Another year has passed and Small Business Month (also known as October) is here again! There's so much going on this month to celebrate our entrepreneurs and small businesses that we wanted to a minute to highlight a few events you might want to check out.
1st Annual Economic Gardening Conference in Canada (October 8 & 9)
The Canadian Centre for Economic Gardening (C2EG), in partnership with Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen, is bringing together innovative thinkers on small business growth. Often referred to as a “grow from within” strategy, Economic Gardening helps existing companies within a community grow larger. This event will showcase the value of small businesses to our local communities and educate entrepreneurs and economic development professionals on competitive strategies used in the global market. We are very excited to be participating in this conference!
>>See more in our event calendar
SOHO | SME Expo 2013 (October 24)
Like last year, the SBA will be a part SOHO|SME Expo "the #1 event for small and medium size businesses" currently in it's 17th year. Attendance is almost free...can't get any better than that! Come visit the SBA booth at the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver and meet the people behind the scenes! The event day includes incredible sessions, expert panel discussions, free coaching sessions, exhibits and displays and amazing opportunities to network and connect with entrepreneurs, executives, business and marketing professionals and leading experts all day.
>>See more in our event calendar
Building Your Social Enterprise Workshops (Throughout October)
The workshop by Enterprising Non Profits, enp, provides staff, board and volunteers of non-profit organizations a day of learning on the "what and how" of social enterprise. Attending the workshop qualifies your non-profit to apply for an enp technical assistance grant.
>>See more in our event calendar
Small Business BC Event Seminars
Don't miss out on any of great events that Small Business BC is conducting. All the events will be hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference and webinar. Click here to view the detailed calendar and below you'll find a few we've highlighted.
Powerful marketing for small business (October 9)
This seminar will help you focus on what your business has to offer and how you can communicate your message successfully. Delivered in a fast paced, interactive style filled with examples to get your entrepreneurial ideas flowing and leave with the next steps for a marketing plan. The event will run from 10:00 am-4:00 pm. (In Person: $59 and Webinar: $69)
Doing Business with the Government of Canada (October 10) FREE
Are you interested in doing business with the Government of Canada? This comprehensive half-day seminar will guide you through the various aspects of doing business with the federal government. The event will run from 9:00 am-12:00 pm.
Young Entrepreneurs: Business Planning and Financing (October 10) FREE
Are you between 18 and 39 years of age and looking to start a business? This interactive session will provide key tips on developing your business plan and the resources that are available to you. Brendan Cooper from Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) will discuss how to establish good credit ratings, how to evaluate good and bad cash flows and how to apply for CYBF financing and mentorship. The event will run from 1:00 pm-3:30 pm.
Sales strategies for Small Business (October 16)
Unsure how to generate leads and close sales? This seminar is designed to help you become comfortable with the sales process that can help to make your business profitable. Come learn the six sales principles for the entrepreneur and how to apply them to your business. The event will run from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. (In Person: $59 and Webinar: $69)
Making the most of your money– Small Business Banking Strategies (October 22) FREE
Does your revenue sit in a low interest account? Are your business banking fees out of control? Have you taken advantage of small business banking solutions? Learn how your business can better manage its money and evaluate which banking solutions are right for you. The event will run from 1:00 pm-2:30 pm.
Workplace Wellness: Creating an engaging action plan (October 24) FREE
If your staff is interested in the wellness program your company offers, then you can use this seminar to create a road map for your small business wellness program. In addition to developing your action plan you will learn how to promote your program throughout your organization and effectively engage your employees. The event will run from 1:00-3:00 pm.
Operations for Small Business (October 23)
Do you know all the essential elements for successfully operating a business? Join small business expert, Nathan Waters, and find out the key to a successful Operations Plan. The event will run from 10:00 am-12:00 pm. (In Person: $39 and Webinar: $49)
e@UBC Accelerator Program Fall 2013 (October 25- December 6) FREE to affiliates of UBC
The program provides you real world, hands-on learning about validating a business opportunity and starting up a company. Through four biweekly sessions and a significant investment of time in between, you and your team members will use the concept of the business model canvas to identify and test your business model hypothesis, and engage in the customer discovery and validation process in a “flipped classroom” setting. Start-up concepts will be discussed and you will get real world training by getting “out of the building” and interviewing potential customers, competitors and partners. All alumni, faculty, staff and students of UBC are eligible to register a new venture and join the e@UBC community. As a community member, you have access to e@UBC's newsletter, workshops, the e@UBC Online Flexible Learning Platform (coming soon), access to the Mentor Network, and more. Application deadline: October 15, 5:00 pm. APPLY NOW !