NEWS
BRIAN TREMBLAY SHARES MARKETING TIPS WITH LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS
During his 17 years in business, Brian Tremblay has made mistakes. And he’d be the first to admit it.
But out of the missteps has come a better understanding of how to succeed in the ever-changing world of commerce.
Tremblay, owner of Brian Tremblay Photography, spoke of these lessons to a group of more than 120 entrepreneurs at the Marconi Club Feb. 24. The event was organized by Terri Chiarello, Small Business Advisor for Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie.
The seminar dealt with steps that need to be taken before a business can be marketed effectively.
“You first have to focus on who your clients are and why they need your business,” said Tremblay. “Once you have that down, then you can start marketing.”
As for the costs that are usually associated with promoting a business, Tremblay believes they can often be justified as a method of helping it stay afloat and prosper.
“Marketing isn’t an expense, it’s an investment,” he said evenly.
During the current economic climate, it’s especially critical that firms do what they can to keep their doors open, added Tremblay.
“I think the road to economic recovery lies in small business,” he said. “It’s vitally important that entrepreneurs succeed.”
By providing training seminars, business planning and other aid to entrepreneurs, Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie is working to expedite the economic recovery in the city and region.
To learn what ECSSM can do for your business, ontact Terri Chiarello at 759-2616 or t.chiarello@ssmedc.ca.
Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie is the small business wing of the SSM Economic Development Corporation.
NEED CLOTHING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW?
The Sault Youth Association is now offering free clothing to help people with their job interviews or to make their new job a success. All items are for "keeps."
For more information, view the brochure.
WE ARE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER! 
Become a fan of Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie on Facebook by visiting our Fan Page!
You can follow Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie on Twitter!
Check out the links to see what we are up to and what we can do for you and your business today!
2009 HIGH SCHOOL BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION
Read all about this year's High School Business Plan Competition Awards Ceremony, which were held on Friday, August 14, and see who the winners were.
Take a look at the pictures from the event in this photo album.
Congratulations to the 2009 winners and all applicants!
NEW ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM TO CREATE JOBS ACROSS THE NORTH
McGuinty Government Initiatives Drive Business Growth
May 19, 2009
A new Northern Ontario Entrepreneur Program (NOEP) will fuel the entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation, creates jobs and promotes economic growth throughout Northern Ontario.
The latest Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) program will encourage northern entrepreneurs and community builders to put their ideas for new business into action by providing up to $125,000 in conditional grant funding.
Additionally, the criteria of the NOHFC’s existing Enterprises North Job Creation Program and the Private Sector Emerging Technology Program are being significantly enhanced to better assist northern businesses.
In the case of these two programs, up to 50 per cent of NOHFC funding may now be in the form of a conditional grant.
QUOTES
“We are pleased to support entrepreneurs and the private sector in creating the enterprises and jobs that will promote economic development.”
- Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing.
“By further expanding the NOHFC’s support for private sector job creation, we can drive business growth across Northern Ontario.”
- Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Chair of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.
QUICK FACTS
- Applications under NOEP funding are now being accepted.
- Ontario’s recent budget added another $10 million to the NOHFC starting this fiscal year. The fund will reach $100 million per year by 2011-12.
- In 2005, the McGuinty government restored the NOHFC’s original mandate of investing in both community development and private sector job creation. Six new programs were introduced at that time.
LEARN MORE
About the Northern Ontario Entrepreneur Program
Anne-Marie Flanagan, Minister’s Office, 416-327-0655
Michel Lavoie, NOHFC, 705-564-7125
www.ontario.ca/north-news
Disponible en français
Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie . . . Building Your Dreams!
Welcome to Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie, your first step in planning and implementing your business ideas! Provided free of charge to clients are a tremendous number of easily accessible business information resources. These include pamphlets, information packages, comprehensive databases, an extensive resource library full of useful materials covering every area imaginable, business registration forms, and financing guides. Clients are strongly encouraged to take advantage of everything ECSSM has to offer!
One of the most important services we provide is private counseling to clients interested in more specific information. Experienced advisors provide a variety of services to clients during the counseling process. The services and the amount of detail vary with particular needs. However, staff are dedicated to providing as much information as possible to ensure client success, which includes continual feedback and regular communication between us and our clients. Some of the services provided by the consultants may include:
Simplifying the start up process for small business
Promoting proper business planning before business start up
Assisting with business plans, marketing, and management
Answering general questions about financial and legal elements of business
Improving the success rate of small businesses
Providing referrals where necessary and acting as a dependable liaison
Our office is located in the Civic Centre, 3rd Floor, and is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 4:30. However, should you need to make arrangements other than those hours we are always able to accommodate.
ECSSM operates in partnership with the Government of Ontario through the Ministries of Economic Development and Trade and Northern Development, Mines and Forestry.
