Meet the Students – Corrina

Corrina Serda – Serda Digital Marketing co.

The Business Enterprise Centre of Saugeen Shores is pleased to announce that Corrina Serda, of Port Elgin, has been accepted into the Summer Company Program, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation. She will be receiving an award of up to $3,000, as well as business training and mentoring to start up and run Serda Digital Marketing co. In the fall, Corrina will be returning to Saugeen District Secondary School for Grade 11.

 Serda Digital Marketing co. will provide a customized digital media service for people running local businesses or organizations. Corrina can set up accounts on social media websites like Twitter and Facebook, and also can create basic websites and provide basic training and technical support.

 Another service is to write content and send out updates, on behalf of the owner, to keep the accounts active and up to date. Further packages can include creating branding and marketing themes, video production, design of logos that can include a graphic and/or wordmark, design of advertising materials, design of powerpoint presentations, etc.

 Corrina was trained by Al Gore to give his climate presentations in 2008, was honoured as an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year in 2009, and will be assisting with Al Gore’s training in August in San Francisco as a table facilitator and youth mentor. She has spent 200 hours enriching the social media presence of the local WOAA champions, the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks, and has created ads, logos and handouts for non-profits.

 Serda Digital Marketing co. will service Saugeen Shores and surrounding areas, and will have flexible working hours, depending on the clients’ needs. For more information, visit Serda Digital Marketing co.’s website:

http://serdadigitalmarketing.wordpress.com/ or visit Serda Digital Marketing co. on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SerdaDigitalMarketingCo

 

Second Annual Marine Heritage Festival Announced for Saugeen Shores

The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, the Marine Heritage Society and the town of Saugeen Shores are pleased to announce the second annual Marine Heritage Festival.  It will be held July 27-29, 2012.

 Families and Marine Heritage enthusiasts alike are invited to join us for 3 days of fun throughout Southampton.  The festival opens at the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre with opening ceremonies and a tour of the General Hunter/War of 1812 Exhibit.  Other activities throughout the weekend include a pancake breakfast, vintage boat show, BBQ lunch, cardboard boat challenge, a fish fry dinner and much more!

 Once again, the Chamber of Commerce is holding a Treasure Chest Hunt!  Festival-goers simply have to visit 6 participating business, find the treasure chest with the hidden number and enter it into the space beside the corresponding merchant.  Completed entries should be dropped of into the bin at the Southampton Visitor’s Centre.  The winner will be announced at Pioneer Park on Saturday July 28^th, during the Fish Fry.  The contest runs July 16 – 28.

A complete schedule of events is available at  http://www.brucemuseum.ca/calendar/marine-heritage-festival/, or call 1.866.318.8889 (toll free) or 519.797.2080

The Saugeen Shores BR+E Final Report Presented to Council

The Saugeen Shores Business Retention and Expansion Project’s Final Report was presented to Mayor and Council at the May 28th Committee of the Whole.

 This project was a joint effort between The Town of Saugeen Shores, The Business Enterprise Centre of Saugeen Shores, The Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce, Saugeen Sustainability Volunteer and Resource Centre, and the Four County Labour Market Planning Board (the Partners).

The project surveyed 86 businesses, asking them 115 questions on all aspects of running a business in Saugeen Shores. The BR+E Task Force, made up of representatives from the project partners as well as business owners, reviewed the key findings of the data summary report. The group noted recurring themes that included, more focused Economic Development initiatives, streamlining some Municipal processes for business, continued focus on improving the vitality of the two downtowns, addressing workforce development issues and a need for enhanced methods for communication among all parties. The report also identified avenues for both the Business Enterprise Centre and the Chamber of Commerce to improve their support to business. 

 Both Mayor Smith and Deputy Mayor Charbonneau extended their personal thanks to everyone involved, especially the business owners and to the volunteer visitors who donated their time and efforts to the project.  The final report illustrates some key steps that can be implemented to improve the business climate in Saugeen Shores.

