WeBC

FREE WeBC Business Loan Info Session
2023-12-05 12:00 - 13:00, 2023-12-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-01-02 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-01-16 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-01-30 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-02-13 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-02-27 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Webinar
Learn about the financing options available through WeBC!
WeBC has a Business Loan Program, and we are the BC Loan Fund Partner of the WEOC National Loan Program for women and non-binary entrepreneurs.
If you would like to access these programs to start, expand or purchase a business you will need to participate in one of our free Zoom info sessions about the loan programs.
During this session, the facilitator will:

Review our lending criteria for each program
Answer your questions
Advise you on how to apply
Provide you with a resource package

An Advisor will work with you to determine if you are eligible for a loan.
These FREE Zoom sessions are held every second Tuesday from 12pm to 1pm PT.
Register free >>>

FREE Starting a Business Info Session | Part 1: How to Write a Business Plan
2023-12-06 12:00 - 13:00, 2023-12-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Join us to get inspired and excited about starting a business in BC!
You have a business idea—congratulations! Now it’s time to get it down on paper.
A business plan can help you test your ideas, make decisions, minimize your risk, get funding and so much more.
In SBIS Part 1, we use the document “How to Write an Effective Business Plan” to break down business planning into 10 steps.
You will learn about:

How to structure your business plan and where you can go for industry-specific samples
What to include in each section and how to think through them
How each part of your business plan works together to create a roadmap for your business.

Register free >>>
About WeBC Starting a Business Info Sessions
If you think you’re ready to start a business, we encourage you to participate in our FREE virtual Starting a Business Information Sessions (SBIS).
There are lots of steps to starting a business, so these sessions will provide tips and resources as you work through each aspect of starting a business.
SBIS is offered each week on Wednesday at noon, and we alternate between parts 1 and 2 from week to week. These FREE virtual sessions are held every Wednesday from 12pm to 1pm Pacific Time. While we recommend you participate in both parts, you may register for one or both sessions.

Overcome Your Resistance and Embrace Virtual Networking
2023-12-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
Love it or hate it, virtual networking is here to stay. If you’re a business owner, networking is critical to growing your business; in fact, 73% of women entrepreneurs we surveyed say access to new networks is essential to their success.
Virtual networking can be an effective way to save time and reach new markets. So how do you ensure you make valuable connections without feeling like a salesperson?
On December 13, join us for a WeCafé with networking expert and life coach Sue Maitland PCC who will share the secrets to successful virtual networking. She’ll share how to:

Reframe your limiting beliefs about networking
Learn the basics of virtual networking
Approach networking with a plan
Hold meaningful conversations that find mutual benefits and go beyond small talk
Follow up in a way that adds value

Join us to ask your networking questions of Sue, and connect with other women entrepreneurs!
Facilitator: Cathy Burrell
Panelist: Sue Maitland, ICF Accredited Life Coach and Networking Expert
Register Here >>>

FREE Starting a Business Info Session | Part 2: How to Make Your Business Official
2023-12-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Join us to get inspired and excited about starting a business in BC!
How do I name and register my business? Where can I get funding? What kind of licenses do I need?
In SBIS Part 2, we uncover how to make your business official.
You will learn about:

The pros and cons of different types of business structures
The steps to name and register your business
Where to find information about taxes, licenses and permits
What to consider when developing your online presence
Sources of funding for your business

Register free >>>
About WeBC Starting a Business Info Sessions
If you think you’re ready to start a business, we encourage you to participate in our FREE virtual Starting a Business Information Sessions (SBIS).
There are lots of steps to starting a business, so these sessions will provide tips and resources as you work through each aspect of starting a business.
SBIS is offered each week on Wednesday at noon, and we alternate between parts 1 and 2 from week to week. These FREE virtual sessions are held every Wednesday from 12pm to 1pm Pacific Time. While we recommend you participate in both parts, you may register for one or both sessions.

Self-Fund Your Business or Use Other People’s Money?
2024-01-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
Running out of money is one of the top reasons businesses fail. Using the ‘right’ money at the ‘right’ time can help you stay in business as well as accelerate your startup or growth. However, it can be tricky to know when you should self-fund your business and when you should look for sources of debt, grant or equity funding.
If you tend to default to building your business with your own savings, you’re not alone. According to a recent study by Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC), 88% of women entrepreneurs feel confident managing their business finances, yet 78% hate owing money and 62% take pride in building their business without external sources of money.
There are times when it makes sense to self-fund your business, and there are times when it makes sense to leverage other peoples’ money.
On January 17 our Senior Director of Loans & Advisory Services, Melanie Rupp, will explore these different scenarios and answer common financing questions such as:

What is the cost of using my own money to grow my business?
Is it less risky to use my own money?
Do I need to go into debt to grow my business?
How do I know which funding sources are right for my own business?

