SMALL BUSINESS
RESILIENCE + RECOVERY
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The
Small Business Recovery Outreach Program
is FREE for any business in Waterloo Region.
Let's work together to make sure small businesses in Waterloo Region have everything they need to move forward! Start with the
Intake Form!
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Throughout the month of May, the team behind the Small Business Recovery Outreach Program have been speaking with small business owners and entrepreneurs across our community about their deepest concerns and needs, providing tailored resources and services (most of which are completely free to access), while also identifying which tools still need to be created for longer-term resiliency.
If you are or know a local small business owner who could use additional support right now — please fill out the intake form and book a 1:1 phone call.
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ShopHERE
provides independent small businesses and artists with a quick, easy and no-cost way to get selling online right away.
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To address this need,
Digital Main Street
is collaborating with Google, Shopify, Mastercard and Microsoft to build and optimize online stores for small independent businesses and artists in just a matter of days.
Eligibility to include home-based businesses and artists in several
municipalities
, including Kitchener. The program will be expanding to all municipalities in Ontario, so even if you're outside of Toronto, you can sign-up now too.
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Hire a Co-op Student for the Summer or Fall!
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We know that plenty of small and medium-sized enterprises are facing hiring challenges right now, including finding and funding new talent.
University of Waterloo
- If you’re overwhelmed with the transition to a remote or digital workplace or struggling to move your organization and business to a virtual platform, University of Waterloo co-op student have the skills you need. Hundreds of our students have registered for a new series of courses to expand their skill sets in digital and video marketing, problem solving and web design. They’re ready to support your business. Questions?
Email for inquiries
Wilfrid Laurier University
- Let Laurier co-op students bring their innovation and entrepreneurial skills to your marketing, accounting, finance and IT projects. Questions?
Email for inquiries
Conestoga College
- has over 65 co-op programs ranging from Degrees, Diplomas, and Graduate Certificates in Business, Engineering, IT, Architecture, Electronics, Hospitality, the trades and much more! Questions?
Email for inquiries
Concerned about your hiring budget? With unprecedented federal funding, you can get 50% - 75% of a student wage subsidized. If you are facing financial challenges or budget cuts, there are several resources available for you. Connect directly with questions!
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Small businesses worldwide will forever be changed by the COVID-19. In response, the
Downtown Kitchener BIA
Uptown Waterloo BIA
, and
Downtown Cambridge BIA
are proud to announce announced the creation of funding programs for businesses to assist with changes made to their business models/plans as a result of the pandemic.the COVID-19. Funds are available to applicants looking to invest in: PPE, digital marketing, E-commerce platforms, website enhancements for e-commerce, brand photography, equipment needed for reconfiguring for social distancing.
Interest-free loans for small business not receiving CEBA
As part of its Canadian Business Resilience Network campaign, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, through the generosity of Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), will provide 62 small Canadian businesses from coast to coast to coast with $10,000 grants to help their recovery efforts during these unprecedented times.
Targeted assistance for for small town and rural business in Southern ON
Loans for young entrepreneurs age 18 - 39, starting and growing a business up to $60,000
Targeted grants for agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sectors to capture online e-business
Temporary flexibilities for Canada Summer Jobs wage subsidy reimbursement of up to 100%
The Canada Job Grant offers up to 50-83% to a maximum $10,000 in training grants/trainee to enhance your workforce.
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Let us help you access the knowledge and skills you need to complete your digital transformation. Whether that is having a stronger online presence, selling online, or improving your social media tactics.
These services are FREE to small businesses in Waterloo Region.
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Starter Company PLUS is a great opportunity for budding entrepreneurs and existing business owners who want to start, expand, or buy a mainstream business in their community, and are not in school or working full time.
For more info and program announcements
Register
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Peer2Peer groups provide an opportunity for individuals in similar industries or roles to share best practices, ideas, and provide guidance on current business challenges. Whatever problems you face, someone in your group has faced it and remedied it. Weekdays 10:30 - 11:30 am!
"It's great to come together on common challenges regardless of the business size and experience"JM
"Selling on a virtual marketplace is a great idea, we'll implement asap" SD
"Great way to explore other revenue options that have been tested by peers" NB
Together we are stronger.
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personal care, health and wellness practitioners, trainers, coaches, consultants, accounting, administrative, educational services.
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restaurants, cafes, bakers, beverage, mobile, markets, caterers, meal prep, hospitality, processors, specialty foods, suppliers, distributors.
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merchandise, apparel, specialty shops, home decor and supplies, collectibles, galleries, repairs, electronics, after-market sales, and more.
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Technology is changing every day which means our marketing strategies need to change. In order to keep your on line presence current you will need to stay on trend with current ideas.
Presented by KW Chamber of Commerce
This webinar is intended to provide customer-facing agri-business and agri-tourism businesses in Halton/Ontario with important information about reopening effectively and protecting the health and safety of customers and staff. Attendees will hear from government representatives and health and safety professionals, including: Ontario Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services.
Presented by Halton SBC
L
earn from internationally respected John Maxwell. A leadership expert who has written over 100 books on leadership, owner of the John Maxwell Team and currently leading 33,000 coaches worldwide and growing.
