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About this workshop:

This seminar will provide a broad outline of what you need to know to start importing goods from abroad:

• financial issues (Incoterms, payments, exchange rates, insurance), Canadian import regulations, labelling, quotas.
• permits and licences, logistics costs, the documentation required for smooth customs clearance, how duties and taxes work,.
• Free Trade Agreements and their impact, the role of the customs broker and other intermediaries.
• Learn the basics as well as the important details impacting your bottom line and avoid mistakes, minimize costs/risks and maximize revenue.

About the speaker:

Following a + 30-year international logistics career, Christian Sivière started a Montréal-based import-export consultancy in 2010, Solimpex, active in two areas:

• consulting to help SMEs grow internationally; and
• training on the regulatory, customs and logistics aspects of Importing and Exporting, Free Trade Agreements and Supply Chain Optimization.

Christian is a subject-matter expert and lectures for the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association in Toronto, gives seminars and webinars for various trade organizations like the Montreal Chamber of Commerce, Export Québec, Invest Ottawa, Supply Chain Canada and similar, and personalized training for importers and exporters. He publishes articles in Inside Logistics and Supply Professional.

REGISTER HERE

About the workshop

You’ve probably heard of Google Advertising and may have even received various feedback from other business owners. The fact is, Google Advertising can be very powerful when done properly.

So now is the time to stop listening to others and to forge your own opinion by participating in our upcoming workshop!

In this free seminar designed specifically for business owners, we will unveil the facts about this often-misunderstood online promotion tool and lay out a framework to help you decide if it’s right for your business and how it may benefit your marketing strategy.

By the end of the session, you will have a solid understanding of how Google Ads are priced, how to set a realistic budget, and how to identify your return on investment and analyze the data.

If you’ve ever been curious about Google Advertising and its potential for your business, you don’t want to miss this session!

Who should attend:

• New business owners entering the market and aiming to get the word out quickly
• Entrepreneurs and consultants wanting to brush up on their knowledge
• Marketing coordinators and business owners looking to explore new promotional tools and expand their digital strategy

What you will learn:

• Why Google Advertising is so powerful
• Identifying the right key words based on your budget
• How to set the ‘right’ budget, both realistic and efficient

About the Presenter

This workshop is presented by David Bird, a recognized digital advertising and promotion expert and the Founder and Principal of Bird’s Eye Marketing, an Ottawa-based firm that specializes in helping businesses get found on Google.

David has been managing Google Ads (formerly AdWords) accounts since 2012, helping as many businesses as possible along the way. He specifically enjoys working with small businesses and has made ad spending optimization his specialty in order to make Google Ads accessible while still ensuring quality results no matter the size of the business or its advertising budget.

David offers a full series of seminars relating to Google solutions that get your business found online, including:

• Google Ads
• Google Business Profile & SEO (search engine optimization)
• Google Analytics 4 (GA4)

REGISTER HERE

NOTE: This is a make-up date for this past month’s session that unfortunately had some Zoom technical difficulties!

About this workshop:

Ready to scale your online business with smarter, more cohesive marketing? Join us for an interactive webinar designed for entrepreneurs who want to take control of their e-commerce growth.

In this session, you’ll uncover the power of 360° marketing – a strategy that unifies your brand message across every channel and customer touchpoint. We’ll break down the entire campaign lifecycle, from creative ideation to high-performance execution, showing you how to optimize each stage of your customer journey.

Discover proven tactics to boost engagement and sales, including how to:

• Build anticipation with strategic pre-sale campaigns
• Convert urgency into action using limited-time offers
• Capture high-intent shoppers through dynamic ad targeting

By the end of this webinar, you’ll walk away with a clear action plan and practical insights to amplify your brand’s reach, streamline your marketing, and drive measurable revenue growth.

Ideal for:

• Founders
• E-commerce business owners
• Marketers looking to scale with strategy and precision.

REGISTER HERE

About this workshop:

Thinking of launching a bakery, café, catering company, food truck, or other food-related venture in Ottawa?

Before you turn on the ovens or roll out the food truck, make sure you’re fully prepared with the right licenses, permits, and knowledge of local regulations.

In this informative session, you’ll get a comprehensive overview of services offered by the City of Ottawa, along with key regulatory requirements for starting and operating a food-related business.

Topics will include:

• The different categories of food business licenses (e.g., restaurants, catering, mobile food services, wholesale food)
• Regulations for home-based food businesses
• Permits and compliance requirements from various City departments, including Public Health, By-law Services, Fire Services, and Building Code Services
• How to navigate interdepartmental processes and avoid common pitfalls

Whether you’re just exploring the idea or already developing your food business, this session will help you understand what’s involved, who to contact, and how to move forward with confidence.

Don’t miss this essential step in turning your food business dream into a reality in Ottawa!

