It’s Small Business Week in Vaughan
Small Business Week is here! The City of
Vaughan’s Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC) and presenting
sponsor Meridian Credit Union invite local entrepreneurs and business owners to
take part in a variety of workshops and events – virtual and in-person – offered
throughout the week, that explore business resiliency, marketing and finance as
they relate to entrepreneurship and starting or owning a business.
This year’s theme will focus on seizing the opportunity to build the way forward, exploring how to overcome current challenges, identifying opportunities for growth and new startups, and highlighting the local supports available to entrepreneurs and small business owners.
To kick things off, the VBEC, in partnership with the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce (VCC), hosted an in-person event earlier this morning to celebrate the nationally recognized Small Business Week and the contributions small businesses make to the economy. Attendees enjoyed a morning of networking and remarks from Jennifer Coletta Rashty, Interim President and CEO of the VCC, keynote speaker Darryl Julott, Managing Lead for Digital Main Street, and the Mayor.
Registration is open for the following workshops and events, connecting business owners and entrepreneurs with like-minded professionals:
Monday, Oct. 17
- Sustainable Development Goals with Professor Mark Terry, virtual, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Hiring resources for small businesses with COSTI, virtual, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 18
- The entrepreneurial journey with YSpace, virtual, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Vaughan business café networking session with the VBEC, in-person and virtual, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pierre Berton Resource Library (located at 4921 Rutherford Rd.).
Wednesday, Oct. 19
- Financing for small businesses with Meridian Credit Union, Futurpreneur and the Business Development Bank of Canada, virtual, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Empowerment around your zero waste and sustainability with TechConnex, virtual, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 20
- Health and safety resources for small businesses with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and Ministry of Labour, virtual, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Spark mentorships and grants for small businesses with the Tourism Innovation Lab, virtual, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 21
- Open house with ventureLAB, in-person, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Pierre Berton Resource Library (located at 4921 Rutherford Rd.).
- Crime prevention for Vaughan businesses with York Regional Police, virtual, from 11 a.m. to noon.
- Buying a business 101 with Nunzio Presta, virtual, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information or to register, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/SBW.
Looking for additional business support? The VBEC offers a robust list of services to entrepreneurs, including:
- free business advisory consultations (virtual or in-person).
- business planning support, including marketing strategies, financial forecast and cash flow, and general business development.
- information on the development process, regulations, zoning, licensing, permits, business registration and legal structure.
- end-to-end site selection support.
- connections to funding sources, financing and grants.
- connections to business professionals, organizations and resources from various levels of government.
- research and business intelligence support.
- business development and marketing support for tourism organizations.
- business workshops, seminars, events and networking opportunities.
To learn more about starting or growing your business, visit vaughanbusiness.ca.
To keep up with the City’s newest business resources and initiatives, sign up for the Economic Development department’s eNewsletter at vaughanbusiness.ca/enewsletters.
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