The latest news, events and client highlights from the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre.
Contents

Small Business Spotlight
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Windsor-Essex Farmers'

New Strokes for Creative Folks


Located in the quaint Town of Tecumseh, The Dandelion home décor boutique offers a unique array of furniture, elegant home accessories and of course, the infamous Annie Sloan Chalk Paint line.

For those who are not familiar with this product, it is a paint that has revolutionized the world of decorative painting. This paint can be used on virtually any material with minimal preparation and can empower the most novice artist to create a masterpiece with ease.  

Whether you are looking for experts to refinish a treasured heirloom or you enjoy do-it-yourself projects, The Dandelion is the place for you. They offer custom refinishing and restoration and workshops to learn Chalk Paint™ techniques. They also sell home décor, painted furniture and gifts.

The two owners are Wendy Nantais and Claudia Sylvestre. Nantais and Sylvestre became business partners in February of this year and moved to their current, larger location at 119 Lesperance Rd. in April.

Read more

 NewBusinessOnTheBlockNew Business on the Block
Each month, the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre will  
highlight  clients that have recently opened their business.

If you have started your small business recently (less than 6 months ago), or have recently moved your home-based business to a storefront, let us share your new venture with our audience of 4,000+ people!

Email SBC for more information.
NEW BUSINESSES

(Asian Restaurant)
1794 University Ave. W., Windsor
(519) 915-9091

The Thirsty Butler
(Restaurant and Lounge)
(519) 915-2216

(Canadian Immigration Consultants)
NEW STOREFRONT

(Insurance)
3-1291 Wyandotte Street E., Windsor
(226) 221-9669

(Health and Wellness Restaurant)
4-650 Division Road, Windsor

(Art Classes, Workshops and Events for all Ages)
1958 Wyandotte Street East

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 BizClientNewsClient News
Congratulations to Starter Company Grant Recipient Myriah Obeid  - Owner of LEAP

LEAP (Learning, Exploring, Applying, Progressing) offers one-on-one services for people with disabilities seeking support with life skills, and age targeted goals.

Based out of Leamington, the goal for LEAP is to raise awareness and empower people with disabilities in Windsor-Essex.

For more information, please contact Myriah at  (519) 817-6460 or leapleamington@gmail.com.  

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Photo: Rachel Willie | Lively Creative Co. | Starter Company Recipient
Summer Company Training Day; Bringing Young Entrepreneurs  Together

Congratulations to our Summer Company students for completing their training day in preparation for operating their new summer businesses.

The training day included presentations and interactive learning in topics such as operations and inventory management, financial reporting, and marketing.  The students were also introduced to past Summer Company graduates including Adam Hyslop ( Showboat Cleaning Services) and Rachel Barrette ( Sip De Soleil) who presented their business experience and provided tips for success. 

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Photo: Biz X Magazine
Region's First Combination Virtual Reality Escape Room & Arcade
Biz X Magazine

Windsor is well known as an international city, but as of June 1, 2018 it headed into outer space when Hakced VR Inc. launched the region's first combination Virtual Reality (VR) multi-player escape room and arcade, with exclusive rights to blockbuster VR escape room experience, "Cosmos." 

The new firm is a venture by Kingsville-based Vince and Kristin Spicer, owners of parent company MCE computing, a business-to-business web consultancy.

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Articles for SuccessArticlesForSuccess
analytics_computer.jpg
5 Game-Changing Consumer Trends That Will Transform Your Business
Business Development Bank of Canada

Consumer behaviours are evolving faster than ever. And it's never been more important or more challenging for entrepreneurs to stay on top of consumer trends to better compete and grow.

A BDC study identified five consumer trends that will transform the way you do business and the strategies you can use to take advantage of them. Here are some of the highlights from the study.

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In Case You Missed ItICYMI



July 24 The WindsorEssex Small Business Centre hosted an event Coffee with a Lawyer, where Ilias Kiritsis, LL.B., J.D. of Mousseau DeLuca McPherson Prince LLP Barristers and Solicitors sat down with seventeen SBC clients to discuss the basics of business law with topics such as liability in different business structures, contracts, intellectual property law, and non-disclosure agreements.

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Upcoming EventsUpcomingEvents
Advance, online registration required for all events.
Please check our calendar for more upcoming events.
CALLING ALL LOCAL VENDORS!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018 | 5-9 PM
FOGOLAR FURLAN CLUB
WINDSOR
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BE A PART OF ONE OF THE REGION'S LARGEST SHOP LOCAL EVENTS!

► Locally-made, independent products and services (fashion, home, beauty, art + more!)

► Food and beverages from local restaurants, caterers, cafes and bakeries

► Cash bar with local wine, craft beer and spirits

► Door prizes

► Live demonstrations and interactive displays


► FREE general admission


EARLY BIRD PRICES*
Booth $125 includes hydro
REGULAR PRICE - $150

*EARLY BIRD DEADLINE TO RESERVE YOUR BOOTH IS 
AUGUST 31

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




*Vendor space is subject to HST. Prices increase after August 31. Space is limited, and applications will be reviewed on a first-come basis. 
    
Questions? Contact Natasha Marar or Gina Meret-Dybenko at 519-253-6900 
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Be Part of Digital Trades School Apprentice Program


Application deadline August 31, 2018


Digital Trades  School has developed a solution to help both students and business owners. The goal of the  program is to help post-graduate students learn in-demand digital skills in a hands-on, unique  learning approach that makes them a valuable asset in today's digital economy.

