C
Business
onnections January 2016
Cultural Entrepreneurship Program Investing in the Arts
The Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) is thrilled to announce the launch of a new training and mentorship program targeting entrepreneurs in the arts and culture sector. Offered by the SBEC in partnership with the Province of Ontario, the Cultural Entrepreneurship Program is a pilot project that was approved by Orangeville Council in January and is now available to assist and support local entrepreneurs in starting or expanding a business within the arts and culture sector. The pilot project will run for six months, from January to June 2016. Candidates for the Cultural Entrepreneurship Program will be required to submit an application package to assess their eligibility. Once accepted into the program, participants will receive free business training, mentorship from local entrepreneurs, and assistance with business plan development. Upon completion of the program, a select number of participants may be eligible to receive grants of up to $5,000 to help them start or expand their cultural/arts based businesses. To be eligible for the program, candidates must: • Create a new business, expand an existing business or buy a business from a retiring entrepreneur – eligible creative sectors include visual, cultural, performance, artisanal, media, heritage, and culinary arts; • Participate in training and mentorship sessions; • Be an Ontario resident; • Be prepared to commit a minimum average of 35 hours per week to running a business and to developing a realistic business plan. The SBEC is now accepting applications to the program. For more information on the program and to download an application, please visit www.orangevillebusiness.ca.
Business Retention + Expansion Initiative With the goal of identifying opportunities to better support their businesses, the Orangeville Economic Development office commenced a Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) initiative with local business owners in the manufacturing sector in November 2015. Led by the Town’s Economic Development Committee, the BR+E team is currently completing the first step of the process and has already met with many local manufacturers to complete comprehensive surveys on a variety of business-related issues. Local manufacturers interested in participating in the program are encouraged to contact Ruth Phillips at rphillips@orangeville.ca or 519-941-0440 Ext. 2291.
orangevillebusiness.ca
Volume 7
Issue 1
Company Profile
TFI Aerospace - A Quarter Century of Excellence The Town of Orangeville salutes TFI Aerospace on the company’s upcoming anniversary and congratulates this Orangeville-based manufacturer on 25 years in operation. TFI originated in 1991 when its President Ted Squires purchased the assets of a Toronto-based company, Toronto Fasteners Industries. He operated the business in the Toronto area for several years until the business lease expired and Mr. Squires relocated the operation to Orangeville in 2002 with 13 employees. A central location with good proximity to the marketplace was a key factor in choosing Orangeville as the new home for TFI. According to Mr. Squires, “When our lease expired, I knew that I wanted to leave Toronto. I had moved to the Orangeville area already and was looking to reduce my commuting time. We selected Orangeville as the business location because it was within close driving distance for all of our key employees, had great lifestyle benefits, and it had everything we needed to grow our business.” TFI Aerospace manufactures high-end threaded fasteners, all of which comply with the appropriate standards and specifications for aerospace applications. Operating from a 20,000-square-foot facility, TFI has remained competitive and growth oriented by continually investing in research and development, practicing lean principles, and reacting quickly to customer needs. Commitment to quality has been a key factor in the success of this AS9100 and ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturer. With customers in every continent, including such industry leaders as Boeing, Bombardier, NASA, Rolls-Royce, and Lockheed Martin, TFI’s product is on almost all aircraft worldwide. Parts for the space shuttle Discovery, the International Space Station, and the Hubble Space Telescope are a few of the international and well-known projects involving TFI Aerospace. Orangeville is proud to be home to TFI Aerospace, and you can learn more about this business at www.tfi-aero.com.
Connect with Business. Connect with Life.
Upcoming Events
In The News
Grow Your Business with Email and Social Media • January 21, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Expert tips on innovation
This workshop will cover the importance of setting marketing goals, the four pillars of marketing success, effective and legal email strategies, and how to leverage social media to engage new and existing customers. Valerie Jones of Echohill Email Marketing and Internet Consulting will take the guesswork out of online marketing efforts and help the entrepreneur to identify the most cost and time efficient strategies. Cost $12.
