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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.  


    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

    View On Demand Here

    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

    View On Demand Here

    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

    View On Demand Here

    Exploring Entrepreneurship - Is Starting a Business Right For You?

    Do you have dreams of becoming an entrepreneur? Join us as we host the City of St Catharines Small Business Enterprise Centre for an informative session all about what it takes to successfully start a business. In this session you will learn about developing your idea, business supports and tools, and the keys to success.

    In Person Session: St. Catharines Public Library - Central Library Branch

    * Fragrance Free Session * 

    Wednesday, November 20, 2024: from 5:00 - 6:30 pm

    Register Here

    Exploring Entrepreneurship - Is Starting a Business Right For You?

    Do you have dreams of becoming an entrepreneur? Join us as we host the City of St Catharines Small Business Enterprise Centre for an informative session all about what it takes to successfully start a business. In this session you will learn about developing your idea, business supports and tools, and the keys to success.

    In Person Session: St. Catharines Public Library - Merritt Branch

    Tuesday, November 26, 2024: from 10:00 - 11:30 am

    Register Here

    Exploring Entrepreneurship - Is Starting a Business Right For You?

    Do you have dreams of becoming an entrepreneur? Join us as we host the City of St Catharines Small Business Enterprise Centre for an informative session all about what it takes to successfully start a business. In this session you will learn about developing your idea, business supports and tools, and the keys to success.

    In Person Session: St. Catharines Public Library - Dr. Huq Family Library Branch

    Wednesday, December 4, 2024: from 1:00 - 2:30 pm

    Register Here

    * NEW * Managing your Irregular Income as an Entrepreneur

    Running a business and not having a consistent income can be a challenge for many entrepreneurs. Join this session with Credit Council Canada to learn more about how entrepreneurs can manage their finances more appropriately and ensure that their irregular income can be better managed.

    Hosted by Brampton Entrepreneur Centre 

    Tuesday, November 19, 2024: from 10:00 - 11:00 am

    Register Here

    Tech Tools for Better Business Operations

    In this session, you’ll discover the affordable tech tools you can use to automate your customer experience – from how you acquire new customers, sell to them, deliver your products and services, invoice and get paid easier! Sara from REPLY-ALL will show you how you can save time by making use of automation and AI… in a way that still feels human!

    Hosted by Business Advisory Centre Durham

    Tuesday, November 19, 2024: from 5:00 - 6:00 pm

    Register Here
     

    Setting Up for Success(ion)

    Presented by Mike Libbey, partner and COO at YBL. After years of careful preparation, Mike has successfully taken over his father's accounting firm, gaining invaluable experience along the way. In this presentation, he will share insights on creating a sustainable succession plan that benefits both outgoing and incoming generations, drawing from his own journey and the many clients his firm has helped do the same. This session will highlight the importance of clear goals, open dialogue, and robust process implementation to ensure a smooth transition.

    Hosted by Business Advisory Centre Durham 

    Friday, November 22, 2024: from 9:00 - 10:00 am

    Register Here

    The Branding Cookbook

    Branding is so much more than a logo. So many things are involved in influencing your brand and there are so many things to consider. Whether you're a service business, a hospitality business or a retail business, your brand and customer experience will influenced by everything from your logo, to the packaging you use at your point of sale, to the ease of your billing or checkout process .This session discusses what your brand means to you, what it means to your customers, and how to plan for your brand will evolving over time.

    Hosted by Business to Bruce

    Monday, November 25, 2024: from Noon - 1:00 pm

    Register Here

    Metrics that Matter: Unlocking Your Small Business Potential with Data

    Unlock the power of data to propel your small business forward in this 90-minute interactive webinar. Perfect for entrepreneurs and small business owners new to data analytics, this introductory session will equip you with essential tools and strategies to harness the potential of your business metrics. 

    Hosted by Business to Bruce

    Tuesday, November 26, 2024: from 9:00 - 10:30 am

    Register Here

    Optimizing for Search Engines - Understanding SEO Basics

    Join to learn why you should consider e-commerce for your business and how you can easily get started. In this webinar, the Brantford Digital Service Squad will explain search engine optimization and the best tactics you as a business can use towards increasing your ranking in the search engine result pages.

    Hosted by Brantford Business Resource Enterprise Centre

    Tuesday, November 26, 2024: from 10:00 - 11:30 am

    Register Here

    Driving Digital Success: Strategies for Small Businesses to Succeed Online

    In this webinar, delivered by Digital Main Street, you will explore essential digital strategies for attracting more customers and driving growth for your small business. You will gain insights into key themes and trends crucial for building your online presence. 

    Hosted by Digital Main Street

    Thursday, December 12, 2024: from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

    Register Here

    Business Fundamentals: Financials & Operations

    This session will discuss Financials and Operations. By understanding the accounting and financial basics and developing these operational strategies, you can create effective and efficient systems for running your business.

    Hosted by Business Advisory Centre Durham

    Tuesday, December 17, 2024: from 2:00 - 4:00 pm

    Register Here

    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. 

    https://foodpreneuradvantage.ca/ 

    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

    Register Here

    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 Here

    Upcoming Dates: 

    Tuesday, December 3, 2024: Host: Critelli Furniture, 126 King Street, St. Catharines, ON

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(905) 688-5601