aisha
Aisha's Full Business Plan: Somali Language Classes
Aisha is 14 years old, Somali-Canadian, from Ottawa.
Executive Summary
Roots & Words is a community language and cultural program providing Somali language classes and cultural education to second-generation Somali-Canadian youth aged 10–18 in Ottawa. Our mission is to preserve Somali language and cultural identity in the next generation of Canadian Somalis, using affordable, community-led programming. We will operate from a rented community space and deliver weekend classes taught by qualified community members.
Market Analysis
- Target customers: Somali-Canadian youth aged 10–18 in Ottawa; secondary segment: their parents and guardians
- Market size: Ottawa has one of the largest Somali-Canadian communities in Canada, estimated at over 20,000 people. We estimate 300–500 youth in our age range who could benefit from our program.
- Current alternatives: Very few formal Somali language programs exist in Ottawa outside of private tutoring. There are no community-run programs specifically for this age group.
- Our advantage: We are community-led — instructors are respected community members. Our curriculum blends language with culture, storytelling, and music, making it far more engaging than rote memorization.
Marketing Strategy
- Word of mouth: Somali community networks and mosques are tight-knit. Trusted community leaders spreading the word is our most powerful channel.
- Social media: An Instagram and Facebook page targeting Somali-Canadian families in Ottawa, featuring student success stories and cultural content.
- Partnerships: We will partner with Ottawa Community House and the Somali Centre for Family Services to reach families who may not otherwise hear about us.
- Key message: "Your language is your heritage. We will help you keep it."
Operational Plan
- Classes: Held every Saturday, 10 AM – 12 PM, for three age groups (10–12, 13–15, 16–18)
- Location: Rented community room (Ottawa Community House or similar)
- Instructors: Two community members — fluent Somali speakers with teaching or tutoring experience — paid a modest honorarium of $150 per session
- Materials: Printed workbooks (developed by instructors), cultural reading materials
- Administration: Managed by Aisha with support from her family for registration, communication, and finances
Financial Projections
| Item | Amount | |------|--------| | Start-up costs | ~$5,000 | | Monthly rent (community room) | $400 | | Instructor honoraria (×2) | $300 | | Materials and printing | $100 | | Admin/marketing | $200 | | Total monthly expenses | ~$1,000 |
Revenue and funding sources:
- City of Ottawa Youth Programming Grant (applied for): $3,000
- Somali Community Association partnership: in-kind space support
- Sliding-scale registration fees: $30–$100/student per semester (no student turned away)
- Annual fundraising dinner: target $2,000/year
Projected students Year 1: 100 students across three age groups Break-even: Achievable within 6 months with grant support secured
Ethical Considerations
Roots & Words is committed to three ethical principles:
- Accessibility: No student will be turned away due to inability to pay. We will use a sliding-scale fee model and seek grant funding to cover the shortfall.
- Cultural respect: Our curriculum is developed with and by the community, not imposed from outside. We honour Somali storytelling traditions, music, and cultural values in everything we do.
- Transparency: All finances will be clearly communicated to our community partners and any funders. We will publish a simple annual impact report.
Pitch Script
[Aisha looks directly at the camera, speaking calmly and with genuine warmth.]
"My name is Aisha. I am 14 years old, Somali-Canadian, and I grew up in Ottawa.
My favourite childhood memories are listening to my grandmother tell stories in Somali. She has this way of painting pictures with words — making me feel like I am there in the story with her. But a lot of my cousins cannot understand her. They were born here. They grew up speaking English at school and at home. And slowly, quietly, the language slipped away.
That is the problem I want to solve. Not just for my family — for hundreds of Somali-Canadian families in Ottawa.
My project is called Roots & Words — a community Somali language and culture program for youth aged 10 to 18.
We run Saturday morning classes taught by respected community members who are fluent Somali speakers. Our curriculum is not just grammar exercises — it is stories, music, cultural conversations, and real Somali language the way it is actually spoken.
What makes us different? We are from the community, for the community. Our instructors are trusted elders and young adults who understand what it feels like to straddle two cultures. And we are committed to never turning away a student because their family cannot afford the fee.
In our first year, we aim to reach 100 students. Our goal is to see at least 70% of them report feeling more confident speaking Somali by the end of their first semester.
We are seeking a City of Ottawa youth grant of $3,000 to cover start-up costs, alongside sliding-scale fees and community fundraising.
I know this project works — because I know what losing a language costs a family. And I know what keeping it means.
Thank you."
[End of pitch video — 4 minutes 45 seconds]