WeBC is partnering with Purppl, a team that helps purpose-driven organizations build sustainable impact, to bring you a series that will inspire, equip, and connect you on your journey to making a difference.

This series is ideal for anyone who is new to social enterprise or eager to deepen their organization’s impact and communications. You’ll gain practical strategies, frameworks, and tools as we focus on two key areas:

• Session 1 | Social Enterprise 101: Discover what social enterprise truly means, why it matters, and how it can be used to build community wealth and long-term resilience. You’ll see how purpose-driven business models can address real needs and reignite hope in your community.
• Session 2 | Impact Storytelling: Learn how to translate your impact goals and lived experience into stories that connect with funders, customers, and your community. This session will help you share your journey authentically, inspiring trust, support, and action.

Join us to explore how you can bring positive change to your business and those you serve!

January 15 and 22 | 10am to 11am PT | Virtual

Series cost: $50; free for WeBC Loan clients and Vancity Women Entrepreneur Program clients

Open to everyone!

Session Descriptions

All sessions are online on Thursdays from 10am to 11am PT. Recordings will be available for 30 days after each live session.

January 15 | Social Enterprise 101

Led by Andrew Greer, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Purppl

Social enterprise blends purpose and profit, offering new ways to address social and environmental challenges while building local economies that work for everyone. Whether you’re new to the concept or ready to take the next step, this session will help you see how social entrepreneurship can create lasting change and foster belonging.

Across Canada and BC, communities are finding innovative ways to tackle challenges and build local economies. Social enterprise models can operate as for-profit or nonprofit, but starting or strengthening one takes guidance, clarity, and collaboration.

In this interactive session, you’ll:

• Learn what defines a social enterprise and explore examples from across BC and Canada
• Understand how social enterprise can build community wealth and long-term resilience
• Explore ways to generate revenue while building social and/or environmental impact
• Discuss governance and team readiness for social enterprise development
• Leave with a simple framework to help your organization decide if social enterprise is the right next step

January 22 | Impact Storytelling: Sharing the Difference You Make

Led by Hilary Henegar, Service Lead & Entrepreneur In Residence, Impact Strategy & Storytelling, Purppl

Social entrepreneurs and small businesses often struggle to communicate the powerful impact they’re building in a way that inspires action, sales, and funding. This session will help you bridge that gap, giving you tools to tell consistent, compelling stories that build trust and support.

People want to feel a sense of community and belonging. By sharing your impact authentically, you can connect with customers, funders, and your community—helping them see the difference you make and inspiring them to join your mission.

In this session, you’ll:

• Learn how to use a theory of change to develop clear, emotionally resonant stories
• Connect your lived experience and outcomes to the bigger narrative of change
• Understand how to connect with your audience, balancing heart and data in your communications
• Practice storytelling techniques that engage customers, funders, partners, and clients
• Leave with practical tools and templates for ongoing storytelling in your organization

Workshop Leaders

Andrew Greer

Andrew is a social impact leader and business builder as Managing Director and cofounder at Purppl, a social enterprise dedicated to helping purpose-driven organizations build sustainable impact. He is also the BC Interior Lead, board member, and co-owner at Thrive Impact Fund, which invests in impact organizations and social enterprises across British Columbia generating meaningful social, environmental, or cultural benefits.

Andrew’s entrepreneurial journey includes building a consulting and coaching business in the social impact sector from the ground up, scaling Purppl to a $1 million social enterprise. Through carefully building a high-performing, values-aligned team and implementing tech-enabled, relationship-driven sales processes, he established a sustainable foundation with predictable revenue streams for long-term growth and impact. Before founding Purppl, Andrew led programs and partnerships at Accelerate Okanagan, the Okanagan Valley tech accelerator. Earlier, he was a top-performing Canadian sales manager at Xerox. Andrew also brings diverse experience working in, starting, and serving as a Board member to nonprofits, cooperatives, and social enterprises.

