St. Catharines Enterprise Centre
14 Ontario Street L2R7M3 Saint Catharines, ON, Canada

Is self-care part of your daily practice? We are partnering with Innovate Niagara help you build a self-care plan that will help you thrive in business while prioritizing your own wellness and needs. Join self-care coach Laura Hughes March 9 for Meaningful Self-Care for Entrepreneurs, a free webinar where she shares her approach to mental health to support you in re-thinking how you work and lead. Join us to build a self-care strategy you can put into practice right away. Le...arn more and register here: https://linktr.ee/scenterprisectr . - @innovateniagara See more

FREE WEBINAR - Steps to Starting a Small Business Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. We review of the rules and regulations surrounding your small business start-up and discuss licensing, name registration and taxation basics.... Learn more and sign up here: https://investinstc.ca/site/training-and-seminars

FREE WEBINAR TODAY! Steps to Starting a Small Business Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. We review of the rules and regulations surrounding your small business start-up and discuss licensing, name registration and taxation basics.... Learn more and sign up here: https://investinstc.ca/site/training-and-seminars

ATTENTION St. Catharines business owners . Don’t miss these upcoming FREE webinars we are offering in partnership with the Niagara Region and the Niagara Falls Small Business Enterprise Centre . WEBINAR - Nov. 18 at 1 p.m.... Resiliency Rock Stars Program Julie Holden & Hilda Gan discuss staying resilient. Topics: Managing Mental Health in The Workplace; Management Training. 10 minute Q&A to follow. . WEBINAR - Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. Resiliency Rock Stars Part 2 Neil Cosby & Aviva Abraham discuss staying resilient. Topics include meeting legal obligations; benefits design; 10-minute Q & A to follow. . WEBINAR - Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. Manage your Business During Covid-19 Richard Gerofsky and Fred Pidsadny discuss how businesses that are best positioned and prepared for the recovery will far outpace those simply focused on getting by. . Learn more and register at https://www.investinstc.ca/site/training-and-seminars See more

COVID-19 relief and financial assistance for small businesses is available. Learn more and apply for available support programs here: https://www.investinstc.ca/site/support-programs - The Ontario Government has expanded eligibility for main street relief grant. Small businesses with 2 to 19 employees in all eligible sectors, including those in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector, can now apply for the $1,000 Main Street Relief Grant to help offset the costs of pur...chasing PPE. - The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund (CUSBRF) has reopened with small business relief grants up to $5,000 available for small businesses. The CUSBRF is now able to extend relief grants to more small businesses and restart accepting grant applications from small businesses for expenses incurred no earlier than March 15, 2020. Learn more and apply at https://www.investinstc.ca/site/support-programs

Want to help a small business owner? Here are some tips

Well St. Catharines it has been a weekand a high point was seeing covid19 vaccines finally delivered and administered. Niagara Region Public Health has updat...ed their covid19 status update page, which now includes vaccines and which Long Term Care homes have received it. You can view here: https://niagararegion.ca//cov/statistics/vaccinations.aspx Thank you to Public Health for your work on this and providing detailed, timely information to our residents. This week Premier Ford declared a second State of Emergency & Stay at Home Order for the next 28 days. I know there has been confusion around the Stay at Home order view this link for some FAQ. https://bit.ly/3bVB7Cr A common question has been can I go for a walk, visit trails/parks? The answer is Yes. Outdoor amenities in St. Catharines remain open. It’s important we continue to get outdoors for our physical and mental health. The City of St. Catharines will continue to review the new regulations from the Province and will keep the community updated on any changes. The St. Catharines Farmers Market will continue Saturdays offering fresh, local produce. For an update on service delivery and upcoming programming including: Virtual Trail Passport, Conversation Cafes and Nordic Pole Walking Tips visit https://bit.ly/2XGGdKg Ontario’s Small Business Grant portal is now open to help businesses recover costs for PPE and offer extra support for businesses required to close or significantly restrict services as a result of public health measures. Any questions connect with our InvestinSTC and St. Catharines Enterprise Centre teams. https://linktr.ee/investinstc Please continue to support our local economy our small business need our support. Visit www.lovestc.ca for a great resource. Many businesses are offering unique takeout and curbside services. If you are STC business and are not featured please visit: https://lovestc.ca/submit-your-business/ These past 10 months have been difficult and affected our mental health. Please know that we have many agencies, addiction groups available to listen. Please take care of your mental health and make time for yourself - we are in the middle of the second wave of a pandemic be kinder to yourself and others. INCommunities Have a good weekend and please Stay Home limit physical contact to only those in your household and let’s flatten the curve. We did it before and we can do it again the vaccines have arrived for our LTC and front line health care.we will get on the other side of this.