Presented by BDAC Durham
June 3 | 2 - 3:30 pm |
How to Reach a
Virtual
Audience using Webinars
With everything rapidly moving online, now is the time for your business to start reaching a virtual audience by offering high-value webinars.
Presented by London SBC
June 3 | 10 -11 am |
Virtual
Office
Ergonomics Awareness for Small Businesses
This session will provide you with the opportunity to connect with an ergonomics coach who will provide an introduction to ergonomics in a home office setting, tips and suggestions on adjusting the components of your temporary, make shift workstation.
Presented by Workspace Safety and Prevention
While overwhelm is a huge challenge for many women in technology, there are ways of managing it. In this interactive session, you’ll: Learn strategies to quickly reduce overwhelm and get back to productivity. Clarify your strategic priorities and how they are aligned with your time commitments.
Presented by TechConnex
Canva
is a free tool that lets you combine images and text for any social media platform to promote your business. There are thousands of free photos and design templates to help you get started today! Best of all, it’s easy to use. During this seminar, participants will learn how to make designs of various sizes and types, find engaging images, compose stunning layouts and add impact-full text.
Presented by BDAC Durham
Starting a new business venture? Learn the necessary steps to start your business! Including: various forms of business ownership, government regulations, the importance of a business plan, forecasting, cash flow, identifying your target market and client profile, and when and why to register for HST.
ZOOM Meeting Link will be sent to you.
5 reasons brands should continue advertising during a downturn. Active International offers a topline roundup of insights for leaders who are working hard to protect their brand during the recovery period.
Presented by Food and Consumer Products Canada
In collaboration with Cobalt Lawyers - the official small business law training firm for the City of Toronto - DealPrep is proud to present our new "Ask the Expert: Legal Advice for Businesses" workshop!
This webinar focuses on Customer agreements, Customer-Vendor terms, and Intellectual Property. Presented by DealPrep, powered by Clausehound
You don't need a big budget to get noticed on the web - you just need creativity! Savvy businesses are using bootstrap digital marketing techniques to amplify their message online. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn the tricks and tools needed to market your business effectively on a shoestring budget.
Presented by Digital Marketing Team
Join Restaurants Canada, along with key industry leaders and trailblazing experts, for the RC Connects Rapid Recovery Series.
Over three days, enjoy 10, FREE
,
one-hour livestream sessions
that address some of the major challenges and pressing issues facing the foodservice industry during COVID-19 recovery. Connect with other like-minded operators, and gain access to Restaurants Canada member resources and suppliers all focused on rebuilding our industry.
Presented by Restaurant Canada
This seminar will provide small business owners with an introduction to common legal terms in commercial contracts and examine different types of small business contracts including supplier agreements, lease agreements and waivers.
Presented by Waterloo Region Small Business Centre
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Celebrating the contributions of Canadians with disabilities! In honour of this week, join us for our online “Life Made Accessible” even. Discussing the following topics: June 1 – Accessibility 101; June 2 – The Connection Between Mental Health, Disability and COVID-19; June 3 – The Labour of Living with a Disability; June 4 – Disability Within the Family; June 5 – Experiencing Disability: Personal Stories.
NOTE:
ASL interpreters, closed captioning and transcription services are available for each webinar.
Each quarter, Retail Council of Canada surveys executive members from mid-large sized retailers from coast to coast to bring you an insider’s perspective on retail’s performance for the past quarter. Presented by Retail Council of Canada registration MEMBERS ONLY
inquire about membership
Health Tech Ottawa Summit’s vision to build holistic and value driven global ecosystem and network showcasing innovations in health tech. This summit is an interdisciplinary leadership summit which aims to bring together academicians, government agencies, industry and startups in the health technology space. $60
The discussion with Minister Ng will address key questions on relief programs available to small businesses during a time when they need it most, as well as provide insights on what the path to recovery may look like.
Presented by Ontario Chamber of Commerce
June 9 | 1 - 2:00 pm |
Food & Beverage Sector: The Future of Food Manufacturing Post COVID–The Long View
This talk will look at food manufacturing over the next 30 years and take you to a world where by 2050 our society, our eating habits and our means of acquiring food will be very different and manufacturing likely not recognizable as it currently is! Welcoming Guest Speaker, Brad McKay, Former CEO – Healthcare Food Services, who will be sharing.
Digital Marketing Conference - 3 Days of learning and inspiration. Whatever your goal is; reinforcing customer loyalty, improving lead generation, increasing sales, or driving stronger consumer engagement, the DigiMarCon America 2020 line up has been specifically designed to help you develop your audience. $300 USD
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RESOURCES for SMALL BUSINESS
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Shopify’s
guide to help local store owners easily set-up online stores, while enabling curbside pickup for their customers. This should take you no more than 1 hour. This is for stores brand new to Shopify.
Shopify
created this guide to help local store owners easily set-up online stores which enable local hand delivery to their local customers. This is for simple stores brand new to Shopify. Please take inspiration if you’re already up and running with Shopify. This should take you no more than 1 hour.
by Shopify
REM Web Solutions
- While your customers are taking a break from visiting your physical store, let us help keep your business thriving through our easy, affordable eCommerce solutions.
REM Web Solutions
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