News

Women’s Entrepreneurship Day: Entrepreneur Thrives Serving up Sweet Treats to her Capital Customers

In honour of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day on November 19, 2021, we are profiling a few Algonquin students past and present who are entrepreneurs.

The Cupcake Lounge has been an Ottawa success story from the day the first outlet opened in the ByWard Market in 2011. Not even a pandemic could diminish the consistent appeal of this haven for dessert lovers established by entrepreneur and life-long baker Claudia Arizmendi.

“We have a very strong business,” says Arizmendi, President and CEO of The Cupcake Lounge and a graduate of Algonquin College’s Baking and Pastry Arts program (Class of 2007). “At some point, people began to worry that we were too focused, that cupcakes were a trend that might fade. But we held firm because we felt that a cupcake is like a slice of a really good-quality cake, baked fresh and in a perfect single portion.

“That’s what I wanted to give to my customers right from the start and that’s what they keep coming back to enjoy.”

Arizmendi moved to Canada from Mexico in 1994 and started a family shortly thereafter. At this stage, the prospect of one day launching her own business was little more than a dream.

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Good News for the PSW Industry and Algonquin College

The Ontario government is investing up to $100 million to add an additional 2,000 nurses to the long-term care sector by 2024-25. The government will do this by supporting the training of thousands of personal support workers (PSWs) and nurses who want to advance their careers in long-term care.

Today’s investment supports the government’s Long-Term Care Staffing Plan, which was launched last year and sets out actions that will educate, train and help recruit tens of thousands of new health care staff through partnerships with sector partners, long-term care homes, and education and training providers, so that homes can provide an average of four hours of direct care per resident per day.

“We are pleased to learn about this important investment in the education of more nurses and personal support workers,” said Claude Brulé, President and CEO of Algonquin College. “Algonquin looks forward to welcoming those who wish to advance their careers in these important fields and help the long-term care sector meet its increasing demand for skilled employees.”  Continue reading →

Algonquin College Animation Student Maïta Mutonji Receives Scholarship from Jam Filled

“This is crazy.” That’s how 24-year-old second year animation student Maïta Mutonji described what she was feeling when she found out she had been awarded a Jam Filled Diversity in Animation Scholarship. “I was really happy and it (winning) gave me a boost of confidence, for sure,” she said.

Jam Filled, an Ottawa Animation Studio, created a scholarship for students in four Animation programs, including Algonquin College. Jam Filled Entertainment, a Boat Rocker company, announced the inaugural recipients of its scholarship program focused on attracting students from diverse backgrounds to the animation industry. The Jam Filled Diversity in Animation (JFDIA) scholarship program provides financial support and mentorship opportunities to promising second year animation program students.

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