Hilary Henegar

Hilary is a brand and engagement strategist and marketing coach for social enterprises and nonprofits. Over the past 15 years, she has helped build and grow businesses, nonprofits, and communities rooted in social impact. Her sector expertise spans many different types of small business as well as Indigenous communities and enterprises, social services, housing organizations, employment for those with barriers, community transportation, and disability services. She specializes in developing marketing and communications strategies that seamlessly integrate with the sales process to drive predictable revenue in alignment with social impact goals. Through intentional strategies and creative campaigns, she connects impact-driven organizations with their audiences, ensuring that marketing efforts not only tell compelling stories but also directly contribute to organizational growth. By building operations that collect and leverage data, Hilary ensures that marketing decisions are intentional, informed, and impactful.

As a skilled group facilitator, she brings expertise in Marketing & Communications, Impact Strategy & Planning, Social Enterprise Feasibility & Growth, and Impact Measurement & Measurement.

The post Purpose in Action: Social Enterprise & Storytelling Series appeared first on WeBC.

Most small businesses are invisible in AI today—but that can change.

Join us for an interactive WeCafé session with WeBC Business Advisor Archana Samtani Singhania. She’ll explore AI Engine Optimization (AIEO), the new frontier of discoverability. You’ll learn practical steps to help AI “see” your business clearly so you can show up in answers, not just search results.

We’ll cover:

• What makes AI search different from traditional SEO
• How AI chooses businesses to recommend and the key signals it looks for (plus ways to strengthen them)
• How to make your business info clear and consistent, and use conversational content and FAQs to boost visibility
• Common mistakes that keep businesses hidden from AI, and how to avoid them

Join us for this informative, interactive session to learn actionable strategies to position your business for the AI era!

Wednesday, March 11 | 10am to 11am PT | Free Virtual WeCafé

Free and open to everyone!

Facilitator: Archana Samtani Singhania, WeBC Business Advisor

The post When Customers Ask AI: Make Your Business Part of the Answer appeared first on WeBC.

On Thursday, March 12, join us for a candid fireside chat with Trisha Miltimore, a dynamic leadership expert and WorkLife Wellness Activator who has spent 25 years helping professionals ignite their impact without burning out. Trisha will share practical insights and personal stories on how to speak with clarity, confidence, and authenticity when introducing yourself and your work.

In this interactive fireside chat, we’ll explore:

• How to shape your story so your elevator pitch feels natural—not forced
• The 3 Vultures: mindsets that sabotage confidence—and how to rise above them
• Simple, empowering ways to show up with greater visibility in conversations
• Tools to communicate your value and strengthen connections in networking moments
• How to step boldly into your own voice and own your impact

Whether you’re meeting new clients, networking, or pitching your ideas, this is your chance to learn real-world strategies that make your message resonate—plus ask your questions in an open, supportive environment.

Thursday, March 12 | 10am to 11am PT | Free Virtual Fireside Chat

Free and open to everyone! Closed captioning in French will be available.

Host: Cathy Burrell, Entrepreneur in Residence
Facilitator: Trisha Miltimore, WorkLife Wellness Activator & Leadership Expert

Trisha’s Bio

Trisha Miltimore is an international keynote speaker, Certified Management Consultant (CMC), and communication coach who helps professionals speak with confidence, clarity, and impact. With over 20 years of experience on stages, in boardrooms, and behind the mic, she blends humour, storytelling, and practical tools to empower people to use their voice with purpose.
She is the creator of SPEAK+, a coaching program designed to help emerging and established leaders elevate their presentation skills, craft compelling messages, and show up with authentic confidence in any room. Known for her energetic presence and highly engaging approach, Trisha’s work supports audiences and clients across industries in stepping into their voice and visibility with courage and ease.

Titre :

Améliorez votre présentation : une discussion informelle sur la communication authentique au service de la croissance

Il vous est déjà arrivé de trébucher lorsque quelqu’un vous demandait : « Que faites-vous? ». Vous n’êtes pas seule! La rédaction d’une présentation qui se veut sincère (et inoubliable) ne se résume pas à un simple scénario.

Le jeudi 12 mars, rejoignez-nous pour une discussion informelle et sincère avec Trisha Miltimore, experte en leadership dynamique et activatrice du bien-être travail-vie (WorkLife Wellness), qui aide depuis 25 ans les professionnels à renforcer leur impact sans s’épuiser. Trisha partagera des conseils pratiques et des histoires personnelles sur la façon de s’exprimer avec clarté, confiance et authenticité pour se présenter et présenter son travail.

