A woman pays for an item at a business. File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / LeafA woman pays for an item at a business. File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / Leaf
Midwestern

Small business coaching program offering grants to local businesses

The Stratford Perth Centre for Business, a department of investStratford, has opened applications for the Starter Company Plus Program.

The program is a provincially funded program, via the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. This edition is aimed at entrepreneurs in St. Marys, Stratford and Perth County.

This year, six successful applicants will receive 4 weeks of business planning training, beginning October 16 and ending November 14, focusing on areas of business planning, cash flow, operations, and marketing. After 4 weeks of training the graduates are eligible to receive a $5,000 grant.

Weekly lessons done online will cover how to build a business plan with a focus on digital marketing and cash flow planning.

Interested applicants can register at: www.stratfordperthbusiness.ca/startercompanyplusprogram

“Aside from the structured learning The Starter Company Plus program offers, there is a unique experience that takes place among the participants that I found unexpected but extremely important," said Holly Mortimer, Business Advisor, Stratford Perth Centre for Business. "There is the creation of this unique community of new entrepreneurs, where they can navigate the 4-week course material together and rely, not only on the program instructors but also on each other. Becoming an entrepreneur can be a lonely experience and the sense of support and community created within the 4 weeks last as a peer networking group for many long after the program concludes.”

“Starter Company Plus has been a flagship grant program of the Stratford Perth Centre for Business for many years.  I am thrilled to see this excited and inspired group of business owners get started and grow in our community," added Joani Gerber, CEO, investStratford.

 

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