Small Biz eXcellence: The Power Of Three! Libro, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre And Biz X Announce Next Winner

Big Businesses Start Small . . . Third Winner Announced

The next installment of a special contest with Libro Credit Union (Libro.ca), the

Small Business & Entrepreneurship

Centre (SBEC; WeBusinessCentre.com) and Biz X magazine, rewarding new start-ups in the region, has now resulted in the third winner since June 2022.

So how does the process work?

The SBEC staff selected three finalists from 200 clients that had utilized their consulting services from September to November. Libro then picked their top choice to receive a cash prize of $500 plus coaching sessions.

And now the third winner is, drum roll please . . . Ursa Major Learning Services

and Center.

Ursa Major Learning Services and Center (1860 Division Road North, in the Kingsville Community Centre; UMLSC.org) provides educational support to individuals with disabilities that promotes independence, empowers the people to create their own sense of personal responsibility, and creates community and social connections.

With a solid background in education, respite care and support work, the three partners — Michael Tome, Mitchell Young and Vanessa Young-Tome — realized there was a need in the community to support adults who were living with disabilities, and launched their business in 2022.

Their day program works with individuals on communication, personal safety, independent living, personal care, daily living skills, work skill set and daily interactions.

According to Shannon Dyck, Small Business Specialist/Coach at Libro Credit Union: “This is a company with strong growth potential and is aligned with Libro Pillars as they are increasing employment opportunities for those with disabilities and giving back to the community with various volunteer opportunities. We are excited to award Ursa Major Learning Services and Center with the Small Biz eXcellence award and look forward to fostering a relationship and supporting their own financial resilience and growth.”

The partners at Ursa Major Learning Services and Center are very grateful to SBEC, Libro and Biz X that they were selected from an incredible group of many worthy candidates.

“Starting a not-for-profit has been a rewarding, but challenging experience for us, and we could not have made it to this point without amazing community organizations like these,” states Tome. “The coaching sessions with Libro will help us grow our organization and provide more direct support to more people living with disabilities in Essex County. The prize money will go directly into membership programming and activities. Receiving this award means the world to us and the people we support!”

Photographed at the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (SBEC) downtown Windsor, for the cheque presentation, from left are: Sabrina DeMarco, SBEC Executive Director, Mitchell Young, Vanessa YoungTome and Michael Tome, Owners of Ursa Major Learning Services; and Michelle Chen, Small Business Specialist/ Coach Libro Credit Union. Photo by Rod Denis.