It all starts with a plan! To help set small businesses and entrepreneurs up for future success, the City of Vaughan is offering a new virtual series on developing a business plan – a critical step in launching and growing a business.   

Called the Business Planning Launchpad, this free virtual programming is designed for startups and established small businesses. In addition to the training sessions, all participants can book 30-minute one-on-one meetings during office hours with the course facilitator to get feedback on their business and financial plans. 

Each session consists of four training topics:

• Ideation – How you can easily validate your business idea before you start
• Marketing – The critical components of a successful marketing and sales strategy for any business
• Operations – How to build a strong foundation for your business so you can scale your growth
• Financial – How to successfully budget, and manage cash flow and finances 

Here is the schedule: 

January Series

• Ideation: Tuesday, Jan. 11 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Marketing: Tuesday, Jan. 18 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Operations: Tuesday, Jan. 25 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Financial: Tuesday, Feb. 1 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

Office hours take place on Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

February Series

• Ideation: Friday, Feb. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to noon
• Marketing: Friday, Feb. 11 from 10:30 a.m. to noon
• Operations: Friday, Feb. 18 from 10:30 a.m. to noon
• Financial: Friday, Feb. 25 from 10:30 a.m. to noon 

Office hours take place on Fridays from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

March Series

• Ideation: Tuesday, March 1 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  
• Marketing: Tuesday, March 8 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Operations: Tuesday, March 22 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Financial: Tuesday, March 29 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

Office hours take place on Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

For more information, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/events. 

The City’s Economic Development team is standing by to provide support to the local business community throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic and beyond – and this is just one of its many programs and services. The department also offers advisory consultations via tele- or video-conference, email and phone. For information, additional resources or to book a consultation, visit vaughanbusiness.ca.

For updates and news as they happen, sign up for Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

-30-