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


Small Business Spotlight
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SPACER - KEEP AS WHITE FONT
Entrepreneur's ShowBoat Effort Pays Off

Spring is almost here! With spring, comes nicer weather, and, for some, the urge to spring clean.

Entrepreneur and Summer Company alumni, Adam Hyslop, takes spring cleaning to a different meaning, with his business and passion for boats.

Adam owns and operates ShowBoat Cleaning Services. It is a mobile boat detailing and cleaning service based in the Windsor and Essex County region, and offering high quality services such as buffing, polishing, waxing, and weekly cleaning services.


 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.
 BizClientNewsBusiness & Client News
Photo: Katera Zappacosta |
CBC News
Hackforge Launches Tech Training Series for Small Business Owners
Katera Zappacosta | CBC News

A Windsor group wants to give small businesses practical technology advice.

The tech non-profit Hackforge launched Techboost today, a series of workshops designed for small business owners who want to increase their tech literacy.

The series will consist of 10 workshops and will cover everything from making sure a business is on Google Maps to setting up online stores. 

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Photo: WindsoriteDOTca
E-Permits Coming Soon for Windsor Builders
Liz Thorne | WindsoriteDOTca

A new and improved e-permitting system for Windsor builders is on the way.

This new system will give designers, contractors and homeowners the ability to submit digital drawings, payments and more, all online.

"While parts of our permit process have been available online for a number of years, the ability to submit plans and drawings digitally has been a common request from prospective builders," said Mayor Drew Dilkens. "We've heard that feedback loud and clear, and now that we're able to offer this service to builders, we know the process to get your project going will be easier and more efficient."

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Council Expands Harrow Community Improvement Plan
Liz Thorne | WindsoriteDOTca

Essex Town Council has approved to expand the eligible area of the Harrow Community Improvement Plan to include the former Harrow High School and Harrow Junior School properties.

The change will provide grant money to individuals who undertake redevelopment of the former schools, with particular incentives to encourage residential development.

"Both schools have been an important part of the community," said Chief Administrative Officer Donna Hunter. "With the expansion of the CIP to include these properties, Council is encouraging development to help meet the needs of the citizens who call Harrow home, as well as those who would like to move there."

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Articles for SuccessArticlesForSuccess
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5 Steps to Launching Your New Website
Business Development Bank of Canada

Entrepreneurs are becoming increasingly aware of how important their online presence is to the future their business.

Technology and online marketing are evolving so fast that you may be losing business because your website doesn't support the features that customers-or search engines-want.

If your website platform is outdated, successful entrepreneurs take action and ask the question, "Where do we start?"

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In Case You Missed ItICYMI

February 21 The WindsorEssex Small Business Centre hosted a seminar "Funding Your Small Business", where a Royal Bank of Canada Small Business Advisor came in to discuss the topics of what lenders look for in a business and plan, and the basics of the Canadian Small Business Financing Program.
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Upcoming EventsUpcomingEvents
Advance, online registration required for all events.
Please check our calendar for more 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.


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Basics of Writing a
Business Plan

Date/Time


A good business plan is your road map 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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Seminars

The WindsorEssex Small Business Centre is proud to continue to offer workshops, seminars, training, and other events that are relevant to new entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners alike.  In the situation where we may have missed an event in our newsletter, stay up-to-date by following us on   Facebook  or visiting our  website .

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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.


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

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

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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, Amherstburg and Lakeshore 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 Workshops

Understanding Hardware and Software Solutions - Wednesday, March 14, 9 am - 11 am - $20
Office Automation with Google Apps - Wednesday, March 21, 9 am - 11 am - $20
Email Marketing with Mailchimp - Wednesday, March 28, 9 am - 11am - $20


Funded By:

In Partnership With:
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Partner EventsPartnerEvents

EPICentre Windsor

Monday, March 5, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Test Your Business Idea 

Friday, March 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday, March 16, 9:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday, March 21, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Wake Up Windsor-Essex

BizLaunch (Webinars)

Tuesday, March 6, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Improve Your Presentation Skills and Grow Your Business

Thursday, March 15, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
10 Ways to Get Free Publicity for Your Small Business

Tuesday, March 27, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Small Business Accounting 101


AIM Social Media Marketing

Monday, March 12, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Explaining Hashtags


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Business Coffee Break

Thursday, March 8, 2018, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Drop by the Leamington Arts Centre, 72 Talbot St W, in Leamington, on Thursday, March 8, from 10-11 a.m., and join the Leamington Chamber for a free cup of coffee and muffin.  This is a great opportunity to find out more information on the new Leamington Business Licensing By-Law.

Representatives from the Municipality of Leamington will be on hand to answer all of your questions and help with your application.

Please register at 519-326-2721 or info@leamingtonchamber.com
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OpportunitiesOpportunities

Businesses For Sale

Business Space For Lease


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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 syst em? 
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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Join the Small Business Centre's Business Advantage program

The Small Business Centre now offers three levels of membership exclusively to its clients through its Business Advantage Program. Entrepreneurs can access existing programs, training and services, as well as discounts for SBC events and a number of perks from local companies offering support to small businesses. 

Clients who sign up for a GROW membership can take advantage of discounted services and products from local partner businesses.
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LGBTQ YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM

Are you LGBTQ, 18-39 years old, and want to start or grow your own business?
- or -
Are you an established LGBTQ or allied business leader and want to help mentor up-and-coming businesses in our community?

The Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC), with support from the Province of Ontario through the Ontario150 program, and in collaboration with partners across the province, launched the Ontario LGBTQ Youth Entrepreneur Program -  #OUTForBusiness - at the 5th Annual LGBT Summit of the Americas in Toronto .

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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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