The St. Catharines Digital Service Squad has a series of free webinars coming up to help local entrepreneurs gain insight on transforming their businesses digitally. Digitally Transforming Your Business - How to be a part of the evolving world of marketing Jan. 20 at 10 a.m.... Topics include: what a digital strategy is; how to establish a buyer profile; what marketing initiatives provide the greatest ROI; social media strategy; website strategy; what SEO is; and how and where to use paid advertising. eCommerce: Why it’s important & which platform is right for you Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. Not selling online yet? You are missing out! With more consumers shopping online than ever before the importance of having an online store is growing. In this virtual class we will explore the benefits of operating an online store and breakdown some of the most popular eCommerce platforms. Success with Paid Ads on Social & Google Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. Paid ads seem like the thing to do when you want to ramp up sales and drive the right people to make a certain action, but how do you do this when you have no idea where to begin? During this virtual class we'll unpack each ad platform and learn about their capabilities to help you choose a platform. Learn more about these webinars, and others we run for to help small businesses, at https://www.investinstc.ca/site/training-and-seminars

Small businesses with 2 to 19 employees in all eligible sectors, including those in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector, can now apply for the Main Street Relief Grant to help offset the costs of purchasing PPE. Read more here: https://news.ontario.ca//ontario-expands-eligibility-for-m

As of today (Dec. 21), the Ontario Government has moved Niagara Region to level Red-Control. New measures are in effect. Learn more about the new measures here: https://www.investinstc.ca//covid-19-resources-for-busines

STC small businesses: do you offer online shopping? Curbside pickup? Delivery or takeout? Let customers know about you promotions and more on Love STC, our one-stop-shop 'support local' project. Visit lovestc.ca to submit your business listing today!

Ontario's Small Business Grants portal is now open. Grants to help businesses recover costs for PPE and offer extra support for businesses required to close or significantly restrict services as a result of provincial public health measures. Click here to review the application guide and APPLY NOW - https://linktr.ee/investinstc

Here’s a great #mainstreetmonday tip from downtown small business owner Melisa Parkins: Having a website is key to increasing customer reach and growing your business, said Melisa, owner of pocket CHANGE. During the pandemic, it was so important to let people know I was still open. Enhancements to my website helped people locally and beyond who were looking for fair trade to find my business. Melisa used a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant from Digital Main Street to giv...e her website more than just a facelift. The grant helped her improve her website’s customer experience, making her website easier to navigate and easier to find, which has resulted in more online and in-person sales. @digitalmainstreet is a program focused on assisting main street small businesses with their adoption of technologies. Applications for Digital Transformation Grants have been extended, but only a limited number grants remain available. Visit https://www.investinstc.ca/site/digital-main-street for more information and to apply.

The Ontario government is supporting home-based food businesses by providing a guide on how to start a home-based food business, which includes an overview of public health requirements that need to be followed as a food operator. To further support these entrepreneurs, the government has also made regulatory changes to allow more flexibility to sell low-risk, home-prepared foods. More info here: https://www.investinstc.ca//covid-19-resources-for-busines

Happy first Monday of 2021! Is this year you launch your own small business? Are you looking to grow your startup? Whatever your goal is we have information, tools and resources that can help make it happen. Our first small business webinar of the year is set for Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. Creating Your Business Model We'll introduce you to the Business Model Canvas to help you evaluate your idea and the value you intend to provide. Through the completion of the canvas, yo...u will start to formulate your business idea in a very visual way which can help you test the idea and understand what the next steps are to move forward. Sign up and learn more about other small business webinars we're hosting this month at https://www.investinstc.ca/site/training-and-seminars

