Small Business Enterprise Centre

Business Plan Basics | Part 1
2024-07-04 14:00 - 15:15 (America/Toronto) | Webinar, Login details to follow registration.
Writing your first business plan is a major step in putting your small business on the map. The point of your plan is to articulate the concepts that inspired you to start your business as well as evaluate potential hurdles like competition and funding issues. Whether you are seeking start-up capital or just want a solid road map to guide you through the early years of your business, a workable small business plan will help you work toward your goals.
In Part 1 we’ll cover an introduction to planning, the contents of a plan, Executive Summary, Company Overview, Marketing Strategy and an introduction to the library’s market research tools.
Click Here to Register for this Self-Directed Course

Balancing Your Balance Sheet
2024-07-04 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto)
CPA Canada will help you learn healthy balance sheet basics and how to create one for your small business.

Social Media for Your Business
2024-07-02 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Toronto)
Toronto Digital Service Squad will give you with a better understanding of how to leverage the power of social media.

Opening a Food Business in York Region
2024-06-27 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto) | Online Event
York Region Public Health is committed to supporting food premise operators in York Region so that they can provide safe and delicious food to their customers.
If you operate a food business, a home-based food business, or are starting a new venture, York Region Public Health is here to help! All food premises in York Region are inspected by York Region Public Health.
If you are opening a new food premise in York Region or are interested in learning more, don’t miss this webinar for an opportunity to speak with a Public Health Inspector.
For more information visit, York.ca/FoodOperators

Master QuickBooks Online™
2024-06-26 12:00 - 16:00 (America/Toronto) | Sydenham Campus, 1130 8th Street East, Owen Sound, ON, N4K 1M7, Canada
Learn how to set up and manage your business finances using QuickBooks Online™

Be your own bookkeeper! Are you ready to conquer QuickBooks Online™?
Then join us at the Business Enterprise Centre and say hello to clarity and goodbye to confusion as Michele Craig from BookSmarts guides you through the best way to set up and use QuickBooks Online™ for your business, with lots of practical tips that you can implement right away.
Gain confidence and learn how bookkeeping comes together with hands-on exercises. From setting up a new company and making and reviewing entries, through balancing and filing HST – it’s the works!
This is a hands-on, interactive in-person workshop and space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
*You will need a windows, mac or chromebook computer to participate in this session (please no tablets or ipads.)
About Michele:
Michele Craig, CPA and Elite-level QuickBooks™ ProAdvisor, founded BookSmarts to provide specialized training and consulting for small and micro businesses in Ontario who manage all or part of their own bookkeeping.
BookSmarts’ mission is to empower clients by imparting essential QuickBooks™ skills and bookkeeping knowledge, enabling them to efficiently manage their financial records and make informed decisions.
Outside of work, Michele enjoys curling, golfing, and outdoor pursuits in our beautiful province!

Why Financial Ratios Matter: How to Know if You’re Turning a Profit
2024-06-26 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto)
Learn from CPA Canada about the calculation and interpretation of financial ratios.

Web Presence 101 – Ensuring Your Foundation Is Set
2024-06-25 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Toronto)
Join us to learn the fundamentals to your online web presence, and to make sure you are putting yourself in the best position possible!

Privacy and Your Business: An Introduction to PIPEDA
2024-06-21 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto) | Online Event
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) provides information to help businesses comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and better protect the privacy of Canadians, their clients, and customers. This information session will provide an overview of PIPEDA and its 10 Privacy Principles, illustrating how these principles apply to businesses and answering questions regarding Canada’s federal private-sector privacy law.
What you will learn:
· What is the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)?
· What are the privacy responsibilities of small businesses?
· How can the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada assist small businesses comply with privacy legislation?
· What are the 10 Privacy Principles of PIPEDA?
· How might these 10 Privacy Principles apply to my small business?
Join us for an overview of PIPEDA to better understand how privacy laws might impact your small business.
Speaker Bio:
The Privacy Commissioner of Canada is an Agent of Parliament whose mission is to protect and promote privacy rights of individuals. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) oversees compliance with the Privacy Act, which covers the personal information-handling practices of federal government departments and agencies, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), Canada’s federal private-sector privacy law.
Kelly O’Hearn is an Advisor with OPC’s Business Advisory Directorate since 2020. She possesses over 12 years of experience working with federal privacy legislation.
In her current role with OPC, Kelly works closely with individual businesses to provide practical, meaningful advice and guidance on their personal information handling practices. She enjoys working with businesses of all shapes and sizes through presentations, Privacy Clinics, and consultations to help them better comply with PIPEDA.

