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About the workshop:

Join our comprehensive E-commerce workshop where we’ll explore the essentials of launching a successful online business.

From identifying your target audience and sourcing products to choosing the right platform and designing your brand, we’ll touch on each crucial step.

Get introduced to topics such as:

• Sourcing your products
• Registering your business
• Building your online store
• Discovering the essentials of effectively marketing
• Attracting customers

We’ll run through 10 steps to help you turn your idea into your first sale. Perfect for beginners and those looking to get started with an e-commerce strategy.

FREE WORKSHOP – REGISTER HERE

About this workshop:

What’s your impact, and how do you know?

In today’s world, businesses and organizations are increasingly expected to do more than just turn a profit – they’re expected to create real, measurable social and environmental value. But how do you track that impact? And why does it matter?

In this foundational workshop, Social Impact 101: Incorporating Social Impact into Your Business Model, you’ll explore the benefits of measuring your social impact and learn how it can help guide decision-making, build trust, and strengthen your mission.

We’ll dive into several practical tools and frameworks used globally, including:

• B Corp certification
• Social Return on Investment (SROI)
• Theory of Change

You’ll also gain insights into how to integrate social impact into your business model, and examine hybrid business structures (like social enterprises, co-ops, and nonprofits with earned revenue streams). Through local and international case studies, we’ll explore what works in balancing profit with purpose.

Whether you’re just beginning your impact journey or looking to deepen your current efforts, this session will give you the clarity and tools to move forward with confidence.

Join us for Social Impact 101 – and start measuring what truly matters!

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.

Note: This event page is for the in-person option of our hybrid model and all in-person tickets are now SOLD OUT. Please join us virtually – Click here to go to the virtual event page.

About this workshop:

In today’s world of endless AI-generated content and constant digital noise, attention is scarce – and authenticity is your competitive edge. For entrepreneurs, the ability to communicate clearly, inspire trust, and move people to action isn’t just helpful – it’s a growth strategy.

This hands-on workshop is designed to help business owners master the distinct yet complementary roles of pitching and storytelling. You’ll learn when to deliver a sharp, persuasive pitch – and when to lean into narrative to build connection, credibility, and momentum.

Through practical exercises and real-world examples, you’ll discover how to:

• Choose between pitching and storytelling based on your audience, objective, and platform
• Uncover unspoken needs and craft messages that resonate and stick
• Leverage AI as a communication tool, while preserving your unique voice and authenticity

Whether you’re speaking to investors or customers, you’ll leave with the clarity and confidence to communicate in ways that drive meaningful action.

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.

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:

In today’s world of endless AI-generated content and constant digital noise, attention is scarce – and authenticity is your competitive edge. For entrepreneurs, the ability to communicate clearly, inspire trust, and move people to action isn’t just helpful – it’s a growth strategy.

This hands-on workshop is designed to help business owners master the distinct yet complementary roles of pitching and storytelling. You’ll learn when to deliver a sharp, persuasive pitch – and when to lean into narrative to build connection, credibility, and momentum.

Through practical exercises and real-world examples, you’ll discover how to:

• Choose between pitching and storytelling based on your audience, objective, and platform
• Uncover unspoken needs and craft messages that resonate and stick
• Leverage AI as a communication tool, while preserving your unique voice and authenticity

Whether you’re speaking to investors or customers, you’ll leave with the clarity and confidence to communicate in ways that drive meaningful action.

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.

FREE WORKSHOP – REGISTER HERE

About the workshop:

Are you turning your business idea into a real product, service, or brand? Whether you’re designing a logo, developing a unique product, offering innovative services, or crafting original content, understanding intellectual property (IP) is essential for protecting your hard work.

This workshop is ideal for small business owners, startups, and entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of building their business. We’ll break down the basics of IP and how it can directly impact your business growth, competitive edge, and long-term success.

You’ll learn:

• Trademarks – How to protect your business name, logo, slogan, or brand identity so others can’t use them.
• Copyrights – How to secure rights over original content.
• Patents – How to safeguard inventions, products, or processes that are new, useful, and innovative.
• Trade Secrets – How to protect valuable business information that give you a competitive advantage.
• Industrial Designs – How to protect the unique look and feel of your product design.

We’ll also cover why IP matters for small businesses – from avoiding costly legal issues to increasing your business value and attracting investors or partners.

Takeaways:

• A clear understanding of different types of IP and how they apply to your business.
• Practical examples and real-life case studies.
• Next steps and resources to start protecting your intellectual property.

About the speaker:

Elizabeth Collinson has worked with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) for more than 20 years. While working with CIPO, Elizabeth has held various positions including a Trademarks Examiner, a Business Development Officer, a Project Manager and now as an IP Advisor. Elizabeth has successfully passed the Trademark Agent examination and is listed as an inactive Trademark Agent on the Canadian Patent Agent and Trademark Agent (CPATA) register.

About CIPO:

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is a special operating agency of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. We deliver intellectual property (IP) services in Canada and educate Canadians on how to use IP more effectively.

FREE WORKSHOP – REGISTER HERE

About the workshop

You’ve probably heard different things about Google Advertising, some good, some not-so-good. In this free webinar, we will unveil the facts about this often misunderstood form of online promotion, and lay out a framework that will help you decide if it’s right for your business.

Google Advertising can be very powerful, but only if it’s done properly. This webinar is designed specifically for business owners who want to learn more about how Google Ads work, and more importantly, how well it could work for them.

By the end of this webinar, 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.

If you’ve ever been curious about Google Advertising, you won’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
• Keyword match types and your money
• Smart Mode versus Expert Mode
• How to set a realistic budget

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

About this workshop:

Join us for a comprehensive workshop designed to guide you through the essential elements of exporting goods overseas. Whether you’re new to international trade or looking to refine your current operations, this session will provide valuable insights into the key documentation and compliance requirements every exporter needs to understand.

We’ll be covering the foundational export documents necessary to ship products abroad, including commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and other critical paperwork required for smooth Customs clearance. From there, we’ll explore the main components of Customs compliance, helping you understand how to avoid delays, fines, and legal complications by adhering to international trade regulations.

The workshop will also dive into the logistics of international freight management, including how to calculate and manage duties and taxes across different countries. We’ll examine best practices for export packaging and labelling to ensure your products arrive safely and meet destination country standards.

In addition, you’ll gain insights into various modes of transport—air, sea, road, and rail—and how to choose the most suitable carrier based on cost, speed, and destination. We’ll discuss strategies for handling international returns, and how to streamline your global operations through online marketplaces, fulfillment centers, and third-party logistics providers (3PLs).

By the end of this session, you will have a clearer understanding of the full export process and the tools needed to optimize your international shipping operations.

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.