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

Small Business Spotlight 
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Bringing Vegan
Awesomeness to Windsor Essex!

A Windsor entrepreneur is on a mission to diversify vegan food offerings for local consumers.

 

The Vegan Gardiners is a vegan food provider specializing in cheeses, charcuterie sausage, crackers and other goodies. Amy Gardiner Upton and husband Ryan stumbled across this business rather unexpectedly in 2018.

 

"I began creating vegan cheese at home as we wanted to pursue a more plant-based diet and environmentally conscious lifestyle. At that time there were very few palatable vegan cheeses on the market. After perfecting my process and sampling to friends, I was encouraged to try and sell it locally as they felt it was better than most products on the market." 

 

Fast-forward to today, and their success is palpable. Their products are currently sold at six different retail locations, available through personal order, and are present in local markets and pop-up events. The Vegan Gardiners have collaborated with several other local businesses, and their products are featured in two Windsor restaurants. They have also been fortunate enough to plan and co-host two ticketed events in collaboration with a local winery and brewery.  

 NewBusinessOnTheBlockNew Business on the Block
Each month, the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre 
highlights  clients and entrepreneurs that have recently opened their business.

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

Email SBC for more information.
NEW BUSINESSES

The Avocado Pit - Ahimsa Sushi
(Pop-Up Restaurant - Vegetarian/Vegan)
@theavocadopitsushi

( Café and Bake Shop)
14306 Tecumseh Rd, Tecumseh
(519) 735-0465

( Osteopathic treatments)
1695 Manning Rd. Unit 110, Tecumseh




(Restaurant - C ustom-Built, Artisanal Pizzas)
650 Division Road, Windsor
(226) 242-4323
@BlazePizzaWindsorOntario

(Restaurant - Middle Eastern Shawarma)
Main Campus of St. Clair College Windsor

(Management Consultant)

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If your New Year's resolution is to start a new business, we can help.

Visit our website or  Email SBC for more information.
 BizClientNewsClient News
Photo: Corey Kozub (Owner, Ireland Manual Physiotherapy)
Congratulations to Starter Company Plus Recipient Corey Kozub - Owner of Ireland Manual Physiotherapy

If you are looking for a great physiotherapist and
hassle-free experience, look no further than Ireland Manual Physiotherapy. 
Located at 19-313 Main Street East in Kingsville, Ireland Manual Physiotherapists are exceedingly qualified and provide only the highest level of evidence based, patient focused care.  

Grounded in compassionate, ethical practices and using targeted interventions, you will find that Ireland Manual Physiotherapy is a special place where you are cared for by special people   
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Photo: (left to right) Mike McCallum (Owner, Golf Indigo), Myrtle Donnipad (Youth and Entrepreneurship Advisor, Small Business Centre)
Congratulations to Starter Company Plus Recipient Mike McCallum, Owner of Golf Indigo

Mobile entertainment is the name of the game at Golf Indigo!  Owner Mike McCallum amplifies the fun for events of all shapes and sizes, offering mini golf courses delivered and tailored to your party needs. Courses are designed to give your event and your attendees a unique experience enjoyed by golfers of all ages!

Golf Indigo delivers a mini golf course, right to your party! Based on your specific event needs, they provide a course ranging in size from 1-9 mini putt holes. Your rental comes complete with all the putters, balls, and scorecards that you and your guests need get playing! 

Mike's goal is to bring life to your next party. For more information, or to book your next event call 226 506 4653 or email  info@golfindigo.com.  
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Photo: (left to right) Mike McCallum (Owner, Golf Indigo), Myrtle Donnipad (Youth and Entrepreneurship Advisor, Small Business Centre)
Congratulations to Starter Company Plus Recipient Katrina Goulet, Owner of The Polished Parlour Day Spa

Owner Katrina Goulet takes pride in providing a quality experience to everyone. The Polished Parlour Day Spa, located at 26 Centre Street in Essex, offers a comfortable 'like home' environment for all their clients. From the minute you walk through their door you will be treated like part of the family.   

Katrina is passionate about making her clients look and feel their best. "We have clients who have made a lasting impression on our lives and we want nothing more than to have our family grow and build more positive relationships with each person who comes to see us." 
  
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Photo: Wunder Booth
Local Start Up Company will be Receiving the 2019 Best of Wedding Award from The Knot Magazine

Local entrepreneur, Maria Belano, identified an exciting business opportunity and made it happen! 

When putting together the plans for a birthday party,  Maria wanted to include a photo booth. She quickly learned hiring one would cost upwards of $800, so she decided to create the booth herself - open-concept and completely DIY. A few handmade props and an instant-printing camera later, she was able to provide the experience at the fraction of the cost.

With the idea in motion, Maria built her first photo booth in her parent's basement in Windsor. Today her company,  Wunder Booth, has three state-of-the-art mirrored photo booths, one of which is proudly developed and built in Canada. Wünder Booth will be receiving the 2019 Best of Wedding Award from The Knot Magazine.  Congratulations Maria!
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Photo: Windsorite.ca
Now Open: Bad Axe Throwing Comes to the Dorwin Plaza
Anna Millerman | Windsorite.ca

Axe Throwing has come to Windsor, with Bad Axe Throwing opening up a location in the Dorwin Plaza, at 2451 Dougall Avenue. Walk-ins, parties and groups are welcome, with the business having been recently opened up in mid-November.

