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Small Business Spotlight
School’s out: student’s plunge ahead with unique business ideas
Thirteen Windsor-Essex students have joined hundreds of others across the province as first-time entrepreneurs in the annual Summer Company program.
Summer Company is an Ontario government program which provides young people with the resources and training to start a new summer business. Full-time students, aged 15-29, receive hands-on business training, advice and mentorship from local business leaders and a $3,000.
Since 2001, thousands of students in Ontario have launched businesses through Summer Company.
The WindsorEssex Small Business Centre (SBC) is working with a variety of new student businesses that provide services and products, such as IT services, art, landscaping, summer camps, tutoring, environmental products, shoe restoration, and bow and arrow games. SBC is delighted to highlight some of the unique Summer Company start-ups they are working with: Read More
Each month, the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre highlights clients and entrepreneurs that have recently opened their business. Want to to be included? Email SBC for more information.
Green Bean Cafe is an independent coffee house providing organic coffee products, great food made fresh to order, and a relaxing atmosphere.
Starter Company Plus Recipient Adam El-Dika
Mare Nostrum serves fresh Mediterranean cuisine and provides quality food, service and atmosphere to all their patrons! They pride themselves in ensuring their guests are receiving the healthiest & highest quality dishes.
Starter Company Plus Recipient Philip Wynn Teasdale
Blue Jay Home Inspections provides professional consulting services that determine the present condition of a home’s major systems based on a visual inspection of accessible features.Inspections are often performed during a real estate transaction but may be done anytime.
Client News
Windsor's first vegan donut shop offers Plant Joy
Dalson Chen | Windsor Star
Are Windsorites ready for donuts that don’t have any animal products? Young vegan entrepreneur Jordynne Ropat hopes so, because that’s what she’s selling at Plant Joy — her new vegan gourmet donut shop. Read More
Photo Credit: Nick Brancaccio
Photo Credit: Biz X Magazine
Michael Difazio Wins FedEx Contest
Guest Author | Biz X Magazine
Michael Difazio, owner of Michael Difazio Reclaim Artistry, has transformed his passion for art and sustainability into a business. He builds furniture and art pieces out of salvaged and old materials that no longer serve their intended purpose. His efforts earned his business $5,000 in the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest. Read More
Program Announcements
Digital Main Street (DMS) is a program and service that helps main street businesses achieve digital transformation.
The program is built around an online learning platform, structured training programs, and our Digital Service Squad, a team of highly trained recent graduates who help main street businesses grow and manage their business through the adoption of digital tools and technology.The Ontario Digital Main Street Initiative provides:
Digital Transformation Training and Grants Program: grants of up to $2,500
Digital Service Squad Program: one-on-one assistance and digital assessments by highly trained teams
Access to Support: access to basic digital services
Digital Training (online): free digital skills webinars and workshops