Au cours de cette discussion informelle et interactive, nous explorerons les sujets suivants :

• Comment façonner votre présentation pour qu’elle se fasse naturellement, et non de manière forcée
• Les 3 vautours : les états d’esprit qui entravent la confiance en soi et comment les surmonter
• Moyens simples et efficaces pour accroître sa visibilité lors des conversations
• Outils pour communiquer votre valeur et renforcer vos relations lors d’événements de réseautage
• Comment faire entendre votre voix avec assurance et affirmer votre impact

Que ce soit lors de rencontres avec de nouveaux clients, d’événements de réseautage ou lorsque vous défendez vos idées, c’est l’occasion d’apprendre des stratégies concrètes qui permettront à votre message de toucher son public et de poser vos questions dans un environnement ouvert et encourageant.

Jeudi 12 mars | De 10 h à 11 h (heure du Pacifique) | Discussion informelle virtuelle et gratuite

Gratuite et ouverte à tout le monde! Le sous-titrage en français sera disponible.

Animatrice : Cathy Burrell, Entrepreneur en résidence
Facilitatrice : Trisha Miltimore , activatrice du bien-être travail-vie (WorkLife Wellness) et experte en leadership

Bio de Trisha

Trisha Miltimore est une conférencière internationale, une consultante certifiée en gestion (CMC) et une coach en communication qui aide les professionnels à s’exprimer avec confiance, clarté et impact. Avec plus de 20 ans d’expérience sur scène, dans les salles de réunion et derrière le micro, elle allie humour, narration et outils pratiques pour aider les gens à utiliser leur voix à bon escient.
Elle est la créatrice de SPEAK+, un programme de coaching conçu pour aider les leaders émergents et reconnus à améliorer leurs compétences en matière de présentation, à concevoir des messages convaincants et à se présenter avec une confiance authentique dans n’importe quelle salle. Trisha est reconnue pour sa présence énergique et son approche très engageante. Son travail aide les auditoires et les clients des différents secteurs à faire entendre leur voix et à gagner en visibilité avec courage et aisance.

The post Elevate Your Pitch: A Fireside Chat on Authentic Communication for Growth appeared first on WeBC.

The latest federal budget makes it clear that Canada wants to open more doors for businesses of all kinds, including women-owned companies, to work with the government through procurement. There’s never been a better time to get involved! Understanding how federal procurement works, from identifying opportunities to navigating the bid process, will improve your strategies and save time.

Join WeBC and PAC for this free interactive series to learn how to:

• Understand the decision-making process behind government procurement
• Identify practical ways to start selling to the federal government
• Get your questions answered by people who know the system from the inside

January 29, February 5, February 12 | 10am to 11am PT | Free Virtual Series

Free and open to everyone!

Session Descriptions

Sessions are on Thursdays from 10am to 11am PT. A recording will be available after each of the live sessions.

January 29 – Sell Professional Services to the Government

Learn how to find professional service opportunities that fit your business. This session provides essential information to help you understand how your services align with federal procurement needs and how to decide if an opportunity is a good match. You will learn about the procurement tools the Government of Canada uses to purchase professional services, including ProServices, Task and Solutions Professional Services (TSPS), Task and Solutions Based Informatics Professional Services (TBIPS and SBIPS), and Learning Services. The session also covers how to register your business in the Centralized Professional Services System (CPSS) ePortal, and how to identify and assess professional service opportunities that fit your business.

February 5 – Understand Government Requests and Getting Registered

In this session, we’ll break down the different ways the government asks businesses for goods and services, using simple explanations for terms like RFP (Request for Proposal), RFSO (Request for Standing Offer), and RFSA (Request for Supply Arrangement). If your business offers something the government always needs (a “mandatory commodity”), we’ll show you how to find those opportunities.

We will also guide you through how to register in SAP Ariba, the online system the government uses to work with suppliers. Registration is essential because without it you may not be able to see or apply for certain opportunities. Many businesses miss out simply because they are not registered, so we will ensure you understand exactly how to get set up.

February 12 – Learn How the Government Bidding Process Works

Get ready for upcoming government opportunities by learning how the bidding process works. We’ll break down the steps, so you know what to expect and how to prepare your business to respond confidently.

Who is this for?

This series is ideal for anyone curious about selling their product or service to the Government of Canada. It’s suitable for businesses of all sizes and those offering both products and services.

