At the end of March 2020, I had recently finished a four-day writing retreat in Toronto where I’d spend much of the first day working on a robust schedule of workshops, classes and drop-in sessions for the Spring offerings at Gertrude’s Writing Room, my small creative writing school business. The writing room is located in the heart of Windsor’s Walkerville neighbourhood in the Coach House at Willistead Park. The 530-ish square foot room is packed to its heritage brim with art, books, tea cups, comfy chairs and typewriters. Many, many typewriters. I had worked for weeks organizing collaborations with local writers and artists in order to fill April to June with exciting and unique creative writing endeavours.
Then – shut down. Gertrude’s Writing Room closed its front door alongside all non-essential businesses in April. The door is still closed. After the shock, fear and mild-panic about the pandemic subsided and I was able to breathe and reflect on the situation, I shifted programming to virtual one-to-one sessions with several writers. This transition was seamless, and apart from me having to get used to seeing myself on a laptop or cell phone screen, I was able to keep clients engaged and writing on a one-to-one basis. But, the space remains to be too small for social distancing for more than three people. That means, I can’t offer workshops or classes...for this long ‘now’ that we are all experiencing. 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.
'Beautiful sight' — local community comes together for Lebanon relief
Windsor Star | Doug Schmidt
On the first day of Stage 3, with many local businesses finally able to reopen their doors, residents of Windsor and Essex County opened their hearts and wallets to help the victims of a devastating disaster in faraway Beirut, Lebanon. Read more
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Learn how to manage your books and stay in compliance with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) during this free seminar, presented by Marie Thompson, CPA, CMA, Liaison Officer for the CRA.
The RE3 program will provide approved women-led SMEs a one-time non-repayable performance-based contribution up to $5,000 on expenses pertaining to the reopening, rebuilding and revival of the business. Apply here
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