IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Upcoming opportunities, events and workshops
In case you missed it – Recap and video link to our August Entrepreneur Ecosystem Coffee Break: Bounce Back to Business!
Entrepreneur Spotlight – VinBrew
Support Agency Spotlight – Newfoundland & Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE)
How to connect with us!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Navigate presents: September Entrepreneur Ecosystem Coffee Break – Together Again: Navigating our rights, responsibilities and safety as NL reopens
Join us in a discussion of how to balance our rights and responsibilities, and find ways to keep our businesses, employees, clients and loved ones safe as we come together again.
September 15th, 11:30am – 1:00pm
Please register in advance here.
This is a free online event.
In partnership with Spicer Facilitation and Learning
CABOX Art & Adventure Festival
Calling all artists and artisans!
Join the open-air artist and artisan market on West Street in Corner Brook.
When: Saturday, Sept. 18, from 11 am – 6 pm.
To book a table, contact Glenda at gsimms@cornerbrook.com or call 709-637-1588.
This event is sponsored in part by Navigate, in support of tourism and artist entrepreneurs and artisans. Check out the schedule of events below!
SAVE THE DATE!
(Small Business Week, Oct. 18 – 22)
Wellness Workshop for Entrepreneurs – 10 ways to make time for wellness in your busy day!
Wednesday, October 20th from 1 – 2:30 pm
With Alison Butler Consulting
Details and registration link to follow
Navigate Presents:
Jose Lam Startup Event
October 22-24
Startup Event is an action-packed, three-day event that tackles one of the hardest parts of starting a new business: starting! Come work in teams to experience the thrills and pains of starting a real company, and meet fantastic mentors, coaches, and investors.
In tribute of the late Dr. Jose Lam – champion of entrepreneurship in Western NL.
Please register in advance here
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
Funding Opportunities
Tourism and Hospitality Support Program
The Tourism and Hospitality Support Program is a short-term program offered by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and delivered by Department of Industry, Energy and Technology to assist eligible tourism and hospitality-based operators impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible tourism and hospitality operators will be eligible for a contribution of $2,500 or a contribution calculated at five per cent (5%) of total loss of sales in 2020 over 2019, up to a maximum of $50,000.
Tourism and hospitality-based operators meeting eligibility criteria may apply, including operators that received funding through the first THSP program offering (June 2020 – March 2021).
Please note: Application deadline for the Tourism and Hospitality Support Program is September 30, 2021.
For more information, please visit the website.
Artist Support Program
The Artist Support Program is a short-term financial support program offered by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation (TCAR) for professional artists and musicians whose earnings have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is a one-time non-repayable contribution of up to $5,000 to provide relief to professional artists and musicians who have experienced lost opportunities and earnings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have received funding through the Tourism and Hospitality Support Program or the Small Business Assistance Program for similar activities, you are not eligible for this program.
The Artist Support Program is open to new applicants as well as artists who received a grant from the program during the previous intake period (November 2020—March 2021).
Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis.
Please note: Application deadline for the Artist Support Program is September 30, 2021.
For more information, please visit the website.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Navigate Presents: August Entrepreneur Ecosystem Coffee Break – Back to Business!
Watch the recording here!
During August’s Entrepreneur Ecosystem Coffee Break – Back to Business, we discussed the tools, ideas, and problem solving approaches entrepreneurs need in order to stay resilient and strong as we reopen in full. Since the pandemic began, businesses have transitioned from responding to recovering and are now entering a new phase of thriving once more.
A great resource discussed during the coffee break was a free online toolkit and workbook for small businesses developed by Deloitte to help entrepreneurs Reflect, Restart and Revitalize their businesses as they usher in the next normal. For details visit here, and check out the tool kit.
This month’s coffee break also provided local entrepreneurs and support organizations an opportunity to connect and to highlight their businesses and programs including:
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 709-639-1730, respectively.
Carla May, NLOWE, Corner Brook
Carla is a Business Advisor (Start-ups) who works with women entrepreneurs at all stages of business development in Western NL. She can be reached at cmay@nlowe.org or 709-632-5122.
Carmelita Morgan, Carma Yoga, Deer Lake
Offering yoga classes and retreats in the Deer Lake / Pasadena area. Also available to present at retreats, conferences, or workshops. For details, contact Carmelita at carmmorgan@hotmail.com or visit https://carmayogadotca.wordpress.com/ or https://m.facebook.com/carmayogawithcarmelita/.
Chad Willis, Rebel Roots, Meadows
Chad is in the early stages of starting a small farming operation in Meadows and is currently in the process of creating a new website. Stay tuned for details as this business grows, literally!
https://www.facebook.com/RebelRootsNL
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 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.avaiilhr.com.
Janet Davis, GREENleaf Cleaners, AB and NL
An Alberta-based business with family and business ties in NL, taking great pride in providing a GREEN, fresh, clean, inviting environment for your staff and clients! For details visit: https://www.greenleaf-cleaners.ca/
Kelli Radford, RDÉE TNL, Mainland
RDEE TNL provides support to francophone and bilingual entrepreneurs. Contact Kelli at ouest2@rdeetnl.ca or visit www.rdeetnl.ca for details.
