It’s October, the days are getting shorter and fall is in the air!
With Small Business Week on the horizon, October offers the perfect opportunity to invest some time in your small business with the fantastic range of education at Small Business BC. Before we delve into the highlights, have you added your business to the BC Marketplace? Our digital marketplace connects businesses with customers across our province. Listing your business is quick and FREE. Don’t miss out on this invaluable marketing opportunity!
Without further ado, here are our educational highlights for October 2020 at Small Business BC.
Creating Your Business Pitch
Friday, October 2nd
2:30pm to 4:00pm
$39
Your business idea might be the Next Big Thing, but you need to get the word out first. Whether you’re telling friends and family, or looking for investment dollars, your start-up pitch will be essential to your success. Join Dylan Hrycyshen, Small Business BC Business Planning Advisor, for this informative session on crafting your business pitch.
Business Networking Skills for Success
Tuesday, October 6th
10:00am to 12:00pm
$39
COVID-19 and the need to maintain physical distancing has dramatically impacted on our ability to network and make new contacts. Don’t despair, there are still plenty of ways to make the connections you need for your business to succeed. Now is the perfect time to assess your network and increase your connections so your business is well poised to benefit as our economy gradually reopens.
Join Cathy Kuzel, Business Development Strategies and Advisor, and learn key tips for leveraging your existing networks to build your connections during this time of physical distancing, canceled events, and closed doors.
Supplying Professional Services to the Government of Canada
Thursday, October 8th
10:30am to 12:00pm
FREE
The Government of Canada is one of the largest purchasers of goods and services in the country. Each year, the federal government spends up to $25 billion on goods, services, and construction.
This seminar will help you understand more about how the Government of Canada purchases professional services and the use of standing offers and supply arrangements. We will cover how to register your business in the Centralized Professional Services System (CPSS) as well as how to find and bid on professional services opportunities.
Starting a Business: Start Smart Package
Wednesday, October 14th
09:00am to 4:00pm
$49
Whether you have a winning idea, or you’re just fascinated with the idea of launching a business, the Starting a Business: Start Smart Series delivers the basics you need to get started on the journey.
Ranging from the different business structures, to business insurance, employment standards and how you can protect your intellectual property, this fascinating series will equip you with the basics of launching a start-up.
Seminars Included:
- Start Smart 1: Basics of Starting a Business
- Start Smart 2: Key Considerations of Starting a Business
Doing Business with the Government of Canada: Half Day Condensed
Thursday, October 15th
1:00pm to 4:00pm
FREE
Did you know: The Government of Canada spends up to $25 billion annually on goods, services, and construction. Many of these contracts are fulfilled by small businesses, meaning plenty of opportunities to engage with.
This comprehensive half-day seminar will guide you through the various aspects involved in doing business with the federal government.
This seminar is a condensed version of the following seminars:
- How to Do Business with the Federal Government
- Finding and Bidding on Opportunities with the Government of Canada
How to Launch Your Product in Today’s World
Wednesday, October 21st
1:00pm to 4:00pm
$39
COVID-19 has spurred many changes affecting retail in BC, from disruptions to the supply chain to online shopping becoming more prevalent. At the same time though, initiatives like Shop Local and the transition of brick and mortar businesses to e-commerce are taking place.
Now may be the best time for you to connect with retailers, get your foot in the door, and your products onto their shelves and their websites.
Decolonizing, Indigenizing and Reconciling Entrepreneurship
Thursday, October 22nd
1:00pm to 4:00pm
FREE
Wondering what it means to decolonize entrepreneurship & success? Ready to shift out of colonial defaults and into critical consciousness? Want to apply a decolonial lens to your business, your HR, your bottom line?
Join Ta7talíya Michelle Nahanee of the Squamish Nation, founder of Decolonizing Practices and M̓i tel’nexw Leadership Society for an introduction to decolonizing, indigenizing & reconciling entrepreneurship. Ta7talíya will share teachings, talk about her journey of unlearning, and guide participants through exercises from her workbook Decolonize First, a liberating guide for peeling back the layers of neocolonialism.
Early Stage Financing for Small Business
Friday, October 23rd
1:00pm to 2:30pm
FREE
Entrepreneurs and their ideas come in all shapes and sizes but the one common issue they all must address is early stage financing. It’s estimated that roughly 82% of new businesses fail due to cashflow problems.
So, how do you secure that all-important early stage financing? In this seminar, representatives from Vancity Microfinance and Futurpreneur Canada will walk you through the steps needed to acquire start-up funds.