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SPECIAL EVENTS |
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Small Business Week 2009 |
Every year for the past 30 years the Business Development Corporation (BDC) has organized Small Business Week® to pay tribute to Canadian entrepreneurs, creating opportunities for them to:
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share success stories
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talk to leading business experts
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exchange innovative ideas
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participate in events held across Canada
This year, BDC will celebrate entrepreneurs from October 18 to 24, 2009 under the theme:
Your dream,
your business,
your passion.
Events revolving around this theme will be organized by its branch network and partners during Small Business Week.
Attend Bridges to Better Business Entrepreneurs Conference held locally on October 21 at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn.
Registration Deadline:
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NETWORKING |
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November 4th
at Williams Coffee Pub
Williams is a "meeting place" offering great coffee and terrific food in a relaxed atmosphere.
Join us to sample some wraps, desserts, beverages and more!
Time:
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Address:
$5.00 (paid at door)
Registration Deadline:
Mon, Nov 2nd, 2009
To register call us at 519.659.2882 ext. 0 or email us.
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Dear Friends,
Hello and welcome to the October 2009 issue of the Small Business Centre Newsletter.
To acknowledge, celebrate and support small businesses, October is dubbed Small Business Month across Canada. During this month you'll see a variety of federal, provincial, municipal, business and non-profit organizations offering different events to assist and celebrate small business owners. If you're thinking about starting a business or already run one, it's the best time of year to participate in some fantastic opportunities to build your venture.
Join us on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 for the Bridges to Better Business, 11th Annual Entrepreneurs Conference. Tickets available until Friday, October 16th.
Maja Pental
Newsletter Editor |
| Clients in the News... |
 The following clients have recently been featured in the local media. Congratulations!
Where: London Free Press, Business Monday
When: August 24, 2009
Who: Tom Termeer of Chopped and Lowered Haircutters
Tom runs garage-themed hair salon at 1815 Dundas St. E. It's a hair salon for folks who love Harley and hot Roads. Car seats serve as couches for waiting customers and automotive toolboxes hold the trimmers and scissors. "Where else can you go and read Hot Rod magazine, listen to AC/DC and get our hair cut? Nowhere!"
Where: Business London Magazine
When: September 2009
Who: Ekaterina Nikiforova of Organic Oscars and Downtown Yoga Holistic Centre
Organic Oscars sells everything from environmentally friendly cosmetics to clothing made out of organically grown materials like hemp, bamboo and soy. Downtown Yoga Holistic Centre runs several classes daily, ranging from Pilates to the lesser-known qigong. Wheelchair accessible studio is located on the ground floor. Chair yoga, for individuals with limited mobility, is already one of the centre's most popular classes. Visit Organic Oscars or Downtown Yoga Holistic Centre at 236 Dundas St.
Where: The London Free Press, Business Section
When: September 14, 2009
Who: Amoreena Meadows of RentReadReturn
RentReadReturn is a web-based book rental service modeled on Netflix, the highly popular DVD-by-mail business. Members pay a basic monthly fee and the books are shipped out free through Canada Post's expedited service and arrive within two to three days. There are no late fees and the books are returned in a postage-paid package.
Where: The London Free Press, Today Section
When: September 28, 200
Who: Hyland Cinema
London's Hyland Cinema located at 240 Wharnecliffe Rd. S. has joined the creator of 'Toons for Toddlers to offer a new program that caters to young children and their families. Aimed at children two to five, the sound is set lower, the lights are as dark and the movies aren't as lengthy.
Where: yourhome.ca
When: September 28, 2009
Who: Marie Bohm of Marie Bohm Art Glass
Marie creates water-inspired glass work and paintings that will energize and anchor the design for any contemporary room decor. Marie describes her widely-collected artwork as "...visual explorations of memory, nature and spirit." A special line of jewellery is being produced for Fall 2009 and will be available at a few select designer boutiques.
If you are a Small Business Centre Client and have been featured in the media recently, we would like to hear from you so we can pass it along. Send details to
mpental@sbcentre.ca and we may include it in our next newsletter.
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| On Tap with The Entrepreneur's Club... |
 Each month, members of The Entrepreneur's Club meet to learn from seasoned professionals, share knowledge and skills, and develop valuable business relationships.
- Before you grow your network, figure out how you will stay in contact with them.
- Aim to make 300 new contacts per year.
- Export all your contacts and figure out how well you're staying in touch.
- Segment your contact list into those who are your target market (and move them into the sales process); those who are your connectors (to call when needed); and a general list similar to a Yellow Pages directory.
Are you interested in becoming a member of The Entrepreneur's Club? Attend a Water Cooler meeting to find out what we're all about. All you have to do is pay for breakfast. Attend two meetings without obligation...and then we'd love to have you join us regularly.
Check out our Searchable Directory. You can be included, too...simply become a member of The Entrepreneur's Club - it's part of your membership fee.
Join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 7:00 a.m.
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| 11th Annual Entrepreneurs Conference |
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| Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
(FedDev Ontario) |
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FedDev Ontario is now accepting applications under the Southern Ontario Development Program (SODP) for projects that will stimulate local economies and enhance the growth and competitiveness of Southern Ontario businesses and communities.
The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), was at the Small Business Centre to announce that eligible small- and medium-sized businesses, municipalities, not-for-profits, Aboriginal organizations, colleges and universities are invited to submit applications.
"Our government is creating jobs and stimulating the Southern Ontario economy," said Minister of State Goodyear. "FedDev Ontario will support people, communities and businesses in the region and promote long-term growth."
The SODP takes into account consultations with community leaders and economic development stakeholders throughout the Southern Ontario Region. It will build upon the assets and strengths of communities to create an environment where businesses can thrive, and maximize the potential of Southern Ontario with a focus on economic development, innovation and diversification.
Overall funding for the SODP is $100 million in 2009-10; with $40 million available for this intake process.
Applications to access funding in 2009-10 will be accepted from October 2, 2009, to December 1, 2009. FedDev Ontario will favour projects that can be started quickly and completed by March 31, 2010. Applications will be assessed based on merit and against SODP criteria and will be reviewed as they are received by the Agency. The Agency, at a later date, may further refine the criteria for future calls for proposals. Priority will be given to organizations or enterprises located in communities in Southern Ontario with populations of 500,000 or less, as well as to communities whose economies are less diversified and/or are reliant on a limited number of employers.
The Southern Ontario Development Program was established to promote economic development, economic diversification, job creation and sustainable communities in Southern Ontario. The SODP is just one in a series of initiatives introduced in the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan designed to address the short-term effects of the economic decline on communities across Canada, while preparing our communities for long-term growth.
MP Ben Lobb with MPs Jeff Watson, Bev Shipley, Joe Preston, Terrance Young, Paul Calandra and Tim Kavanagh, President of the Small Business Centre (Back L-R), MP Harold Albrecht, MP Ed Holder, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Diane Finlay, Minister of Human Resources Skills Development, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, MP Peter Braid and MP Mike Wallace (First row) celebrate the launch of the Southern Ontario Development Program at the Small Business Centre in London on October 2.
Source: Steve Martin, The Canadian Press Images.
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London Small Business Centre | 316 Rectory St. | 3rd Floor | London | Ontario | N5W 3V9 | Canada |
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