Intro to E-Commerce: From Idea to First Sale in Ten Steps (Virtual)
2026-03-23 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Toronto) | ON
Exploring the essentials of launching a successful online business.

About the workshop:
Join our comprehensive E-commerce workshop where we’ll explore the essentials of launching a successful online business.
From identifying your target audience and sourcing products to choosing the right platform and designing your brand, we’ll touch on each crucial step.
Get introduced to topics such as:

Sourcing your products
Registering your business
Building your online store
Discovering the essentials of effectively marketing
Attracting customers

We’ll run through 10 steps to help you turn your idea into your first sale. Perfect for beginners and those looking to get started with an e-commerce strategy.

*Please note that you will receive an email with the link to join this webinar upon registering and before the session. If you do not receive it, please check your junk mailbox.

How To Start a Business
2026-03-24 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | ON
The Small Business Centre will give you a head start to launching your business in Kawartha Lakes

Do you have a skill or talent you’d like to earn income from by working for yourself but are not sure where to get started? Our Kawartha Lakes Small Business Centre (SBC) is here to help guide you!
Who should attend:

Anyone that has an idea and wants to work for themselves
New business owners who want to make sure they haven’t missed anything

In this workshop, we’ll cover:

Traits of successful small business owners
Step-by-step guide to starting your business
Funding available to small businesses in Ontario

You’ll walk away knowing the next action you need to take to get your business off the ground. You may even meet other future business owners you can partner with!

How To Start a Business
2026-03-24 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Toronto) | Zoom
Do you have a skill or talent you’d like to earn income from by working for yourself but are not sure where to get started? Our Kawartha Lakes Small Business Centre (SBC) is here to help guide you!
Who should attend:

Anyone that has an idea and wants to be their own boss
New business owners who want to make sure they haven’t missed anything

In this workshop, we’ll cover:

Traits of successful small business owners
Step-by-step guide to starting your business
Funding available to small businesses in Ontario

You’ll walk away knowing the next action you need to take to get your business off the ground. You may even meet other future business owners you can partner with!

Social Impact 101: Incorporating Social Impact into Your Business Model
2026-03-24 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Toronto) | ON
Learn how to integrate social impact into your business model and why it’s important.

About this workshop:
What’s your impact, and how do you know?
In today’s world, businesses and organizations are increasingly expected to do more than just turn a profit – they’re expected to create real, measurable social and environmental value. But how do you track that impact? And why does it matter?
In this foundational workshop, Social Impact 101: Incorporating Social Impact into Your Business Model, you’ll explore the benefits of measuring your social impact and learn how it can help guide decision-making, build trust, and strengthen your mission.
We’ll dive into several practical tools and frameworks used globally, including:

B Corp certification
Social Return on Investment (SROI)
Theory of Change

You’ll also gain insights into how to integrate social impact into your business model, and examine hybrid business structures (like social enterprises, co-ops, and nonprofits with earned revenue streams). Through local and international case studies, we’ll explore what works in balancing profit with purpose.
Whether you’re just beginning your impact journey or looking to deepen your current efforts, this session will give you the clarity and tools to move forward with confidence.
Join us for Social Impact 101 – and start measuring what truly matters!
About CSED:
The Centre for Social Enterprise Development (CSED) offers a continuum of support for social enterprises in the Ottawa area, including access to technical expertise, coaching, learning communities, training, and cross-sector partnerships. CSED works with its clients to develop their social enterprise plan and provide them with the tools, strategies and support to perpetuate positive social change and grow profitably.

*Please note that you will receive an email with the link to join this webinar upon registering and before the session. If you do not receive it, please check your junk mailbox.

SEO Today & Tomorrow: How to Be Found on Google and by AI Tools
2026-03-24 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Toronto) | St. Catharines City Hall, 50 Church Street, St. Catharines, ON, L2R 7C2, Canada
Join us for a hands-on SEO workshop with Maggie McTavish of Mango Media.

