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Small Business Week October 19 to October 23 11 | Friday, October 9, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Celebrate BDC Small Business Week The Oakville Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada, is pleased to present CEO and President of Shred-it Vince De Palma as the keynote speaker for the Small Business Week Kickoff Breakfast on Monday October 19. Vince De Palma joined Shred-it in August 2009, bringing more than 25 years of executive experience to the Oakville-based company. "We are thrilled to have Mr. De Palma speak during Small Business Week," says Chamber Chair Kerry Colborne. "His extensive business experience and insight into how Shredit grew from one of the first paper shredding companies in the world to a global leader will surely inspire small business owners." According to BDC, small and medium sized companies make up 99.8 per cent of all businesses in Canada and one in ten Canadians own a business. This is the 24th year the Oakville Chamber of Commerce has celebrated Small Business Week by offering opportunities for entrepreneurs to learn from experts and network with like-minded professionals and potential clients. The schedule of events is as follows: Kick Off Breakfast with Vince De Palma Monday, October 19 7:30 to 9 a.m. Oakville Conference Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville. Pre-registration required. Tickets are $35 Members; $45 Non-members. Small Business Week Tradeshow Wednesday, October 21 5 to 8 p.m. Oakville Conference Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville. No registration required, unless registering as an exhibitor. Free to Members and first-time guests. Returning non-members $20 at the door. Small Business Week Lunch & Learn: Social Selling ­ Winning Strategies for Media Success Friday, October 23 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Glen Abbey Golf Club, 1333 Dorval Drive, Oakville. Pre-registration required. Tickets are $35 Members; $45 Non-members. Chamber members and non-members are welcome to register and attend all Small Business Week events. More details at www.oakvillechamber.com. Don't Let Your Lights Burn Your Bottom Line. Celebrate Small Business Week With Big Savings! Did you know over 2,700 businesses throughout Oakville have already received more than $2.8 million in FREE lighting upgrades? That's how Oakville Saves! The SMALL BUSINESS LIGHTING initiative offers: · A FREE assessment to identify your energy savings potential · Up to $1,500 of energy-efficient retrofits ­ including all equipment · Lighting upgrades completed by licensed electrical contractors and your old equipment is properly recycled Fasada on Old Bronte Road Financing a small business The old adage, Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life is the mantra many entrepreneurs use to justify the endless time and energy needed to successfully start a small business. And while their passion and energy may be limitless, most of the time their resources are not. "Many people looking to start their own business find that they need start-up capital, whether it's for purchasing space, equipment or just to establish a healthy cash flow," says Geordan Robertson, Meridian's director of small business. "Securing sufficient credit is crucial for operation and many people find this process to be an uphill battle." Robertson outlines the following tips when securing the financing for your small business: Create a business plan ­ A well-crafted business plan is vital for lenders and it should outline the following: your business idea; how it fits in the current market landscape; how you plan to make profit; and what your start up budget will be. It's essential that your business plan outlines how much financing you require, what the funds would be used for and when you plan to repay the loan. Look for a variety of financing sources ­ Funding is not just limited to financial institutions. There are a variety of government grants and programs that can help a small business get off the ground. A listing of government grants and loans can be found via the federal government's Canada Business Network at www.canadabusiness.ca. Get organized - When meeting with a financial institution to discuss potential lending options be prepared to bring a lot of financial paperwork with you. In addition to your business plan, you should also bring copies of your personal banking records and statements in order for the financial institution to determine your ability to pay back the loan. Determine your borrowing needs ­ There is a wide range of lending products available to small businesses from operating lines of credits and credit cards to commercial mortgages. Skilled advisors in this field can help you navigate the options to ensure you pick products that are suited to your needs. Don't lose hope if declined ­ Work with your small business advisor to fully understand why your proposal was declined so it can be strengthened. In some cases, the financial institution may require you to request a smaller loan amount or invest more of your own capital into the business. Additional information is available online at smallbusiness.meridiancu.ca/. (NC) Advertorial Oakville Hydro is proud to celebrate small businesses through our saveONenergy program. Call 905-825-9400 to check your eligibility or visit OakvilleHydro.com to learn more. Subject to additional terms and conditions found at saveonenergy.ca. saveonenergy is funded by the Independent Electricity System Operator and offered by Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc. OMOfficial Mark adopted and used by the Independent Electricity System Operator. Used under licence.