In the vibrant world of entrepreneurship, small business owners encounter many opportunities and challenges as they strive for success. Amidst the intricacies of funding, the quest for inspiration, and the importance of building a strong network, there lies a realm of potential waiting to be unlocked. Today, we're excited to unveil five empowering tools that have the transformative power to propel small businesses into a realm of growth and development. From unlocking new funding avenues to providing boundless inspiration and facilitating meaningful networking, these resources can help nurture your journey as an entrepreneur. 

Your City’s Business Centre

Most cities and municipalities compile various resources available to residents. You can even find a wide range of tools, specifically dedicated to small business owners. Depending on where you live you can find a business centre offering all things business development. For example, Mississauga residents can visit IDEA Mississauga on their website or at their Square One Innovation Hub. This centre’s services include mentorship, workshops, networking events, access to useful information, development programs and more! The city of Markham has a small business services website where you can find webinars like Build Your Own Action Plan. The city of Toronto has a list of funding resources including grants, loans, tax credits and competitions that award funds. These are just a few examples, no matter where you live you can find your town’s business centre! Even if you are not from a city, you can still browse online resources that are accessible to non-residents like the webinar mentioned above!

The Creative Independent 

The Creative Independent is a wonderful online hub of resources for entrepreneurs and creatives. You can find an array of guides, essays, tips, interviews and tutorials that span across various topics. This is an especially inspiring platform for those seeking better practices to enrich their operations or way of communicating with your audience. Resources here touch on wellness, accessibility inclusion, and experimental art making that can be applied to business and more. More practical guides include, How to Start a Business and How to Apply for Grants. This can be a fun introduction to new interests and approaches as an entrepreneur! 

Caption: illustration featured in the  How to Start a Business  guide on The Creative Independent

Eventbrite

Eventbrite is a dynamic online platform that can be used to discover and attend various events, including business seminars and workshops. To find local business events simply navigate to the platform's search bar and enter relevant keywords such as "business workshop" along with your location. The platform's intuitive interface allows users to filter results based on date, location, and event type, making it easy to pinpoint events that align with their interests and geographical preferences. Whether you're a professional looking to enhance your skills or an entrepreneur seeking networking opportunities, Eventbrite provides a user-friendly experience for exploring and registering for local business-focused events, contributing to its ongoing success as a versatile event discovery and management tool.

Virgil Abloh’s Free Game Website 

Virgil Abloh, who passed away in 2021, was a visionary creative who reshaped the fashion and art industry. His influence extended beyond fashion, encompassing collaborations for artists, album covers, stage designs, furniture and more. His multidisciplinary approach made him a symbol of innovation and diversity in the creative world, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire. He advocated for people to pursue their passions and actively built infrastructure to support those doing so. You can find his Free Game website where he compiled guidance for entrepreneurs in the early stages of development. This is a great place to be inspired and ushered towards next steps.

Caption: overview of the information included on the Free Game website

TrendHunter Website 

TrendHunter is a dynamic trend report website that serves as a global hub for innovation and creative insights across various industries. With its finger on the pulse of emerging trends, TrendHunter meticulously curates content related to technology, design, marketing, and lifestyle. The platform provides a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge ideas, product innovations, and consumer behaviours, making it an invaluable resource for professionals seeking to stay ahead of the curve. You can find trend reports, articles, visual inspiration and keynote speakers.The platform provides insights into emerging consumer trends, helping entrepreneurs align their products or services with current market demands.  The platform's focus on diverse industries and global trends ensures a broad perspective, enabling small business owners to explore unique ideas and differentiate themselves in the market. TrendHunter serves as a dynamic toolkit for small business owners seeking to stay competitive, creative, and informed in the ever-changing business landscape.

These are great tools and resources and there are plenty more you can find at your fingertips! When searching for knowledge on specific topics related to your business try to be specific and open to finding new things. Whether you search online, visit a library, or network with people - if you are open minded and genuinely looking to grow, it’s likely that the answers are not far! 

Want to stay updated once a new post goes live? Click here to subscribe to the blog.