City of Vaughan

Small Business Week is a nationally recognized celebration of the contributions small businesses make to our local economies. The Vaughan Small Business and Entrepreneurship team hosts Vaughan Small Business Week every October to provide local entrepreneurs access to the latest programs, best practices and networking opportunities.

Small Business Week events will be taking place virtually and include an in-person networking event. This series of virtual events is offered at no cost to entrepreneurs and will be delivered during the week of October 21-25, 2024.

The City recognizes that inclusion is an active, intentional, and continuous process to build a respectful and diverse community that ensures welcoming space and opportunities to flourish for all. As part of a continuous effort to create welcoming spaces and opportunities, this year’s Small Business Week will focus on empowering businesses to become more inclusive, sustainable and resourceful through providing content on a variety of programs, practical tools and strategies to embrace diversity and inclusion and understanding cultural competence.

Programming is being delivered virtually together with local business support organizations Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, BDC, Techconnex, Vaughan Public Libraries, and among others.

The event calendar and registrations will be updated shortly. Please check back next week to secure your spots!

KICK-OFF SMALL BUSINESS WEEK ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, at the Hilton Garden Inn,3201 Hwy 7, NETWORKING WILL BEGIN AT 7:30 A.M. 

The Vaughan Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC), in partnership with the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, will be hosting a morning of networking, light refreshments, and a program including welcome remarks from VBEC, and the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, address and keynote from the Business Development Bank of Canada, and panel discussion sharing more on ‘Preparing for the Future Small Business’ presented in partnership with TechConnex, and how you can incorporate Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion to get ready to future-proof business! 

Register below and visit our vendor booths! 

Click here to Register

Space is limited, register today!

You must register to receive access to these sessions. Prior to the event, registrants will receive information, and attendee information via e-mail.

For more information, please contact ed@vaughan.ca.

Scroll down for more information and to register.

Kickoff Networking Event (In-Person)

Date: October 21 | Time: 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. | Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 3201 Hwy 7

Presented by Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship & Vaughan Chamber of Commerce 

The Vaughan Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC), in partnership with the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a morning of networking, light refreshments, and a program including welcome remarks from VBEC and Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, address and keynote from the Business Development bank of Canada, and panel discussion sharing more on ‘Preparing for the Future Small Business’ presented in partnership with TechConnex, and how you can incorporate Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion to get ready to future-proof business! 

Hosted by the VBEC every October, Small Business Week is a nationally recognized celebration of the contributions small businesses make to the economy. This year’s Small Business Week will focus on empowering businesses to become more inclusive, sustainable and resourceful through providing content on a variety of programs, practical tools and strategies to embrace diversity and inclusion and understand cultural competence. 

The presenting sponsor for Small Business Week 2024 is the Business Development Bank of Canada(BDC) and programming is being delivered together with local business support organizations. 

Keynote Speaker: Fatiha Senhaji, Vice President, Inclusive Entrepreneurship, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) 

Panelists: Amy Siu, Business Centre Manager, Entrepreneurship Centre, GTA North, Business Development Bank of Canada, Misha Munim, Lawyer, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant, Munim Consulting, Dr. Julia Bao  – Founder & Owner of Bao Laboratory, Madonna Cicconi, CEO of The Wellness Studio by Cicco Aroma

REGISTER NOW

Market Insights Made Easy: SimplyAnalytics 

Date: October 21 | Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Presented by Vaughan Public Libraries 

Are you a small business owner looking to make data-driven decisions? Join us for an exclusive online event where we’ll dive into the power of SimplyAnalytics, a game-changing tool that empowers you to understand your market, analyze demographics, and plan for growth. 

What is SimplyAnalytics? SimplyAnalytics is your secret weapon for success. It’s an intuitive online platform that combines data, maps, and insights to help you 1) analyze location, 2) create maps and tables, and 3) answer key questions. 

REGISTER NOW

Sustainable Development Goals Fireside Chat

Date: October 22 | Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Presented by Professor Mark Terry, Hollywood Canada Communications

Is your company doing everything it can to be sustainable? 

