Be That Business Newsletter #6: Three Resources; Small Biz Enterprise Centers, Chamber of Commerce, & Futurepreneur

My Three Favourite Resources from Newsletter #6!

​Small and medium sized businesses power our economy. The vast majority of businesses in Canada are small or medium sized businesses. They make up 99% of all the businesses in the country and provide over a third of Canada’s gross domestic product! Not only that, they create jobs and improve local communities. If you are running or planning to start a small business, you are part of that impact! That's something to feel proud of!
Because of their importance to our communities and our economy, all levels, of government, Municipal, Provincial, and Federal, have a stake in the success of small businesses. As such, there are many resources available for small businesses. Here are some for you to take advantage of, if you haven't already...

1. Small Business Enterprise Centers - Have you connected with your local Small Business Enterprise Centre yet? They are an excellent resource for learning about government grants and subsidies, and they also offer new business workshops, small business support, and networking opportunities! Your local Small Business Service Centre is one of your best resources, and they are free and invested in your success! You can look up your local Ontario Small Business Centre here. To find your local SBEC, look at the results of the following google searches: "Small Business Enterprise Centre [Name of your Town]" (you may find one like LGSBC) and "Economic Development Centre [Name of your town]" (you may find one like Kingston's Economic Dev Corp).
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2. Chamber of Commerce- Look into joining your local Chamber of Commerce! A chamber of commerce is a local business network. It is designed to help business owners in the same town or area connect with one another in a somewhat formal environment. When you join your local chamber of commerce, you get your new business out there into the community. Your business will have more exposure on and offline when you are a member of your local Chamber of Commerce, as you’ll be on the local business directory. Because there are a wide range of businesses that are part of the local chamber and local chamber events, you’ll have many networking opportunities. The chamber may have promotions and discounts for being a member, and you’ll be on the list to get important local information and updates pertinent to business owners in your area. Your local Chamber of Commerce / Board of Trade can also be a great lifeline when it comes to emergencies or receiving funding. They work directly with governmental and educational organizations to help get you access to information you may need, whether it be business loans or important legislation that affects you.
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3. ​www.Futurpreneur.ca Futurpreneur Canada was previously known as the Canadian Youth Business Foundation. Don’t be fooled by “youth”, as they support aspiring business owners aged 18-39. If you are in the early stages of creating your own small business Futurpreneur is a great resource. They can connect you with other entrepreneurs, provide online resources, connect you with financing, and provide two years of mentoring while you get your business off the ground.
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What Resources have you found that have helped you start, run, or grow your business? Feature it (and a callout to your business!) in our next Resources Newsletter!

Be Intentional Today!
Get out there, and Be That Business That Thrives!
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