IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Upcoming events and opportunities
Entrepreneur/Board Spotlight – Nigel Jenkins, LHM Records, Navigate Board Member
In case you missed it – Recap and video link to our March Entrepreneur Ecosystem Coffee Break: Let’s Get Social!
Calling all mentors! How to connect with us!
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Navigate presents: April Entrepreneur Ecosystem Coffee Break – Indigenous Entrepreneurship
Join us this April 21st with special guests from Qalipu, Ulnooweg, QDC and Grenfell Campus to discuss indigenous entrepreneurship and business practices including:
- What it means to be an indigenous entrepreneur
- How culture helps shape indigenous businesses
- Resources to help indigenous entrepreneurs start or grow a business
- Advice for conducting business with indigenous companies from acultural sensitivity perspective
- Local indigenous business success storiesThese free informal sessions are a platform for entrepreneurs to share insights and to connect with each other and with support agencies, experts and potential clients, all while promoting their businesses, products and services.
We look forward to seeing you there!
April 21st from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Please register in advance here! This is a free online event.
In partnership with Spicer Facilitation and Learning
Genesis 25th Pitch & Pick: W22
When: April 6th, 2022
Spots are filling up fast!
The amazing companies in our intensive Evolution program have been working hard for eight weeks. The top start-ups have been selected to compete in the 25th edition of Pitch & Pick!
We want to give our awesome entrepreneurs a chance to pitch their idea to representatives from academia, public and private funding agencies, and the local tech community. A panel of expert industry judges will crown the winner, and the audience will be able to vote for a Community Choice recipient.
A special thanks to our host venue, Verafin, and our Evolution supporters Ray Agency, Springboard Atlantic, BDO Canada, TD Canada, Hickman Group, and Cox & Palmer for making this event possible.
Non-medical masks are recommended for attendees. If you are unable to attend in person, a live-stream will be made available to the public via Zoom with link to follow. Space is limited, RSVP today!
Doors will open to public at 2:30 pm, and parking is free in surrounding areas. Make sure to register for #PitchAndPick April 6th here!
Opening Plenary: Reimagining Communities, Reimagining the Economy
When: April 26th, 10 am
Zita Cobb is an eighth-generation Fogo Islander, Founder and CEO of the registered charity Shorefast, and Innkeeper of the award-winning Fogo Island Inn. Zita graduated high school on Fogo Island before studying business in Ottawa. Following a subsequent successful career in high-tech, Zita returned to Fogo Island and established Shorefast to put another leg on the Island’s struggling economy to complement its ever-important fishery. With an enduring commitment to Fogo Island, Shorefast is expanding its mission through a Community Economies Pilot – a pan-Canadian initiative to strengthen place- based economic development within the global economy.
Zita has been a Member of the Order of Canada since 2016 and was a 2020 inductee to Canada’s Business Hall of Fame. She holds honorary doctorates from McGill University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, the University of
Bounce Health Innovation Month
We’re very excited to announce that the inaugural Health Innovation Month will be taking place during the month of May!
Stay tuned to learn more about the events that will be taking place throughout the month!
You can also learn more by checking out the Health Innovation Month website at http://healthinnovationmonth.ca
Aspiring entrepreneurs: Kickstart your business with a solid plan
Futurpreneur and RBC Future Launch proudly present Rock My Business, a free, virtual, three-part workshop series that will help you develop your idea, get started on your business plan and create a viable cashflow for your business— all while connecting with like-minded entrepreneurs in your community and across Canada.
If you’re aged 18-39 and need direction to develop your business idea, have a strong business idea OR recently launched a small business that you’d like to grow, register today for our next series of workshops.
BIG news for aspiring small business owners: You could win $10,000 to help launch your start-up! Futurpreneur and RBC proudly present the RBC Rock My Business Startup Awards, eight awards of $10k each given annually to diverse, young, aspiring entrepreneurs from across Canada, helping kickstart their businesses. Learn how to apply for the awards here!
Upcoming Sessions
Workshop 2: Rock My Business Plan
Tuesday, April 5th, 1 – 4 pm
Take this workshop if have a good grasp of your business idea and want to develop the foundations of a solid business plan.
