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 17-21, 2022.

This year’s theme will focus on businesses driving the local economy identifying opportunities for growth or launch, highlighting the local support available to entrepreneurs and small business owners through economic recovery and finding ways to succeed despite recent challenges. Entrepreneurs will also explore how to make their businesses more sustainable.

Programming is being delivered virtually together with local business support organizations Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, ventureLAB, YSpace/York University, COSTI, Techconnex, Futurpreneur, BDC, and York Regional Police, among others.

Kick-off Small Business Week on Monday, October 17 at the Monte Carlo Inn. 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 Mayor Bevilacqua, an address from Jennifer Coletta Rashty, Interim President & CEO of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce and a special feature on Digital Main Street, supporting small businesses with their digital needs across Ontario.

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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.

Sustainable Development Goals Fireside Chat

Date: October 17 | Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.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 how you can establish a Sustainability Mandate for your business through this webinar 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.

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Hiring Resources for Small Business

Date: October 17 | Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Presented by Dana Savescu, Employment Consultant of COSTI

Learn more about potential incentives to take advantage before your next hire! Your company’s success is tied to your employees – get valuable insights into hiring in Vaughan and learn how to make get the most of your next hire. COSTI Vaughan Employment Services will walk local businesses through available funding that will help them to hire their next employees.

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The Entrepreneurial Journey by YSpace/York University

Date: October 18 | Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Presented by Nafis Ahmed, Entrepreneurship Manager, YSpace

The Entrepreneur’s Journey – The path to becoming an entrepreneur has many up’s and downs, and while there is no linear path to becoming a successful entrepreneur, this session will cover some of the key steps to pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams.

This session will cover:

• Why you should become an entrepreneur
• How to get started with your journey
• Key considerations – the do’s and don’ts to keep in mind

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Vaughan Business Cafe Meet & Greet (In-Person)

Date: October 18 | Time: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. |4921 Rutherford Rd, Woodbridge, ON inside Pierre Berton Resource Library

Presented by Vaughan Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC)

Join Faaria Wali, Small Business Advisor at the Vaughan Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC) to celebrate Small Business Business Week. The meet & greet session will be a networking opportunity with fellow entrepreneurs to share about your business, meet other like-minded entrepreneurs, and learn more about VBEC services.

This hybrid session will be held both virtually from our ventureLab Innovation Space at the Pierre Berton Library (spots limited). Participants can attend in-person or turn on cameras virtually.

This session is ideal for any stage of business (or idea!) who like to know what services we offer at the VEBC or talk about your business in this open-forum style Q&A.

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Financing for Small Business

Date: October 19 | Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Presented by Futurpreneur & BDC & Credit Union

Hosted by the Vaughan Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC), you will hear from small business financing experts from our Small Business Week presenting sponsor Meridian Credit Union, Futurpreneur, & the Business Development Bank (BDC). Experts will share more on what financing options are available to entrepreneurs and small businesses. You will learn about what is required to access financing and what makes for a strong application.

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Empowerment around your Zero Waste and Sustainability

Date: October 19 | Time: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Presented by TechConnex

Empowerment can take many different forms. When you create an environment of empowerment within an organization, great things can happen. Your employees become more engaged and perform better, you foster an improved work environment, and you build your culture and brand.

In partnership with Tech Connex, join us for an open-forum style discussion with Bruce Buchan, Founder and CEO at CleanRiver Recycling Solutions on best practices to create a culture of empowerment around zero waste and sustainability initiatives in your business.

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Health & Safety Resources (New Date)

Date: November 24 | Time: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Presented by WSPS, WSIB, & MOL

Join us for a webinar presented by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development (MLITSD), the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), and Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS).

This webinar will focus on the basics of Health & Safety needed for your small business including, worker rights and employer responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Financial rebates and free resources for small businesses will be discussed too.

In this session, we will review:

1. Free Health and Safety resources for small businesses.
2. Health and Safety at Your Workplace: What You Need to Know to comply with OHSA requirements.
3. Health and Safety Excellence program: the financial rebates and recognition awards for H&S improvements in your workplace.

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Launch your Tourism Idea with the Spark Grant Program

Date: October 20 | Time: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Presented by Tourism Innovation Lab

Attend an info session to learn more about a new tourism innovation program offering mentorships and grants launching in the City of Vaughan. The Vaughan “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program is being launched to encourage local entrepreneurs, small businesses, non-profits and community groups to apply with their new tourism ideas for the City of Vaughan.

Join representatives from Tourism Vaughan Corporation, City of Vaughan Economic Development and the Tourism Innovation Lab as they officially announce the Vaughan “Spark” Program. Applications will be accepted from October 20th to November 24th.

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ventureLAB Open House (In-Person)

Date: October 21 | Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. |4921 Rutherford Rd, Woodbridge, ON inside Pierre Berton Resource Library

Presented by ventureLAB  

This session is intended for founders of tech companies located in York Region, or those who are curious about the tech ecosystem in Vaughan and want to learn more about ventureLAB.

Throughout this session, we will introduce:

• An introduction to ventureLAB
• Our partners and ecosystem
• Programs and opportunities to support entrepreneurs at each stage of business

During the session you will introduce your company or business area- this will give us an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with you and see how we can better leverage how we can best enable your business growth. In your pitch, please include brief details on the following:

• Customer
• Problem
• Solution
• Stage

Following our presentation, founders will get a 15-minute one-on-one session with one of our experienced business advisors.

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Crime Prevention For Vaughan Business By York Regional Police (Postponed)

The City of Vaughan and York Regional Police want to keep your business safe.  Unfortunately, this virtual training session has been postponed. However, If you are interested in getting insight and information on how to safe guard your business, staff and customers, you can still contact your local Crime Prevention Officer Vince Garisto at 1182@yrp.ca. The officer is glad to speak to you on a one-to-one basis or to set up a visit to your place of business.

Buying a Business

Date: October 21 | Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Presented by Nunzio Presta, Founder of BuyAndSellABusiness.com

Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) is the path to becoming an entrepreneur by buying and growing an established small business. For entrepreneurs with the desire to make a meaningful impact and own their own businesses, this can be less risky than starting a business from ideation. Join our discussion to learn how you can Make Business Ownership Real!

Topics covered in this session:

1. Why buy a business?
2. What to look for when buying a business
3. General process for buying a business

This session is ideal for:

1. Anyone thinking of being a business owner, but doesn’t know how to start a business from scratch
2. Anyone interested in entrepreneurship
3. Anyone exploring selling their business

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