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Entrepreneurs in Bradford West Gwillimbury and surrounding communities can now apply for a free eight-week program designed to help turn business ideas and growth plans into action.
Business Plan Bootcamp is offered by YSpace York-Simcoe at York University in partnership with the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. The program runs from October 13th to December 7th. It’s open to both people developing a business idea and established owners preparing for their next stage of growth.
Participants will work toward one practical business goal over the eight weeks. Depending on their needs, that could include completing a business plan, developing a growth strategy, reviewing a pricing model, strengthening operations or improving their digital presence.
“Business owners are often balancing their ideas and growth plans with the day-to-day demands of running a business,” says Dean Gillis, Economic Development Officer with the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. “This program gives local entrepreneurs access to the structure, expertise and connections they need to move an important business goal forward.”
The program combines self-paced learning with personalized support and networking opportunities. Each participant receives eight hours of one-on-one guidance from a local mentor whose experience aligns with their business goals and challenges.
Mentors will bring expertise in areas including sales, marketing, branding, business strategy, pricing, operations, automation, digital transformation, product development and retail growth.
Participants will also meet with a YSpace program officer every two weeks to review progress, discuss obstacles and identify next steps. Two in-person peer sessions will provide opportunities to exchange ideas, share lessons and build relationships with other business owners in the region.
“This program is built around action,” says Stephanie Simpson, Program Officer with York University’s YSpace. “Participants begin with a goal that matters to their business, then receive the education, mentorship and accountability to complete it. The focus is not simply on finishing a course. It is on creating something they can put to work.”
Weekly on-demand workshops will cover business model innovation, market research and competitive analysis, customer personas and value propositions, business plan development, financial modelling and pricing, digital marketing and brand presence, legal foundations and funding readiness, as well as sales, operations and 90-day planning.
Workshop recordings will be available through an online course platform, allowing participants to complete them on their own schedules. Participants should expect to dedicate approximately five to 10 hours each week to the program and their chosen business goal.
The program is open to entrepreneurs aged 18 and older in Bradford West Gwillimbury, Georgina, East Gwillimbury, the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation and surrounding areas.
Applications are open to individuals at the idea stage, including those exploring a concept, testing a side project or preparing to launch a business, as well as owners of home-based, service-based, professional-service or brick-and-mortar businesses looking to strengthen or grow their operations.
Applications close Thursday, October 1st. Interested entrepreneurs can apply here.
Applicants are also encouraged to complete a free one-on-one Idea Consultation before applying.
If you have a news tip or story idea, you can now send us a heads up via email at:
- News1013@LocalRadio.ca (Milton)
- News1015@LocalRadio.ca (Orangeville)
- News92@LocalRadio.ca (South Simcoe)
- Rick.Sargent@LocalRadio.ca (Bolton)
If you’d like to get ahold of me personally, shoot me a message at Cameron.Wilkinson@LocalRadio.ca. We’re in the business of content creation, so no idea is a bad idea.
