Centre Wellington has partnered with the Business Centre of Guelph-Wellington (BCGW) to create a Business Advisor in Residence program in the community.
“We want to make it easy for residents with an idea for a business or plans to expand an existing business to get the support and answers that they need,” said Patricia Rutter, economic development officer.
“BCGW will provide consultation, training, coaching and mentoring to anyone that needs their assistance.”
She added, “We are bridging the gap for entrepreneurial support in CW.”
BCGW is one of 57 small business enterprise centres across the province with a very clear and simple mandate, “to help people start and grow businesses.”
With the support of the ministry of economic development and growth of Ontario, Guelph and Wellington County, BCGW provides free one hour consultations with a business advisor, a suite of training seminars and hosts a variety of events each year to improve the economic health and wealth of the communities it serves.
“It is the mission of BCGW to be the gateway to business ownership through experiential and practical supports for business owners” said Harold DeVries, program lead/small business advisor of BCGW.
“We believe in providing practical advice, coaching and training to those seeking to start and grow businesses, from experienced business owners. In short, we build entrepreneurs.”
The program will provide one-on-one business consultations on the third Thursday of every month at the municipal office in Elora.
A suite of seminars will also be available such as:
– Stepping into Business: a full-day seminar that covers an overview of the steps involved with starting and running a business in Ontario. This program will be offered twice per year.
– Start to Success: this six week program provides participants a series of workshops that breaks down the process of creating a business and building a business plan into six-well defined stages. At the completion of this series participants will have the knowledge needed to develop a business plan. Two sessions per year will be offered.
– Two-hour seminars or lunch and learns: Training sessions based on the expressed business needs of the community. These facilitated sessions help local business owners work more effectively. Six to eight sessions per year will be held.
For more information call the BCGW at 519-826-4701 or the township office at 519-846-9691.
