Archives

About the workshop

Google Ads can be very profitable. However, basic mistakes will trigger a drain your cash and leave frustrated. This seminar shows you how to stay on the profitable side of Google Ads!

In this beginner level seminar, we’ll run through how to avoid common mistakes and ensure you know how your ads are performing: down ten common costly Google Ads mistakes many “do it your selfers” make and how to fix them; including:

· How to manage automated bidding

· Keyword match types and what works best for you

· Targeting the right user

· Making sure conversion tracking is working

· Set up for success

· The rest will surprise you

You won’t want to miss this if you are thinking about or managing your own Google Ads account. We’ll get your account converting in no time.

This seminar is specifically for businesses that want to manage their own Google Ads account.

About the Presenter

This webinar is presented by David Bird, Founder and Principal of Bird’s Eye Marketing, an Ottawa firm that specializes in getting businesses found on Google. He has been managing Google Ads (formerly AdWords) accounts since 2012. and is a recognized digital advertising and promotion expert.

David specializes in managing modest budget, small business Google Ads accounts.

David offers a full series of seminars about getting your business found on Google, including:

· Google Ads

· SEO with Google Business Profile

· Google Analytics 4 (GA4)

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: All attendees will be receiving a copy of the lean startup canvas & cash flow worksheet (with formulas pre-saved) live through chat during the session.

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.

FREE WORKSHOP – REGISTER HERE

About this workshop:

Clearly written contracts are one of the most powerful tools you have to protect your business. Whether you’re working with clients, suppliers, partners, or contractors, understanding the fundamentals of contract law can help you reduce risk, prevent disputes, and operate with confidence.

This practical, entrepreneur-focused workshop will break down the essentials of contract law in clear, accessible language. You’ll learn what makes a contract legally binding, how to avoid common pitfalls, and what key terms and clauses you should pay close attention to in commercial agreements.

By the end of this session, you’ll have a stronger understanding of:

• The core elements required to create a binding contract
• Common commercial contracts used by growing businesses
• Key clauses every entrepreneur should understand
• Practical strategies to reduce risk and avoid costly disputes

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your venture, this session will help you approach contracts with clarity and confidence.

Presented by Megan Wallace & Marina Abrosimov, from Mann Lawyers.

About this workshop:

Join us and our partner Mann Lawyers for a new addition to our Education Centre offerings – drop-in help office hours designed specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurs looking for quick, one-on-one support with their business law questions.

Whether you’re launching a new venture, trying to stay on top of regulatory obligations, minimizing potential liabilities, navigating the fine print of agreements, or looking for practical legal direction, our experts are here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Topics we can help with:

• Incorporation and business formation
• Compliance
• Risk management
• Contract review and negotiation
• General advice

In office: Colton Allen, from Mann Lawyers

Please register like you would for our usual workshops. Conference room location will be posted on the welcome screen in our foyer. We are limited by room capacity (all ticket holders will be in the same room so that all can learn from questions being answered), so if you register and are later unable to make it, please cancel your ticket so that another person is able to join. Thank you!

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.

FREE WORKSHOP – REGISTER HERE

About this workshop:

A corporation is a separate legal entity, meaning it exists independently from its owners and is taxed separately. But does incorporating make sense for your business? And if you’re already incorporated, are you structured in the most effective way?

Join us for this free, practical learning session designed specifically for entrepreneurs and small business owners who are either considering incorporation or want to better understand and optimize their existing corporate structure.

This interactive workshop will break down complex concepts into clear, actionable insights so you can make informed decisions about your business.

During this session, we will:

• go over the reasons to incorporate and points to consider
• compare the personal tax rates and corporate tax rates
• discuss the relationship of the individual to their corporation – salary vs. dividends, taxable benefits
• comment on different types of corporate structures and how each structure may be applicable to you which may include holding companies and family trusts as shareholders
• show how the corporation be used for tax planning purposes using the small business deduction and capital gain exemption

Whether you are just starting out, scaling your operations, or planning for the future, this workshop will help you better understand the financial and strategic implications of incorporation – and how to structure your business in a way that aligns with your goals.

FREE WORKSHOP – REGISTER HERE