News

By: Casey Spears  

Updated February 22, 2016

Peter Thiesen recently attended the National portion of Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) after placing first in Halifax last month at the Atlantic level.

Although judges only release first and second place winners, Peter placed in the Top 7 in all of Canada! With hard work and determination he made his way across the country to compete with stiff competition and pitch his business in front of 21 judges.

“I now have to come back to planet earth in terms of my course work and my business. I really appreciate all of the support and encouragement I have received from my peers, professors, family and mentors,” Peter says.

Find out more about Peter’s business at facebook.com/ptpropertycare.

One of the struggles in high school is balancing your education, social life, hobbies and perhaps a part-time job. Throw in running your own business and you’d be busier than most adults.

However, for Peter Thiesen of Valley, this is his everyday life.

When Peter was in high school he began doing odd lawn and maintenance jobs around his community. Eventually word got around and his skills became in-demand. Realizing he could turn this into a real business and job for himself, he bought a used truck, a few machines and never looked back.

“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I tried to sell rolled up paper as telescopes to my family when I was four years old!” Peter exclaims. It was his grandfather who first told him it was best to own your own business. “I am now learning how correct he was in saying that.”

Fast forward a few years and he’s now in his final year of the Bachelor of Science Agricultural Business degree at Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture. As well as working towards his degree, he’s competing in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) competition.

P.T. Property Care looks after property management, lawn maintenance, landscaping, snow removal and light trucking. “Now that both the business and I have grown, I’ve realized there are so many more rewards from being an entrepreneur than just making money,” Peter says.

The competition is to reward students who run a business while pursuing an undergraduate degree in the Atlantic region. Peter explains it was Cultiv8 Sandbox coordinator Jolene MacEachern that heard of the competition and nominated Peter. “I am forever grateful for that opportunity. It was as simple as filling out a form and sending in my information.” When Peter found out he had been chosen as one of the top five in Atlantic Canada he thought, “Wow, this is getting serious” and began to understand how valuable this opportunity could be for him and his business.

When Peter attended the Atlantic portion of GSEA in Halifax last month he placed first. Each competitor pitched a 12 minute presentation about them as an entrepreneur and their business. As first place winner, Peter now advances to the National competition in Toronto on February 18, as well as received $22,000 in business services. “What struck me the most was the professionalism of the event. I was nervous for the first few minutes but I was fine after that,” Peter explains.

“I’m very excited” Peter says about his upcoming trip to Toronto. “I’ve been working with two of the judges from the Halifax competition on strategy for my presentation. They have been very helpful.”

First place winner of the National portion wins a prize package including money and a trip to Bangkok, Thailand for the International competition.

When asked what advice he would give others with entrepreneurial spirit he says, “If there’s a viable plan, go for it! Our school, our community and our province as a whole need young people to stand up, be bold and do something that many are afraid to do.”

Please check back later this month for an update on Peter’s adventure to Toronto. You can find his company on Facebook at facebook.com/ptpropertycare.

Congrats and good luck, Peter!