‘I had a feeling this would all work out:’ How WorkBC’s Self Employment Program helped Jacob

When Jacob Caron stood back on the street and looked at the house—wrapped now in gleaming new siding that he had cut and installed, he found himself filled with pride. It was the carpenter’s first big project with his new business, Silver Fox Renovations. And he knew he had plenty to look forward to if this—the satisfaction of making a property beautiful all on his own—was a sign of things to come.

“I was pretty proud of how it all turned out,” recalls Jacob. “I had this feeling things would all work out.”

After being laid off for the season, in the spring of 2024, Jacob had to make a decision: try and find another job, or try to learn how to run his own renovations/carpentry/handyman business. He went to WorkBC Centre Vernon and soon was enrolled in the Self-Employment Program.

As a red seal carpenter with more than 12 years of experience in the home construction industry, Jacob had built the frames and decks of countless houses, but building a business? He knew if he wanted to be successful, he would need to soak up all the learning he could in the Self-Employment Program.

Over the next several months, he attended workshops and group discussions about everything from finances to marketing as he developed his business plan.

“I found it really helpful,” says Jacob. “I knew what I needed to be doing as I worked toward opening the business.”

As he launched Silver Fox Renovations and continued along in the program, small renovation and handyman jobs began to come his way, some from his previous employer.

“I was enjoying what I was doing and the jobs were starting to come in.”

Along with the funding supports and a solid business plan, Jacob felt confident. The praise he was getting from clients was reassuring as well.

“This one client, every day they would be so pleased and bring me back to do more. The gratitude he put out there and knowing how good the space looked, it makes a big difference for me.”

Since then, he’s taken on a range of projects, from an open concept full basement renovation to a deck rebuild to building a vaulted ceiling with exposed trusses.

As he reflects on the first year of Silver Fox, he says: “If you’d have said to me three years ago that you’ll be running your own company, getting steady work through the winter and providing for your family doing work you love doing—I don’t know if I would have believed it.”

It was hard work, but he also had a strong foundation. He’s the first to recommend the WorkBC Self-Employment Program to other tradespeople considering going out on their own.

“I wouldn’t be here without them,” he says. “It’s a remarkable program and it can totally change your life. It certainly did for me.”

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