In its inaugural event, the Chatham-Kent Small Business Centre has created a networking event for past recipients and alumni of the Starter Company Plus program that encompasses the last five years of cohorts.
On August 8, 2024 past and current Starter Company Plus alumni gathered at the Links of Kent for a networking event and to catch up with other cohorts of the program. The most recent cohort was in March of this year with the next cohort scheduled for September.
The Small Business Centre is excited to have so many past participants attend this networking event because for 2.5 years the cohort had been online only due to COVID.
“It’s really amazing to see businesses that went through the course in 2020 and 2021 at this networking event because most of the interactions we had were virtual. Seeing everyone connect and collaborate makes me so happy. Businesses working together is the magic that makes it work in my opinion,” said Matt Reaume, Economic Development Officer, in a press release.
Starter Company Plus is an entrepreneur program that provides business advice and training.
Through a weeklong, in-person course, the participants will learn all facets of running a business from defining a target audience, to marketing and putting together a cashflow financial document.
The in-person course provides opportunities to connect with local small business experts from Chatham-Kent who provide insight and answer business questions that will help participants complete a viable business plan.
“Never have I been a part of a program that provides so much insight, clarity, hope and collaboration to new and existing entrepreneurs. The relationships built from this program have proven to be beneficial and stand the test of time,” added Anthony Wilson, Economic Development Officer, in a press release.
Once the weeklong course is finished participants have the opportunity to put together a viable business plan and submit the plan to the Small Business Centre for a potential $5000 grant.
This grant is competitive and not all participants will receive the funding however the training alone has been invaluable to all who have gone through the course.
“The support of the small business centre has been a huge reason why I am able to do what I do. I love helping small businesses, and I love that I get to be a part of so many people’s dreams,” said Emily Van Kesteren owner of RSLV Consulting, in a press release.