Mark Tierney, ACOA, Western NL
For information on all Government of Canada Covid programs check out www.canada.ca or contact Mark at 709-632-2749 or mark.tierney@canada.ca.
Melissa Woods, Active Living West, Corner Brook
Active Living West NL is a community organization in the Corner Brook and area supporting persons who have physical and intellectual challenges. For details, contact Melissa at melissawoods253@gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/Active-Living-West-NL-701154960240569 or https://activelivingwestnl.wordpress.com/.
Mireille Sampson, User-Friendly, Western NL and the UK
Mireille is a UX Designer and Webflow Developer who joined us from the UK! Our first international coffee breaker! Stay tuned as Mireille moves back to Western NL to launch her new website design business! For details, contact Mireille at mireillesampson@gmail.com or or visit https://www.userfriendlywebsite.design/.
Paul Taylor, Provincial Dept. of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation (TCAR), Pasadena
Paul is the provincial Tourism Development Officer for Western NL. For more information about the services and programs available to assist you and your business contact Paul at paulataylor@gov.nl.ca.
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. Stay tuned for news of upcoming retreats as well! To learn more visit: https://www.facebook.com/sevameditation or www.sevameditation.com.
Shelly Cleary, Black Spruce Company
Black Spruce Company offers a variety of handmade products with natural and sustainable ingredients. An assortment of skincare products are currently available at Cormack Bee Company and preserves will be at the shop this fall. For more information, contact Shelly at shelleycleary@gov.nl.ca or visit:
https://www.facebook.com/BlackSpruceCompany or https://www.blacksprucecompany.com/.
A huge thank you again to everyone who attended this session! We look forward to connecting with you during our next virtual coffee break!
ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT
VinBrew
VinBrew is coming to Corner Brook. It will be a location where you can ferment your own wine to take home. Navigate asked the owner, Andrew Burden, to tell us more about his company.
Navigate: Tell us about yourself and your new business venture.
VinBrew: My company name is VinBrew, which will be located at 341 O’Connell Dr. in Corner Brook. I am the sole owner and from a small community on the tip of the Northern Peninsula called Gunners Cove.
Navigate: Why did you decide to become an entrepreneur?
VinBrew: I was always interested in becoming an entrepreneur. As a kid, I previously owned my own business called Vinland Jams. As I finished high school, I fell away from it, but I always had the itch to start something. I heard about the idea of a ferment-on-premise business in 2018, but it wasn’t permitted in NL at that time. Once I found out that the legislation had changed, I started the process of opening my own..
Navigate: What is the main goal of your work?
VinBrew: My goal is to help show people homemade wine isn’t what it used to be. And that with the proper procedures, it can taste as good, and even better, than store-bought.
Navigate: Tell us about the challenges of starting a business and about your biggest successes.
VinBrew: The challenges I am facing in starting my business are getting all the permits in line, making sure I am following all legislation and finding the points of contact to start.
My biggest success is connecting with Navigate. Allison Rowe has been a great help to me in getting the business plan and funding side of VinBrew in order. She has also directed me to a lot of great contacts like Scott Andrews at Futurpreneur.
Navigate: What is the number one piece of advice you would give to someone starting a business?
VinBrew: Be prepared to put in the work and don’t be afraid to fail!
Stay tuned for more details on the upcoming launch of VinBrew!
Business Support Agency Spotlight
Whether you are just starting out with a business idea, or you have new plans to expand your already-established business, NLOWE offers all entrepreneurial-minded women in Newfoundland and Labrador access to quality information, valuable connections, and exciting opportunities for development and growth. Navigate caught up with Carla May, NLOWE Business Startup Advisor, to find out more about the supports NLOWE offers.
1. Tell us about your organization?
We focus on women-owned businesses at all levels of development and growth. Our business advisors and program consultants can give you advice and information. Our network brings women business owners together so you can connect, grow and succeed in today’s competitive and exciting business environment.
We connect you:
· to programs in the business community
· to women business leaders and mentors
We promote and market your business:
· face-to-face
· print
· electronic and social media
We offer:
· excellent training opportunities
· facilitated business-matching experiences
· varied business development experts and mentors
2. What is your role?
Business Startup Advisor
3. Whom do you support?
Women who want to start or grow a business.
4. What types of support/funding are available?
NLOWE Provides Business Startup and Growth Advisory Services.
5. What do entrepreneurs need to do in order to apply?
Contact the Business Startup or Growth Advisor in your region, whom you can find here.
6. What advice would you give to new entrepreneurs starting out?
Ask for help. There are a lot of business support agencies available. Be sure to get your business started on the right foot.
To learn more about the services and activities happening through NLOWE, visit:
Website – www.nlowe.org
Facebook – www.facebook.com/nlowe.org
