Theriault is smiling a lot these days. With the help of CBDC, he created the Safeguard Protection Agency, a firm that provides a variety of security services. Theriault and his staff do everything from home checks and providing security at small events, to keeping watch over businesses and educational facilities and standing guard at fire scenes.

It all started four years ago when Theriault had his sights on becoming a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In order to get some preliminary grounding, he enrolled in the police foundation course from Ravensberg College in Halifax, NS. To make ends meet, he worked part-time for several security companies. By the time he graduated, he not only had learned a lot about police work, he had also learned a lot about the security business.

When Theriault returned home to Weymouth, knowing that there wasn’t a business offering security services in the region, he decided to assess the level of interest. This confirmed the notion of starting a business.  

In January of 2011, he contacted CBDC. Three months later, he was up and running. Equally amazing is the fact that Theriault is only 22 years-old yet he employs four people full-time and nine part-time and his business in still in its infancy. 

The young entrepreneur says he learned a lot by working for those large security firms in Halifax. For three years he made notes knowing that if he ever was “the boss,” he would do things differently.

Although Theriault initially struggled with completing a business plan, he persisted. He says, “I remember calling the CBDC office in Digby, not knowing where to go or how to start. From day one, they were great people to deal with. Even though I had no business knowledge and I felt like I was walking in the dark, someone at CBDC was always there for me.  Without them, my dream would not have been possible.”

Meanwhile, his learning curve continues to climb a steep curve and he’s getting a sense of what it takes to survive as “the boss.” He’s also taking time to be of service in his community. As volunteering has always been important to this go-getter, he continues to be active with the local fire department—something he’s been involved with for the past five years. “I also chaperone high school dances. The community is a large part of my life.”

Although he still plans on joining the RCMP in the future, Theriault’s current goal is to establish the Safeguard Protection Agency throughout Canada. His advice for others? “Stick to your guns and never take no as an answer. Investigate all the paths you can think of and stay positive.”