Are you Brampton’s 2010
Start Up Business of the Year?
Scotiabank “SUBY” Award Competition Call for Entry
~PRIZES, RECOGNITION, MEDIA ATTENTION~
Applicant Criteria
· Launched in 2009 or 2010
· Brampton-based
· Wholly new business - not a franchise or resale
· 10 or fewer employees
· Brampton Small Business Enterprise Centre client
Application Deadline
· Monday, October 4th , 4:30 p.m. deadline
Business Overview – 70%, Finalist Interview – 30%
Full information, application and Business Overview Template available at
www.brampton-business.com or call Cassandra Baccardax at 905-874-2667.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Trade Show October 28th
Brampton can be a challenging market to advertise in. TV and radio is priced to reflect the fact that the stations cover the entire GTA, and this can be unaffordable for a start up business. One very affordable tactic is the SBEC Fall Business-to-Business Trade Show (B2BTS), taking place Thursday October 28th at the Holiday Inn Select (Dixie & Queen). Full tables are just $75; shared tables only $50.
Trade shows are a terrific tool to add to your marketing toolbox. Face-to-face interaction gives vendors the chance to educate and inform, as well as make that all important first impression on potential customers. They are also a terrific way to gather market intelligence; vendors can ask market research questions within a casual conversation to glean important psychographic information about their target customers.
Trade shows are a terrific tool to add to your marketing toolbox. Face-to-face interaction gives vendors the chance to educate and inform, as well as make that all important first impression on potential customers. They are also a terrific way to gather market intelligence; vendors can ask market research questions within a casual conversation to glean important psychographic information about their target customers.
Below is a link to a brief clip from our spring B2BTS - check out the great energy and vibe! Thanks to Jason at Phoenix Gate Pictures for the videography and production.
If a trade show sounds like a good marketing tactic for your business, contact Susan Vasey at the Brampton SBEC at 905-874-3630 for full details and to reserve your table.
http://www.youtube.com/user/PhoenixGPictures#p/a/u/0/e39iAK1gfn0
Friday, July 23, 2010
Before you Approach a Lender
(first published May 2010)
When you are approaching a lender or potential partner for start-up funding or a loan to fuel business expansion, there are important issues of feasibility to consider. Of course, lenders always look at the current financial health of your business utilizing your business credit rating, net worth and various accounting ratios that give clues to the stability of your business (or personal financial stability, in the case of a start-up.)
If the window of opportunity is open right now, and there isn’t time to prepare a full business plan, below is a checklist of what to put into a mini-plan to ensure your readiness.
Your launch/expansion proposal must:
1. Clearly and concisely communicate the vision for the business as well as its keys to success
2. Describe a marketable idea – and explain the marketing strategy
3. Describe how the product offers customers a long-term benefit
4. Target a clearly defined market, with enough size & purchasing power to generate robust sales
5. Describe a competitive edge, which will lure customers away from your competitors to you
6. Show the company’s ability to control production, delivery & quality
7. Show that owners & employees have the required skills & experience to make this a success
8. Show that owners have made a personal investment (and therefore, commitment)
9. Lay out a clear, sensible, workable strategy with a timeline for getting the business/expansion off the ground
10. Contain realistic financial projections, covering not only the most-likely but also pessimistic and optimistic scenarios
11. Show good profit potential
12. Demonstrate an idea that is not overly complex
A full business plan is always best for eliminating as much risk as possible when entering into a new venture, but even this abbreviated feasibility checklist will put a foundation under your business concept that will be a key factor in the success of your launch/expansion.
When you are approaching a lender or potential partner for start-up funding or a loan to fuel business expansion, there are important issues of feasibility to consider. Of course, lenders always look at the current financial health of your business utilizing your business credit rating, net worth and various accounting ratios that give clues to the stability of your business (or personal financial stability, in the case of a start-up.)
If the window of opportunity is open right now, and there isn’t time to prepare a full business plan, below is a checklist of what to put into a mini-plan to ensure your readiness.
Your launch/expansion proposal must:
1. Clearly and concisely communicate the vision for the business as well as its keys to success
2. Describe a marketable idea – and explain the marketing strategy
3. Describe how the product offers customers a long-term benefit
4. Target a clearly defined market, with enough size & purchasing power to generate robust sales
5. Describe a competitive edge, which will lure customers away from your competitors to you
6. Show the company’s ability to control production, delivery & quality
7. Show that owners & employees have the required skills & experience to make this a success
8. Show that owners have made a personal investment (and therefore, commitment)
9. Lay out a clear, sensible, workable strategy with a timeline for getting the business/expansion off the ground
10. Contain realistic financial projections, covering not only the most-likely but also pessimistic and optimistic scenarios
11. Show good profit potential
12. Demonstrate an idea that is not overly complex
A full business plan is always best for eliminating as much risk as possible when entering into a new venture, but even this abbreviated feasibility checklist will put a foundation under your business concept that will be a key factor in the success of your launch/expansion.
