It was great to attend our @nfsbec Starter Company Plus celebration event today held at the Niagara Falls @nfxniagarafalls which brought together alumni, award recipients, mentors & partners to celebrate small business successes and the community that has grown around the program.
Over the last 10+ years, the Starter Company Plus program has helped create 281 jobs in our community and 93% of participants are now working full-time in their business. This is true impact and having been an entrepreneur myself, I know firsthand how tough it can be to work the long hours & get your business off the ground. These small business owners are resilient, hardworking and so very dedicated.
Congratulations to this yearās members who completed the program and who are not only building their businesses but the Niagara community. Letās continue to support them in all the ways we can!
#supportsmallbusiness #niagarafalls #nfsbec #niagarabusiness
Happy Small Business Month, Niagara Falls! š¼
Meet Paula and Alejandra, our Small Business Consultants with the @nfsbec ! Ā
The Small BusinessĀ EnterpriseĀ Centre offers everything you need to know when getting your business up and running! From the idea to the execution, they are here to help you every step of the way. Ā
The SBECĀ offers:Ā
ā Free consultationsĀ
ā Business information requests Ā
ā Business Plan Development Ā
ā Seminars and Workshops Ā
ā Funding and Training Programs Ā
Visit niagarafalls.ca/business for more detailsĀ and where to supportĀ local!
Wow!! It was a great pleasure to meet this yearās Summer Company students who hosted a Youth Pop-Up Market in coordination with our Cityās @nfsbec and in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation & Trade.
The Summer Company program supports our local high school and post-secondary students with mentorship and a grant to launch and run their own summer businesses. These students have turned their passions into full-time ventures and weāre proud to share their success!
Some student businesses include @gg.glamorousgoddess@country_bus_shelters@bouquetsbybanii@tn_lawncareniagara@the.taylorrose !
Love to see their creative ideas come to life and learn from these innovative entrepreneurs!
#entrepreneurs #summercompany #niagarafalls #businessdevelopment #businessstartup #studentsuccess #greatideas #businessgrant #mentorship #summerbusiness #hardwork #creativity #showcase #popupmarket
Celebrating 10 years of Starter Company Plus š
A decade of empowering entrepreneurs to turn ideas into action, passion into purpose, and dreams into thriving businesses. This program has been more than just training, itās been a launchpad for visionaries ready to take the leap and build something meaningful.
From learning the business fundamentals to navigating real-world challenges, Starter Company Plus has provided nearly 120 founders with the tools, confidence, and community they need to succeed.
Key takeaways from 10 years of growth:
ā¢ Strong foundations matter ā mastering the basics sets you up for long-term success
ā¢ Resilience is everything ā every challenge is part of the journey
ā¢ Community fuels growth ā connections and mentorship make a difference
ā¢ Action beats perfection ā starting is the most important step
ā¢ Continuous learning is key ā great entrepreneurs never stop evolving
Hereās to the past 10 years of innovation and the future ahead #StarterCompanyPlus #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessSuccess
After years of learning and teaching martial arts in Burlington, Sensei Kate brought her passion and experience to Ridgeway in 2018 with the opening of Ogawa Martial Arts & Fitness @ogawakarate . What began in a local church has now grown into a welcoming, community-focused martial arts space serving the Fort Erie area š„
With more than 25 years of training and a 4th degree black belt (!!!!) Sensei Kate continues to inspire students of all ages through leadership, perseverance and a commitment to building a community.
As we celebrate 10 years of Starter Company Plus, weāre so proud to recognize amazing local businesses like Ogawa Martial Arts & Fitness and the passionate entrepreneurs behind them ā¤ļø
Marketing & Branding your Food Product @foodpreneur_advantage
This session is for you if you have a food or beverage product that needs the perfect brand to suit the right market.
In this free 60-minute online seminar learn about:
- Why YOU are your brand as a new food or beverage business
- What to consider when creating a visual identity for your company
- What does marketing in 2026 look like?
Amanda DeVries of @eyecandydesign.co shares practical tips on packaging for shelves vs. markets vs. digital, choosing the right colours and typography, defining your target audience, and working effectively with designers.
You will leave with a better understanding of how to brand and market your product in the food and beverage industry!
Next Session: Thursday, May 14th, 2026, at 10:00 am
Duration: 1 hour
Ten years of Starter Company Plus means 10 years of people taking a chance on themselves š·
One of those inspiring entrepreneurs is Stephanie Dirks, the vision behind Refine Pilates & Yoga @refinepilatesandyoga
Stephanie created a beautiful, uplifting space designed to help individuals feel more aligned in their body, mind and soul. Offering a variety of Pilates, reformer, and private classes, Stephanie has created a welcoming space where movement, wellness and community come together beautifully. š§š¼āāļø
From the gorgeous studio space to the welcoming energy inside, Refine Pilates & Yoga is a true reflection of passion and what can happen when you take a chance on your dreams!!
#startercompanyplus #niagaraonthelake #supportlocal #pilatesreformer #womeninbusiness
Proud to be part of such an incredible community of local businessesš
This Motherās Day, donāt forget to support your local small businesses and shop close to home.
Celebrating all the hardworking moms, mother figures, and women entrepreneurs who inspire, lead, and make our community stronger every day!! #mothersday #mothersdayspecial #hardworkingmoms #entrepreneurship
Looking for something to do in Niagara this Motherās Day weekend? šø
@notlinbloom is back for the second annual Niagara-On-The-Lake In Bloom Festival - a floral extravaganza presented by @vintage_hotels , celebrating all things spring in the prettiest way possible.
This yearās theme, All Creatures Big and Small, absolutely does not disappoint šš· Thoughtfully curated and full of charm, itās the perfect outing for Mom. Plus, thereās so much more to explore while youāre in NOTL @visitniagaraonthelake - shops, cafes, wineries and all the spring magic!!
#supportlocal #visitniagara #inbloom #mothersday #shoplocal
Got a business idea? š” Turn it into reality this summer with the Summer Company Program! Students ages 15ā29 can learn how to run a business, receive funding, and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs along the way.
Applications close May 16 - we canāt wait to see the amazing ideas you bring this summer!
Apply now, link in bio. š #summerbusiness #summercompany #StudentSupport #growingsmallbusinesses #entrepreneurmindset
Clear beats clever.
A lot of small businesses think they need more marketing, more posts, or more ads - but often the real issue is simpler than that: people just donāt understand what you do quickly enough.
When your message is clear, everything else - marketing, sales, word of mouth - gets easier.
If you have more questions or youāre not sure where your marketing is going wrong, book a consultation with us at the Niagara Falls Small Business Centre today!
šLink in bio #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessSuccess #SupportLocalBusiness #SupportLocal #SmallBusinessCanada