Participants will:
- Learn the essential elements of a successful business plan
- Begin writing the four key sections of the business plan (CompanyProfile, Marketing Activities, Market Research, and Operations)
- Identify the gaps, goals and next steps required to complete thebusiness plan Register here!
Workshop 3: Rock My Cash Flow Tuesday, April 12th, 1 – 4 pm
Take this workshop if have completed the Rock My Business Plan workshop and want to proceed with developing your cash flow.
Participants will:
- Better understand how to complete the Start Up Cost and Cash Flow sections of the business plan
- Learn how to create realistic sales forecasts
- Understand how the business plan and cash flow interconnect
- Complete the first draft of the start-up costs and first month sales /expenses
- Set a realistic date for completing the business plan and cashflow Register here!
NAVIGATE BOARD SPOTLIGHT
Navigate recently re-invented its board of directors and focus, drawing on the expertise and successes of new and long-time entrepreneurs in our community.
Nigel Jenkins, the artist, manager and record label owner of LHM Records, is one of those directors. He is also chair of MusicNL’s board of directors, sits on the East Coast Music Association’s board of directors, and was elected as a Steady Brook town councillor in fall 2021.
Dru Kennedy photo
“Serving on the board for Navigate is an opportunity for me to give back to this organization that played such an important role in helping me to establish my business at home in Western NL,” said Nigel, who availed of the Navigate Incubator to establish his company after moving home to Steady Brook, NL, in 2018. “I look forward to helping the organization grow and supporting its mission of stimulating entrepreneurship in the region.”
A former student at Grenfell Campus, Nigel went on to study law at Dalhousie before starting Laughing Heart Music in Nova Scotia. He decided to move the company home, and successfully landed a space at the Navigate Incubator, which is located at the Corner Brook campus of Grenfell’s partner, College of the North Atlantic.
Laughing Heart Music is a full service music business with artist management, record label and music publishing divisions. Availing of the expertise of the incubator has provided his company with many opportunities – everything from meeting other entrepreneurs to connecting with provincial funders.
Considering his label, management and publishing clients, Nigel has worked with more than a dozen different artists from across Canada, as well as a couple in the UK and Europe.
“At this point I’ve worked in some capacity with artists from just about every province and territory,” said Nigel, who grew up playing guitar and has acted as manager for the band Hillsburn. “I’ve also released music on my label from artists based in Switzerland and the United Kingdom.”
Nigel said before moving home to Newfoundland and Labrador, he was worried about the impact it might have on his business. But clearly the impacts have only been positive:
“A lot of great things have happened for my business that I couldn’t have predicted, like having a song from one of my artist’s featured in an iPhone commercial, working with rapper Classified, and sending Hillsburn to Vancouver, B.C., to make a record with Grammy-nominated producer Howard Redekopp, ” he said. “Things have only grown since coming home, and I expect they will continue to for years to come.”
As for future plans, he said his biggest goal for the next couple of years is to build his staff contingent so he has someone responsible for day-to-day operations for each of the company’s three divisions.
“I’m on the hunt for talented people who are interested in working in the music industry, and who love living on the west coast of NL,” he said. “Call me if this sounds like you!”
For more information, contact Nigel at nigel@laughingheartmusic.com.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
March Entrepreneur Ecosystem Coffee Break – Let’s Get Social!
This March, we were excited to welcome special guests Dr. Gillian Morrisey, Sarah Marie Croft and Mariana Jimenez Ojeda from the MUN Centre for Social Enterprise to teach us more about social entrepreneurship and the great work happening at the CSE.
The MUN Centre for Social Enterprise works to strengthen local social enterprises, support social entrepreneurs, and create meaningful employment and educational opportunities for students within the social enterprise sector. They offer a variety of programs including the Work Experience in Social Enterprise program, the Social Ventures Incubator, and many other individual events and activities for university students.
Watch the video now to learn more about the CSE, social entrepreneurship, and the many ways you can integrate positive social change into the way you do business.
A recording of the coffee break is available.
The March coffee break also provided local entrepreneurs and support organizations an opportunity to connect and to highlight their businesses and programs including:
Entrepreneurs
Colleen Warren, Colleen’s Bridal Boutique, Corner Brook
Offering bridalwear and women’s formal wear for your most special occasions. Visit https://www.facebook.com/ColleensBridalBoutique/ or contact Colleen at colleensbridalboutique@gmail.com or 709-640-2617 to book an appointment.
