Another year has passed us by as quickly as it began. Life can seem overwhelming for many, especially when you’re an entrepreneur. January is typically a slow time of year depending on your business type, which can be a double-edged sword. Sure, the dust has settled, and you can breathe a sigh of relief but now, more than ever, is the best time to take a critical look at your business operations.
Never to sit on our laurels, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre has been working hard these past 30 years to support local entrepreneurs and their small businesses. We are always updating our offerings to best suit the current business climate. We provide complimentary consultations, educational seminars and access to expert advice and grants through our specialized programs.
It’s a new year, a new you. Are you ready to give your business a digital transformation? The Digital Transformation Grant provides qualifying store-front businesses with a digital assessment, online training, and a one-time, $2,500 grant to implement your Digital Transformation Plan.
Over the years, since the inception of this program, many local businesses have taken advantage of the power of growing their digital footprint in our ever-changing entrepreneurial landscape. Windsor-Essex businesses are quite diverse and our DMS squad consistently rises to the challenge to provide tailored solutions.
You don’t have to take our word for it, we can let some of our past Digital Transformation Grant recipients do the talking:
“I am very happy with the help and support DMS has provided to my business. It has taught me so much and is a continual learning process. Not only with the grant, but with the multiple online information sessions, DMS has brought my business to the next level, finding new customers in this digital age.”
Byron Griffith, Smootheezz Bar
“I would highly recommend going through the DMS grant process for any small business. The tips and tools I learned in the videos were invaluable and will be helpful to improve exposure and growth of our business.”
Natalie Cervini, Aria Wellness Centre
“The Digital Main Street programs are a godsend for small businesses. The programs are an amazing opportunity to have someone guide you through taking your business online. As a small business owner, I desperately need this kind of help to grow my business. The advisors were very patient with me and guided me through the steps to understand and process the programs.”
Wendy Zheng, Q-Tea Asian Food & Bubble Tea
DMS is a collaborative initiative administered by the Ontario BIA Association (OBIAA), in partnership with the Province of Ontario, and the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA). The program is delivered locally by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre, and offers comprehensive and free support services, training, and grants to help grow your business online.
Applications for the Digital Transformation Grant open again on January 16, 2023. Get proactive and contact us to start the process and access the training early. You can get ahead of the pack by scrolling down to fill out our DMS Contact form.
Are you still unsure if it’s right for you? Here’s a final testimonial that encapsulates the process. This is what Zule Ankamah of Zuleeats had to say:
“We liked the educational component before receiving the grant and found the marketing modules very interesting. We are really grateful for the grant because digital marketing is a necessity, but when you’re looking at costs it often falls to the bottom, and we try to focus on free avenues. This grant allowed us to get professional branding photos done to help elevate a brand – something that we wouldn’t have been able to prioritize for a while. Thank you to all involved!”
Zule Ankamah, Zuleeats
Take advantage of our programs to set yourself up for success. The time is now to build long-term resilience. Let’s work together toward a happy and prosperous new year.
Become a client of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre and receive support in launching or expanding your small business, contact us for more information.