Young Entrepreneurs Launch their Summer Ventures
The City of Brampton’s Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) has announced the successful entrepreneurs for its tenth annual Summer Company program. Summer Company, a program funded by Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and delivered locally by the SBEC, helps enterprising young students, 15 to 29 years old, start up and run their own summer business.
Summer Company entrepreneurs receive business skills training as well as coaching and mentoring from local business leaders who will help make their Summer Company viable. Each entrepreneur receives up to $1,500 to put toward start-up costs and up to an additional $1,500 upon successful completion of the program.
Please support these creative and industrious young people!
Dwijen Bharad
Sunshine WindowCleaning
dwijenb@gmail.com
647-962-1234
Carly Cameron
KC Swim School
kcswimschool@gmail.com
905-880-1162
Jesse Cottrell
JC Photography
jcottrel@uoguelph.ca
416-668-4411
Stephanie Hillier
Abundant Life Fitness Solutions
s_hillier@live.ca
905-965-7043
Deniece James
Hart Door Art Camp & Classes
deniece.james@alumni.utoronto.ca
416-357-5071
Jacqueline Schoemaker
5 Elements Body Art
info@5elementsbodyart.com
647-293-5227
Alana Clark
Yoga Sprouts
alanaclark110@hotmail.com
647-206-1827
Kiron Clarke
Athletic Showcase
kironclarke_23@hotmail.com
647-388-1706
Hasanali Rajabali
Woody Woodworks Carpentry
woodywoodworks@yahoo.ca
416-728-0392
Chaitanya Shah
Kinergy Fitness
cshah@kinergyfitness.com
416-568-7148
Ishan Tikku
Pro Ball Goalie
proballgoalie@gmail.com
905-216-9291
For further details, contact Jennifer Vivian, the program co-ordinator, at 905-874-2632.
Summer Company entrepreneurs receive business skills training as well as coaching and mentoring from local business leaders who will help make their Summer Company viable. Each entrepreneur receives up to $1,500 to put toward start-up costs and up to an additional $1,500 upon successful completion of the program.
Please support these creative and industrious young people!
Dwijen Bharad
Sunshine WindowCleaning
dwijenb@gmail.com
647-962-1234
Carly Cameron
KC Swim School
kcswimschool@gmail.com
905-880-1162
Jesse Cottrell
JC Photography
jcottrel@uoguelph.ca
416-668-4411
Stephanie Hillier
Abundant Life Fitness Solutions
s_hillier@live.ca
905-965-7043
Deniece James
Hart Door Art Camp & Classes
deniece.james@alumni.utoronto.ca
416-357-5071
Jacqueline Schoemaker
5 Elements Body Art
info@5elementsbodyart.com
647-293-5227
Alana Clark
Yoga Sprouts
alanaclark110@hotmail.com
647-206-1827
Kiron Clarke
Athletic Showcase
kironclarke_23@hotmail.com
647-388-1706
Hasanali Rajabali
Woody Woodworks Carpentry
woodywoodworks@yahoo.ca
416-728-0392
Chaitanya Shah
Kinergy Fitness
cshah@kinergyfitness.com
416-568-7148
Ishan Tikku
Pro Ball Goalie
proballgoalie@gmail.com
905-216-9291
For further details, contact Jennifer Vivian, the program co-ordinator, at 905-874-2632.
A Simple Proposal Template
In many industries, responding to tenders or submitting written proposals to land contracts is an everyday part of doing business. Service companies, consultants, even custom manufacturers need to be able to write compelling business proposals as an essential part of their sales process.
The first step in successful proposal writing is to have a base template at the ready. Often, opportunities are discovered at the eleventh hour. A shoddy proposal will harm your company’s professional reputation, or if you do manage to land the contract, could be disastrous because of scope and cost miscalculations. Having the bulk of the proposal ready to go so that you can focus on the quoting component will mean you quote more frequently and with more accuracy.
A business proposal typically contains these core components:
>> Background – a restatement of the customer’s issue
>> Scope – your specific, recommended solution to the issue
>> Deliverables – an exact list of tangible results your solution provides
>> Personnel – the qualifications of your team members assigned to the project
>> Timetable – start and end dates with success markers along the way
>> Fees – your fee, and what expenses/stages are covered; don’t forget taxes, shipping and other hidden costs
>> Other Expenses – clarity on who pays for sub-contractors, time & materials sub-projects, etc. that are not a part of the outlined fee
>> Terms – billing details such as due dates, installment agreements etc.
>> Appendices – any details that add value to your proposal, for example company history if you are well-established, a customer list that demonstrates similar project experience, or strong references.
The quote is key: too high and you don’t land the project; too low and you make no profit, or worse - do it at a loss. Successful proposal writing is based on knowing the operations of your business very, very well. Consider smaller projects for you first proposals and be prepared to learn through mistakes.