The next step of the project will be to develop a work plan for the implementation of actions brought forward in the report. Milestones of the implementation stage will be detailed on the Saugeen Shores web site. A copy of the final report is also available on the website at www.saugeenshores.ca/business

$3,000 Student Business Grant – Application Deadline is May 7th!

The Saugeen Shores Business Enterprise Centre (SSBEC) wants to help students (ages 15 – 29) start and run their own company this summer. As a service provider for the Ontario Summer Company program, the SSBEC is looking for Bruce County students who want to be their own boss! You must apply before May 7, 2012.

 From lawn care services to ice cream sales, from manufacturing hand sewn purses to producing videos, the Summer Company program helps students create the business that they want to own.

 Running since 2001, the Summer Company program is based on providing hands on coaching from leading business people around from Bruce County.  Successful applicants are mentored in every aspect of running a business, from implementing a business plan, to marketing, to managing finances and even time management skills. 

 Summer Company not only teaches students the mechanics of running a business, but it also offers financial support. Successful applicants will receive up to $3000 to help their company succeed, with up to $1,500 to cover start-up costs. 

 The combination of mentoring and financial support helps mitigate the risks that most entrepreneurs face.

 So if you are a student, or you know a student, who has a vision, a dream, and dedication, check out the Summer Company program and join over 3,000 high school, college and university students from all areas of Ontario who have already let their entrepreneurial spirit soar through SUMMER COMPANY. 

 More information is available at www.ontario.ca/summercompany or by calling the SSBEC at 519-832-2082.

Workshop on Training for Tourism Diversity

Explore the Bruce has Invited You:
(excerpts from an Explore the Bruce News Release)

REGISTER NOW FOR OUR FIRST DIVERSITY TRAINING!

Each year more and more international tourists are visiting Bruce County. Our biggest challenges are: language barriers, cultural differences and communicating safety concerns. Guest Speaker, Michael Zhang will offer professional advice on how to make your business welcoming and safe for our New Canadians.

DMO’s and businesses have gained both a better reputation and a bigger share in the Chinese market through Michael’s help in providing better travel experiences to Chinese tourists. 

When & Where: Please select a workshop that best fits your schedule.

Workshop 1: Monday, May 28^th, 2012- 9am-11am: Tobermory Community Centre

Workshop 2: Tuesday, May 29^th, 2012- 5:30pm-7:30pm: Southampton Town Hall

 *Maximum 50 participants per workshop

Cost: $15 per person (HST Included)

Registration: Pre-registration is required by contacting Lisa Greig at lisa@explorethebruce.com or 1-800-268-3838.

 Please Register by May 23^rd, 2012.
Light refreshments will be offered at the workshop

 

Online Retail versus Brick and Mortar

There are many decisions to make before opening your own retail business. One of them is whether to run an online only store or the traditional brick-and-mortar. Read this BizLaunch blog to review your options.

Online Retail versus Brick and Mortar.

Our Office is Closed for Family Day – February 20, 2012

The Saugeen Shores Business Enterprise Centre will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2012 to celebrate Family Day. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, February 21 at 9 a.m.

Hope you’re able to enjoy some special “family time”!

Retail Sales Up in November, reports Statistics Canada

Stats Canada reports that retail sales rose in November 2011 – just when the Christmas shopping season started.

Retail Sales Up in November, reports Statistics Canada | Gifts and Tablewares.

Bridges to Better Business 2012 – Make Your Business a Destination with Chris Hughes

The Saugeen Shores Business Enterprise Centre is pleased and excited to have Chris Hughes of BC Hughes Inc. as the guest speaker at our Bridges to Better Business event on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.

For speaker photo and bio, event details and registration info, visit our website.

Tickets are only $25 (HST included), so register now!

Canadian Consumer Confidence Highest It’s Been Since July 2011

The latest consumer confidence survey conducted by TNS Canada showed that Canadians are taking a more optimistic view of the economy and their prospects as they enter 2012. After dropping to 95.0 in December, the TNS Canadian Consumer Confidence Index rose sharply in January to 98.6, the highest it’s been since July of last year.

Canadian Consumer Confidence Surges in New Year: TNS Survey | Gifts and Tablewares.