Young entrepreneur pretty sure new business will shine

BY CHRISTY MARSTERS

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

Alfred Carter first noticed young Tyler Cochrane’s ambition a couple of summers ago. Cochrane always seemed to be outside looking for something to do. “When I began working at Edgehill (790 King Street, Windsor apartment complexes) I was not the manager,” Carter said. “I was in charge of maintenance and (Cochrane) just about drove me nuts. He always wanted to know what we could do today. “He was open to the point of being gregarious. I had no choice but to think about him.”

Maybe that’s why Carter decided to pick up a cheap shoe-shining box in a local shop. “I asked him (Cochrane) what he thought of shining shoes,” Carter said. “I thought this would be a good starter business for him to discover what his passions were.”

It was obvious to Carter that Cochrane was for real and having this experience would help him develop natural skills while putting a bit of money is his pocket to make his dreams for the future come true, Carter added. “He loves to chat and I think Tyler can do this.”

Nice to invent something some day

Cochrane, a young ‘businessman-to-be’, plans to start his shoe-shining venture in downtown Windsor this summer. Starting July 8, in front of the Hockey Heritage Museum, Cochrane will be shining shoes from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. After July 8, he is also prepared to work for 3-4 hours a day - moving to different locations each day - shining shoes (at various times) for less than three dollars. Starting out, he wants to work at least three days a week, but he’s open to working more if demands allow.

It would be nice to one day invent something and operate a business, Cochrane said. “But this summer I just want to make some extra money, save it, and do something with it someday. Some kids spend (money) when they get it, but that’s just not me.”

The money earned this summer will likely be saved for college or a car; for later in life, Cochrane said. “I want to grow up and be successful and this is a real good business to start out. This is a kid thing. It’s easy. I just wanted to do it because I can. “Yet after doing about 20 hours of research,” he said, “I’ve learned there’s more to shoe-shining then it looks. You have to get the equipment and have to know the techniques and styles, but people won’t need worry about that if they come to me. “If anybody has a shoe I want them to know I can shine it,” Cochrane said. “I already have two slogans: ‘let’s shine’ or ‘I’m not going to shoe you away, I am going to shine you.’ I just want a nice experience; to make people happy by shining their shoes.”

Cochrane said he has gained confidence by Alfred giving him the strength he needed to do this. “I really want to thank him, along with my family, because now here I am.’”

Council covers permit fee

One thing Carter did for Cochrane to get him in a position to start his own business was write Windsor Town Council a letter to ask for assistance in paying for a permit needed for him to do business within the Town. It was a request council covered happily.

CAO Louis Coutinho said covering Cochrane’s $50 permit fee was the first opportunity council has had to take advantage of its newly established Youth Initiative Fund. “It is nice to start with something like this, something council agreed to immediately.”

Mayor Paul Beazley said it was a pleasant surprise to see an idea like this come forth to council. “Cochrane will be a shining example for young people in the community.”

Plus, it will offer the community the option to have cleaner shoes and Cochrane adds some energy to the streets, Beazley added. “I wish him all the best.”