Find details on hours and rates for Bad Axe Throwing Windsor on their website  here and Facebook page  here.


Read more
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NEWSFLASH Featuring Kniaziew Optometry
Biz X Magazine

Photo: Courtesy of Kniaziew Optometry.
Kniaziew Optometry recently celebrated the Grand Opening of their new Essex location at 169 Talbot Street North, with a community event that featured free hot dogs and give-aways. "The event was a great success," says Dr. Richard Kniaziew, Founder of Kniaziew Optometry. "The community of Essex has always shown strong support to our team and we wanted to give back with a community event. We would also like to welcome to Kniaziew Optometry, Dr. Eni Okaj. She will be joining an already strong team of Optometrists that include: Dr. Ronald Molzan, Dr. Keri Baker, Dr. Alicia Kominek, Dr. Lauren Renaud and Dr. Robert McCormick." 

Kniaziew Optometry has been serving patients' eye health care needs in southwestern Ontario for over 40 years with practices in Leamington, Essex, Tecumseh, and Chatham. The centre offers a wide range of optometric services and eye care products, including eyeglasses, specialty eyewear, frames, and contact lenses. 

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Articles for SuccessArticlesForSuccess
Your Top 5 Marketing Priorities for 2019
Business Development Bank of Canada

When you do a Google search to find what marketing trends will be relevant in 2019 there is a tendency to use a wide range of buzzwords like voice search marketing, blockchain, chatbots, etc.   These yearly trends often cater to early adopters, people who really don't need much convincing to try something new.

What about the rest of us who trust what has worked extremely well in the past and keeps delivering double-digit growth year after year? Does one have to constantly fail fast and try something new every week?

What if you actually focused on getting even better at marketing tactics you already execute flawlessly?
Marketing is constantly being challenged, but it is not much different from accounting, operational efficiency or traditional sales. You have to understand the fundamentals to succeed.

Here's what I propose: Make 2019 the year you strengthen your marketing fundamentals, while still staying aware of key trends changing the business world.

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In Case You Missed ItICYMI
On December 6, the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre hosted Employment Law: How to Navigate the Recent Changes.  During the first segment of this presentation we discussed hiring individuals with disabilities and the resources provided by the Discover Ability Network (DAN). The second segment covered the most current changes made to Ontario's employment laws and how to navigate these new changes.
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Upcoming EventsUpcomingEvents
Advance, online registration required for all events.
Please check our calendar for more upcoming events.
Digital Marketing 101 - Building Your Online Presence

Date:  Wednesday, January 30
Time: 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Location: Institute for Border Logistics and Security (IBLS), 3475 Wheelton Drive, Windsor

Topic:  Digital Marketing - Cost Effective Ways to Reach Your Target Audience Online

Seminar Overview:
Marketing your business in a cost effective way is crucial to your success. Join social media marketing expert Nichole Howson for an interactive presentation to help you build your online presence and reach your target audience online. 

Material covered:
  • Leveraging the top three social media platforms you should be on as a small business owner - Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and how to market using these platforms
  • Marketing tips and insights that will get you farther ahead
  • Free resources you can use to create content for your online presence
  • How creating and posting content online can help your SEO
ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Registration is from 9:30 am to 10:00 am.  

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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 .

STAY TUNED FOR INFORMATION ON THE 2019 STARTER COMPANY PROGRAM.  

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.
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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.

Tuesday, Jan.8- 10:00 am to 11:00 am
(Essex Office)
 
 
Friday, Jan. 11- 9:00 am to 10:00 am 
 
Monday, Jan. 21 - 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm 
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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
Friday, Jan. 18 - 9:00 am to 10:30 am
 
Monday, Jan. 28 - 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm 

Tuesday, Jan. 29 - 10:00 am to 11:30 am
(Essex Office)
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Partner EventsPartnerEvents

BizLaunch

Tuesday, January 8,, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
WEtech Alliance

Tuesday, January 29,, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm




 
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EPICentre Five Year Anniversary Celebration 

Date: Friday, February 1
Time: 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Location:   Willistead Manor,  1899 Niagara St.,  Windsor ON  N8Y 1K3


The University of Windsor EPICentre is celebrating five years of entrepreneurship on campus. Join them on February 1st for an evening celebrating EPICentre's past, present and future. Click here to register 
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Business OpportunitiesOpportunities

Businesses For Sale

Salon, Windsor - $8,900
Bubble Tea Chain, Windsor - $210,000
Wine Making Business, Leamington - $35,000
Business Space For Lease

319 Talbot Road North , Essex - $6.95/sq ft. 
3555 Banwell Unit #300, Windsor - $14.95/sq ft.
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Regularly Scheduled ProgrammingRSP
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
Windsor Office: 519-253-6900
Essex Office: 519-776-1116
| Email  | Website
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