dynamic

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
Sean and James are deeply committed
to giving back in other ways, too, sponsoring
events and doing whatever they
can for the community. They are currently
looking for more talent for their offices on
the Bedford Highway, and plan to hire coop
students and graduates to work in sales
and project management. “We really want
to sponsor and help younger entrepreneurs,
say 18 to 39. We want to give them
a chance,” explains James.
“The younger generation has a lot of
big innovative products and services, but
sometimes they’re not given a foot in the
door from larger businesses,” adds Sean.
He’d like to see more “bridging the gap”
between newer and more established
businesses. “We do see many good things
happening such as larger corporations
incubating entrepreneurs and corporate
responsibility guidelines ensuring some
supply chains include small businesses.
We need to keep thinking about who’s
going to fill the gaps — who are the next
entrepreneurs? There’s got to be more
hands-on, measurable, tangible investment
in younger entrepreneurs.”
Beaumont & Co. is also focused on
helping other companies export more
effectively, to the United States and
farther afield. Its own export strategy
includes attending more than 50 trade
shows a year, including NACS — the
National Association for Convenience and
Fuel Retailing — in Atlanta, Georgia this
fall. Beaumont & Co. is also a major sponsor
and official custom exhibit and display
provider for the DEFSEC — the Canadian
Defence Security and Aerospace Exhibition
Atlantic show — in September.
An entrepreneurial spirit and wisdom
beyond his years have earned Sean
a spot at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’
Alliance (YEA) Summit, taking place this
September in Beijing, China, in conjunction
with the G20 Summit in Hangzhou.
The G20 YEA is a global network of
approximately 500,000 young entrepreneurs
and the organizations that support
them. After a rigorous application process,
Sean was selected as one of about
35 delegates from Canada.
The delegation has a full itinerary
of meetings and networking, and a
major focus will be looking at how
entrepreneurship is placed in school
systems. They’ll meet with Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau in Shanghai
and work directly with the Business 20 —
or B20 — a coalition that provides a
platform for the international business
community to participate in global
The biggest thing is
to really think hard
about what value
you’re going to bring to
the marketplace. It’s
not that complicated.
Business is made for
people, products are
made for people,
services are made
for people.”
— Sean Court,
Co-Owner,
Beaumont & Co.
economic governance and international
economic and trade regulation.
Sean’s biggest goal while in China?
Bridging with representatives from as
many G20 nations as possible. “I’m
honoured to be chosen, so I want to do
my best before I go, while I’m there, and
when I come back,” he says. “It’s a great
platform for Atlantic Canadians in particular.
I’ve been reaching out, speaking
to different CEOs, the Chamber, gathering
as much information as I can so I can
represent Halifax and Nova Scotia and
then bring it all back home. It’s exciting
to go, but for me it’s even more exciting to
come back and tell people how valuable
their input was.”
The balance of working hard in
their own business while supporting
the growth and sustainability of other
businesses gives Sean and James a
unique perspective. What’s the one piece
of advice the brothers would give to
new entrepreneurs? “The biggest thing
is to really think hard about what value
you’re going to bring to the marketplace.
It’s not that complicated. Business is
made for people, products are made for
people, services are made for people,”
says Sean.
“Ask yourself: How can I create the
most value possible for my potential clients?”
adds James. “Focus on the value,
and the rest will come to you.”
BUSINESS VOICE 21