Join us for a hands-on SEO workshop with Maggie McTavish of Mango Media. You’ll learn how to optimize your website for improved search visibility, as well as how to prepare your site so AI tools like ChatGPT can understand and recommend your business. This session is designed for business owners at any level of marketing experience, with practical steps you can apply immediately.
Speaker Bio:
Maggie McTavish is the founder of Mango Media, a digital marketing agency based in St. Catharines. With over 12 years of experience, she helps small businesses build websites that rank and get found on Google—and prepares them for how search is evolving with AI tools.

**Please complete all sections of the registration, including additional questions. Incomplete registrations or registrations with invalid answers may be cancelled.

Location Updated:

50 Church St., St. Catharines – City Hall

Burgoyne Woods Roon

3rd Floor

Corporate Taxation and Corporate Structures (Virtual)
2026-03-24 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Toronto) | ON
Join us to discover whether you could benefit from incorporating your business or if you are curious about your existing structure.

About this workshop:
A corporation is a separate legal entity, meaning it exists independently from its owners and is taxed separately. But does incorporating make sense for your business? And if you’re already incorporated, are you structured in the most effective way?
Join us for this free, practical learning session designed specifically for entrepreneurs and small business owners who are either considering incorporation or want to better understand and optimize their existing corporate structure.
This interactive workshop will break down complex concepts into clear, actionable insights so you can make informed decisions about your business.
During this session, we will:

go over the reasons to incorporate and points to consider
compare the personal tax rates and corporate tax rates
discuss the relationship of the individual to their corporation – salary vs. dividends, taxable benefits
comment on different types of corporate structures and how each structure may be applicable to you which may include holding companies and family trusts as shareholders
show how the corporation be used for tax planning purposes using the small business deduction and capital gain exemption

Whether you are just starting out, scaling your operations, or planning for the future, this workshop will help you better understand the financial and strategic implications of incorporation – and how to structure your business in a way that aligns with your goals.

*Please note that you will receive an email with the link to join this webinar upon registering and before the session. If you do not receive it, please check your junk mailbox.

Entrepreneurship 101: Brand Lab – Marketing and Branding
2026-03-25 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Toronto) | VentureNorth, Lower Level Board Room, 270 George Street North, Peterborough, ON, K9J 3H1, Canada
Unlock the secrets of effective marketing and branding in this hand-on session Entrepreneurship 101: Brand Lab – Marketing and Branding

Entrepreneurship 101: Brand Lab – Marketing and Branding
Description: Unlock the secrets of effective marketing and branding in this hands-on, interactive workshop designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Discover how to identify your target audience, craft compelling brand stories, and develop marketing strategies that resonate and drive results. Through real-world examples, practical exercises, and expert insights, participants will learn to:

Define and refine their unique value proposition.
Create consistent, impactful branding across platforms.
Leverage digital tools and social media to enhance visibility.
Build customer loyalty through authentic engagement.

Validating Your Business Concept: Cash Flow Meets Startup Canvas (Virtual)
2026-03-25 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Toronto) | ON
This session is targeted at entrepreneurs who are at the idea stage of starting a business.

About this workshop:
Do you have a great idea, but aren’t sure if it could become a great business?
This interactive 1.5-hour session is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who are ready to explore whether their idea has the potential to become a successful venture. Whether you’re at the very beginning of your entrepreneurial journey or re-evaluating an existing concept, this webinar will help you take a critical first step.
What You’ll Learn:

Assessing Your Business Idea: Learn how to evaluate your idea through key questions that entrepreneurs should ask before launching. We’ll discuss factors such as customer needs, value proposition, market fit, and feasibility.
Introduction to the Lean Startup Canvas: You’ll be introduced to the Lean Startup Canvas – a powerful, one-page tool designed to help you visually map out the key components of your business model. We’ll guide you through each section, helping you start validating your idea right away.
Understanding Basic Cash Flow: Finances are critical, especially in the early stages of a business. We’ll walk you through a simple cash flow projection tool to help you understand your potential income, expenses, and financial runway. cash flow template will be provided to all attendees for ongoing use.