Dafna Ziv, AR Management and Business Consulting Services, St. John’s
Dafna is a registered CCP specializing in cash flow and accounts receivables. You can reach her via email at Dafnanl2020@gmail.com.
Dawn Gough, EnTech Environmental, Clarenville
Dawn and EnTec help environmentally and socially-conscious organizations become sustainable. She can be reached at dawngough@entecconsulting.ca. For more information, visit https://entecconsulting.ca.
Edwina Bateman, Avail HR Training Solutions, Port aux Basques
From empowering employees to customized leadership development, Avail provides a learning experience that will assist organizations to break through communication barriers to build a happier, healthier and more engaged workplace. For more information contact Edwina at edwina@availhr.com or 709- 694-3513 or visit www.availhr.com.
Liz Combdon, Sea Salt & Twig Designs, Cormack
Liz provides handcrafted jewelry and wild-crafted skincare products from her studio in Western NL. She can be reached at info@seasaltandtwig.com. For more informations, visit https://seasaltandtwig.com.
Dr. Susan O’Leary, Soul Wellbeing, St. John’s
Dr. Susan O’Leary
Susan is a wellbeing visionary and health professional, providing wellness program consulting. She can be reached at soleary@soulwellbeing.ca. For more information, visit https://soulwellbeing.ca/.
Mireille Sampson, User-Friendly web Design, Corner Brook
Mireille is a UX Designer and Webflow Developer who recently moved back to Western NL from the UK to launch her new website design business. For details, contact Mireille at mireillesampson@gmail.com or visit https://www.userfriendlywebsite.design/.
Sharon Evans, SEVA Meditation, Pasadena
Seva Meditation offers instruction of Primordial Sound Meditation. Choose from a 4-session course and/or weekly group guided meditation sessions. To learn more visit: https://www.facebook.com/sevameditation or www.sevameditation.com
Support Organizations
Ashley Christopher and Leah Callfas, Employment Supports, YMCA of Western NL, Corner Brook
For employment support service information, Ashley and Leah can be reached at ashley.christopher@wnl.ymca.ca 709-639-1720 and leah.callfas@wnl.ymca.ca 709-639-1730, respectively.
Brent Decker, Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, Corner Brook
Brent is an Economic Development Officer with the Government of NL. He can be reached at brentdecker@gov.nl.ca.
Carla May, NLOWE, Corner Brook
Carla is the Start-Up Advisor for Western Region with NLOWE. She can be reached at cmay@nlowe.org.
Dr. Gillian Morrisey, CSE, St. John’s
Gillian is the Manager of the MUN Centre for Social Enterprise (CSE). She can be reached at gillian.sheppard@mun.ca.
Sarah Marie Croft, CSE, St. John’s
Sarah is the Program and Student Engagement Coordinator for CSE. She can be reached at smc217@mun.ca.
Mariana Jimenez Ojeda, CSE, St. John’s
Mariana is the Project Coordinator in Social Finance and Impact Investment at CSE. She can be reached at mjimenezojed@mun.ca.
Stanley Oliver, Labrador Office of Indigenous & Northern Skilled Trades, Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Stanley is the Indigenous Manager and can be reached at soliver@tradesnl.com.
Robert Thomas, Qalipu, Corner Brook
Robert is the Experience (Tourism) Development Officer. He can be reached at 709-634-4397 or rthomas@qalipu.ca.
Lezley McCarthy, Qalipu, Corner Brook
Lezley is the Business (Community) Development Officer. She can be reached at 709-634-5479 or lmccarthy@qalipu.ca.
Thank you again to everyone who attended this session! We look forward to connecting with you during our next virtual coffee break!
Carole and Allison
Navigate is recruiting mentors!
Eligibility Criteria and Expectations:
- Looking for mentors with 5+ years entrepreneurship experience or 10+ years corporate experience in a pivotal role
- Available to work with an entrepreneur mentee for a minimum of 4 hours per month
- Willing to work with a mentee to set goals and expectations in addition to providing knowledge, advice, networking connections, etc.
- Agree to provide feedback and updates to Navigate Manager on the progress of the mentee and goals and targets attained
For more information, contact Allison Rowe at allison@grenfell.mun.ca to become a mentor with Navigate
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