The post Ready, Set, Bid! Navigating Government Procurement appeared first on WeBC.

Building on the success of her previous Cashflow Canvas sessions, this advanced session is designed to help founders take their financial planning to the next level. If you have your own draft one-year cash flow, or you’ve already completed The Cashflow Canvas™—either through a past Nail the Numbers session or the new App—this session is your next step.

This hands-on, 3-hour bootcamp will help you transform your Canvas™ work into a powerful, actionable plan. The focus: building a path to reach 11.5% net profitability within three years, while covering all your real business costs—no guessing, no fluff.

What You’ll Experience

• The Profit Benchmarking ProTool to get a crystal-clear path to viability. Understand your true revenue requirements, test your pricing and costs, and identify the biggest profit drivers and leaks for each revenue stream.
• The Marketing Map to turn sales targets into something doable. Build a marketing plan that aligns with your sales targets, understand how conversion rates shape your strategy, and set a realistic marketing budget.
• The 3-Year Profit Plan to create a roadmap, not a wish list. Map out your revenue path, create a reliable 36-month cash flow, and pinpoint the key changes needed to stay on track.
• Your 12-Month Action Plan [T-Map] so you leave knowing exactly what to do next: Set annual financial goals, break them down into quarterly action items, and establish accountability checkpoints.

By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear, actionable roadmap to confidently achieve sustainable profitability and growth in your business.

Join us to turn your financial vision into reality—secure your spot and take the next step toward hitting your profit goals!

February 5 | 9am to 12pm PT | Virtual Session

Facilitator: Taunya Woods-Richardson, Founder & CEO, Nail the Numbers

Cost: $50; Free for WeBC Loan Clients and Vancity Women Entrepreneur Program Clients

Who Should Attend

This session is for founders who have a draft one-year cash flow and/or have already completed The Cashflow Canvas™. If you’re ready to move beyond the basics and build a plan for real profitability, this session is for you.

The post Financially Fierce Formula: The Path to Sustainable Profitability appeared first on WeBC.

WeBC has partnered with Taunya Woods Richardson, Founder of Nail the Numbers, who has created the Cashflow Canvas, a colour-coded tool that breaks down the budgeting process into eight easy-to-understand building blocks. Modelled after the Business Model Canvas (a tool that outlines your business model on one page), the Cashflow Canvas helps you transfer your financial data into a pro forma that’s as easy as painting by numbers.

This summer, we’re hosting a webinar series to teach women entrepreneurs how to use this simplified tool to get a clear picture of your financials. The interactive series takes you through each section of the Canvas, to draft your numbers then build your own palette

This series will give you the knowledge and confidence to:

• Record when revenue and income are received
• Scale your expenses and balance your bank account
• Identify your working capital needs and budget for loan repayment

3 Virtual Sessions | July 22, 23, 24 | 9am to 10am PT

Cost: $80; free for WeBC Loan Clients and Unity Women Entrepreneur Clients

Facilitator: Taunya Woods Richardson, Founder + CEO, Nail The Numbers

The post Cashflow Canvas: An Easier Way to Manage Your Financials appeared first on WeBC.

Part of the WeBC SMART Programs

Part of our SMART Program series, “Step-by-Step Market Research” is a self-paced course that walks you through the process of conducting market research using exercises and examples.

About the Market Research Course

Who are your customers? What do they really want? How can you stay ahead of the competition? Many business owners make decisions based on assumptions rather than real data. But successful businesses use market research to minimize risk and maximize success.

With effective market research, you can answer critical business questions such as:

• Are there enough customers to buy my product or service?
• What gaps exist in my industry that I can fill?
• How much are customers willing to pay for my product or service?
• What trends or innovations could create opportunities or challenges for my business?
• What risks might I face, and how can I prepare for them?

Besides giving you peace of mind that you’re headed in the right direction, effective market research can help you apply for a loan or pitch to investors, because you have concrete evidence that your business is a strong investment.