Who Should Attend:

Individuals with a new business idea they’d like to explore
Early-stage entrepreneurs seeking validation tools
Anyone considering self-employment or launching a small business

What You’ll Leave With:

A solid understanding of what makes an idea viable
A draft version of your Lean Startup Canvas
A cash flow worksheet tailored to small businesses
Greater confidence in deciding whether to move forward

Note: All attendees will be receiving a copy of the lean startup canvas & cash flow worksheet (with formulas pre-saved) live through chat during the session.

About the speaker:
Paula Hopkins is a passionate entrepreneurship advocate. She is the Director of the Entrepreneurship Team, and has worked with Invest Ottawa for over 10 years to help people start and grow their businesses.

*Please note that you will receive an email with the link to join this webinar upon registering and before the session. If you do not receive it, please check your junk mailbox.

The Business Plan Blueprint for Summer Company
2026-03-25 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | ON
Learn what Summer Company reviewers look for and how to build a strong, clear business plan for your application.

Thinking about applying to the Summer Company Program?
A strong business plan is one of the most important parts of your application — and in this session, we’ll break down exactly what reviewers are looking for.
Join us for a practical, step-by-step webinar designed for students (ages 15–29) who want to launch a business this summer. You’ll learn how to:

Understand what makes a business plan stand out
Clearly explain your idea, market, and competitive advantage
Create realistic financial projections
Avoid common mistakes that weaken applications
Align your plan with Summer Company expectations

Whether you’re starting with just an idea or already drafting your plan, this session will give you clarity, structure, and confidence.
Walk away knowing what to include, what to prioritize, and how to strengthen your submission.

Entrepreneur Essentials: Start-Up 101: Regulations, Registering & Licenses
2026-03-25 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Toronto) | ON
Join the VBEC team for a group session on all you need to know about regulations, business licenses, and steps to registering your business

Men Founders Night
2026-03-25 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | Brampton Entrepreneur Centre, 41 George Street South, Brampton, ON, L6Y 2E1, Canada
Join us for an exciting and informative evening with networking opportunities after the presentation. Meet and share your experiences.

Join us for an empowering evening celebrating the innovation, resilience, and leadership of men entrepreneurs at Male Founders Night! This event brings together trailblazing men from diverse industries to share their stories, strategies, and insights.

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur, an aspiring founder, or simply passionate about supporting men in business, Male Founders Night is the perfect opportunity to be inspired, network, and learn.

Don’t miss out on this chance to celebrate and connect with some of the brightest minds in the entrepreneurial world. We look forward to seeing you there!

LinkedIn Branding
2026-03-26 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Toronto) | Brampton Entrepreneur Centre + Co-working Space, 41 George Street South, Brampton, ON, L6Y 2E1, Canada
Learn how small business owners can leverage LinkedIn to build a strong brand, optimize profiles, and create meaningful B2B connections.

Welcome to the LinkedIn Branding seminar!
Learn how to enhance your LinkedIn profile, attract more connections, and build your personal brand. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone looking to level up their LinkedIn game.

ABOUT THE SESSION
Often simply thought of as an electronic résumé post and search website, LinkedIn offers many more services than the average user understands. A member of the Brampton Entrepreneur Centre, Prince Khan, will be hosting a workshop to explain the many unknown benefits of this business-based social media website for small business owners seeking to develop their unique brand.
Prince will guide attendees through the process of creating their profile, which will represent the business owner himself or herself, as well as the standards and offerings of their company. Attendees will learn how to leverage LinkedIn’s professional networking features to find and nurture business relationships for years to come.
The number and quality of matches generated by LinkedIn is more effective than the leads found when using any of the other known platforms for social media connections. Most importantly, LinkedIn offers a search method for finding new business-to-business client contacts.
Join us to learn about how you can leverage this social media tool and use it to your advantage as a small business owner.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to network and grow your online presence! See you there!

ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Prince Khan, MEDI, CITP®|FIBP® | Supervisor at the Brampton Entrepreneur Centre
Prince is a highly accomplished Business Consultant and a Certified International Trade Professional. With over 13 years of experience in the entrepreneurial space, he has been instrumental in helping start-up entrepreneurs master their business ventures. In his former role at the Halton Small Business Centre/Global Business Centre, Prince has assisted business owners with advisory services on business start-ups and domestic expansion while educating companies on exploring opportunities for global business scaling. Prince’s role also requires him to be an active networker, and he uses his personal brand to develop powerful relationships with the community around him. In addition to his professional achievements, Prince is an Adjunct Professor where he teaches at Colleges and Universities in Ontario specializing in entrepreneurship. Prince has recently completed his Master’s in Economic Development and Innovation from the University of Waterloo and now uses his education to build stronger and more resilient community in Brampton through a bottom-up innovation approach.

The Power of We – Why your Business Can’t Grow Alone
2026-03-26 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Toronto) | 58 Dalhousie St, 58 Dalhousie Street, Brantford, ON, N3T 2J2, Canada
Learn how to stop carrying your business alone. Discover the power of collaboration, support networks, and smarter growth strategies!

Growing a business shouldn’t mean doing everything on your own. The Power of We is an in?person workshop led by Ramona Gallagher, designed to help entrepreneurs understand why collaboration, support networks, and strategic partnerships are essential for sustainable growth.
Join us on Thursday, March 26 from 10 AM to 12 PM for an engaging session that reveals the common traps business owners fall into when trying to shoulder every responsibility themselves. You’ll learn how to identify the right people, partners, and systems to support your business—and how to connect with them confidently and effectively.
Through simple frameworks and practical tools, you’ll clarify what tasks truly require your energy, what can be shared, and what you can delegate without guilt. You’ll leave with a clearer plan, renewed confidence, and the understanding that growth happens faster when you’re not doing it all alone.
Location: Brantford City Hall, 58 Dalhousie Street Brantford

Tax Seminar with the CRA: T2 Incorporated Small Business
2026-03-26 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | ON
Hosted by the CRA this workshop provides small business owners with a overview of the relationship between their business and taxation.

The CRA Liaison Officer tax seminar targets incorporated small business owners. This session helps:

Explain common tax errors, what causes them and how to avoid them
Demonstrate how to use financial benchmarks for relevant industries
Provide information on the CRA’s services
Explain general bookkeeping concepts and best practices

This seminar will provide small business owners with a general overview of the relationship between their business and taxation. It also allows participants the opportunity to speak directly to a representative from the CRA to ask any questions that they might have concerning business issues.

Why Market Research Matters
2026-03-26 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | MS Teams
Part of our Beginner’s Webinar Series, this session teaches new entrepreneurs how market research helps them understand customers and build a business that succeeds.

Ask a Lawyer – Open Hours for Small Business Support (In Person)
2026-03-26 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto) | Invest Ottawa, 7 Bayview Station Road, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 2C5, Canada
Drop-in help designed for entrepreneurs looking for quick, one-on-one support with their business law questions.

About this workshop:
Join us and our partner Mann Lawyers for a new addition to our Education Centre offerings – drop-in help office hours designed specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurs looking for quick, one-on-one support with their business law questions.
Whether you’re launching a new venture, trying to stay on top of regulatory obligations, minimizing potential liabilities, navigating the fine print of agreements, or looking for practical legal direction, our experts are here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Topics we can help with:

Incorporation and business formation
Compliance
Risk management
Contract review and negotiation
General advice

In office: Colton Allen, from Mann Lawyers
Please register like you would for our usual workshops. Conference room location will be posted on the welcome screen in our foyer. We are limited by room capacity (all ticket holders will be in the same room so that all can learn from questions being answered), so if you register and are later unable to make it, please cancel your ticket so that another person is able to join. Thank you!

Case Studies & Success Stories: Why and How Toronto Businesses Diversified
2026-03-26 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | ON
Learn how Toronto businesses expanded globally, overcame challenges, and built resilience by diversifying into new international markets.

Pitching Vs. Storytelling: How to Win Clients & Investors (Virtual)
2026-03-27 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Toronto) | ON
Learn when to deliver a sharp, persuasive pitch – and when to lean into narrative to build connection, credibility, and momentum.

