Community Futures Peterborough
103-270 George Street North k9j3h1 Peterborough, ON, Canada

Happy Holidays to everyone! Cheers to a happy and healthy holiday season to you and yours! A special thanks to FedDev Ontario for the funding they provide us to make supporting you possible.

In the COVID-19 world, it can be difficult to get customers AND keep them. We have created a program that provides you with valuable training, coaching and resources to optimize your results. If you think you could benefit from: Financial & Debt Management Customer Attraction & Retention Strategies... Digital & Technical Advice & Training Here's the link to sign up: https://www.subscribepage.com/community-futures-advanced-se Funded by FedDev Ontario

Has your small business been impacted by COVID-19? Do you need help ASAP? Apply today for the Advanced Services & Advisory Project (ASAP)... We have created a project that will provide you with valuable training, coaching, and/or advice from local experts to help you navigate through this pandemic. You could benefit from: >> Financial & Debt Management >> Customer Attraction & Retention Strategies >> Digital & Technical Advice & Training >> Human Resources DEADLINE TO APPLY is January 15, 2021 Here's the link to sign up: https://www.subscribepage.com/community-futures-advanced-se Funded by FedDev Ontario #Partnership #Community #RegionalDevelopment #SupportBusiness #Ptbo #Kawarthas #PTBOCanada #smallbiz #smallbiztips #smallbizhelp #smallbusinesshelp/

Because of the pandemic, online sales have had a massive influx in 2020. Retailers had to transition online and improve the online buying process. This article published by Forbes is an interesting read. Tell us what you think. https://www.forbes.com//3-emerging-e-commerce-growth-tre/ FedDev Ontario Shopify

Thanks to Ketopifactory for these delectable treats! They’re not going to last long in our office

In her article, It's OK to Take a Break-Even if You're an Entrepreneur, Deanna Ritchie shares about the work-life balance that is so important to the entrepreneurial lifestyle. "Working 120-hour weeks doesn’t leverage your unique qualities, it wastes them. You can’t simply power through that’s just not how our bodies and our brains work" Taking breaks are so important for entrepreneurs to be able to function at their maximum productivity level, meaning the work that you do... complete - is meaningful work. How do you implement breaks into your #smallbiz hustle? Read the article below! www.calendar.com//its-ok-to-take-a-break-even-if-youre-an- FedDev Ontario Calendar.com

As a small business providing an e-commerce platform, Anna Eidt, co-owner of Watson & Lou has some valuable insights on the trends they’ve seen this year. While more online versus in-store sales can feel a bit less personal, we're very happy to be able to accommodate more customers in this way. We've had feedback from people who are overwhelmingly busy or live with a disability that makes it difficult to come shop in person, and they're so glad to have more e-commerce optio...ns for shopping local. We are concerned about the environmental impact of shipping as a whole, so we reuse packaging, and deliver/ship mostly within the immediate area, and are constantly looking for ways to reduce emissions (*nudge nudge... how about some electric vehicles Canada Post?). The biggest challenge for us however is paying steep fees for user-friendly platforms. Shopify has great POS - e-commerce integration, but they are currently raising brick & mortar point of sale pricing significantly and unexpectedly during covid, at a time when their profits are at a record high. What do you think about these trends that Anna touched on? Share your thoughts in the comments! FedDev Ontario

Inspiration can take place anywhere, especially when we're not looking for it! Read Cora's quote above to hear more. #regionaldevelopment #ptbo #supportbusiness #kawarthas #motivationmonday... Unravel The Mystery of What is Keeping You Stuck FedDev Ontario

Champions Gymnastics, pictured above pre-pandemic, was forced to close their doors in March due to COVID-19. They quickly switched to zoom classes, but with additional costs of operating online, and the number of membership refunds, revenue streams were impacted. With funding from FedDev Ontario, Community Futures Peterborough was able to provide Champions Gymnastics with an Covid-Relief loan to assist in their business sustainability. Champions Gymnastics is a long-standin...g staple in our community dedicated to providing a safe outlet for kids to explore Gymnastics and Cheerleading programs that are led by experienced, well-trained staff in a state of the art facility. This funding helped Champions to cover operating costs, and maintain 7 full-time-equivalent jobs. They were able to install handwashing stations and other protective measures which enabled them to operate their summer camp, and hold regular fall programming.