This interactive on-demand course will teach you how to:

• Refine your target market and figure out which questions you’re trying to answer
• Gather and interpret secondary research from credible sources
• Conduct primary research through surveys, interviews, and observations
• Analyze your findings to make strategic business decisions
• Apply research best practices

This self-paced module is offered in three parts:

• Chapter 1 | The Market Research Roadmap: Where to Begin
• Chapter 2 | Secondary Market Research: How to Find and Use Existing Data
• Chapter 3 | Primary Market Research: Collect and Analyze Your Own Data

What’s Included

• Access to the Mastering Market Research Module on our On-Demand Learning Platform
• A step-by-step Market Research Workbook
• Guidance from a Business Advisor

Chapters Included in the Market Research Course

The course is divided into three engaging chapters:

Chapter 1 | The Market Research Roadmap: Where to Begin

Are you making your business decisions based on facts, or assumptions? This chapter introduces you to the four essential steps in the market research roadmap and helps you to understand the power of market research and the insights it can unlock in your business.

In this chapter, you’ll learn how to:

• Identify your target market and challenge your assumptions about them
• Test whether your business is viable using market research
• Determine which questions you’re trying to answer, so you know where to focus your time and energy
• Set your Research Objectives so you have a strong foundation for your work

Chapter 2 | Secondary Market Research: How to Find and Use Existing Data

Why start from scratch when there’s already a wealth of information available? Secondary research involves gathering existing data to understand your industry, customers, and competitors. This is the big picture thinking that shows trends and opportunities.

In this chapter, you’ll:

• Discover credible sources of information that answer your questions
• Learn how to collect, organize, and interpret data without being overwhelmed by all the information out there
• Practice turning raw data into actionable steps by preparing summary statements

Chapter 3 | Primary Research: From Data Collection to Meaningful Insights

The best way to understand your customers is to ask them directly, because it shows you whether that ‘big picture’ secondary research applies to your specific market. This chapter walks you through the process of gathering firsthand data through surveys, pop-up test markets, and other methods—in other words, Primary Market Research. Then, you’ll summarize all your research that you’ve conducted throughout the course so you can answer those key questions you identified at the beginning and make adjustments to your business plan to ensure your business is viable.

In this chapter, you’ll:

• Select the best primary research methods for your business needs and resources
• Design effective questions so you get meaningful responses
• Create a research launch plan
• Put all your findings together into a clear and concise summary you can use for business plans, pitch decks and more.

Who is this for?

This introductory-level course is open to entrepreneurs, small business owners, and startups at early stages of business development or key turning points in their business, such as new product/service development or markets. It is particularly helpful for business owners who want to improve their business viability through data-driven decision-making.

Thanks to the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, this course is currently free!

Cliquez ici pour voir la description de ce cours en français >>>

This program is funded by the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy.

The post SMART Program | Step-by-Step Market Research: Build a Viable Business appeared first on WeBC.

In today’s digital world, creating the right content and attracting the right leads are essential for growing your business. That’s why WeBC is excited to partner with Samantha Vlasceanu to offer a practical and empowering workshop series: “Digital Marketing Tips & Tactics: Turn Leads into Sales.”

This series is specifically designed for busy business owners who may not be professional marketers but still want to harness the power of strategic content and lead generation. We understand that as an entrepreneur, your time is valuable. That’s why our workshops provide simple, actionable strategies that you can implement even as you juggle other tasks. You’ll walk away with tools that help you attract leads and increase sales—without needing to spend countless hours on marketing.

We’ll focus on three key areas:

• Developing Irresistible Lead Magnets – Learn how to design offers that draw in potential customers, helping you grow your email list and build relationships quickly.
• Crafting Engaging Email Sequences – Discover how to nurture your leads with email marketing that converts, making the most out of each interaction with minimal effort.
• Creating Captivating Content in Batches – Master the art of planning and creating content that keeps your audience engaged and your business top of mind all year long, even with a busy schedule.

You’ll learn how to create content that not only grabs attention but also nurtures relationships and guides potential customers through each stage of the buyer’s journey.

Series schedule

All sessions are on Thursdays, from 10am to 11:30am PT.

• May 8 | Creating ‘WOW’ Lead Magnets
• May 15 | Email Sequences: Turning Interest into Engagement
• May 22 | Let’s Build 365 Days of Content – Right Now!

Join us in a supportive and interactive environment where you can unlock the secrets to effective marketing and content creation!

A recording will be available for 30 days after each of the live sessions.

Open to everyone.

