Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen is expanding the learning opportunities they are offering with a series of workshops aimed at those starting or expanding their business operation.
“We have a community full of small businesses. So we are going to be offering a series of workshops for existing small business owners and entrepreneurs,” said Nicole Clark, the new self employment business advisor with Community Futures.
Not all entrepreneurs, she explained, have all the knowledge they need, and many don’t know where they can get at information. By opening up programs formerly only available by referral, the Community Foundation hopes to help more people.
It starts with a free, three-hour workshop on Oct. 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. for potential entrepreneurs.
“It’s an exploration of entrepreneurship. We are calling it an entrepreneurial overview, and then they will have a chance to do a self assessment to determine if entrepreneurship is for them, and if it is for them now,” said Clark. “That is for the newer entrepreneur, someone who has a good idea and is wondering if self employment is for them.”
Entrepreneurs need to have some particular qualities, according to Clark: someone who is willing to take risks, who perseveres, who has a passion for something they want to share with the world, among other traits.
“It’s not just creating a job for yourself, there is more to it,” she said, adding that Community Futures is also opening up their business planning workshops to people that have a business idea, but aren’t sure what to do next.
“I encounter people all the time who are saying there is nothing available for me. Now we are going to open it up and invite those people to attend,” said Nicole. Previously, the 60-hour workshop was only available through a referral process.
For more information or to register for the free Oct. 15 workshop, contact Clark through the Community Futures office at 250-493-2566.
