Volume 4, 2015
Spotlight
Gray Wolf Pest Control
Ben Magri, founder of Gray Wolf Pest Control, is one of eight people who have to-date received the Starter Company grant from the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre. From a young age, Ben possessed an entrepreneurial spirit that was instilled in him by his father who encouraged Ben to start his own business as a way to gain hands-on business experience and grow as an entrepreneur. As a result Gray Wolf Pest Control was launched in April 2015, with a mission of providing quality and effective pest control solutions and preventative programs in the Windsor-Essex region. Gray Wolf Pest Control services both residential and commercial property on a year-round basis and always stands behind his pest free guarantee! Ben states that he always knew that he would have his own business and reap the rewards of his commitment and dedication.  [ Read more. ]

Ben Magri
Gray Wolf Pest Control
519-987-3490 

Joanna Parris
BOSS Inc.
Windsor's Joanna Parris Honoured as One of Canada's Women to Watch

By Liz Thorne, Windsorite.ca
Wednesday, May 20th, 2015

One hundred of Canada's black women to watch, including Windsor's Joanna Parris, are being honoured by the Canada International Black Women Event Gala.

The inaugural event was held Saturday, May 23rd at the Hilton in Toronto.

"I am deeply honoured to receive this award," said Ms. Parris. "It is truly a privilege to be recognized among this group of outstanding women."

Parris will join a group of women who are recognized as the `ones to watch` in 2015 in media, politics, business, corporate, entertainment and community involvement.

Ontario Ensuring Workers Understand Rights and Obligations in the Workplace  

Province Increasing Workplace Protections for Employees

New changes to Ontario's Employment Standards Act, 2000 recently came into effect that will help workers across the province better understand their rights in the workplace.   

 

As of May 20th, 2015, the law requires employers to provide employees with a copy of the province's employment standards poster, as well as continuing to post it in the workplace where it is likely to be seen.    

[Read more.] .
Instead of flipping burgers, student entrepreneurs create summer jobs

By Ahmad Hathout
The Globe and Mail
Thursday, July 2nd, 2015

Stilina Anagnostakos, 20, is not waiting to graduate from university to apply the theories she's learning in her economics classes to the real world.

This summer, the soon-to-be-third-year student at the University of Toronto launched her own business called Odd-Jobs in May to connect households the Ontario cities of Aurora and Newmarket with students who can help with tasks like cleaning, lawn care and babysitting. Ms. Anagnostakos is one of a growing number of students who are tapping into summer entrepreneurship programs to launch their own businesses rather than take traditional student summer jobs in the service or recreation industries.

Starter Company  

Is the re a vintage clothing store or main street coffee shop in your future, or perhaps a social media development company or renovation business? If you've got a great idea for a business - and the entrepreneurial drive to see it through -  Starter Company is here to help you start your company.

Delivered by the Small Business Centre,  Starter Company  is an Ontario government program that provides young people with the resources and knowledge they need to start and grow their own business.

Starter Company training modules are being currently conducted .  Modules are open for everyone to attend - see the EVENTS page of our website to register.  For more information about the program, please visit our website , or contact our Youth Entrepreneurship Coordinator .
Secrets to Success
8 Tips on How to be Taken Seriously as a Young Entrepreneur
 
By: Business Development Bank of Canada

Are you a young entrepeneur with a great business idea? If so, you're probably bubbling with confidence and optimism about your future success.

But you need potential customers, lenders and other business partners to believe in you, too. So how can you get others to take you seriously and believe in your venture?

Here are eight ways to inspire confidence in others that you have the right stuff as a young entrepreneur.

Clients in the News
Windsor nurse's health-care app idea a winner
Kaitlyn Sheehan felt like the kid picked last for the team. Her pitch for help to develop her idea of an app aimed at patients with cardiac stents went unanswered on the first day of the recent Windsor-Detroit Hacking Health event in Detroit.

Meet Mister Maid, David Burman 

At age 21, local entrepreneur David Burman jumped off the deep end in pursuit of his dreams to own a business. It was the fall of 2012 when he made the brave decision to purchase Mister Maid, a local cleaning company that was founded in 1997.

[Read More.]

Celebrating the cheese of Southwestern Ontario
Originally from Windsor-Essex, Sarah spent many years working abroad. When she returned to the region last fall, she noticed that there wasn't a shop here dedicated to just cheese.

Robbie's Gourmet Sausage Co. Open in Old Walkerville 

Robbie Bornais was excited to break the news through WindsorEats that he is in the process of retrofitting a small commercial space into a boutique 'saucisserie'.

[Read More.]

Upcoming Events
Small Business Centre "Basics" Series

Basics of Starting a Small Business

Do you have an idea and want to start your own small business, but you aren't sure where to start?  Attend one of these free seminars to find out information about:

  • How to register your business
  • Business structure
  • Government support programs
  • Other services and programs available to you

You will receive a FREE Small Business Centre's Start-up Package, and step-by-step guidance.


Wednesday, August 5, 2015 (Essex Office)
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Friday, August 7, 2015
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday, August 17, 2015
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015 (Essex Office)
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Friday, September 11, 2015
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday, September 21, 2015
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.


 
Basics of Writing a Business Plan

A good business plan is your road map to success!  A business plan is also required when applying for any type of small business financing.  Attend one of these informative sessions to learn how to develop a business plan that will work for you!  This session will cover:
  • The required elements of a business plan
  • How to break it down in to manageable pieces
  • Where to gather relevant information for your business plan
  • How to professionally arrange your ideas and research
  • What to do with the plan when it's completed
Friday, August 14, 2015
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015 (Essex Office)
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Monday, August 24, 2015
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015 (Essex Office) 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Friday, September 18, 2015
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Monday, September 28, 2015
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 9, 2015
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.


As a new entrepreneur, it is likely that there are key areas of business law that you are not aware of. Come to this workshop to learn about business structure and liability, and find out if and why you need a non-disclosure agreement. We will discuss trademarks, intellectual property law and we will talk about contracts and agreements. This workshop addresses aspects of business law that are often overlooked but are essential to the development of your business. 

Thursday, September 24, 2015
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.


As you begin your business venture you must work to establish your professional image. A first impression is a lasting one, so you need to know what is expected of you! As your business' biggest advocate, you need to transmit your enthusiasm, knowledge and reliability in how you present yourself  in order to establish your reputation and grow your customer base. It is important to keep in mind your customer's needs and expectations - come out to this workshop to ensure you are doing this, and to further develop the vital interpersonal skills you need to succeed! 

Past Events
July 16 - 
Attendees at the Securing Funding workshop, presented by Marie Pellegrino, Bank Manager at the Windsor Family Credit Union, learn how to keep their credit in check.
July 9 -
Attendees at the Understanding Your Finances and Business Structure workshop, presented by Jules Hawkins, President Hawkins & Co. Accounting Professional Corp.
June 19 -
The SBC team poses with guest speaker, Wendy Mayhew, at the Encore Enterprise Program event, where individuals 50+ years learned how they can start their own business.
Since starting up in 1992, the Small Business Centre has provided thousands of entrepreneurs with the training and support necessary to start and grow successful businesses. From concept, through start-up and early growth stages of business, the Small Business Centre is a one-stop source for information, guidance and professional advice on starting and operating a business.

The Small Business Centre operates as a department of the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure.