Archives

About this workshop:

Many founders and small business leaders find themselves drafting and signing contracts on their own – often without the benefit of timely legal advice.

In this practical, one-hour webinar, we’ll walk through a live demonstration of how AI can be used to draft a common business agreement, with experienced lawyers providing real-time commentary and guidance.

You’ll walk away with actionable tips on how to use AI to speed up deal-making, ask better questions, and avoid the hidden legal pitfalls that can create costly problems down the road.

About the speakers:

Naomi Morisawa De Koven is the managing lawyer of Navio Law. She and her co-presenter Evan Young regularly advise entrepreneurs and knowledge-based businesses on legal issues relating to corporate, commercial, employment, financing and M&A transactions.

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.

About this workshop:

Preparing an income tax return is a must for any business, regardless of the business structure. Presented by Jasmin Atwal from Logan Katz, this workshop will cover the basics of preparing a tax return for the sole proprietor.

This course will be of interest to the unincorporated business owner as well as professionals belonging to a partnership. During this interactive hybrid 2-hour workshop, we will:

• discuss the Canadian Income Tax system
• review record keeping basics
• compare sole proprietorship vs. partnership vs. corporation
• identify and discuss the tax treatment of business income and expenses
• review tax form T2125 – Statement of Business or Professional Activities
• prepare a basic form T2125

This session is only held twice a year, so don’t miss out!

About the workshop:

Are you curious about how business can be used as a force for good? Join us for an in-depth webinar that explores the world of social enterprise – a unique and growing business model that blends entrepreneurial strategies with a mission to create meaningful social, environmental, or cultural impact.

In this session, you’ll gain a detailed understanding of what defines a social enterprise and how it differs from traditional for-profit businesses and non-profits. We’ll explore the key characteristics and models of social enterprises, and learn about important legal and operational considerations, such as choosing the right structure, balancing profit and purpose, and measuring social impact.

The webinar will also feature real-world examples of local social enterprises, highlighting how they operate, generate revenue, and deliver measurable benefits to their communities. Whether you’re considering starting your own social enterprise or simply want to understand how they work, these stories will provide inspiration and insight.

Additionally, we will cover the support resources available to aspiring social entrepreneurs, including funding opportunities, mentorship programs, business development services, and local networks.

This session is perfect for entrepreneurs, community leaders, non-profit professionals, students, or anyone interested in building a more sustainable and equitable future through innovative business models.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how you can turn your passion for social change into a viable and impactful enterprise.

About CSED:

The Centre for Social Enterprise Development (CSED) offers a continuum of support for social enterprises in the Ottawa area, including access to technical expertise, coaching, learning communities, training, and cross-sector partnerships. CSED works with its clients to develop their social enterprise plan and provide them with the tools, strategies and support to perpetuate positive social change and grow profitably.

www.csedottawa.ca

About this workshop:

Led by Coca-Cola alumni, Lubna Forzley, Founder of Stories, this session will delve into the intricacies of niche development and client acquisition. Drawing upon proven methodologies and industry expertise, we will equip entrepreneurs with the tools and insights needed to carve out a distinct niche in the market and effectively engage their target audience.

What You Can Expect:

• Dive deep into the fundamentals of niche development, understanding how to intricately define and refine your niche to resonate with your target audience
• Gain clarity on your niche, identifying the pains and gains inherent to your target market through guided exploration enabling you to tailor your offerings to meet their specific needs and desires
• Unlock the power of your business model by mastering the Value Proposition Canvas, a strategic tool that helps you align your products with customer needs and create compelling value
• Leverage innovative approaches and the relevant Marketing platforms to maximize your reach and impact

Don’t miss the chance to gain the insights as we unlock the secrets to niche dominance and unleash the full potential of your brand. Walk away with actionable strategies and newfound clarity on how to position their brand for success in today’s competitive landscape.

About the speaker:

Lubna is the Founder and CEO of Stories, a coaching and mental health platform that was proudly recognized as the Most Innovative Mental Health Tech for 2023 by Mentl. With a unique career spanning marketing and coaching, she combines her expertise to grow organizations, while growing their leaders.

A passionate advocate for growth and transformation, Lubna is an ICF-accredited (PCC) coach and a certified practitioner in Dr. Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry Program. She has worked with royalty and leaders from Fortune 500 companies—including Coca-Cola, Google, American Express, BP, Bayer, and Square, BASF, US Department of Airforce, Federal Aviation Administration and CVC Health Corporation

With over 20 years of leadership and consulting experience, Lubna has held regional executive positions at Coca-Cola, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and BNP Paribas, as well as advising startups across various industries, including e-commerce, FMCG, banking, and human development. As a Coca-Cola alumna, she spent years building the iconic brand and driving impactful initiatives.

Speaking and Thought Leadership:

Lubna is a globally recognized speaker, having delivered hundreds of talks worldwide, including two TEDx talks. She has engaged with organizations like Johnson & Johnson, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, Endeavor, Invest Ottawa, and TiE, among others. She has hosted global conferences and roundtables featuring luminaries such as Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Dr. Gabor Maté, and over 40 household names. Additionally, she has shared stages with notable figures like Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple.

Published Work and Media Features:

Lubna is the author of Enhancing Business Community Relations, published by the United Nations Development Programme, and is currently working on her next book, Crack It, which delves into the power of transformation. Her insights have been featured in major outlets, including Associated Press, Fast Company, and Entrepreneur Magazine, as well as in the book Something to Believe In: Creating Trust and Hope in Organizations.

Advocacy and Personal Life:

As a board member for griefstories.org, Lubna continues her mission to foster meaningful change. A tireless advocate for women in leadership, she is also a proud mother of three, balancing her professional and personal life with grace.

REGISTER HERE