SMALL BUSINESS
RESILIENCE + RECOVERY
See What's New
City of Kitchener is eliminating patio fees this year! For details on the City's patio expansion program, visit City of Kitchener
City of Cambridge is eliminating patio fees this year! For details on the City's patio and outdoor dining area permits, visit City of Cambridge
Expand your business offerings during reopening. Apply for a sidewalk patio in Uptown Waterloo , visit City of Waterloo
PEER 2 PEER
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.
Together we are stronger!
personal care, health and wellness practitioners, trainers, coaches, consultants, accounting, administrative, educational services.
restaurants, cafes, bakers, beverage, mobile, markets, caterers, meal prep, hospitality, processors, specialty foods, suppliers, distributors.
merchandise, apparel, specialty shops, home decor and supplies, collectibles, galleries, repairs, electronics, after-market sales, and more.
Webinars
Learn tips and best practices that brick and mortar retailers can use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presented by Shopify.

This is an advanced session explaining the basic tools and techniques of financial man¬agement for a business owner, including budget creation and monitoring, cash man¬agement, product/division/customer analysis, planning/forecasting, and trend analysis.

Social media can be a very powerful tool for business growth, but first you need to know what it is and how it works. In this fun and interactive workshop, we’ll look at the basics of today’s popular social media channels—including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest—and decide which are right for you. This webinar is presented in partnership with the Alliston BIA.

During this webinar, we'll share as much information as we can on what resources are available to support your business and where Mentor Works may be able to assist in terms of accessing available government funding incentives. Our primary goal is to help your business grow and succeed, and we'll do our best to support you during this global transition. Presented by MentorWorks.

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. This webinar is presented in partnership with the Alliston BIA.

July 15 | 10 am | Startup Business Basics
Starting a new business venture? Learn the necessary steps to start your business!
Including: the various forms of business ownership, government regulations, the importance of a business plan, forecasting cash flow, identifying your target market and client profile, when and why to register for HST. Presented by WRSBC. ZOOM Meeting Link will be sent to you.

In this free, live webinar, BDC Advisory Services experts will explain how technology can help your company get back on track by making your operations more efficient, agile and profitable. Presented by BDC.

July 22 | 10 - 11 am | CRA Covid Response Session
The seminar is mainly designed for owners of small unincorporated businesses, however, if you are incorporated you may also learn something new! The session will be a one hour session that deals strictly with Covid 19 measures such as the CERB and CEWS. Presented by WRSBC.

July 22 | 7 - 8:30 pm | The Side Hustle Starter Kit
This FREE webinar will include an educational workshop-style lesson on the side-hustle basics and how to navigate today’s digital landscape as a business owner. This will be followed up by a panel discussion featuring experts side-hustlers who are walking the walk. You'll have the opportunity to engage with the panelist by asking questions to help you get started! Presented by The Maker's Collective.

July 29 | 10 am | Marketing 101
This seminar will assist entrepreneurs in understanding how to effectively market their product/service by applying the "4 Ps of Marketing". Attendees will learn to utilize this strategy to create a sales and marketing strategy. Your business will be better equipped to identify your target market, create best practices for promotion and understand how this direction can be used to increase your sales. Presented by WRSBC.

During the Hiring & Training Grants for Workforce Development webinar, attendees will learn about the top government funding programs that can offset a portion of hiring and training costs by up to 50-83%. Presented by BDC.
Programs
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.

Tools
Brush up on your email marketing! Here's a quick video from Intrigue Media to explain the difference between an email newsletter and an email drip campaign!
Re-imagine essential tools to help promote your business.
Video...Gift cards...Sell online...Social media...
Resources
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

Launching virtual products, events, and services is an innovative way to strengthen your brand offering and engage your customers.