Service Canada: Public Pensions for Disability and Retirement
2024-06-20 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Toronto)
Service Canada provides employers with a single point of access to services and benefits.

Canva 101: Creative Marketing Made Easy
2024-06-20 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Toronto) | Online Event
This session is for Canva beginners. We will go through Canva features, designing, tips and tricks for creating engaging content.

Join us for an interactive Canva 101 workshop tailored for small business owners who want to elevate their design game and create stunning visuals effortlessly. In this session, you’ll learn everything you need to know about using Canva to enhance your brand’s visual identity and marketing materials. In this session, you’ll learn everything you need to know about using Canva to enhance your brand’s visual identity and marketing materials.
What You’ll Learn:

Creating a Canva Account
Navigating the Canva Dashboard/Understanding the Workspace
How to Create Unique Designs for Marketing
Brief introduction to Canva AI tools
Q& A

First Steps in Exporting: From Starting Out to Getting a Buyer
2024-06-19 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Toronto) | Zoom
Did you know that on average, companies that export have 120% greater sales than non-exporters, are 13% more productive and experience double the rate of growth?
Ontario’s “First Steps in Exporting” program helps companies that are new to exporting familiarize themselves with key steps in growing your international sales in the U.S. and beyond.
The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade want to support your small business by showing you the first steps in exporting. By the end of this webinar, you will be more familiar with the path to take to grow your international sales with expert advice from the Government of Ontario.
What you will learn:
• How do I know if I’m ready to export?
• What kind of market research should I do? Where do I find that information?
• What are the financial and logistical implications to consider before exporting?
• I’m ready to enter international markets. How do I find a buyer outside of Canada?
• What is an elevator pitch? When can I use it?
Join us to learn how to get started exporting to global markets.

Webinar Registration: How to Pitch to Buyers – Part One
2024-06-18 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto) | Online Event
Join the Government of Ontario in collaboration with FOOD BIZ WIZ by Alli Ball for a free webinar to learn more about how to pitch your food and beverage company to buyers. This webinar will provide insights how to define and understand your target audience, pitch fundamentals and best practices for pitching your food and beverage company to buyers.

Workforce Connect Conference
2024-06-18 08:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto)
The Workforce Connect Conference is coming back on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at Snow Valley Ski Resort in the beautiful Township of Springwater
.
This event is the perfect opportunity for managers and HR professionals to network and learn from industry experts and leaders. Our lineup of speakers will share their knowledge and experiences that will help you to better attract and retain the talent that your organization needs to thrive. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to grow your skills and expand your professional network!
At Workforce Connect 2024 attendees will learn about creating workplaces that enhance the employee’ experience, developing inclusive hiring strategies, recruiting international talent via the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, and much more! We are excited to announce that this year’s keynote speaker is best-selling author and trusted thought leader Hamza Khan.
REGISTER TODAY: workinsimcoecounty.ca/workforce-connect-conference

Incubators: How Business in the Streets Can Help Your Business
2024-06-14 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto)
Learn about incubators, like Business in the Streets (BITS), and what they can do for your small business.

