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Business
Quest Program (BQ)
A
FREE self
employment program to help Newcomers start their
own small business!
Business
Quest program is a partnership between Lutherwood
and the YMCA of Kitchener-Waterloo, Cross-Cultural
and Immigrant Services to assist newcomers to
start a small business.
If
you are a motivated individual who has a viable
business idea and wants to start a small business
please call or e-mail us:
(519)
579-9622 ext. 267
araic@kwymca.org
Business
Quest will help Newcomers who are interested in
starting their own business to:
•
Learn how business is done in Canada
•
Learn about cultural and ethical expectations
•
Identify their entrepreneurial characteristics
and
potential
•
Explore their business idea
•
Develop small business skills including
communication, negotiation, marketing,
presentation and selling skills
•
Learn from coaching and mentoring
•
Develop a viable business plan
•
Start their business
You
may be eligible for Business Quest if you:
•
Are a newcomer to Canada
•
Are a Permanent Resident
•
Are legally able to work in Ontario
•
Have adequate written and oral English language
skills
•
Have an idea for a business
•
Are motivated and able commit the time needed
to start a business
•
Are not receiving Employment Insurance or
Ontario Works
If
you are interested in and eligible for Business
Quest, you will:
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Attend an Information Session to learn more
about the program and how it can help you
•
Be assessed by the YMCA in English Language
competency
•
Attend Phase 1, a full-day “Introduction to
Canadian Business Practices” session and
submit a Business Profile
•
If selected to participate, you will:
•
Attend Phase 2, which includes 5 weeks of
small business skills development through
workshops, assignments, guest speakers and
field work, resulting in the preparation of
a
Business Plan
•
Participate in Phase 3, when you will receive
1:1
coaching and mentoring over a 15 week period
while you launch your business
Funded
by the Government of Ontario
and
Updated in
August 2008
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