Gjoa Haven (Jan 17/05) - Fifteen people from Gjoa Haven are dreaming of business success after attending a seminar in Gjoa Haven.

The workshop was organized by Roy Shields, an economic development officer in Gjoa Haven. The small business workshop was put together with Bruce Lacroix, a colleague from the south.

"He and I initially designed this workshop for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and I took it and revised it for Gjoa Haven," he said.

Paul Ikuallaq was one of the students attending the seminar.

"I thought it was very helpful and the instructor was very to the point," said Ikuallaq.

He's a bit of a mogul around Gjoa Haven - already operating several businesses in the community.

"I already have a bed and breakfast owned by myself and few other partners," he said.

"Another is Central Arctic Tours."

The tour company takes tourists out of the land or picks them up for tours of the community by canoe.

Ikualliq said the courses helped him be able to understand how to operate a general ledger, adding he would like to see more small business courses for people throughout Nunavut.

The Kitikmeot Economic Development Commission funded the small business workshop during the second week of December.

Many of the students are considering starting up what Shields called "micro" businesses.

"It's anything from a hair salon, to a bakery, to a taxi service, to a taxidermy or a tour operator," he said, explaining the term.

The whole idea behind the workshop was that all students had to bring were their ideas, said Shields.

"If they didn't have one, we'd give them one," he added.

The work assignments during the course focused on building a business model to see if it would be feasible in the real world.

"They reported to me for further assistance on planning, cost analysis, research and feasibility," he said.

The course is expected to assist entrepreneurs when they're going after funding through agencies or institutions, by helping them to give more relevant information.