Series cost: $80; free for WeBC Loan clients and Vancity Women Entrepreneur Program clients

As a thank you for your patience while we’ve been resolving our website speed issues, you can use the promo code WEBSITE50 to save 50% on this series. We think it’s worth the wait!

Session Descriptions

Session 1 | Creating ‘WOW’ Lead Magnets

A lead magnet is a marketing tool used to attract potential customers by offering something of value in exchange for their contact information, such as their email address. It’s designed to “magnetically” draw in leads who may be interested in your products or services, and it could be anything from a free ebook, checklist, or webinar to a discount or trial offer.

In this dynamic and interactive session, you’ll engage with other business owners in breakout activities and learn how to craft lead magnets that truly “wow” your audience. You’ll identify your audience’s key pain points and brainstorm ideas for lead magnets that address these issues effectively.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the importance of creating compelling lead magnets.
• Identify your audience’s key pain points and brainstorm effective lead magnet ideas.
• Learn how to build a successful landing page that converts visitors into leads.

Session 2 | Email Sequences: Turning Interest into Engagement

Now that you’ve captured your audience’s emails in exchange for your lead magnet, what’s next? Crafting an effective email sequence is crucial for nurturing leads and preparing them for the next stage of your funnel.

In this insightful session, you’ll discover how to create email sequences that keep your audience engaged and eager for more. You’ll have the opportunity to share ideas with peers and learn from real-life examples of successful email campaigns. This session will provide a safe and supportive space to explore the art of email marketing.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the importance of nurturing leads through email sequences.
• Discover strategies to craft engaging email content that keeps your audience interested.
• Outline and write the structure of a 5-7 email sequence to guide your leads through your funnel.

Session 3 | Let’s Build 365 Days of Content – Right Now!

Creating a consistent and engaging content strategy is essential for keeping your audience hooked and your brand top-of-mind. Embark on a content crafting journey that will equip you with a year’s worth of captivating posts, designed to keep your feed fresh.

In this hands-on session, you’ll work alongside other business owners to brainstorm and develop a comprehensive content plan tailored to your business needs. You’ll explore various content types and themes, ensuring your strategy is diverse and engaging. By the end of the session, you’ll have a detailed content calendar ready to implement.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the importance of a consistent content strategy for audience engagement.
• Explore different content types and themes to keep your feed fresh.
• Develop a comprehensive content calendar for the next 365 days.

The post Digital Marketing Tips & Tactics: Turn Leads into Sales appeared first on WeBC.

AI is everywhere—are you making the most of it?

It seems like every day there’s a new tool, update, or trend in artificial intelligence (AI). If you’re feeling like you’re missing out or unsure where to start, you’re not alone! AI can be a powerful tool to save time, boost productivity, and enhance your business—if you know how to use it effectively.

This spring, WeBC is excited to partner with Jennifer Hufnagel, Business Consultant, Learning & Development Specialist, and AI Futurelab Certified Trainer, to offer a practical and hands-on workshop series: “ChatGPT for Entrepreneurs: Work Smarter, Not Harder.”

Jennifer brings over 25 years of professional experience in corporate training, instructional design, and business development. She has spent the last two years specializing in AI, leading ChatGPT and LLM training for over 1,000 participants globally.

AI is set to be the most transformative, disruptive, and exciting technology of the 21st century, impacting every industry, every job, and every aspect of our lives. This is not the time to “put your head in the sand”—AI is happening, whether we like it or not.

This practical, hands-on, series prepares you to thrive, succeed, and stay relevant in your business. As you take in the power of ChatGPT and its practical applications, you will be able to immediately reduce your workload, save time, become more efficient, and prioritize what truly matters.

We’ll focus on three key areas:

• Understanding AI & ChatGPT Basics – Learn the basic principles of AI
• Mastering Effective Prompting – Develop strategies to create prompts that generate accurate, insightful, and useful responses.
• Implementing AI for Business & Productivity – Discover real-world applications of ChatGPT to reduce workload, enhance efficiency, and integrate AI into your daily operations.

Series Schedule

All sessions are on Thursdays, from 10am to 11am PT.

• April 3 | Understanding AI & ChatGPT Basics
• April 10 | Mastering Effective Prompting
• April 17 | Implementing AI for Business & Productivity

Join us in a supportive and interactive environment where you can unlock the potential of AI and gain practical experience using ChatGPT!