The annual Bridges to Better Business event held November 12, 2015 focused on business growth through innovation and featured keynote speaker Rick Spence, business journalist and entrepreneurship expert. His interactive and engaging discussion focused on seven easy steps for increasing innovation in the business. They included: 1. Listen to customers and ask “Is there anything more we can do for you?” 2. Measure customer satisfaction to monitor the business’s innovation success. 3. Constantly reassess the products and services you supply every day. 4. Innovate in both products and services. Surround customers with value they can't ignore. 5. Encourage staff to be innovative. Give your team permission to think more creatively and add value to your products. 6. Don’t think there is one single, proven approach to purposeful innovation. 7. Celebrate wins, and learn from failures. Bridges to Better Business is an annual event organized by the Orangeville & Area SBEC. Access to business expertise, training, and productive networking are features of the popular small business event.
Starting a Food Business • January 27, 9 a.m. to noon Food business expert Amy Bracco will explain the steps involved in starting a food-based business including guidelines for food safety, quality assurance, and government regulations as well as general information about how to market and promote commercial-scale products. Amy will answer questions about specific food industries and business ideas and help to get your culinary business growing in the right direction. Cost $23.
Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) - New Registrant Seminar • February 4, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A specialist from the Canada Revenue Agency will present a general overview of how the GST/HST impacts business operations and provide owners with information on their responsibilities with respect to the tax. Topics covered will include input tax credits, filing and reporting, collecting GST/HST, Place of Supply rules, GST/HST return and payment options, point-of-sale rebates, quick and simplified methods of accounting, and e-service options. Free.
Tax Planning for Small Business • February 18, 9 a.m. to noon and 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Gerry Hogenhout of Hogenhout and Associates will lead these popular, interactive sessions and provide valuable tips and essential rules for operating a small business and minimizing or deferring income taxes payable. Learn about home office deductions, effective tax deferral techniques, the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating your business, shareholder remuneration issues, and much more. The high demand session will be offered at two different times on the same day. Cost $12.
60 Ways to Grow Your Email List • March 8, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. In this session, participants will learn how to build a permission-based list of potential customers to expand the business’s marketing reach. Valerie Jones of Echohill Email Marketing and Internet Consulting will provide ideas and strategies to capture new contacts, grow the email list, and take action to help move the business forward. Strategies covered will include effective use of social media, websites, blogs, incentives, and giveaways. Cost $12.
Excellent Customer Service • April 7, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. In this interactive session led by Cathy Perennec McLean, participants will develop strategies and techniques to attract and retain loyal customers. This workshop will help you and your employees learn how to enhance communication skills, create a loyal customer base, and build new service philosophies that increase organizational profits. Cost $23. All prices include HST. For more event details please visit www.orangevillebusiness.ca/events.
Things To Know Orangeville Winter Farmers’ Market Local vendors at the Orangeville Farmers’ Market offer great produce, artisans, and more. As the temperature cools, the market relocates indoors for the winter and operates on a new schedule. Mark your calendars to visit the winter market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside Town Hall on the following dates: January 16 and 30, February 13 and 27, March 12 and 26, and April 9 and 23.
Starter Company
Real Estate - Featured Listing 695 Riddell Road, Orangeville Great investment opportunity. This 49,215-square-foot multi-tenant building is located on 3.35 acres of M1 zoned industrial land in Orangeville. The building was expanded in 2008, features five units, and is 97% occupied. Asking price is $6,250,000. Please contact Bill Pitt, Broker, Colliers Macaulay Nicolls (Ontario) Inc. Bus 416-643-3400.
orangevillebusiness.ca
Are you a young business owner looking to offset start-up costs and receive advice from successful local entrepreneurs? The Starter Company program, offered by the Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC), provides local entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 29 with funds and mentorship to start and/or expand a business in Dufferin County. Program participants receive training and mentorship and successful candidates may receive up to $5,000 in grant funding. Visit the Starter Company page on our website for more information or call the Youth Entrepreneurship Co-ordinator at 519-941-0440 Ext. 2757. Applications for this program are accepted year round.
Summer Company 2016 Once again, the Orangeville & Area SBEC will partner with the Province of Ontario to provide this great opportunity to local student entrepreneurs. Students aged 15 to 29 who are returning to school in the fall may qualify to start and run their own summer businesses while receiving mentoring, training, and grants of up to $3,000. Visit the Summer Company page on our website to get started or call the SBEC at 519-941-0440 Ext 2270. Applications for summer 2016 open on January 25th.
87 Broadway, Orangeville, Ontario L9W 1K1 Phone: 519-941-0440 Toll Free: 1-866-941-0440 E-mail: info@orangevillebusiness.ca Twitter: @OrangevilleED You Tube: Orangeville Business Facebook: Orangeville Economic Development & Tourism