Equity Financing can attract investors looking to get on the ground floor of a business Are you familiar with the term Equity Financing? Jason Watson of J.D. Watson & Associates helps to explain that equity financing allows business owners to offer investors ownership equity in exchange for capital.... Stay tuned for more info in our #WisdomWednesday post and article!

Celebrating Cora Whittington (Unravel The Mystery of What is Keeping You Stuck) who was last night's winner of The Judy Heffernan Award! CFP Executive Director Gail Moorhouse presents Cora with a $500 cheque, and is joined by (l-r), CFP Chair Grant Seabrooke, CFP Director and Judy's daughter Charlina Westbye - IG Wealth Management, and Women's Business Network of Peterborough Past President Grace Reynolds!

A massive congratulations to Cora Whittington (Unravel The Mystery of What is Keeping You Stuck) on winning The Judy Heffernan Award issued by the Women's Business Network of Peterborough just moments ago! Charlina Westbye - IG Wealth Management board member from CFP and one of Judy’s daughters was delighted to make the announcement. In an emotional night of reflection upon Judy and the strength of women within our community, our own Executive Director Gail Moorhouse gave som...e heartfelt words on what a wonderful woman Judy really was. Congratulations Cora, very well deserved!

We love family-run businesses! Hear how we supported Swiss Bear below Swiss Bear restaurant is a family-run restaurant operating in North Kawartha, ON serving European home-style food made with care and quality ingredients. The pandemic forced Swiss Bear to close its doors in March, halting all sources of revenue. With bills piling up, this was an extremely stressful and exhausting time financially and mentally; compounded with worries of a pandemic and an unknown future.... Community Futures Peterborough provided Swiss Bear restaurant with a Covid-Relief Loan that came directly from their internal funds. With this Covid-relief, Swiss Bear maintained 4.5 full-time jobs and purchased new equipment to expand and sell frozen meals and menu items. It bought us time to restructure and adapt to the new reality states owner Lori Sigrist. We were given a new lease on life, allowing us to look to the future and dream again! Want to know how we support businesses in our community? Take a look at our website for more information: https://communityfuturespeterborough.ca/ FedDev Ontario

Thanks to Minister Monsef for spending the afternoon with us as we visited some of our clients. We had great conversations on how their businesses have been managing this year. Farmhill Weddings and Events - PTBO Kitchen Farmacy Kidz Playland ... Pjs diner sherbrooke st Flow Spa - Float Centre and Sports Recovery See more

Creating Financial Forecasts is something many businesses struggle with! Yet forecasting is essential, especially for those planning to apply for any type of loan. Here is a comprehensive guide that will help you get started! It is small business and startup-friendly, so take a look! https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/76418... Entrepreneur #PTBOCanada #PTBO #Kawarthas #SmallBusiness #WisdomWednesday

What is equity financing and how can it benefit your business? Equity financing offers investors ownership equity in exchange for capital, so there's no regular loan repayment. Have a read to see what equity financing could look like for your business & to see if it makes sense for you!... https://www.ondeck.ca/resou/understanding-equity-financing/

No main street will be left behind! As key partner, #CFDC offices across Eastern Ontario supported #mainstreet businesses with the support of FedDev Ontario through the delivery of the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund #RRRF #CFDC #CommunityFutures #GoC

Our commercial banking partner, Mark Oakes, Chief Financial Officer Kawartha Credit Union Peterborough shares his advice on why financial forecasting is important for businesses Building strong relationships with our commercial members is based on a deep understanding of their business and their goals. The provision of accurate forecasts is essential to understanding their revenue and expenses on a deeper level. ... We can then work together with our members to assess their needs and provide a lending solution that aligns with their growth strategies and financial goals. Want to know more about forecasting? Look out for the article we will be sharing on Wednesday or give us a call to chat about how we can help!

