The Province is contributing $100,000 to expand business training for current and potential entrepreneurs in communities throughout B.C., including Nanaimo and surrounding area.

The funding will enable Futurpreneur Canada to offer Rock My Business Plan workshops for people between the ages of 18 to 39 in five communities throughout B.C. this year. Nanaimo has been chosen for its close proximity to other communities, which will help ensure people in neighbouring regions can attend the workshops. The remaining communities are Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George and Cranbrook.

Rock My Business Plan helps young entrepreneurs learn how to create and hone a business plan, including how to plan for growth outside their communities, undertake market research, manage cash flow and secure financing. Participants can ask questions of the workshop instructor, refine and practice delivering their business pitch, receive one-on-one coaching, potentially access up $45,000 in financing, and receive mentoring through Futurpreneur Canada for up to two years after the workshop. The workshops are also a place for attendees to meet other new entrepreneurs and make invaluable connections in the local business community.

In October 2016, during Small Business Month, Rock My Business Plan workshops were offered in Kelowna, Prince George and Nanaimo. Over 80 entrepreneurs attended and 30% pursued funding for their ideas. Up to 125 people from throughout B.C. are expected to attend Rock My Business Plan workshops this year.

This announcement is part of a larger funding package that is also expanding the ThriveNorth program in B.C. A partnership between the Province, Futurpreneur Canada and Prince Rupert LNG, ThriveNorth teaches business skills to Indigenous and rural youth in the Northwest.  Government’s combined contribution to both Rock My Business Plan and Thrive North is $170,000, which builds on an $86,000 contribution from Futurpreneur Canada and a $200,000 commitment from Prince Rupert LNG, bringing the total investment by all partners for both programs to $456,000.

Expanding Rock My Business Plan in B.C. is one of the key ways the Province is taking action to strengthen, grow and diversify rural communities. This partnership builds on the immediate investments and long-term action plan outlined in B.C.’s Rural Economic Development Strategy that are expected to create over 26,000 jobs and add $2.8 billion to provincial GDP.

Quotes:

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction –

“This funding allows Rock My Business Plan to come to communities throughout the province and help young British Columbians pursue their dreams by starting with a solid foundation—a rock-solid business plan. Small businesses are vitally important to the provincial economy and we want to do all we can to help new enterprises expand and thrive.”

Michelle Stilwell, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum—

“Bringing Rock My Business Plan to Nanaimo will help entrepreneurs access an incredible resource that will help them pursue their business aspirations and potentially secure funding to turn their ideas into reality. Supporting new entrepreneurs drives job creation, spurs innovation and supports a diverse economy.”

Julia Deans, CEO of Futurpreneur Canada –

“Rock My Business Plan’s multi-session intensive learning and development workshops run participants through the full gamut of business-planning fundamentals and leaves them with the skills and confidence to develop and grow their businesses.”

Kieran Hughes, co-owner, Wrapture Customs in Nanaimo –

“Futurpreneur Canada’s Rock My Business Plan helped by supplying my partner Genitana Emini and I with resources we needed to create our business plan and efficiently manage our finances. After only six months, our business has grown more than we could have ever anticipated and we have Futurpreneur Canada to thank! For any young entrepreneur ready to take the leap, Futurpreneur Canada is a great first stop on the way to success.”

Jacqui Rouse, co-owner, The Swet Haus In Nanaimo –

"As young entrepreneurs, the Futurpreneur Canada program has been invaluable in not only allowing us to start our business, but also contribute to our continued success as we near our second year. Right from the beginning, we had a mentor supporting us with our business plan, which helped with approval for the loan, and more importantly really dialled in our vision for what we wanted The Swet Haus to become. Having the Rock My Business plan workshop in Nanaimo will be a great opportunity for local entrepreneurs. The financial start-up templates, and support provided by Futurpreneur Canada, educates new business owners with the real cost of starting and continuing to run their business, so they have the knowledge to map them to success."

Quick Facts:

• Futurpreneur Canada has helped youth launch over 1,220 new business in B.C. since 2002, creating over 5,800 jobs and an estimated $36.6 million in tax revenue.
• Futurpreneur Canada is the only national, non-profit organization that provides, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners, aged 18 to 39.
• Small businesses make up 98% of all business in B.C. and employ over one million people.
• Small businesses provide 55% of all private-sector jobs in British Columbia, the second highest rate in the country.
• There are over 1,200 Aboriginal-owned companies in British Columbia, many of which are small businesses.

Learn More:

Small business in B.C.: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/small-business

Futurpreneur Canada: http://www.futurpreneur.ca/en/

Entrepreneurs rocked their business plans in October (2016): https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016SBRT0059-002192