Join us to learn how to match your business needs with the right kind of funding!
Open to everyone!
Facilitator: Melanie Rupp, Senior Director of Loans & Advisory Services, WeBC

Register Here >>>

The Price Is Right: Strategies for Small Business
2024-01-31 09:30 - 11:00 | Webinar
Finding the right price and pricing strategy for your business can be challenging. You don’t want to over-price your product or service and drive customers away, but you also don’t want to under-value your product or service or your business will never be profitable.
Whether you’ve been running your business for many years or if you’re new to business, this webinar will provide you with techniques that can be easily implemented. As your business grows, so should your pricing strategies, and pricing your product or service can be key to the future of your business.
In this webinar, you will learn:

Key pricing strategies and the pros and cons of each
Tips and tricks for price setting using consumer psychology
How to evaluate and adjust your pricing strategy so you can maximize your financial returns

Wednesday, January 31 | 9:30am to 11:00am | Webinar
Pricing: $25, free for WeBC loan clients and Unity Women Entrepreneur Program Clients
Facilitator: Kelly Masson, WeBC Business Advisor

Register Here >>>

e@UBCO Startup Sprint in partnership with WeBC
2024-02-02 16:30 - 2024-02-04 16:00 | UBC Okanagan Engineering, Management and Education Building, 1137 Alumni Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7
WeBC is excited to partner with e@UBCO for Startup Sprint in Kelowna!
The concept is simple: start a company over a weekend by solving some of society’s biggest challenges.
Startup Sprint is an immersive weekend of learning-by-doing that teaches you how to go from identifying a problem to building a solution fit to form a new business.
If you’re thinking about starting a business, this is your chance to learn and practice the skills you need to define a problem, generate solutions, do market research, identify your client profile, generate prototypes and pitch the business. Working on teams, you’ll receive tools, learning, and mentorship in an entrepreneurship laboratory.
Do you need your own startup or business idea? No! This is an excellent opportunity to learn in a supportive environment so you can develop the startup skills you can later apply to your own business.
The program is FREE and open to anyone in the community who is seeking to build their entrepreneurial skillset!
This is a full weekend with meals provided—apply by Monday, January 22 to secure your spot.
Application deadline is Monday, January 22.
Apply Here >>>

PROGRAM INFO SESSION
Want to learn more and see if this program is for you? Register for our virtual info session, where we will walk through the agenda, answer FAQs and answer any other questions you might have.
Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Time: 12:00PM PST (noon)
Register for the Info Session >>>

Free WeBC Business Loan Info Session
2024-03-12 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-03-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-03-26 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-02 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-09 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-16 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-23 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-30 12:00 - 13:00 and 7 more dates | Webinar
Learn about the financing options available through WeBC!
WeBC has a Business Loan Program, and we are the BC Loan Fund Partner of the WEOC National Loan Program for women and non-binary entrepreneurs.
If you would like to access these programs to start, expand or purchase a business you will need to participate in one of our free phone-in info sessions about the loan programs.
During this session, the facilitator will:

Review our lending criteria for each program
Answer your questions
Advise you on how to apply
Provide you with a resource package

An Advisor will work with you to determine if you are eligible for a loan.
This spring, these FREE phone-in sessions are held every Tuesday from 12pm to 1pm PT.
Register free >>>

Unpacking Artificial Intelligence: Tips for using AI in your business
2024-06-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made its way into all aspects of business, and marketing is no different. When used correctly, it can help you save valuable time and energy. When used incorrectly, you can end up sounding like a robot, perpetuating biases, or putting your sensitive customer data at risk.
If you’d like to harness the power of AI for your business (without losing that human touch), join WeBC and Jennifer Kolbuc on June 13 for a realistic look at the Dos and Don’ts of using AI for marketing.
Jennifer is an experienced digital marketer and social media strategist who has created this informative workshop to cover:

How AI is leveling the playing field for small businesses
What tools are available, how to find them, and what they cost
How to integrate AI tools into your daily workflow to save time
AI pitfalls, shortcomings, and blind spots
How to use AI for SEO and social media

Join us to gain a better understanding of how you can harness AI for your business and ask your questions of an experienced marketer!
Cost: $25, free for WeBC Loan Clients
Thursday, June 13 | 10am to 11am PT | Webinar

Facilitator: Cathy Burrell, Client Services Coordinator
Panelist: Jennifer Kolbuc, Founder, Mountain Top Consulting

Register Here >>>
