Events and Webinars
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Upcoming Events, Training, Webinars, and Opportunities for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Unless otherwise marked, the following are free of charge.
SBCO Business Basics
Have a great idea and want to start your own business? Do you understand what it takes to be successful?
If you’re unsure of what it takes to start and run a business, you are in the right place! This series of 10 free online learning sessions will help you decide if starting your own business is the right path for you, then guide you through the steps involved in getting started.
Sessions include:
- Are You Ready to Be in Business?
- Researching Your Idea
- Business Structure
- What Are Government Regulations?
- What Is a Business Plan?
- How Do You Finance a Small Business?
- Why Do Market Research?
- Sales and Marketing
- Do You Need Insurance?
- How To Register Your Business
- Non-Profits 101
SBCO Start-Up Sessions
Are you ready to launch? Do you know how to build a solid foundation for your start-up?
You’ve done the research, tested your idea, and are ready to launch! This is an exciting time, but there are things you need to ensure your business's success. This series of 10 free online learning sessions will set you up with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully launch your new business.
Sessions include:
- Entrepreneurship
- Business Model Canvas
- Market Research
- Marketing
- Branding
- Pricing
- Sales
- Record Keeping
- Social Media
- Intellectual Property
SBCO Growth Sessions
Is your small business ready for growth? Are you prepared for the challenges of growing a business and how to meet them?
Are you an entrepreneur ready to take your small business to the next level? These 10 free online learning sessions will equip you with skills and knowledge to successfully position your business for growth.
Sessions include:
- Key Business Practices
- Time Management
- Building Teams and Organizational Culture
- Sustainable Operations
- Content Management
- Contracts and Leases
- Hiring Employees vs Self Employed Contractors
- Building an Investor Pitch Deck
- Understanding Financial Statements
- Expanding Markets
Exploring Franchise Opportunities
Why franchise opportunities? Where to start exploring franchise opportunities? Join Small Business Centres Ontario and TD bank to learn all about franchise opportunities.
Wednesday, October 23, 2024: from Noon - 1:00 pm
Gearing up for Entrepreneurship with Blueprint
Introducing Blueprint by Ownr! Blueprint is a free business plan generator that allows entrepreneurs of all stages to create a polished, professional, and complete business plan. By mapping out every last detail of your business, from financial projections, staff and employees, to marketing strategies, and mission statements, not only are you minimizing potential hiccups but you’re also providing future financiers a reputable business to invest in.
Thursday, October 24, 2024: from Noon - 1:00 pm
Government of Canada Business Programs
Learn about government business programs with experts from CIPO, Upskill Canada, and the Competition Bureau. Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) will discuss the most common types of IP such as trademarks, copyrights, patents, industrial designs and more. The Competition Bureau will be giving a virtual crash-course presentation on all things competition law. Upskill Canada will present how WIL Digital facilitates work-integrated learning opportunities, offers valuable insights into its benefits for employers, and explores the impact on the future workforce.
Friday, October 25, 2024: from Noon - 1:30 pm
Accessing Growth Capital at Meridian Credit Union
Join Paul Casey and Sandra McGrath from Meridian’s Small Business Team to learn how Meridian is supporting start-up and existing small businesses with specialized financing solutions. This webinar will dive into Meridian’s QuickStart loan program which is designed for start-ups and the New Accelerator Loan program designed for businesses with at least 1 year of operations. With 380,000 Members, Meridian is Ontario’s largest credit union and its purpose is to help its Members achieve their best lives.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024: from 1:00 - 2:00 pm,
Managing and Planning Your Content for Social Media
The Brampton Digital Squad has developed an exceptional content planning tool template. This robust yet user-friendly template empowers business owners to strategize and organize their content with ease. During this session, they’ll demonstrate how you can utilize this invaluable tool to plan your content weeks in advance, ensuring a seamless and cohesive online presence.
