Community Futures Central Alberta
5013 - 49th Avenue T4N 3X1 Red Deer, AB, Canada

Our small business spotlight today is one of those 'must stop' places whenever we are in Rocky Mountain House. Rocky Mountain Mudd is a unique drive-thru coffee shop serving up delicious premium espresso drinks. Rocky Mountain Mudd is also one of the hosts of the 2021 edition of the #RockyOnline Festival, happening right here on Facebook today and next Friday Feb 5th! Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2870622136499501 Support local, grab a coffee and have a great Friday!

Today is Bell Let's Talk Day. Now that we've started a conversation about mental health, let’s take it one step further. Today, every view of this video helps create positive change. All you need to do is watch it and Bell will donate 5 more to Canadian mental health initiatives. Find mental health resources here: https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/get-help

Join RDC's Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC) to learn how you can bring your ideas to life. These three virtual lunch and learn workshops are free to attend and facilitated by experts. Topics include: Design for Additive Manufacturing: A Collaborative Effort ... Intellectual Property 101 hosted by Angela Keuling Going from Manual Labor to Automation A virtual hands-on experiment Register today: rdc.ab.ca/CIM-TAC

Here is a quick read on the pros and cons of sole proprietorship by the experts at the GoForth Institute. http://canadianentrepreneurtraining.com/pros-and-cons-of-s/

*REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL FEBRUARY 5TH!* You have a business idea. You have the vision. You have the determination. Increase your chances of success by joining a program built for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs. Apply today! SMARTstart provides entrepreneurs with:... Business plan development Flexible online learning with GoForth Institute's 100 Essential Small Business Skills 10+ in-person training sessions delivered by local experts Mentorship from a local entrepreneur through whole program Time commitment: 50 hours of work over 8 months Apply today! Introductory cost of only $199 For more information, call Erin at 403-342-2055 or visit our website to register: https://www.smartstartyourbusiness.ca/community/red-deer/ Special thanks to our Title Sponsor, The City of Red Deer. Thanks also to our partners at the Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network - CARIN, and our supporters at the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce, CAEP Central Alberta Economic Partnership, Business Link, Alberta Innovates, and On Point with Danielle.

Check out this upcoming ATB Webinar happening on Thursday, December 10 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Benefits of registering your side hustle With the changes taking place in 2020, there are more opportunities for home-based businesses to stake it out on their own to build larger profit margins. Join ATB Entrepreneur Centre as they dive into startup tips for your home-based business and discuss: Business agreements and contracts Business expenses... Determining what business structure is right for you Link to Register: https://atbcontent.clickmeeting.com/benefits-of-re/register

Take a look at this fantastic series offered through our partners at Alberta Innovates!

There is still time to register for this workshop! Business Transition and Succession Planning is perfect for business owners who are looking to sell but don’t know where to start. Whether you are trying to sell now, in 5 years, or even 10 years, we want business owners to be ready for their next phase. Register here: https://sxnm.typeform.com/to/qPtpy7Ws

Have you heard about our new entrepreneurial training program? Thanks to rdnewsNOW - Everything Red Deer for sharing this exciting opportunity. Hurry and apply; applications are closing soon! https://www.smartstartyourbusiness.ca/community/red-deer/

Today marks the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week, a time to celebrate entrepreneurs and to thank them for their important contributions to our country’s prosperity. Read a statement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau here: https://bit.ly/2IJVk1J

#mondaymotivation What will you do today?

Are you doing your own books? Here is some great information on the financial records you need to be keeping: http://canadianentrepreneurtraining.com/what-accounting-re/

Feature Friday! Today we give a shout out to a local small business from Rocky Mountain House! Twenty One stitches is your local source for quilting supplies, fabrics, notions, classes, and more! Follow their page for updates.

#MotivationMonday

Please join us for a networkshop on Growth Marketing in the New Normal, sponsored by the Regional Resilience Initiative. 2020 has challenged all of us to survive, in order that we can thrive in the new normal. Growth marketing is about getting back to basics, putting your entrepreneurial hat back on and challenging your thinking around markets, needs and how you need to adapt in order to thrive. This isn’t your typical webinar, you’ll be highly engaged in small group discuss...ions with other business leaders to share ideas and develop practical strategies you can put to work immediately. You’ll build your business support network and take away a better understanding of the crucial changes required to thrive. Your business can survive and ultimately thrive as we can help each other get through this together. Join us and bring a friend, you’ll be glad you did. Register here: https://growthmarketingandsales.eventbrite.ca See more

There's something so special about this sweet not so little store in downtown Red Deer. If you're finding it hard to get into the holiday spirit this year, we highly recommend a visit to Country Cupboard to check out all their beautiful Christmas trees and shop their unique one of a kind gifts for everyone on your list. It sure brightened up our day!

Disabilities arent always visible and more than 60% of Canadians are working with some form of barrier or health condition. Everyones needs differ and we recognize that only YOU know what works best for YOU. Community Futures Entrepreneurs with Disability Program (EDP) helps people working with barriers or health conditions to start and grow businesses. Give us a call for more info.

This is why we started this program! Thank you so much Tamara, we are inspired by you! Rocky Native Friendship Centre Society

Week 3 = Market Research day in the Maskawisîw Women In Business Start Up Program! Message us for more info on this program.

Make it a great week! #MotivationMonday

Support the small businesses in your community by shopping local and sharing your fave places this weekend! #SmallBusinessEveryDay

Ever had questions about Intellectual Property? Join this Business Link webinar today at 11am!

Week 2 of the Maskawisîw Women In Business Start Up Program starts tomorrow. We are excited to keep the learning and inspiration going! Follow for program news, updates, and dates for the next intake.