Note: This event page is for the virtual option of our hybrid model. Click here to go to the in-person event page.
About this workshop:
In today’s world of endless AI-generated content and constant digital noise, attention is scarce – and authenticity is your competitive edge. For entrepreneurs, the ability to communicate clearly, inspire trust, and move people to action isn’t just helpful – it’s a growth strategy.
This hands-on workshop is designed to help business owners master the distinct yet complementary roles of pitching and storytelling. You’ll learn when to deliver a sharp, persuasive pitch – and when to lean into narrative to build connection, credibility, and momentum.
Through practical exercises and real-world examples, you’ll discover how to:

Choose between pitching and storytelling based on your audience, objective, and platform
Uncover unspoken needs and craft messages that resonate and stick
Leverage AI as a communication tool, while preserving your unique voice and authenticity

Whether you’re speaking to investors or customers, you’ll leave with the clarity and confidence to communicate in ways that drive meaningful action.
About the speaker:
Lubna is the Founder and CEO of Stories, a coaching and mental health platform that was proudly recognized as the Most Innovative Mental Health Tech for 2023 by Mentl. With a unique career spanning marketing and coaching, she combines her expertise to grow organizations, while growing their leaders.
A passionate advocate for growth and transformation, Lubna is an ICF-accredited (PCC) coach and a certified practitioner in Dr. Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry Program. She has worked with royalty and leaders from Fortune 500 companies—including Coca-Cola, Google, American Express, BP, Bayer, and Square, BASF, US Department of Airforce, Federal Aviation Administration and CVC Health Corporation
With over 20 years of leadership and consulting experience, Lubna has held regional executive positions at Coca-Cola, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and BNP Paribas, as well as advising startups across various industries, including e-commerce, FMCG, banking, and human development. As a Coca-Cola alumna, she spent years building the iconic brand and driving impactful initiatives.
Speaking and Thought Leadership:
Lubna is a globally recognized speaker, having delivered hundreds of talks worldwide, including two TEDx talks. She has engaged with organizations like Johnson & Johnson, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, Endeavor, Invest Ottawa, and TiE, among others. She has hosted global conferences and roundtables featuring luminaries such as Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Dr. Gabor Maté, and over 40 household names. Additionally, she has shared stages with notable figures like Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple.
Published Work and Media Features:
Lubna is the author of Enhancing Business Community Relations, published by the United Nations Development Programme, and is currently working on her next book, Crack It, which delves into the power of transformation. Her insights have been featured in major outlets, including Associated Press, Fast Company, and Entrepreneur Magazine, as well as in the book Something to Believe In: Creating Trust and Hope in Organizations.
Advocacy and Personal Life:
As a board member for griefstories.org, Lubna continues her mission to foster meaningful change. A tireless advocate for women in leadership, she is also a proud mother of three, balancing her professional and personal life with grace.

*Please note that you will receive an email with the link to join this webinar upon registering and before the session. If you do not receive it, please check your junk mailbox.

Pitching Vs. Storytelling: How to Win Clients & Investors (In Person)
2026-03-27 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Toronto) | Invest Ottawa, 7 Bayview Station Road, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 2C5, Canada
Learn when to deliver a sharp, persuasive pitch – and when to lean into narrative to build connection, credibility, and momentum.

Note: This event page is for the in-person option of our hybrid model and all in-person tickets are now SOLD OUT. Please join us virtually – Click here to go to the virtual event page.
About this workshop:
In today’s world of endless AI-generated content and constant digital noise, attention is scarce – and authenticity is your competitive edge. For entrepreneurs, the ability to communicate clearly, inspire trust, and move people to action isn’t just helpful – it’s a growth strategy.
This hands-on workshop is designed to help business owners master the distinct yet complementary roles of pitching and storytelling. You’ll learn when to deliver a sharp, persuasive pitch – and when to lean into narrative to build connection, credibility, and momentum.
Through practical exercises and real-world examples, you’ll discover how to:

Choose between pitching and storytelling based on your audience, objective, and platform
Uncover unspoken needs and craft messages that resonate and stick
Leverage AI as a communication tool, while preserving your unique voice and authenticity