Hosted by Brampton Entrepreneur Centre
Tuesday, October 22. 2024: from 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Legally Protecting Your Home-Based Business
This workshop will cover how to protect your home-based business. Topics include: how to build your foundations to minimize liability, limiting liability with contracts and agreements, business registration and licensing - what permits you need to know about, zoning laws and home office considerations, and insurance. Presented by: Elena Favaro Viana, founding and managing partner of EFV Legal Professional Corporation.
Hosted by Business Advisory Centre Durham
Thursday, October 24, 2024: from 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Personal Branding Workshop for Small Business Growth
Unlock the power of personal branding to elevate your small business! Join branding expert Tracey Nguyen in this interactive webinar designed specifically for small business owners. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your brand, this session will guide you through the key strategies to build a strong personal brand that reflects your unique identity and helps you grow your business.
Hosted by Richmond Hill Business Enterprise Centre
Friday, October 25, 2024: from 10:00 - 11:30 am
Entrepreneurship & Mental Health: Why It Matters
This workshop will delve into the top six signs and symptoms of burnout specific to entrepreneurs. Through interactive sessions, participants will gain practical techniques to effectively manage stress, maintain work-life balance, and cultivate resilience. Don’t wait until burnout takes its toll—equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to protect your well-being and optimize your entrepreneurial journey.
Hosted by Toronto Small Business Enterprise Centre
Friday, November 8, 2024: from 10:00 - 11:00 am
The Food and Beverage manufacturing sector of Ontario is the 3rd largest in North America and is vitally important to our local and regional economy. For over 30 years, Ontario Small Business Enterprise Centres have been committed to guiding people through the start-up and early growth stages of small business.
Foodpreneur Advantage is a regional collaboration of Small Business Enterprise Centres.
Whether you are starting your food venture, or ready to expand and scale your operation, this is the place to start. This webinar series is designed to guide you through the different areas of starting your food or food manufacturing business.
The series is offered on a few times per year on an ongoing basis. You can register for any or all of the sessions individually.
Foodpreneur start-up webinar series includes the following sessions:
- Starting a Food Business & Regulatory Compliance
- How to Sell Your Food Product
- Costing & Pricing to Make Profits
- Marketing & Branding your Food Product
- Labelling & Packaging your Food Product
- Selling to Food Retailers
Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce Presents Business After 5
Join the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) for an evening of food, fun, networking, and prizes! Business After 5 is a monthly networking event hosted at local businesses or community spaces throughout Niagara.
Tickets are complimentary for GNCC members. Non-members are welcome to attend two Business After 5 events complimentary before coming on board as a GNCC member.
While admission is free, registration is required!
Register HereUpcoming Dates:
Tuesday, November 5, 2024: Host: Hilton Garden Inn, 500 York Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Tuesday, December 3, 2024: Host: Critelli Furniture, 126 King Street, St. Catharines, ON
Coffee Club
Join the Welland/Pelham Chamber of Commerce for Coffee Club!
Enjoy a casual morning of coffee and networking with local business owners and community members. Don’t forget your business cards! Admission is free, but space is limited! (Registration is required)
Friday, October 25, 2024 from 8:30 - 9:30 am
In Person at: The Travel Cafe, 9 Hwy 20 W, Fonthill, ON
NEWS RELEASE: Read full release here
Ontario Investing in Free Business Training for Racialized and Indigenous Entrepreneurs.
Applications now open for the 2024-25 Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) grant program.
The Ontario government is investing $5 million in the Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) program for 2024-25 to provide free access to business coaching, training and grants for more than 400 Indigenous, Black and other racialized entrepreneurs. This is part of the government’s $15 million investment over three years to provide more than 1,200 entrepreneurs with the training and support to launch and grow successful small businesses.
The RAISE program helps eliminate barriers faced by Indigenous, Black and other racialized entrepreneurs who want to start or grow their businesses. The government is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 intake which will provide eligible entrepreneurs with free online business development training, culturally responsive coaching, networking supports and a one-time grant of $10,000.
Interested entrepreneurs can learn more about the program and apply HERE.
Applications close on October 30, 2024.
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