Lyndsay Brisard, a Grade 12 Aboriginal student from Lasalle Secondary School has a mind for business. 
He is the brainchild of  a business plan for a Summer Event Ride Program that has earned him entry to the 8th annual E-Spirit National Aboriginal Youth Business Plan Competition in Regina, Saskatchewan, May 11 to 15.
More than 200 Aboriginal students from across Canada will take part in the event.
Brisard's work was selected from submissions from across
Canada. In Regina he will have the opportunity to present his
business plan to a panel of judges.
He will also set up a trade show booth as part of the
event.
"Being chosen to participate nationally is quite a tribute to this accomplished student," said  Lasalle Secondary School principal Craig Runciman in a news release.
"Lyndsay Brisard is a true inspiration and role model for all students who dedicate their energy and passion towards their goals."
Brisard's Summer Event Ride Program or SERP for short, is a spin off of the popular Red Nose sober driving campaign presented during the festive season.
"If you are hosting a special event during the summer, such as a golf tournament, you could hire the SERP team to drive guests and their vehicles home,"  explained Brisard's business teacher and mentor Leo Leclair.
"The team of drivers would be available on site, co-ordinated by a SERP representative in an effort to prevent guests from potentially drinking and driving."
A fee, based on the number of guests, would be charged to the event organizer and the service would be free of charge to the guests.
 "The event organizer not only has the satisfaction of knowing that participants have a safe way of getting home, they also eliminate the potential for liability issues that may come from a guest driving home under the influence," added Leclair.
The business plan competition, organized by the Business
Development Bank of Canada, offers participants 16 weeks of
interactive business planning resources, access to mentors
online, and a chance to meet and network with other students at
the national competition.
Brisard will also compete in the local FedNor Business challenge at Tom Davies Square on June 3.  He also plans to submit his business plan in the Ontario Business Educators Association Provincial Entrepreneurship competition in May.