Whether you’re speaking to investors or customers, you’ll leave with the clarity and confidence to communicate in ways that drive meaningful action.
About the speaker:
Lubna is the Founder and CEO of Stories, a coaching and mental health platform that was proudly recognized as the Most Innovative Mental Health Tech for 2023 by Mentl. With a unique career spanning marketing and coaching, she combines her expertise to grow organizations, while growing their leaders.
A passionate advocate for growth and transformation, Lubna is an ICF-accredited (PCC) coach and a certified practitioner in Dr. Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry Program. She has worked with royalty and leaders from Fortune 500 companies—including Coca-Cola, Google, American Express, BP, Bayer, and Square, BASF, US Department of Airforce, Federal Aviation Administration and CVC Health Corporation
With over 20 years of leadership and consulting experience, Lubna has held regional executive positions at Coca-Cola, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and BNP Paribas, as well as advising startups across various industries, including e-commerce, FMCG, banking, and human development. As a Coca-Cola alumna, she spent years building the iconic brand and driving impactful initiatives.
Speaking and Thought Leadership:
Lubna is a globally recognized speaker, having delivered hundreds of talks worldwide, including two TEDx talks. She has engaged with organizations like Johnson & Johnson, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, Endeavor, Invest Ottawa, and TiE, among others. She has hosted global conferences and roundtables featuring luminaries such as Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Dr. Gabor Maté, and over 40 household names. Additionally, she has shared stages with notable figures like Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple.
Published Work and Media Features:
Lubna is the author of Enhancing Business Community Relations, published by the United Nations Development Programme, and is currently working on her next book, Crack It, which delves into the power of transformation. Her insights have been featured in major outlets, including Associated Press, Fast Company, and Entrepreneur Magazine, as well as in the book Something to Believe In: Creating Trust and Hope in Organizations.
Advocacy and Personal Life:
As a board member for griefstories.org, Lubna continues her mission to foster meaningful change. A tireless advocate for women in leadership, she is also a proud mother of three, balancing her professional and personal life with grace.

Entrepreneur Essentials: Understanding your Value Proposition
2026-03-27 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Toronto) | ON
Join the VBEC team for a group session exploring who you are as a business.

Entrepreneur Essentials: Business Plan Writing Tips
2026-03-30 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Toronto) | ON
Join the VBEC team for a group session on business plan writing tips.

Brampton Commercial Kitchen Grand Opening
2026-03-30 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Toronto) | Brampton Entrepreneur Centre + Co-working Space, 41 George Street South, Brampton, ON, L6Y 2E1, Canada
Celebrate Brampton’s first Commercial Kitchen—a certified shared space helping local food entrepreneurs launch and scale

The City of Brampton has officially opened its first-ever Commercial Kitchen. This public health certified shared culinary hub helps local food businesses grow from home stove to storefront, giving chefs, bakers, caterers and food entrepreneurs a place to launch, test and scale their business.
Located in the heart of downtown Brampton, this municipally supported kitchen helps remove start-up financial barriers and fuel local innovation one recipe at a time. Local food entrepreneurs can explore and grow their culinary career with established food training and day-to-day management from Grey Matlock Bakery
What local food entrepreneurs will find inside:

Commercial-grade appliances & prep space
Dishwashing area
Packaging, labelling station and storage solutions
Professional mentorship & food safety training

Join us for the grand opening celebration.
*Agenda subject to change

Entrepreneurship 101: Funding Fuel – Explore Funding and Financing
2026-04-01 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | VentureNorth, Lower Level Board Room, 270 George Street North, Peterborough, ON, K9J 3H1, Canada
Tools and strategies for funding your business needs in Entrepreneurship 101: Funding Fuel

Entrepreneurship 101: Funding Fuel
Description:Discover the tools and strategies to secure the funding your business needs to thrive in this comprehensive workshop designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Learn how to navigate the complex world of financing, explore different funding options, and understand what lenders and investors look for.
Key topics include:

Understanding business financing: loans, grants, and equity funding.
How to prepare a compelling funding proposal or pitch.
Managing debt and cash flow effectively.
Exploring alternative funding sources.