We know our community has been hit hard by Covid-19 and fortunately, we could help many local businesses enhance their websites with our Bring Your Business Online program (BYBO). Building on innovation, we created a self-led project through the RIIEO program to support the digital connectivity that helps local business owners increase sales by building or enhancing their online presence. FedDev Ontario Check out this article published by Forbes for some tips and inspiration.... http://ow.ly/I67a50BSbaB #wisdomwednesday #smallbusiness #funding #Partnership #community #RegionalDevelopment #SupportBusiness #Ptbo #kawarthas

In providing assistance to small towns and rural communities, CFDCs were pivotal in delivering #RRRF to main street businesses; retail shops, restaurants, corner stores and businesses of strategic community importance alongside FedDev Ontario #CommunityFutures #GoC

With over three decades of experience aiding rural #SMEs, Community Futures Development Corporations’ were in an unparalleled position to support FedDev Ontario with the delivery of Regional Relief and Recovery Fund #RRRF #CFDC #CommunityFutures #GoC

Pivoting a business, and creating a new strategic plan that involves rebuilding to an online platform has shown true resiliency by Peterborough Business owners. Terry Guiel, Executive Director of Downtown Peterborough’s BIA shares some great insights: This year has been challenging for many local businesses, but it has also been a year of innovation. A lot of our businesses have taken some time to work on a strategic approach to keeping their business thriving not just thro...ugh this pandemic, but well into the future. Taking your business online is so much more than just building an online store and posting products, it’s about getting their personality, their charm, and their shopping experience online for their customers. We’ve had a 300% increase since March in local stores now selling their products and services online. We hired a team of people just to work with businesses making the digital transition so that it can be organic and authentic. The community is loving it and is supporting their businesses online and keeping their shopping local, which has been amazing to see. #SupportBusiness #supportlocal #FedDevOnt #Ptbo #SouthON #Ptbo #Kawarthas

MossWorks Photography was fully booked and set for a good year until the pandemic forced most of those bookings to cancel during its busiest season. Luckily, MossWorks Photography qualified for Regional Relief and Recovery program (#RRRF) funded by FedDev Ontario, and administered through Community Futures Development Corporations. MossWorks was on the brink of permanent shut down when owner Samantha Moss received funding. I can't imagine how I would have managed without it... she says. The RRRF sustained MossWorks Photography through the hardest-hit times by providing the necessary capital to cover the businesses operating expenses that kept it going. This funding was the difference between staying open and shutting down. #GoC #SupportBusiness #supportlocal #Ptbo #Kawarthas

Through the delivery of #RRRF, Eastern Ontario CFDCs played a crucial role, alongside FedDev Ontario in supporting Sole Proprietors with the financial support to weather the impact of COVID-19. #CFDC #CommunityFutures #GoC

If you are a business that is applying to funding programs, then this workshop will help you in your journey to secure funding. There is a limited number of participants, so secure your spot now. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/grant-writing-workshop-virtual-... This workshop is packed full of helpful, practical information you can use in writing your grant applications. You will learn how to cultivate relationships with point-people and familiarize yourself with the grant proposal development process. By attending this workshop, you will gain skills and knowledge that will enhance the long-term sustainability of your programs. #SupportBusiness #supportlocal #FedDevOnt #Ptbo #easternontario #SouthON

Small businesses are the backbone of our rural economy. #CFDC offices across #EasternOntario, with the support of @FedDevOntario, rallied to aid businesses through this challenging time with the delivery of the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund. #RRRF #CommunityFutures #GoC

Community Futures Development Corporations’ in Eastern Ontario are proud to support @FedDevOntario with the delivery of the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund. #CFDC #CommunityFutures #GoC #CdnBusiness

Business expansion can be a difficult decision, and deciding whether to franchise or license can be daunting. This article by Entrepreneur provides great information to help you decide. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/340319 #wisdomwednesday #smallbusiness #funding