Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by NBCC’s Entrepreneurship Coordinator, Clarissa Harris LeBreton, who has recently organized NBCC’s first-ever Dare to Grow event designed to support entrepreneurs and help them achieve success.  

This week NBCC’s Entrepreneurship Program celebrated Small Business Week by bringing together individuals to speak with small and medium-sized businesses about funding and financial options.

Over 35 guests from Miramichi’s close business community participated in Dare to Grow, a lunch n’ learn event for entrepreneurs that included panel discussions with representatives from National Research Council (NRC), Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC), Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Opportunities NB, Beaubear Credit Union, NB Department of Post-Secondary, Education, Training and Labour (PETL) and a local accountant. 

This lunch n’ learn was part of a series of professional development events coordinated by NBCC’s OASIS program, one of the programs under NBCC’s Entrepreneurship framework. 

For those not able to attend the Dare to Grow event, here are the TOP 5 Takeaways:

5.       NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program has a concierge service that is personalized and free and was created to help SMEs navigate through programs that support their innovation.

4.       CBDC considers themselves as ‘niche lenders’ that do not compete with traditional lending services. They can fund business ventures up to $225,000 per project.

3.       PETL’s self-employment benefit program allows individuals starting their own business to obtain Employment Insurance benefits, if eligible.  As well, several other programs through PETL can assist businesses in the areas of youth, training and workforce expansion.

2.       Never self-screen! It is always worthwhile to have a conversation with a funding organization or lending institution as they could act as a sounding board and give you valuable feedback, as well connect you with the most appropriate person.

1.       If you are an entrepreneur running your own small business, then give yourself a round of applause!! You have taken on the challenge of being your own boss and you are working through your challenges. Pat yourself on the back, and keep working hard on your success!

OASIS is a multigenerational mentorship program that pairs NBCC alumni who are aspiring, budding or already established entrepreneurs with mentors in their own communities to assist them with specific business needs. OASIS was established in Miramichi in October 2014 and Moncton in September 2015 with more areas to be added over the next year.

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