Community Futures Peterborough Announces Small Business Week Event: The Modern Entrepreneur Experience
Peterborough, ON – October 1, 2024 – Community Futures Peterborough is excited to announce its inaugural Small Business Week event since assuming responsibility for the Business Advisory Centre (BAC). This year’s celebration will include a ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ event for entrepreneurs: The Modern Entrepreneur Experience., taking place on October 23, 2024. The free event will run from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM allowing attendees to choose to attend the entire day or select only the workshops that appeal to them most, at the El P Event Space in downtown Peterborough.
Small Business Week 2024 will bring together local entrepreneurs and small business owners for a dynamic, half-day program to reduce barriers for entrepreneurs, focusing on practical strategies, resources, and emerging trends.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and play a vital role in driving innovation, creating jobs all over Peterborough-Kawartha,” said Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha. “Behind every small business is an entrepreneur with a vision, passion, and purpose representing the best of the Ontario Spirit. I encourage everyone to celebrate small business and thank them for all they do for our communities.” MPP Dave Smith added.
The event will feature Keynote Speaker, Erika Arff. Erika is an accomplished Confidence and Business Coach who was named one of Cosmopolitan Magazine’s Top 10 Pleasure and Confidence Coaches in 2021. Her popular podcast ranked in Canada’s top 20 in the Self-Help category in 2022, and her self-help journal reached the top 3 new launches for entrepreneurs in 2023. Erika’s journey includes living with a chronic disease for 23 years, and she’s traveled extensively, having taken over 100 flights in her lifetime. Her work has empowered hundreds of entrepreneurs, helping them build confidence as a foundation for business growth.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with over 500 clients from around the world,” says Confidence and Business Coach, Erika Arff. “Confidence is often overlooked until it’s the last thing getting in the way of your growth and unlocking your full potential. Then, it’s all you can think about!”
The Modern Entrepreneur Experience includes:
10:30 AM – Navigating City Hall
Moderated by Community Futures Executive Director Devon Girard, this panel will provide insights into navigating local permits, bylaws, and government processes, offering practical tips for working with local officials. Panelists for the event include senior officials from Peterborough City Hall.
11:30 AM – Lunch Break & Networking (Catered) An opportunity to hear from local business organizations such as the Peterborough & Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Association, and the Innovation Cluster – Peterborough and the Kawarthas
12:30 PM – Artificial Intelligence: Your Business Sidekick
Delivered by Business Advisory Centre Manager Rose Terry, this workshop will show how AI can enhance business operations, marketing, and customer service.
1:15 PM – Supercharge Your Business Creativity
Led by Business Advisory Centre Advisor Lindsey Irwin, this session will focus on fostering creativity in business and personal life, empowering attendees to unlock innovative solutions to common challenges.
2:00 PM – The Art of Confidence in Business Keynote with Erika Arff
Led by business confidence coach for ambitious entrepreneurs and professionals, Erika Arff, this session will help entrepreneurs build resilience and confidence in decision-making and leadership.
“We are thrilled to present Small Business Week 2024, especially as it marks a new chapter for Community Futures Peterborough and the Business Advisory Centre. This event will be taste of what’s the come from the Community Futures Peterborough team, for growth and collaboration in our local entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Executive Director, Devon Girard, from Community Futures Peterborough.
This interactive and engaging event is designed to provide participants with the tools they need to succeed in today’s fast-paced, competitive marketplace.
For more information, and to register: The Modern Entrepreneur Experience Tickets, Wed, Oct 23, 2024 at 10:30 AM | Eventbrite
About Community Futures Peterborough
Community Futures Peterborough has a mission to support small businesses with flexible financing in the City and County of Peterborough. It has invested more than $42 million in 1,300+ small businesses since 1985, creating or maintaining more than 4,300 jobs in the City and the County. CFP is a not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), as part of the Community Futures Program. In 2024, Community Futures Peterborough began delivery of the Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) program, funded by the Province of Ontario. The Business Advisory Centre also receives operational funding from the City of Peterborough and the County of Peterborough.
Media Contact:
Devon Girard, Executive Director
devon@cfpeterborough.ca
Cell: 705-957-3641