Happy New Year! If you are committed to getting your small business flourishing in 2019, this is a selection of free and low cost events happening in BC may be able to help you reach your goals.
We also recommend visiting smallbusinessbc.ca and reviewing their full event calendar and seminar line up.
Please note details are accurate at time of publication, all summaries have been reproduced from host descriptions.
How to Apply for a Business Loan with Women’s Enterprise Centre
Host: Women’s Enterprise Centre
Target audience: Female entrepreneurs
Date: 8 & 22 January 2019
Time: 12.00 – 1.00pm
Location: Phone in session
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: Learn how to apply for a loan from Women’s Enterprise Centre. In this FREE session, the facilitator will review our lending criteria, answer your questions, advise you on how to apply and provide you with a resource package. At the end of the session, your Advisor will work with you to determine if you are eligible for a loan with us and ensure that you receive an application.
Starting a Business Information Session
Host: Women’s Enterprise Centre
Target audience: Female entrepreneurs
Date: 10 & 24 January 2019
Time: 12.00 – 1.00pm
Location: Phone in session
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: Free phone-in for those thinking of starting a business.The session is broken into 2 parts. In Part 1, we explain how to write an effective business plan. We cover each section of the business plan and provide strategies and resources to ensure your plan is well organized and consistent. In Part 2 we uncover how to make your business official.
Startup Basics: Resources for Startups
Host: Kamloops Innovation
Target audience: Anyone can attend
Date: 11 January 2019
Time: 5.00 - 6.00pm
Location: Kamloops
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: For many entrepreneurs and startup-curious talking with Kamloops Innovation and TRU Generator is the first step on their startup journey. This session will provide you with an overview of the tools, resources, mentorship, workshops, events, and support available to you through Kamloops Innovation, the TRU Generator, and other organizations in our network.
Business Focus
Host: Small Business BC
Target audience: Anyone can attend
Date: Various dates from 15 January - 22 February 2019
Time: Varies
Location: Online webinar or Small Business BC Office Vancouver
Cost: $419+ GST for the full program, or purchase individual seminars from $69
Register
Summary: This nine seminar program focuses on teaching you how to turn a good business idea into a successful business venture. Learn about the most important operational areas for new businesses and how to evaluate them across 30+ hours of education, delivered by industry experts. Seminars cover business viability, planning, market research, operations, marketing and more. Each seminar can also be booked individually.
TANDEM x VANTEC Monthly Financials for Startups
Host: Tandem Innovation Group (in partnership with VANTECH and SFU Venture Labs)
Target audience: Entrepreneurs that have started their business, have a scalable business model and are looking to raise capital
Date: 16 January 2019
Time: 3.00 - 5.00pm
Location: Vancouver
Cost: $15 - $25
Register
Summary: TANDEM is excited to team up with VANTEC and SFU Venture Labs to help entrepreneurs raising capital get their back-of-house investor ready. These monthly sessions will be led by Tandem Advisors that will guide each participant to be Deal Room ready.
Employment Contracts 101: Tips for Business Owners
Host: Women’s Enterprise Centre
Target audience: Female entrepreneurs
Date: 23 January 2019
Time:10.00 – 11.00am
Location: Phone in session
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: Business is booming and it’s time to get some help… but should you hire an employee or a contractor? What are the pros and cons of each that you should consider before you start? How you hire someone can be as important as who you hire. We’ve partnered with two HR professionals who will dispel some myths and outline the legalities of employment contracts, so you can avoid hiring pitfalls, stay on CRA’s good side and start your new work relationship on the right foot.
Navigating the Statistics Canada Website
Host: Statistics Canada
Target audience: Anyone can attend
Date: 23 January (French) & 24 January (English)
Time: 1.00 - 2.00pm
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: This webinar will provide you with a tour of our website, assist you with searching the data holdings and show you how to locate and download data with ease.
Start Smart
Host: Small Business BC
Target audience: Anyone can attend
Date: 23 January 2019
Time: 9.00am - 4.00pm
Location: Online webinar or Small Business BC Office Vancouver
Cost: $49+ GST
Register
Summary: The Start Smart Series provides a step-by-step guide to starting your business right. This series includes two seminars where five industry experts provide their knowledge and tips to help you start your business smart.
Rock my Business Plan - workshop series
Host: Futurepreneur Canada
Target audience: Aspiring business owners aged 18-39 who have recently launched a business or could be ready within the next few months
Date: 30 January, 6 February (online session) &13 February 2019
Time: From 5.30pm
Location: Nanaimo, BC
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: Join the next wave of entrepreneurs from your local area at the free Rock My Business Plan workshop series! Learn the steps to get your business plan started, confidently talk about your business idea and connect you to a cohort of like-minded entrepreneurs.