CYBF Entrepreneur: Jacob Jadis

CYBF Mentor: Patrick Augustine

CYBF Community Partner: CEED PEI
Inception: June 2005
Jobs created: 1
Location: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Website: http://inkisleonline.ca/

Ink Isle
2007 Prince Edward Island Best Business Award Winner
Business Profile: Making office supplies a little greener.
The only business of its kind in Prince Edward Island, Ink Isle remanufactures
inkjet cartridges and resells other generic printer supplies. Ink Isle provides an
environmentally friendly alternative to throwing out unused inkjet and toner
cartridges.
His Story: Jacob Jadis came up the idea of his future business while in a mall.
A proud Mikmaq member of the Abegweit First Nation, Jacob was traveling
across Canada, USA and Australia when he first noticed ink refilling mall kiosks.
Returning to PEI, and after conducting further research, Jacob realized that as the
first business of its kind in Canadas smallest province, he could also manufacture
ink cartridges as well as refill them. He was on his way to creating his business.
I spent a year on business planning activities including researching the industry,
writing a business plan, seeking start-up funding and receiving specialized
training in Colorado.
With the support of CEED PEI and the financial backing CYBF, Jacob started Ink
Isle in 2005. With the emotional support and encouragement of his CYBF mentor
Patrick Augustine, Ink Isle has become a tremendous success, supplying toner to
federal agencies, and receiving several awards.
But beyond the success of the business is the fulfillment of realizing his lifetime
goal of being an entrepreneur. Jacob also enjoys the opportunity to work with his
hands even if they get covered with ink.
The funniest moments in my job are when customers come in and see ink on my
face and ears, and they try not to laugh. One day I had a pressurized ink cartridge
explode on me just as a customer walked in the door. Ive considered putting up a
sign that says Its okay to laugh if I have ink on my face!

Ink Isle - continued

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
2009
Launched website
Designed and
fabricated new
prototype of equipment
for processing inkjet
cartridges
2007
Won 2007 CYBF PEI
Best Business Award
2006
Participated in PEIs
Legislative Assembly
review committee on
small business
development.
Winner of the 2006
Aboriginal Entrepreneur
of the Year Award for
PEI and 2nd place for
Atlantic Canada Youth
Aboriginal Entrepreneur
of the Year
Adds large federal
government agency on
PEI as client
Hires first employee

Ink Isle
Short Quote:
This award [from CYBF] helps the youth in my community show that there are
success stories out there. That all they have to do is be persistent, believe in
themselves and things will fall into place.
- Jacob Jadis, Ink Isle

Mentor Quote:
My mentor provided me with emotional support and encouragement that was
very helpful in boosting my self confidence, particularly when I was just about
ready to open for business. Mentors are a valuable asset. Its like having an easy
button for when you doubt yourself when making important decisions. It gives you
another perspective.
- Jacob Jadis, Ink Isle

Canadian Youth Business Foundation

Canadas Entrepreneur Gateway www.cybf.ca
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is the go to place for youth
entrepreneurship. As a national charity, we are dedicated to growing our nations
economy one young entrepreneur at a time. We look at character not collateral, when
providing youth, age 18-34, with pre-launch coaching, business resources, start-up
financing and mentoring, to help them launch and sustain a successful entrepreneurial
business. www.cybf.ca.
CEED PEI www.ceedpei.com
The Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED) is an innovation
centre that assists governments, organizations and communities in helping people
achieve their potential through entrepreneurship. We help build "local capacity for local
solutions." Our mission is to nurture entrepreneurship in people by acting as a catalyst in
the areas of Entrepreneurship Education, Research and Program Design, Professional
Development and Community Entrepreneurship. www.ceedpei.com

For any other information required, please contact

Lori Paris, Senior Manager, Media Relations & Communications, CYBF
Tel: (416) 408-2923 ext. 2120 E-mail: lparis@cybf.ca

October 2009