Running a business takes a tremendous amount of time and energy. Couple that with training for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver and you’ve got a schedule few people would envy. Yet some of Canada’s podium hopefuls are doing just that.

Craig Buntin, for instance, has been preparing all winter to open his own business, Teabean Coffee, when he’s not on the ice practicing with his pairs figure skating partner Meagan Duhamel.

“It’s kind of tough,” admits Mr. Buntin of his schedule leading up to the Vancouver Games. “My days are pretty busy. We’ve trained out entire lives for this so when we’re at the rink, we’re focused and I really have to make the separation.”

Mr. Buntin trains at a Montreal arena, from 7 a. m. for about six hours. By early afternoon, he leaves to work on his business. Evenings are dedicated to fitness training and doing product research or placing orders online for his business. This past fall and winter, he also took business classes at Concordia University to learn how to run his venture.

He plans to launch his espresso-type coffee business by Aug. 1. The idea came to him while travelling abroad to compete for Canada.

“This is possibly the last year of my athletic career and I didn’t want to finish up after the games with no education and no experience, looking for a job,” says Mr. Buntin, who decided to dedicate his time to his sport after graduating from high school.

While Olympic athletes receive funding from their respective sport associations, athletes who are setting up businesses are those who are thinking ahead to when they leave their sport or who need income to support families.

Read the entire article HERE