Last chance to register! This Not-For-Profit Succession Planning workshop is perfect for any staff, executive, board or other volunteers that care about ensuring that community organizations continue to provide vital services.

#MondayMotivation

The SMARTstart entrepreneur training program was developed to address small business start up needs in our evolving community and increase the chances of success for new businesses. Stay tuned for more details and launch date in early 2021!

Over the last 2 months, our office has advanced $1,275,400.00 to 47 small businesses in our region through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF). Read the full news release here: https://bit.ly/2RdsFmi

Have questions? Give us a call! 403-342-2055.

Just a reminder that the office is closed on September 7th, 2020. We hope everyone has a safe and happy Labour Day long weekend!

Do you subscribe to our Newsletter? If not, don't worry, we have you covered! Here is the link to view our Fall 2020 Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2ZoAj1R. In this newsletter, you'll find our small business spotlight features on Open Range Saloon and Twenty One stitches, an EDP success story on The Maby Studio as well as upcoming events and more!

This upcoming Not-For-Profit Succession Planning workshop is perfect for any staff, executive, board or other volunteers that care about ensuring that community organizations continue to provide vital services. Register here https://bit.ly/3hUl1Jl and view our Events section for more upcoming workshops!

Want to receive our quarterly newsletter as well as important updates and upcoming workshops? Subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/dGpn2P

Did you know that Community Futures is a community driven, non-profit business loan and rural economic development organization made up of 27 offices throughout rural Alberta? It's true! Give us a call today. 403-342-2055.

Register now for tomorrow's Virtual Roundtable: So now what? Alternative funding for businesses. Panelists include representatives from Community Futures Central Alberta, ATB Financial, Futurpreneur Canada, and BDC. https://bit.ly/34dmGWa

Reminder! This free event is tomorrow! Sometimes getting started with succession planning can feel overwhelming. We are here to help! Signing up for our 'Business Transition and Succession Planning' Workshop will help you put pen to paper and start actually building the plan that will help sell your business.

Register today for our free session: Digital Strategies for Growth. Details and registration here: https://digital-strategies-for-growth.eventbrite.ca

Lots of interesting data from StatsCan here, including this article on retail and e-commerce. https://bit.ly/2CjhhS5

Many business owners are unaware of their options when it comes to selling their business. Register today for this webinar and explore some of the basic elements around selling a business.

This week would have been RAYEC camp week! If you had applied or want to know what camp is all about for next year, join some of the Youth Leaders from 2019 as they talk, answer questions and share stories from RAYEC 2019! Registration and info below!

Alberta Local Food Week is August 9th - 16th. Shop local and support local ! It is more important than ever. #SmallBusinessEveryDay

Another unique session with industry experts is coming August 18th! Register for the latest session in the Regional Resilience series and learn about using technology to your advantage. https://digital-strategies-for-growth.eventbrite.ca

Just a reminder that we will be closed on August 3rd, 2020. Stay safe and enjoy the Heritage Day Long Weekend!

Sign up for this summit and over the course of a week, you will receive valuable video resources right to your inbox to watch at your leisure. The videos are around 30 minutes in length, easy to digest and include topics like How to Plan For Your Succession, Why You Need a Third Party Valuator, and How to Get Maximum Value For Your Business. Register here: https://sxnm.typeform.com/to/IvrJPS

Tenants and landlords of commercial businesses can still give feedback on the challenges faced during the pandemic. The feedback collected helps YourAlberta (Government of Alberta) understand challenges like payment schedules, rent or other financial obligations. Take the survey: https://www.alberta.ca/commercial-tenancy-support-feedback.

For more information on the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program, please contact us at 403-342-2055.

If you are a women owned business, applications are now open for the Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Regional Relief and Recovery Fund. More details here: https://www.awebusiness.com/regional-relief-and-recovery-fu

Are you thinking of starting a business? There's always opportunities! Meet Canadians who started businesses during the pandemic. https://www.cbc.ca//dianne-buckner-entrepreneurs-pandemic-

Did someone ask you to repay #CERB or #CEWS? Beware of fraudulent emails, texts or calls claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency. Heres how to tell the difference between a #scam and legitimate communications: ow.ly/5mx150AtgyQ

Exit planning and being prepared to transition out of your business begins with gaining knowledge of the process. Join us to learn and discuss the basics of succession and the full scope of exit options available to you. Register below for this free webinar. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/exit-planning-101-tickets-11173

Yesterday we held our Annual General Meeting and it was a memorable one! With regrets, we say goodbye to Dennis Cooper who has served on our Board since 2011. We also thank Dennis and Sherry Cooper and Flying With Sky Wings Aviation Academy Ltd. for hosting us and providing us a chance to take to the skies! Also, a big thank you to all our Board Members who volunteer their time to be a part of the Community Futures Program. Special thanks to these local businesses: Devine's Cafe and Lounge for the amazing lunch and Cookie Kromm's for the perfect cookies.

They way we meet may have changed for now, but we are still here to help. Give us a call.

We hope you'll join us on July 14th to hear information and resources around Health & Safety during the Relaunch. Our Guest Speaker, Jeff Reynolds of Alberta Government Pandemic Response Planning team and creator of Alberta BizConnect, brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to this topic. Register for free here: https://health-safety-relaunch.eventbrite.ca

Take a look at these key recovery indicators as of July 6th, from the CFIB Small Business Recovery Dashboard. In Alberta 60% of businesses are fully open, 33% are fully staffed, and 23% are making normal sales for this time of year. #SmallBusinessEveryday https://www.smallbusinesseveryday.ca/dashboard/