Premier Doug Ford is immediately declaring a second provincial emergency and a stay-at-home order will come into effect Jan. 14. Read more here: https://news.ontario.ca//ontario-declares-second-provincia

Congrats to Karina and Iwona at All Figure for completing the Digital Main Street program and receiving a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant to use for digital enhancements at their business. Digital Main Street is a program focused on assisting main street small businesses adopt technologies. The grant will help All Figure implement a search engine marketing and social media strategy to help drive more traffic to its website and bricks-and-mortar store. Are you a small busi...ness that could use $2,500 for website upgrades, social media marketing, SEO, and other digital enhancements? There’s still time - apply by December 15. Learn more and apply at https://www.investinstc.ca/site/digital-main-street. . All Figure offers a great selection of intimate apparel as well as services such as product consultations and fittings. At All Figure, the special occasion bra is the everyday wear for every women. find them on St. Paul Street or online at allfigure.ca.

WEBINAR - Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. Manage your Business During Covid-19 Richard Gerofsky and Fred Pidsadny discuss how businesses that are best positioned and prepared for the recovery will far outpace those simply focused on getting by.... Learn more - https://www.investinstc.ca/site/training-and-seminars

In 2019 we supported Frontier Barbers & Company owners Matthew Bodis and Brittney Dapice with mentorship and other resources to launch their Downtown St. Catharines business. . If 2021 is the year you're ready to launch your own small business or if your goal is to grow your startup, we have information, tools and resources that can help make it happen. Our small business webinar series starts up again Jan. 5. ... Learn more at https://www.investinstc.ca//start-up-business-services-st-

WEBINAR - Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. Richard Gerofsky and Fred Pidsadny discuss how businesses that are best positioned and prepared for the recovery will far outpace those simply focused on getting by. Learn more - https://www.investinstc.ca/site/training-and-seminars

REMINDER: Free Webinar Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. Marketing 101 Join us to learn about basic marketing principles to help you build your communication strategy.... Learn more and sign up here: https://www.investinstc.ca/site/training-and-seminars

WEBINAR - Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. Resiliency Rock Stars Program Julie Holden & Hilda Gan discuss staying resilient. Topics: Managing Mental Health in The Workplace; Management Training. 10 minute Q&A to follow.... Learn more and signup here: https://www.investinstc.ca/site/training-and-seminars

Julie Holden & Hilda Gan discuss staying resilient. Topics: Managing Mental Health in The Workplace; Management Training. 10 minute Q&A to follow.

1 WEEK LEFT! November 30th is the deadline to submit your application for the Digital Transformation Grant of $2,500. . Book an appointment with our Digital Service Squad to get help through the application process: https://www.investinstc.ca/site/digital-main-street #digitalmainstreet #stcatharines #investinstc #DowntownStCatharines

FREE WEBINAR: Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. Marketing 101 Join us to learn about basic marketing principles to help you build your communication strategy.... Learn more and sign up here: https://www.investinstc.ca/site/training-and-seminars

Small business owners and artists are eligible for a free website through the ShopHERE program. Don't miss this opportunity to get your business online.

We’re pleased to announce support from the Ontario government to assist The Small Business Enterprise Centre Network to expand the capacity of virtual business advisory services & improve access to funding, crucial information & resources to equip businesses to respond to #COVID19 & grow. #OntarioSpirit Read more here: https://news.ontario.ca//ontario-supporting-small-business

Do you have employees? Learn about managing mental health in the workplace at this webinar on November 18 at 1pm There is still time to sign up! http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event

Are you a small business owner with a store front? The Federal Government has funded an initiative to help businesses grow their online presence with funding up... to $2500. Please contact the St Catharines Downtown Association who have dedicated staff to assist. Deadline is the end of the month. For more information or to speak with someone https://bit.ly/2GArQ5f 2018 at LittleChief.dog

The Ontario Government is helping small main street businesses with unexpected costs for personal protective equipment with grants of up to $1,000. Applications are now open. Learn more here: https://www.app.grants.gov.on.ca/msrf/#/T