This workshop combines expert advice, practical resources, and actionable insights to help you develop a funding strategy tailored to your business goals. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, gain the confidence and knowledge to secure the financial support you need.

Imposter Syndrome: Why Success Still Doesn’t Feel Like Enough
2026-04-02 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Toronto) | St. Catharines City Hall, 50 Church Street, St. Catharines, ON, L2R 7C2, Canada
This session offers practical ways to deal with the ups and downs of business ownership

Running a small business means making a lot of decisions, wearing many hats, and often figuring things out as you go. Even when things are going well, it can still feel uncertain behind the scenes. Many business owners quietly wrestle with self doubt and question whether they’re truly cut out for this work.
This presentation explores imposter syndrome through the lens of small business ownership, why it shows up, how growth can trigger it, and the quiet fear many people carry that others will eventually find out they’re a fraud. It also offers practical ways to work with these thoughts instead of letting them run the show. If you’ve ever felt like you’re making it up as you go, you’re not alone and there’s nothing wrong with you.

Presented by: Candice Rousseau MSW, BSW, RSW; Founder and owner of Reflect Reset Renew Therapy Services.

**Please complete all sections of the registration, including additional questions. Incomplete registrations or registrations with invalid answers may be cancelled.

Location Updated:

50 Church St., St. Catharines – City Hall

Burgoyne Woods Roon

3rd Floor

Crafting Strong Grant Proposals
2026-04-02 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | MS Teams
When running a business, profit margins are tight and every dollar counts. So let’s help you get funding.
This webinar explains the basics of grant application processes, including the steps involved and how long it usually takes to hear back and receive funding. We’ll walk through simple examples of common grant questions and how to answer them clearly, even with short character limits. You’ll learn what documents you may need and how to tell if a grant is a good match for your business.
Hosted by guest speaker Jelise Keating. Jelise is a Community Driven Consultant with a desire for change and a passion for collective impact. She has developed programs and workshops to help with upskilling, knowledge sharing, and partnership building.

Vaughan Summer Company 2026 Info Session
2026-04-03 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | ON
Learn about Summer Company, a program that prepares students to start and operate a full-time business over the summer.

Are you a student 15 to 29 years old and want to start and operate a full-time business over the summer?
Access mentorship from Vaughan’s business community, tools, services and workshops to make your goals a reality. This is your opportunity to get up to $3,000 in provincial grant funding to kick-start your business.
Apply now to the Summer Company program that prepares young entrepreneurs with a pipeline of tools, skills, connections, and resources required to succeed. Space is limited for this program.
Join the Economic Development Department for a virtual information session and learn more about the application process, program requirements, and how to write your business plan.
We encourage students to reach out to Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre at ed@vaughan.ca if they have any questions about the program. The information sessions are hosted by the Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre.

Date and Time: Friday, April 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Registration Fee: Free
Location: Zoom

CRA Tax Seminar: T1 – Sole Proprietors and Partnerships
2026-04-07 13:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | ON
Join the CRA Liaison Services to learn valuable tax information and get your questions answered!

Join us for an information session presented by the Canada Revenue Agency’s liaison services. Taxes can be complicated – make the process a bit easier! This session includes:

Information on common tax errors and how to avoid them
General bookkeeping concepts and best practices
Financial benchmarks for relevant industries
Information on the CRA’s services

Session will also include Q & A.

**Please complete all sections of the registration, including additional questions. Incomplete registrations or registrations with invalid answers may be cancelled.

