A new class in a popular free evening business planning course for entrepreneurs in the Sarnia area is set to begin Jan. 13.
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Business Planning for Entrepreneurial Success is offered by the Business Enterprise Center at the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership. The class, limited to 20 participants, runs Mondays, 6 pm to 8 pm, through March 3 offering training and coaching to create a business plan. It’s led by Chelsey Hart of Your Initiative Co., with support from partnership staff.
“This course would not have been possible without Chelsey’s energy and expertise,” said center manager Alison Minato. “It was her idea and she has delivered the course to excellent reviews all three times we’ve run it,”
Applications are being taken online at sarnialambton.on.ca/businessplanning-w25.
“We started offering it in January 2024 and had so much demand for it that we offered a second cohort at the same time,” Minato said.
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The third class was offered in the fall.
“At first, I was nervous to apply to participate in the course because I was doubting my business and my abilities to perform among other entrepreneurs,” Kim Hitchman, owner of Bitter Lemon, said in a news release.
“But I’m so glad I did. Not only did it give me the courage to keep building it, but I also learned so many new tools, and met other business owners who are going through the same challenges or have already experienced them and can lend a hand,” Hitchman said.
Each of the three initial classes were full and included both startup and existing businesses, Minato said.
They ranged from construction companies to quilting businesses, home care and artists, she said.
“I find it very exciting how much entrepreneurial spirit there is in the Sarnia-Lambton area” and “how many people are interested in and taking the brave leap to start their own business,” Minato said.
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“The course really helps people to get some foundations and realize that they’re not alone,” she said. “Every other small business owner is just out there trying to figure it out, just like them.”
Course participants are also prepared to create an application for Starter Company Plus, a provincial program administered locally by the center, which offers entrepreneurs grants and mentorship.
“Programs like our Business Planning for Entrepreneurial Success Course are integral to our mission of fostering economic growth and supporting small businesses in Sarnia-Lambton,” partnership CEO Matthew Slotwinski, said in the release.
“This course empowers local entrepreneurs to develop strong business foundations, contributing to the success of our region’s economy,” he said.
The center, a venture of the economic partnership, Lambton County and Ontario, provides free business advisory services to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
“No matter what stage someone’s at, whether they’re contemplating starting a business or they’re already operational and running into challenges, they’re very welcome to reach out and see if we can help,” Minato said.
“We can’t solve everything but we’re there to help and direct them to resources that might be useful.”
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