“A life is a terrible thing to waste” — this phrase became the guiding idea of a business fundamentals seminar held at Reimer Center.
Today, this topic sounds especially relevant for teenagers and young people. In the conditions of war, instability, and uncertainty about the future, many of them ask questions: who to become, where to go, how to find themselves and their place in this world. On one hand, reality puts pressure on them; on the other, there is a desire to live, grow, succeed, and build a future. That is why such meetings are not just interesting, but truly important.
About 25 teenagers and young people took part in the seminar. They came with many questions — about business, life, and the future. From the very beginning, it became clear: this would not just be a lecture, but a real conversation.
“When we think about business, the first thing that comes to mind is money,” said Serhii, leader of Reimer Center, opening the session. “But I want you to think deeper today: why do you need this money? Just to have it? Or maybe to change the world for the better, influence Ukraine, and help others?”
This idea was continued by the main speaker of the seminar — Garry Verhoog, a successful Canadian businessman and farmer. For him, business is not only about profit, but also about responsibility and the opportunity to be useful to others. For the young audience, this became an important discovery: success is not only about what you have, but about the impact you leave. “If God gives the opportunity to earn money, and there are people around me whom I can help — I should do it. The Lord will bless these efforts,” Margarita added.
During the meeting, teenagers actively engaged in dialogue. They asked many questions — about personal experience, how business really works, whether hard work alone is enough, and what mistakes are most common at the beginning. They were interested in studying abroad, personal development paths, and real challenges entrepreneurs face.
The atmosphere quickly became open and lively. The teenagers were not just listening — they were living through the topic. As one participant, Oryna, shared:
“The event was wonderful. I was struck by the idea that when something doesn’t work out — it’s not a reason to give up. You shouldn’t focus on just one thing, but try different options.”
Every break turned into an active exchange of thoughts: the teenagers approached Garry, talked with him, and asked additional questions. For many, it was also a great opportunity to practice English.
The topic of persistence and the price of success especially resonated with the youth. Viola noted:
“I was very impressed that Garry set a goal to build a successful farm and for eight years worked every day, without days off or vacations, from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. It’s extremely difficult, especially mentally… That’s why his example inspired me not to give up.”
At the same time, participants spoke honestly about their expectations. Margarita emphasized an important idea:
“Success is never quick — it’s a process that takes years or even decades. This is very relevant for young people who see ‘success’ on Instagram and feel somehow ‘not good enough’.”
Eva added:
“The biggest mistake is thinking you’ll get results quickly. Everything takes time.”
This was one of Garry’s key messages about the honest reality of entrepreneurship:
“If you want to succeed, business will take a lot of your time. Especially in the first 5–10 years. It may mean working from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week — without holidays or vacations. So the decision to start must be conscious and serious.”
This honesty did not discourage — on the contrary, it helped to see the real picture and draw personal conclusions. Some became even more convinced to try themselves in business. Others honestly realized it might not be their path — and that is also an important result. For some, this meeting became the first step toward a more conscious choice of their future.
The seminar ended, but the conversation about the future is only beginning.
