Student Wins Prominent Prince’s Trust Award

Posted on Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021

Kristin ToppingSometimes a career path has a bump in it that leads to a new and improved one. For horticultural student Kristin Topping, that new path has led to a new career and a prestigious Prince’s Trust Group Award.

Trained as a chemical engineer, Kristin Topping had served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 22 years when she suffered a serious injury and was forced to retire.

Unsure of her next steps, she enrolled in Operation Entrepreneur through the Prince’s Trust, which is designed to help Veterans transition from service and explore second career options, while providing a continuum of training and support services, and the network building opportunities needed to start and grow successful businesses.

“Canadian Veterans have given up so much in service and many have had to put in the hard work and perseverance of pursuing and building a second career. It is a privilege to come alongside those individuals and help them adapt and apply their strengths so they can continue to excel after their time in the military, particularly through entrepreneurship,” said Sharon Broughton, Chief Executive Officer of Prince’s Trust Canada. “Kristin Topping is a shining example of someone with tenacity and resilience who has excelled in her business. Seeing her journey unfold makes it all the more exciting to have her represent Canada as she accepts this award.”

Part of Operation Entrepreneur was also the military paying for retraining of new skills. Topping decided to merge her love of plants with a new business opportunity. She launched Sweetlife Flora in June 2019 and enrolled in the Horticultural Industries Co-op program at Algonquin in September 2020.

As part of her education, her co-op placement takes place at her shop in Arnprior so her training and education is put to practical use learning skills to help grow her business. “Through the College co-op program I have determined my goals and been matched with a mentor who is helping me,” said Topping. “She’s amazing!”

“What excited me about eCo-op is the opportunity to work with a mentor again,” said Topping. “I had worked with a mentor in the Operation Entrepreneur program, but it’s also great to get a second opinion and to draw off another completely unique set of experiences. Working with experienced people to expand my existing business helps me streamline a process that I’d normally have to learn on my own, cold-turkey. Mentorship gives new business owners a leg up right out of the gate.”

Topping is currently an incubatee jointly supported by Algonquin College’s Applied Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the Cooperative Education Department. “We are helping her build her support network,” said Matthew Jerabek, Associate Manager, Marketing & Communications, ARIE.

The new eCo-op program is at the College is unique. Instead of working for another company, you can work on your existing business, Jerabek explains. “We put you with mentors, a set of modules, round tables. You work with other entrepreneurs and are able to support each other. This can work for an established business or a new business idea. It allows students to take their passions and follow them.”

“We’re really excited what’s coming up,” said Jerabek. “Students can discover what they are passionate about follow those dreams and turn them into thriving business and while earning credit and certification from Algonquin College.”

“Winning the award is validation that I’ve recovered from my concussion,” said Topping. “For a long time, my new normal didn’t make any sense to me. I was depressed, I was worried about the future, I thought I would be a burden. Now, I feel like I found myself.”

Topping is enjoying her experience as an Algonquin College student. “I will say I love online courses and some of my profs have done an incredible job moving the program online. I’ve met someone who is my best friend for life from this program. I’ve had a really positive experience. And the folks in the Entrepreneurship Co-op program are really great too.”

Topping said the pandemic has expanded her audience. “More people are at home with less to do and plants bring them joy when they are stuck at home,” said Topping “The online plant community has grown and millions of people have bought house plants since the pandemic, it’s incredible.” She adds “the benefit is you can get all these new customers; it’s been great for ecommerce.”

Toppings also prides herself on responding to all posts and emails through her various social media channels.

Topping has a lot on the go. Besides her shop and her studies, she recently found out that a book she had written about her experience, Propagated from the Ashes, was named as a 2021 finalist in the Book Excellence Awards.

Visit her online store at https://sweetlifeflora.ca/
Follow her on Instagram or Facebook.


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