Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
The workshop series, led by Diandra Oliver, co-founder of Home Sweet Home Grocery, will be held on Nov. 16 from 1 – 4 p.m. on Nov. 16 at the municipal office in Fort St. James.
The workshop will provide information on low-cost technologies for anyone with a farm or food business.
Oliver brings a world of teaching knowledge and experience in various technologies that have personally helped in her day-to-day in operating and promoting her small business.
An introduction to available tools will help small business owners access their technology needs. It will show them how important tools will assist with various needs such as: processing inventory, time management, billing and payment systems, branding and marketing.
Project Manager, Jillian Merrick says that it’s all about growing a sustainable business from the farm.
“Many of these business owners lack good business planning so we try to help them with being more strategic allowing for better income in the end,” Merrick said.
“We provide very simple and easy to use technologies that can be accessed from your computer or mobile phone,” she said.
The Beyond the Market project is an economic development strategy that supports local food and agriculture across the B.C. Highway 16 region.
It has been running since 2010 by Community Futures Fraser Fort George who continue to provide small business owners and entrepreneurs with various services including: business coaching support, business financing, self-employment services, events, workshops and small business tools and resources.
Merrick hopes for a good turnout in Fort St. James. “It can be challenging because some have been farming for years and others are just starting out. But we do have something for everyone,” Merrick says. “We just want to help everyone succeed.”
For more information and to register visit: http://beyondthemarket.eventbrite.com/