A recording will be available for 30 days after each live session.

Open to everyone but only 20 spots are available so register today!

Series cost: $95; free for WeBC Loan clients and Vancity Women Entrepreneur Program clients.

The post ChatGPT for Entrepreneurs: Work Smarter, Not Harder appeared first on WeBC.

WeBC has partnered Procurement Assistance Canada and to bring you a series of webinars designed to help your business access and benefit from federal resources and programs.

Whether you’re looking to sell to the government, take advantage of research and development incentives, or find more staff, this series offers valuable insights into programs that are designed to help your business grow and succeed.

Join us for this free, interactive 3-part series, where you’ll gain practical knowledge on navigating government programs.

Series Schedule

Sessions will be held on Thursdays from 10am to 11am PT:

• January 16 | Three Easy Steps to Federal Procurement
• January 30 | Tax Incentives for Scientific Research and Economic Development
• February 13 | Staying Competitive and Attracting Skilled Talent

Open to everyone! A recording will be available after sessions 1 and 3. Please note: Session 2 will not be recorded.

Who is this for?
This series is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses that want to expand their understanding of federal programs, whether you’re interested in government procurement, R&D tax incentives, or hiring skilled employees. If you’re looking to take advantage of Canada’s government resources, this series is for you!

About the Sessions

January 16 | Three Easy Steps to Federal Procurement
Interested in federal opportunities but not ready to respond to an RFX (Request for Expression of Interest, Request for Proposal, etc.)? There is another way to sell to the federal government: join us to learn how to navigate low-dollar-value sales with federal government.

Panelist: Barry Payne, Supply Team Leader with Indigenous Entrepreneurship Centre of Excellence, Procurement Assistance Canada

Thursday, January 16 | 10am to 11am PT | Free Virtual WeCafé

January 30 | Tax Incentives for Scientific Research and Economic Development
Did you know the Government of Canada offers tax incentives to support research and development (R&D)? Sumati Kocher will walk you through the SR&ED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) Tax Incentive Program, which provides over $4.2 billion in tax credits annually to businesses of all sizes conducting R&D in Canada. Learn how your business can benefit from this lucrative program.

Panelist: Sumati Kocher, Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED)

Thursday, January 30 | 10am to 11am PT | Free Virtual WeCafé

February 13 | Staying Competitive and Attracting Skilled Talent
In this two-part session, we’ll explore how Canada’s immigration programs can help your business attract and retain skilled talent, and how the Competition Bureau ensures a fair marketplace. Darcy Bromley will guide you through free services for employers seeking to navigate the immigration process, while Evan Rose and Darcy Bromley will introduce you to the Competition Bureau’s role in promoting healthy competition.

Panelists:

• Darcy Bromley, Outreach Officer with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Evan Rose, Stakeholder Engagement Advisor

Thursday, February 13 | 10am to 11am PT | Free Virtual WeCafé

Join us for this free series to discover government resources that can propel your business forward!

The post Unlocking Government Opportunities: Navigating Federal Programs and Resources for Business Growth appeared first on WeBC.

To secure your spot, please submit the $150 program fee.

The post Impact Toolbox Registration Fee appeared first on WeBC.

On January 23, join us for fireside chat with Mara Mennicken, Owner of The GOOD Chocolatier, who will share her real-world journey of exporting to a new country.

Mara is a social entrepreneur who loves finding solutions for real-life social and environmental issues. Hailing from Germany 10 years ago and now stirring up delectable creations in British Columbia, Canada, she’s on a mission to prove that chocolate can be indulgent, highly ethical, and incredibly GOOD for you.

In this session, we’ll chat with Mara about her experiences with:

• Navigating negotiations with international partners
• Overcoming barriers to entry in new markets
• Challenges she faced and what she learned along the way

This session is perfect for small business owners who are exploring the possibility of entering international markets or who are already in the process and want to learn from the experience of others.

Join us to gain firsthand insights into navigating the export journey!

Thursday, January 23 | 10am to 11am PT | Free Virtual Fireside Chat

Free and open to everyone!

Facilitator: Archana Samtani Singhania, WeBC Business Advisor

Panelist: Mara Mennicken, Owner of The GOOD Chocolatier

The post Fireside Chat: A Business Owner’s Export Journey appeared first on WeBC.