Business Plan Basics – Part 2
2024-06-13 10:00 - 11:15 (America/Toronto) | Webinar, Login details to follow registration.
Writing your first business plan is a major step in putting your small business on the map. The point of your plan is to articulate the concepts that inspired you to start your business as well as evaluate potential hurdles like competition and funding issues. Whether you are seeking start-up capital or just want a solid road map to guide you through the early years of your business, a workable small business plan will help you work toward your goals.
In Part 2, we’ll cover Operations, Financials, Critical Path and other library resources that can assist you with your business plan.
Click Here to Register for this Live Zoom Webinar

Barcodes and Beyond: What You Need to be Market-Ready for Import & Export
2024-06-12 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto)
Join us to learn more about what you will need to make your product ready for market, both locally and traded internationally.

Starting Your Business Basics
2024-06-11 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-06-04 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Toronto) | Webinar, Login details to follow registration.
Welcome to the World of Entrepreneurship!
The Starting Your Business sessions are geared towards those considering entrepreneurship and those who have already decided to start their own business and are ready to take the next steps.
Sessions are held in a small group setting and led by a Small Business Consultant.

Topics include:
Assessing the feasibility of your business idea
The pros and cons of different forms of business (Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation)
Protecting yourself and the business
HST
Allowable deductions
Sources of financing

Click Here to Register for this Live Zoom Webinar

Designing Your Business: Action Plans
2024-06-11 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Learn how to craft a personalized Action Plan to move your business forward.

Set your business up for success this summer by devoting some time to practical action planning.
Do you have a million good ideas but aren’t sure where to start? A to-do list a mile long that never seems to get shorter? Our interactive Build your own Action Plan learning session will help you put those ideas into action, one item at a time.
Join business coaches Dani Di Prizio and David Cohen as they team up to share a dynamic, interactive, and creative action planning session! Get ready to supercharge your journey to success, revitalize your passion for your work, and kick-start tangible results for your business.
During this session, you’ll:
1. Clarify your goals
2. Determine where to direct your time and focus
3. Visualize your aspirations for the year ahead
4. Unleash the power of taking action
5. Forge valuable new connections and surround yourself with a supportive accountability network
Get ready to fuel your ambitions and soar to new heights!

Info Session: Home-Based Childcare Provider Business Startup
2024-06-11 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Toronto) | Southgate Ruth Hargrave Memorial Library – Dundalk, 80 Proton Street North, Dundalk, ON, N0C 1B0, Canada
Learn about the requirements and business supports available for home-based childcare provider businesses.

Please join us on Tues. June 11th at 10am.
Join the Grey County Business Enterprise Centre for this in-person workshop and learn about what’s required to become a home-based childcare provider in Grey County.
We will share:
-licensed vs. unlicensed provider options
-regional and county supports offered to providers
-insurance requirements
-general business start up advice, including business registration, structure, bookkeeping/income tax information
-grants and business support programs available
-time for Q&A
This session is child-friendly, so please feel free to bring children along if needed.

Optimizing for Search Engines – Understanding SEO Basics
2024-06-11 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Toronto)
Toronto Digital Service Squad will teach you the basic steps to grow your online presence.

T1 General Small Business Tax Literacy Seminar
2024-06-07 09:30 - 11:30 (America/Toronto)
This seminar is offered to owners of small businesses and self-employed individuals who need help in understanding their tax obligations.

Business Plan Basics | Part 1
2024-06-06 10:00 - 11:15 (America/Toronto) | Webinar, Login details to follow registration.
Writing your first business plan is a major step in putting your small business on the map. The point of your plan is to articulate the concepts that inspired you to start your business as well as evaluate potential hurdles like competition and funding issues. Whether you are seeking start-up capital or just want a solid road map to guide you through the early years of your business, a workable small business plan will help you work toward your goals.
In Part 1 we’ll cover an introduction to planning, the contents of a plan, Executive Summary, Company Overview, Marketing Strategy and an introduction to the library’s market research tools.
Click Here to Register for this Live Zoom Webinar

Expanding Canadian Businesses: Strategies for Success in Europe and the Middle East
2024-06-05 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Toronto) | Zoom
Join us for an insightful webinar on “Expanding Canadian Businesses: Strategies for Success in Europe and the Middle East.” We’re pleased to host industry experts who bring a wealth of knowledge in international business. Whether you’re exploring new markets or already have international aspirations, this webinar is for Halton businesses seeking to thrive on the global stage.
This webinar will discuss:

Practical advice and key considerations for Canadian businesses looking to expand their operations across the Atlantic
Opportunities and challenges for Canadian businesses in the Middle Eastern market

The Importance of Paid Advertising in a Digital Space
2024-06-04 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Toronto)
Toronto Digital Service Squad will teach you the basic steps to paid advertising in the digital space.

