Editor's Note: Second life. It can represent a chance to do over. To reset and refocus your life. To shake off the past and give yourself an opportunity to change and grow. In our series, Second Life, we took a look at how those in the small business world, out of necessity or desire, reach beyond their comfort zones to re-create themselves and their world. These stories celebrate those who saw potential in being something else or creating something that wasn’t and were brave enough to take the plunge into the deep, dark waters of entrepreneurship.
NEW GLASGOW - Abby MacKenzie could have found a part-time job as a cashier or serving coffee.
It is a common trend among high school students looking to put a little cash in their pocket while continuing to focus on school.
But MacKenzie decided to become her own boss instead.
The high school student opened Trap Door Escape in downtown New Glasgow after visiting a similar business in Halifax and thinking such an idea would make good business sense..
“I really loved it and from there I was thinking what it would be like if I were to make one,” she said. “Eventually, my mom said I should open one and I decided to bring one to Pictou County.”
MacKenzie applied for a government grants that supports student entrepreneurs and opened her doors in August 2016. She currently operates her business Thursday and Friday evenings as well as all day Saturdays.
She admits that getting the business open was a lot more work than she thought it would be in regards to the paperwork and licenses that needed to be done as well as renovating the business space and designing her website.
Her focus in the beginning was spreading word about her business by marketing it through social media sites.
“We had a few bookings the first few weeks and than it started to pick up,” she said.
After being open for about year, MacKenzie is focusing on opening a second room with a new theme and puzzles this fall. She is always replacing puzzles and making changes in the business’ original theme room as well.
Being a young business owner can be daunting, she admits.
“I think a lot of young people don’t believe they can do it. I think when you start researching and planning it, you will see that it is great to actually be able to turn ideas into a reality.”
