE,
we help create spaces 
for entrepreneurs to flourish.
I implore all of you here today,
to take up the torch to champion
for young entrepreneurs
and help build the pillars needed 
to ensure their success.
It is essential because 
young entrepreneurs work and dream.
We are risk takers 
and trailblazers.
We exist to innovate.
Not only are we creative 
and productive,
and might I add, daring,
Humber students work hard,
we give back,
and we pla- play a vital role 
in our community.
We are future entrepreneurs.
We are Humber.
[audience] [cheers, applause]
[Mark] Okay, thank you! [claps]
Whoa, let's give them another hand!
[audience] [applause]
Thank you, Courtney and Faria.
I look forward
to inviting you over to my, uh, house
so you can help me clean up 
my five year old's LEGO collection.
Just before we get to the final part 
of our ceremony,
 on behalf of Humber,
I am pleased to have the privilege 
of recognizing a number
of individuals
who have helped make 
this afternoon's event come together.
Please join me in thanking
Marisa Tomassi and the members 
of the CfE Opening Planning Committee.
[audience] [applause]
Mary Cantisano,
Jessica Tattersall,
and the School of Social 
and Community Services,
and all of our student volunteers.
[audience] [cheers, applause]
My friend Marc Hallworth
of Vest of Friends
for the Hawk's Nest sketch.
[audience] [applause]
At the back, the trio 
from the Bachelor of Music program,
Wesley Collett-Taylor on bass, 
Jeremy Ugro on keyboard,
and Luke Saul-Milligan on drums.
[audience] [applause]
School of Creative and Performing Arts 
and the CfE for the gift bags.
[audience] [slow applause]
You'll clap more after the giv- 
you get the gift bags, probably.
Humber's Marketing 
and Communications department.
[audience] [applause]
 School of Applied Technology
and the greenhouse 
for the beautiful plants.
[audience] [applause]
 Only 47 more thank-yous to go.
The Lakeshore crew,
Rick Follert and the security team,
Scott Skir- uh, Skrinar 
and the facilities team,
 and Jason Larcombe and Katie Evans 
and the Chartwells catering team.
[audience] [applause]
Rob Veevers and Beaudry
for donating the tree to be used 
in this spring's tree planting ceremony.
[audience] [applause]
Laurie Bradford 
for donating the Drake tickets, yes!
[audience] [cheers, applause]
Peter Madott and the CfE team for-
and Darren Lawless and the Applied
Research and Innovation team
for their support and guidance.
[audience] [applause]
I'd now like to invite
all our speakers
to cut the ribbon
to signify the official opening
of Humber's Centre 
for Entrepreneurship.
[audience] [applause]
[man] [indistinct]
[Mark] Yes, that's right, 
but we're k- gonna keep lowering it.
I'll even sing it if you want.
[indistinct chatter]
[audience] [applause]
[Mark] Three cheers! Hip, hip...
[audience] Hooray! 
[Mark] Hip, hip...
[audience] Hooray! 
[Mark] Hip, hip...
[audience] Hooray! 
[Mark]
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen,
that concludes 
the formal part of our event.
Please continue 
to enjoy the refreshments,
take a tour of the building,
and remember,
to fill out your passports
and submit them
 to be entered 
into a draw for prizes.
I've been Mark Breslin.
Thank you!
[audience] [cheers, applause]
[indistinct chatter]
