SMARTstart for local entrepeneurs

Community Futures Lakeland has wrapped up the first year of its SMARTstart program. The program saw six local entrepreneurs complete eight months of business training designed by Community Futures. The program featured three main components; online training, in-person workshops and mentorship.

To participate, entrepreneurs must have been in business for under three years. Businesses from any industry are welcome. SMARTstart is designed for entrepreneurs who have a desire to grow/expand their businesses.

The program matched local entrepreneurs with mentors from the local business community to shepherd the new business owners through a series of eleven training workshops and business training-related tasks.

Business workshops were hosted once a month and facilitated by local experts in their fields. Topics included finances, taxes, business plan development, insurance and marketing.

Executive Director of Community Futures Lakeland, Lisa Ford, said it is vital for local communities to support small business growth and development. “When our local small business community is thriving, we all see the benefits. Small businesses provide jobs, they give back through sponsorships and they volunteer their time all to create this wonderful community that we live in.”

 

Meet the Entrepeneurs

 

The SMARTstart program is so much more than just business development, explained Ford, “it is a community building program. It creates a network of business cohorts with established businesses pouring into the newer businesses all with the support of our partners and sponsors.”

One of the program’s major sponsors was the City of Cold Lake. Mayor Craig Copeland commended Community Futures Lakeland for the program. “Small businesses are massive in Cold Lake. Everyone on council appreciates small business and we try our best to encourage development.”

“It’s about having a dream and that’s what all of you [in the program] are doing, working on your futures. It’s a challenge and its exciting.” – Craig Copeland

Speaking on behalf of another major sponsor of the program, the Municipal District of Bonnyville, Councillor Ben Fadayew stated how the MD of Bonnyville supports small businesses, “We are the first municipality to reduce small business tax.”

 

 

The title sponsor for the program East Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network (RIN), Director of Innovation Matt Peck said that rural Alberta offers a unique market for innovation. “We found that rural Alberta business owners are problem solvers. People in the industry and with a passion for their careers are the best people to solve the problems that they face.” The RIN serves to help businesses push through their ideas to reality through support and funding.

Meet the Mentors

 

To learn more about the next SMARTstart series contact Lisa Ford at Community Futures Lakeland at  (780) 826-3858 or visit https://www.smartstartyourbusiness.ca/community/lakeland/