This summer, we had the opportunity to participate in Venture for Canada’s Intrapreneurship Program, an alternative way for post-secondary students to gain virtual, paid work experience while contributing to the growth of a small business. Over the course of a 7-week, part-time project, students get to choose which business they want to work with, rolling up their sleeves to support real goals while gaining hands-on skills.
Our project for the July cohort was called: “Help Klondike Kettle Corn Get B Corp Certified!” We were thrilled to welcome three amazing students who chose to collaborate with us, diving deep into what it means to build a business that cares about people and the planet.
What We Worked On Together
The students played a big role in helping us lay the groundwork for our B Corp journey. Together, we created:
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A new employee handbook
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A sponsorship and donations budget
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Updated policies to reflect our commitments
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A quarterly impact reporting system
Beyond the deliverables, this experience taught me how to be a better guide, leader, and teacher. The students got an inside look at our business. Everything from our finances to our community initiatives, and we got to see their fresh perspectives on how companies like ours can make meaningful change.
What the Students Had to Say
The most rewarding part was hearing the reflections from the students themselves:
“Overall, working with KKC gave me hope about the future of our planet, where most people only look for themselves. After learning about the wonderful projects, commitments, and values KKC has to provide a positive change of the world, I see that we still have a chance to improve as individuals and help each other reach new objectives, always looking to create a positive change in the world.”
“What stood out to me most was how Klondike Kettle Corn consistently lives its values — respect, community care, and environmental stewardship — both internally with employees and externally with customers. This opportunity helped me strengthen practical skills in drafting HR materials, conducting sustainability research, and creating communication tools. The biggest takeaway is that real impact comes from incremental, transparent progress, with short-term realistic goals that keep long-term change in sight.”
“I gained valuable insight into how businesses can integrate social and environmental impact into their daily operations while also building strong employee policies.”
“What really stood out to me is how clearly the values of the company are reflected in the workplace culture. Promoting teamwork, innovation, and enjoyment makes it no wonder that the brand speaks to its customers on such a deep level.”
Looking Ahead
We’re grateful for the chance to participate in this program and look forward to applying for future cohorts. Every step on our B Corp journey brings us closer to living out our mission: bringing people together with tasty snacks while making a positive impact.