GB Accelerator Community Meet-Up
2024-05-30 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Toronto)
On May 30th, we’re hosting the first GB Accelerator Community Meetup.
This event will bring together our community of mentors, alumni, current companies and startup ecosystem players to connect and spark magic.
This meetup will be a casual way for you to connect with high-growth South Georgian Bay companies, meet our pool of incredible mentors, and ultimately, nurture collaboration in our local entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Hosted in partnership with the Small Business Development Centre and The Collingwood Foundry, this event will be a great mix of networking, fun and mutual support!
When: 4pm – 6pm
Where: The Huron Club
Get your ticket: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/georgian-bay-accelerator-community-meetup-tickets-896505170097?aff=oddtdtcreator
The details

One drink ticket per guest
Light appetizers will be provided
Refreshments and food available for purchase

Limited space available so grab your ticket asap

AI Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs (Virtual)
2024-05-30 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Toronto)
The AI Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs is hosted by the Town of Innisfil, in partnership with Nottawasaga Futures and the County of Simcoe Entrepreneurial Innovation Fund.
Event Details:

Dates: May 30, June 6, June 13 (weekly sessions on Thursdays )
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Online (Zoom Meeting)
Registration Deadline: May 28, 2024
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ai-bootcamp-for-entrepreneurs-virtual-tickets-897318843817?aff=oddtdtcreator

The AI Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs includes the following three sessions:
Session 1: Introduction to AI for Business
Explore the role of AI in small businesses and the vast opportunities AI presents across various sectors. Learn how AI can be strategically implemented to enhance your business, supercharge your productivity and help you do more with less.
You’ll gain insights into some of the most popular AI tools and platforms shaping the industry. You’ll also explore the ethical considerations of AI and pinpoint potential risks to ensure its integration into your business is both responsible and informed. This session will equip you with the necessary tools and knowledge to confidently begin your AI business journey.
Session 2: AI for Marketing: Mastering the Art of AI Tools
Dive deeper into the world of AI and discover how AI tools can enhance your brand’s marketing strategy. Learn to craft effective prompts that unlock new opportunities for marketing planning, content creation and customer support. Uncover dynamic uses of AI in social media, email marketing, video editing and more. Experience hands-on learning in a supportive environment and walk away with actionable knowledge. This workshop is your gateway to harnessing the power of AI to market your product or service at scale.
June 13: Implementing AI in Business Operations & Beyond
Explore the real-world possibilities for implementing AI in your business, focusing on operations and finance for small enterprises. In this practical session, you’ll discover how AI can refine operational efficiency, enhance financial accuracy, and sharpen strategic decision-making. Get expert advice on selecting AI tools that best match your business objectives and gain tips for integrating AI into your business framework.
This workshop will also unpack the latest AI trends, offering a glimpse into the future of AI technology and strategies to keep you ahead in a competitive market. By the end of this session, you’ll be prepared to future-proof your business using select AI tools.
By participating in all three days, you’ll gain an overarching view of how AI works and how you can strategically leverage it to enhance your business. You must register before May 28, 2024 to attend the sessions.

Growth and Expansion: How to Best Grow Your Business
2024-05-30 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto)
CPA Canada will show you the financial implications of growth on a business and how to analyze and plan for it.

Manage Your Stress To Manage Your Business: Work Stress Management for Entrepreneurs
2024-05-29 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto) | Webinar, Login details to follow registration.
Click to Register!

Maximizing Your Business: How to Manage Your Cash
2024-05-29 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto)
CPA Canada will show you the key concepts of cash management, working capital and operational efficiency.