As part of Small Business Week, learn about trending sustainability tactics with real business examples that change the business more sustainable in their business practices, through the Better You Business Program by establishing a Sustainability Mandate for your business hosted by Professor Mark Terry. 

In 2015, the United Nations launched a global plan known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a “universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity”. Every nation agreed to implement the 17 goals of this plan not only in its national policies, but in the behavior and practices of its people and businesses. 

REGISTER NOW

Breaking Barriers: funding for Black-Owned Businesses (In-Person)

Date: October 23 | Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Location: Vaughan City Hall, 2141 Major Mackenzie Dr. W, Woodbridge Room

Presented by Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE) Coalition 

This session is co-presented by the Small Business Enterprise Centres in Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, and York Region. 

1-hour in person seminar for small business owners. 

Join us for an insightful workshop where we’ll explore innovative funding solutions tailored to empower Black-owned businesses. With the expertise of FACE Coalition, we’ll break barriers to financial access and forge new bridges toward economic empowerment and prosperity within our communities. 

REGISTER NOW

INTRODUCTION TO THE VAUGHAN BUSINESS CAFÉ 

Date: October 23 | Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Presented by Vaughan Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC)

Are you an entrepreneur or business owner looking to connect with mentors and advisors? Small Business Week is a great time to network and collaborate! The Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre with the Vaughan Business Café help entrepreneurs, small business owners and corporate partners connect to ask questions, share ideas and form new professional relationships. Join us for a live demonstration of the Vaughan Business Café, our networking and mentoring platform and all its features. Ask your questions. Meet new people & start chatting about mentorship best practices. 

Not yet a member? Learn more: Vaughan Business Café | Vaughan Economic Development 

REGISTER NOW

Entrepreneur Essentials: Start-Up 101: Regulations, Registering & Licenses 

Date: October 24 | Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Presented by Vaughan Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC)

Join the Vaughan Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC) team for a group session on all you need to know about regulations, business licenses, and the steps to registering your business. 

We will explore: 

• Zoning & By-Law requirements
• Business licenses
• Legal structures

During this virtual open-forum style Q&A, feel free to turn cameras on, ask questions in the chatbox, and share about your business needs. 

This session is ideal for idea-stage, Pre-Launch businesses, or existing businesses new to Vaughan. 

REGISTER NOW

Mental Health for Small Business

Date: October 24 | Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Presented by Vaughan Public Libraries 

Mental health is crucial but often overlooked in small business. This webinar offers strategies to prioritize mental health for personal well-being and business success. 

REGISTER NOW

Target your growth FOR SMALL BUSINESS finance (In-Person)

Date: October 24 | Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Location: BDC Vaughan, 610 Applewood Cres. Suite 101

Presented by The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

Hosted by the Vaughan Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC), you will hear from small business financing experts from our session sponsor, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). 

This is an interactive workshop which we will be touching on these elements: 

• Aim Precisely: Increase sales by targeting effectively. 

• Know Your Market: Stand out and establish your presence. 

• Clear Communication: Deliver a straightforward and actionable message to the intended audience. 

• Stand Out in Marketing: Organize and differentiate yourself from the competition. 

It’s going to be a mix of presenting some content and get the audience to do some light exercises for them to position themselves marketing wise. 

This session will be good for small company with revenue between $200K to $2M, employee size less than 25..   

During this virtual open-forum style Q&A. Spots are limited. 

REGISTER NOW

An introduction to the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 

Date: October 25 | Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Presented by Consumer Protection Ontario

Learn from the expert about the Consumer Protection Act(CPA), how it helps businesses advance, how it is enforced, and best practices for complying with it. 

Our presentation would cover topics such as: 

• Overview of the Ontario Consumer Protection Act 

• How we enforce the Consumer Protection Act 

• Best Practices for complying with the Consumer Protection Act 

• How we handle complaints and disputes against a business 

• Tips for ethical business conduct (ex, avoiding misrepresentation) and transparency 

REGISTER NOW

** Additional events will be added , please check back for more information.