Interested entrepreneurs can contact our speaker for assistance concerning any matters dealing food business start up and operation by emailing: [email protected]

Note: This event page is for the in-person option of our hybrid model. Click here to go to the virtual event page.

About this workshop:

Have a business idea but aren’t sure how to take the first step? This engaging and informative webinar is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of exploring business ownership. Whether you’re considering a side hustle, launching a startup, or turning a passion into a full-time venture, this session will provide you with the foundational knowledge you need to get started confidently and compliantly.

Led by experts from Invest Ottawa, this beginner-level seminar will introduce you to the key regulatory requirements and business considerations at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels. You’ll learn about:

• Municipal Requirements: Understand business licensing requirements and zoning considerations in Ottawa.
• Provincial Regulations: Explore different business structures (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation), how to register your business in Ontario, and what structure might be best for you.
• Federal Obligations: Get an overview of federal requirements including HST registration and obtaining a Business Number (BN).

In addition to regulatory basics, the webinar will highlight valuable resources available to entrepreneurs, including:

• Support Services & Community Resources: Discover how Invest Ottawa and its partners can support your entrepreneurial journey through mentorship, networking, training, and more.

By the end of this session, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the path to launching your business and where to find the support you need every step of the way.

Who Should Attend:

• First-time entrepreneurs
• Individuals with a business idea but no prior experience
• Anyone looking to understand the business startup landscape in Ottawa and Ontario

About the speaker:

Paula Hopkins is a passionate entrepreneurship advocate. She is the Director of the Entrepreneurship Team, and has worked with Invest Ottawa for over 10 years to help people start and grow their businesses.

REGISTER HERE

About this workshop:

Do you have a great idea, but aren’t sure if it could become a great business?

This interactive 1.5-hour session is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who are ready to explore whether their idea has the potential to become a successful venture. Whether you’re at the very beginning of your entrepreneurial journey or re-evaluating an existing concept, this webinar will help you take a critical first step.

What You’ll Learn:

• Assessing Your Business Idea: Learn how to evaluate your idea through key questions that entrepreneurs should ask before launching. We’ll discuss factors such as customer needs, value proposition, market fit, and feasibility.
• Introduction to the Lean Startup Canvas: You’ll be introduced to the Lean Startup Canvas – a powerful, one-page tool designed to help you visually map out the key components of your business model. We’ll guide you through each section, helping you start validating your idea right away.
• Understanding Basic Cash Flow: Finances are critical, especially in the early stages of a business. We’ll walk you through a simple cash flow projection tool to help you understand your potential income, expenses, and financial runway. cash flow template will be provided to all attendees for ongoing use.

Who Should Attend:

• Individuals with a new business idea they’d like to explore
• Early-stage entrepreneurs seeking validation tools
• Anyone considering self-employment or launching a small business

What You’ll Leave With:

• A solid understanding of what makes an idea viable
• A draft version of your Lean Startup Canvas
• A cash flow worksheet tailored to small businesses
• Greater confidence in deciding whether to move forward

Note: This session does not cover writing a full business plan. All attendees will be receiving a copy of the lean startup canvas & cash flow worksheet (with formulas pre-saved) in their follow-up email.

About the speaker:

Paula Hopkins is a passionate entrepreneurship advocate. She is the Director of the Entrepreneurship Team, and has worked with Invest Ottawa for over 10 years to help people start and grow their businesses.

REGISTER HERE

Note: This event page is for the virtual option of our hybrid model. Click here to go to the in-person event page.

About this workshop:

Have a business idea but aren’t sure how to take the first step? This engaging and informative webinar is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of exploring business ownership. Whether you’re considering a side hustle, launching a startup, or turning a passion into a full-time venture, this session will provide you with the foundational knowledge you need to get started confidently and compliantly.

Led by experts from Invest Ottawa, this beginner-level seminar will introduce you to the key regulatory requirements and business considerations at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels. You’ll learn about:

• Municipal Requirements: Understand business licensing requirements and zoning considerations in Ottawa.
• Provincial Regulations: Explore different business structures (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation), how to register your business in Ontario, and what structure might be best for you.
• Federal Obligations: Get an overview of federal requirements including HST registration and obtaining a Business Number (BN).

In addition to regulatory basics, the webinar will highlight valuable resources available to entrepreneurs, including:

• Support Services & Community Resources: Discover how Invest Ottawa and its partners can support your entrepreneurial journey through mentorship, networking, training, and more.

By the end of this session, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the path to launching your business and where to find the support you need every step of the way.

Who Should Attend:

• First-time entrepreneurs
• Individuals with a business idea but no prior experience
• Anyone looking to understand the business startup landscape in Ottawa and Ontario

About the speaker:

Paula Hopkins is a passionate entrepreneurship advocate. She is the Director of the Entrepreneurship Team, and has worked with Invest Ottawa for over 10 years to help people start and grow their businesses.

REGISTER HERE