Fee ranges from $1500-$5000.

We've highlighted  3 areas that our students will focus on improving your business :

1. e-Commerce Website Build - Our students will build you a brand-new site or migrate
your current site to a more current website platform.

2. Digital Campaigns - Student teams will find your target audience online and present
specific targeted content to them through online ads and social media.

3. CRM/Email Development and Content Plan - Students will organize your contacts
into an easy to use CRM platform to help organize your leads and customers. Students
will also develop an email campaign strategy and content to help you create a series of
emails to send to your email list.


If you are looking to improve your business and apply, please fill out this form
and you will be contacted shortly to discuss your needs.

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TechBoost
TechBoost Program
Workshops

The TechBoost Program supports the growth and development of small businesses in Windsor-Essex by providing affordable training in information technology tools and products for business.

We understand that running a small business is a 24/7 type of job, so spending time trying to choose the right technology solution or learning how to use a new kind of software for your company can be daunting. We want to help.

Hackforge, in partnership with the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre, is offering a series of 10 different workshops in Windsor-Essex in 2018 that touch on various topics related to implementing technology into your small business. This includes tools for marketing, organization, finance, sales and productivity.

Upcoming Workshop - Offered FREE of Charge!

Making Instagram Work for your Business (LaSalle)  - Wednesday , Aug. 1, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm 

Stay  tuned  for new sessions coming in the fall!


Funded By:

In Partnership With:
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Starter Company
Workshop

This Government of Ontario program provides entrepreneurs with the resources and knowledge needed in order to start and grow their own small business. The program includes one-on-one guidance from the Small Business Centre, mentoring with local professionals, funding of up to $5,000, and
FREE small business training & workshops.

Don't wait! Start working with an advisor today.   Learn more & apply online .

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT COHORT IS AUGUST 31, 2018.

THE NEXT ROUND OF STARTER COMPANY WORKSHOPS WILL BE HELD SEPTEMBER 17 - 21, 2018.

T he Small Business Centre also holds similar workshops throughout the year. Keep an eye on our newsletter, social media, and  calendar   for upcoming events.

Basics of Starting a
Small Business

Date/Time


Do you have an idea and want to start your own  small  business, but you aren't sure where to start? Attend one of these FREE seminars to find out information about:
  • How to register your business
  • Business structure
  • Government support programs
  • Other available services and programs
You will receive a FREE Start-up Package and step-by-step guidance.


Monday, August 20 - 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Tuesday, August 21 - 10:00 am to 11:00 am (Essex Office)
 

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Basics of Writing a
Business Plan

Date/Time


A good business plan is your roadmap to success!  A business plan is also required when applying for any type of small business financing.  Attend one of these FREE seminars to learn how to develop a business plan that will work for you!  This session will cover:
  • Required elements of a business plan
  • Breaking down a business plan into manageable pieces
  • Where to gather relevant information for a business plan
  • How to professionally arrange your ideas and research
  • What to do with the plan when it's completed



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Partner EventsPartnerEvents

WETech Alliance 

Every Tuesday in August (7, 14, 21, 28), 
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
BizLaunch (Webinars)

Wednesday, August 1, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
AIM Social Media Marketing

Monday, August 20, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Google Adwords FREE Workshop



EPICentre Windsor

Thursday, August 1, 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 22, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.


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Photo: buskervillefest.com
Windsor Buskerville Festival 2018
August 10 - August 12

LiUNA! 625 Presents Buskerville is a festival that is fun for all ages, so bring the whole family. Enjoy eye-catching vendors, tasty treats, The Windsor Circus School's Busker Academy, two saucy 19+ shows at the Walkerville Brewery on Friday and Saturday night, and of course spectacular stunts put on by some of the world's most incredible and unique Buskers.

Come out and support our SBC Summer Company students who will be displaying their products and services at this year's event.    

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Business OpportunitiesOpportunities

Businesses For Sale

Mario's Trattoria, Windsor - $35,000
Fantastic Hair, Tecumseh - $35,000
Restaurant, Windsor - $199,000
 
Business Space For Lease

3001 Dougall Ave., Windsor  - $2,500/month
300 Ouellette Ave., Windsor - $10/sq. ft. net

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Regularly Scheduled ProgrammingRSP

Does this sound familiar?
You're unsure of how your business is doing, or how to measure the success of your business? Worried about what taxes you have to file and pay? Working with a shoebox of receipts or a painful accounting system? 
We have a solution.

scaleUP Financial is a program that equips entrepreneurs with the resources to tackle their small business bookkeeping. Participants will learn financial management strategies and receive hands-on training to use  Xero, a fast-growing cloud-based accounting platform. Xero is perfect for startups and growing businesses of all industries, and scaleUP entrepreneurs receive a one-year discounted Xero subscription!

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Video: youtube.com/windsoressex
Small Business & Entrepreneurship in Windsor-Essex, ON Canada

Since 1992, the Small Business Centre (SBC) has provided thousands of entrepreneurs with the training and support necessary to start and grow successful businesses. SBC is a one-stop source - providing guidance and professional advice from concept, through start-up and early growth stages of business.

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WindsorEssex Small Business Centre | 519-253-6900 | Email  | Website
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