In the proposal, communicate your strengths and uniquenesses, and build trust through sound business practices, professional writing and excellent presentation. Keep a focus on the customer’s needs so that they know you are there to serve them, and you’ll land more contracts.
The first step in successful proposal writing is to have a base template at the ready. Often, opportunities are discovered at the eleventh hour. A shoddy proposal will harm your company’s professional reputation, or if you do manage to land the contract, could be disastrous because of scope and cost miscalculations. Having the bulk of the proposal ready to go so that you can focus on the quoting component will mean you quote more frequently and with more accuracy.
A business proposal typically contains these core components:
>> Background – a restatement of the customer’s issue
>> Scope – your specific, recommended solution to the issue
>> Deliverables – an exact list of tangible results your solution provides
>> Personnel – the qualifications of your team members assigned to the project
>> Timetable – start and end dates with success markers along the way
>> Fees – your fee, and what expenses/stages are covered; don’t forget taxes, shipping and other hidden costs
>> Other Expenses – clarity on who pays for sub-contractors, time & materials sub-projects, etc. that are not a part of the outlined fee
>> Terms – billing details such as due dates, installment agreements etc.
>> Appendices – any details that add value to your proposal, for example company history if you are well-established, a customer list that demonstrates similar project experience, or strong references.
The quote is key: too high and you don’t land the project; too low and you make no profit, or worse - do it at a loss. Successful proposal writing is based on knowing the operations of your business very, very well. Consider smaller projects for you first proposals and be prepared to learn through mistakes.
In the proposal, communicate your strengths and uniquenesses, and build trust through sound business practices, professional writing and excellent presentation. Keep a focus on the customer’s needs so that they know you are there to serve them, and you’ll land more contracts.
Friday, March 12, 2010
New EI Measures for the Self Employed
Dear Clients & Colleagues:
We have just received this message from our federal partner, Canada Business. While we were aware of the positive changes in the EI Act for self-employed persons, we were not aware of the wait periods/deadlines. We want to bring the deadlines to your attention.
If you believe that you may be in a situation where EI benefits for maternity, parental, sickness or compassionate care situations would be valuable to you, please investigate further via the links below, become informed about the costs involved and be aware of the deadlines to apply.
Cheers
CB
Information on the new EI Measure for Fairness for the Self Employed Act (Bill C-56)
[From: Service Canada - the Government of Canada's one-stop service delivery network.]
This Act provides access for self-employed people to all EI special benefits: maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care. Agreements must be in place for one year before there is any eligibility to benefits. However, as a transitional measure for the first year, Self Employed persons who register on or before April 1, 2010 may be eligible to file for benefits as early as January 1st, 2011. If they register after April 1, 2010, they will have to wait 12 months to access any benefits.
The deadline of April 1, 2010 is fast approaching and we would like to increase awareness of this benefit and would request that you forward this email to as many of your membership who would have interest in this information.
Information on registering for the program as well as more details are available on our website by accessing the link below.
Here is a link to the program.: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/self_employed_workers.shtml
as well as a link to FAQs: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/faq_self_employed_workers.shtml
We have just received this message from our federal partner, Canada Business. While we were aware of the positive changes in the EI Act for self-employed persons, we were not aware of the wait periods/deadlines. We want to bring the deadlines to your attention.
If you believe that you may be in a situation where EI benefits for maternity, parental, sickness or compassionate care situations would be valuable to you, please investigate further via the links below, become informed about the costs involved and be aware of the deadlines to apply.
Cheers
CB
Information on the new EI Measure for Fairness for the Self Employed Act (Bill C-56)
[From: Service Canada - the Government of Canada's one-stop service delivery network.]
This Act provides access for self-employed people to all EI special benefits: maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care. Agreements must be in place for one year before there is any eligibility to benefits. However, as a transitional measure for the first year, Self Employed persons who register on or before April 1, 2010 may be eligible to file for benefits as early as January 1st, 2011. If they register after April 1, 2010, they will have to wait 12 months to access any benefits.
The deadline of April 1, 2010 is fast approaching and we would like to increase awareness of this benefit and would request that you forward this email to as many of your membership who would have interest in this information.
Information on registering for the program as well as more details are available on our website by accessing the link below.
Here is a link to the program.: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/self_employed_workers.shtml
as well as a link to FAQs: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/faq_self_employed_workers.shtml
Friday, March 5, 2010
Ontario minimum wage increases March 31
Ontario will raise its minimum wage to $10.25 on March 31, the province announced on Friday. Annual increases to the minimum wage were initiated in 2003, rising from $6.85 in 2004 to $9.50 in 2009. Last year business leaders representing small enterprises urged Premier Dalton McGuinty to reconsider scheduled increases in the minimum wage. They said the increases could result in reduced hiring. The major industries employing minimum wage earners are: accommodation and food, retail trade, and agriculture.
http://www.windsorstar.com/business/Ontario+minimum+wage+rise+March/2645921/story.html
http://www.windsorstar.com/business/Ontario+minimum+wage+rise+March/2645921/story.html
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