Spring offically starts March 20 and while it’s recongized as a time of re-growth and new beginnings, it is also a time to think seriously about starting or changing your business.
At least, that’s what the Rainy River Future Development Corp. is betting on with a host of workshops it has planned in March.
“This time of year, there tends to be a little more involvement in business,” RRFDC business investment officer Angela Halvorsen noted last week.
“People get thinking about starting businesses, taking their ideas they’ve had for a long time and finally taking that step to get into it,” she added.
The first of the sessions is an e-Business seminar slated for tomorrow (March 1).
“This is one we did a few years back and we’ve wanted to do for a while,” said Halvorsen. “We finally got everything together to be able to it—we’ve been waiting on this one.”
This free workshop will run from 6-9 p.m. in the training room at the RRFDC’s office (608 Scott St.)
Halvorsen will get things rolling with “ e-Business Basics,” followed by
“e-Business through ebiz.enable,” presented by John DeGenova and Romina Vella of Industry Canada.
Then at 8 p.m., local business people will relate their success stories of doing business online—what works, what doesn’t, and some tips to take home.
Tentative speakers include Andrew Ronneberg (Barker Bay Outposts), John Leschinski (Platinum Hosting), and Tom Pearson (Camp Narrows Lodge).
Halvorsen noted people should attend this seminar if they:
•Have a business and are thinking about going online;
•Are thinking about going into a business that will be online;
•Have a website and would like to find out how it can work better for you; or
•Have an interest in e-Business.
The following week, “How to Start a Small Business” will be held Thursday, March 9 also at the RRFDC’s office here.
“This is always a popular one. That’s why we keep doing it,” noted Halvorsen. “We usually fill them up.”
This session, which costs $20 to attend, will run from 6-9 p.m. Those who attend will learn the fundamentals of starting a small business, including:
•advantages and disadvantages of self-employment;
•ideas, research and feasibility;
•types of legal organization;
•business plans;
•marketing strategy;
•management and organizational structure;
•financing and financial forecasting;
•evaluating your business;
•accessing government programs; and
•self-employment benefits
Seating is limited, so those interested are urged to sign up as soon as possible. Refreshments will be provided.
A second one of these seminars will be held Monday, March 20 from 6-9 p.m. at the CN Activity Centre in Rainy River.
Registration is $20.
Finally, on Thursday, March 16, an information session on the Self-Employment Benefits (SEB) program will be held from 2-3 p.m. at the RRFDC’s office here.
This is for those currently on EI, or who have been on EI in the last three years or maternity/paternity benefits in the last five years, and are considering starting a business.
The SEB program, administered by Service Canada (formerly HRDC), may be what they need to get them back into the workforce, noted Halvorsen.
Some of the topics include:
•what is the SEB program?;
•who can apply for the SEB program?;
•what financial assistance will you receive?;
•how to begin (tasks and timelines);
•special instructions for people on EI;
•business opportunities;
•conditions of the program; and
•frequently asked questions.
There is no fee for this session.
To register for any of these seminars, call Halvorsen at 274-3276 or e-mail angela@rrfdc.on.ca
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