Mastering Executive Functioning for Entrepreneurs
2026-04-08 09:30 - 10:30 (America/Toronto) | ON
This focused webinar supports adult entrepreneurs in strengthening executive functioning skills – time management, organization and planning

Entrepreneurs are required to manage competing priorities, constant decision-making, and high cognitive demands. This focused 60-minute webinar supports adult entrepreneurs in strengthening executive functioning skills—the core skills behind time management, organization, planning, and follow-through. Participants will learn how to create realistic, personalized systems that reduce overwhelm and support consistent progress toward business goals.
Key Learning Skills Developed

Time management and prioritization
Planning and goal-setting
Organization and task management
Self-monitoring and accountability
Decision-making and follow-through

By the end of this session, participants will:

Understand executive functioning and its role in entrepreneurial success
Identify personal productivity challenges and bottlenecks
Learn practical strategies to manage time, tasks, and competing priorities
Build simple systems to improve organization and consistency
Increase accountability and follow-through on business goals
Leave with actionable tools that can be implemented immediately

Presented by: Tinelle Hosten
Tinnelle is the founder of Silvertree Educational Consulting and Class In Session Inc., and a seasoned educator and consultant with over 15 years of experience supporting entrepreneurs, professionals, and organizations. She specializes in executive functioning, productivity systems, confidence-building, and strengths-based support for ADHD and neurodivergent thinkers.
Tinnelle has facilitated workshops and coaching programs focused on time management, organization, accountability, and sustainable productivity—helping entrepreneurs reduce overwhelm, build systems that work with their brains, and stay aligned with their business goals. Her work blends practical strategy with neuroscience-informed approaches, empowering adults to turn focus challenges into clarity, creativity, and momentum.
Her mission is simple: to help entrepreneurs work smarter, lead with confidence, and thrive in business and life.

Game On: Turning Major Sporting Moments into Powerful Business Promotions
2026-04-08 11:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | ON
Learn how to turn the excitement of global sporting events into memorable campaigns, displays, and in-store experiences for your business

Big sporting moments capture attention, spark emotion and bring people together and that same energy can translate into unforgettable business promotions.
As part of the City of Brampton’s ?Where The Game Grows campaign, this session is designed to help business owners of all genres tap into the excitement of global and local sporting events and transform them into compelling campaigns, window displays and in-store experiences. Whether your business sells products, services, or ideas, sports offer a ready-made narrative your audience already cares about.
From global events to seasonal favourites, sporting events provide endless inspiration for colour stories, slogans, visual merchandising, social media content, and promotions. This session will explore how to align your brand voice with the spirit of competition, teamwork and celebration without needing to be a sports expert.
Participants will walk away with practical ideas for timing promotions, refreshing storefront windows, creating themed experiences, and engaging customers emotionally during high-energy moments on the calendar. The focus is on creativity, relevance, and smart execution, helping your business feel current, playful, and connected to what’s happening in the world right now.
Facilitated by The Retail Duo

Entrepreneurship 101: Appear First – Search Engine Optimization & E-Comm
2026-04-08 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Toronto) | VentureNorth, Lower Level Board Room, 270 George Street North, Peterborough, ON, K9J 3H1, Canada
Strategies for boosting your online visibility and sales from an E-Commerce expert!

Description:Discover the tools and strategies to boost your visibility and increase online sales through your e-commerce store. Learn from Shopify expert Brendan Quigley how to optimize your online presence and help your business appear first on search engines, even if you’re just getting started or don’t yet have a finished website.
Key topics include:
Part 1: SEO Foundations

What is SEO and why it matters for early-stage businesses
Submitting your site to Google, and testing you SEO
Technical on-page SEO elements to plan for when building a website

Part 2: E-Commerce Fundamentals

How Shopify can power your e-commerce business from day one
Essential pages and features every online store needs
Product page optimization basics

Part 3: Practical Strategies to Boost Online Sales

Quick wins: Low-hanging fruit for immediate impact
Local SEO strategies (especially relevant for Peterborough businesses)
Content marketing basics (blogs, product descriptions)
Introduction to basic analytics and tracking

Part 4: Preparing for AI-Driven Commerce

Agentic commerce: How AI agents are changing online shopping
What early-stage businesses need to know about AI sales optimization
Future-proofing your e-commerce strategy
Q&A and interactive discussion

Audience Takeaways: Attendees will leave with a clear roadmap of what to prioritize when building their online presence, practical tools they can start using immediately, actionable strategies they can implement at any stage of their business, and insight into emerging AI trends that will shape the future of e-commerce.
