C
Business
onnections September 2016
Bridges to Better Business: SeniorPreneurship
Becoming an entrepreneur is no longer an option reserved for the young. Today, after lifetimes dedicated to conventional employment, more and more workers are exploring entrepreneurship as a postcareer alternative to retirement. And older entrepreneurs are often armed with the tools that contribute to high success rates -- a wealth of experience and knowledge, strong network of contacts, and a more stable financial situation. History provides countless inspiring examples of successful entrepreneurs who got started later in life. Henry Ford was 45 when he created the revolutionary Model T car and Julia Child was 50 when she published her first cookbook. Perhaps most famously, Ray Kroc, founder of the McDonald’s restaurant empire, spent his career as a milkshake device salesperson before buying the first McDonald’s restaurant at age 52. Targeting this fast growing segment of our population and individuals who are active ‘retirement rejecters,’ the Orangeville & Area SBEC’s upcoming Bridges to Better Business will focus on the topic of SeniorPreneurship. Keynote speaker and media personality Dini Petty knows all about starting a business in later life. The star of CTV’s long-running ‘The Dini Petty Show’ has spent her post-retirement years building a hugely successful venture -- a unique pet product business that has garnered over $1,000,000 through the online crowd-funding platform Kickstarter. Ms. Petty will share her incredible story and outline the strategic business and marketing steps she took to achieve success. “I have no intention of slowing down,” declares Ms. Petty. “One of my strongest traits is curiosity. That, combined with a lot of energy, means I’m happiest when I’m doing things!” Veteran entrepreneur Wendy Mayhew of Business Launch Solutions will also share her expertise on starting a business after age 50. Ms. Mayhew’s workshops demystify business ownership and encourage people of any age to take their first entrepreneurial steps. She makes a compelling case for switching retirement gears and turning a lifelong dream of owning a business into reality. Ms. Mayhew helps her audience understand the advantages of business ownership for “seasoned” citizens and she will offer practical, step-by-step business start-up guidance. The Bridges to Better Business: SeniorPreneurship event will be held on November 8, 2016 and provide an outstanding afternoon of instruction, practical guidance, and more than a little entertainment! Pre-registration is required and the cost is $35, including lunch. To register, visit orangevillebusiness.ca/events or contact the office at sbec@orangeville.ca or 519-941-0440 Ext. 2286.
Small Business Month
Councillor Nick Garisto celebrated the proclamation of October as Small Business Month in Orangeville along with members of the Town’s Economic Development Committee and staff. Small Business Month acknowledges the more than 2,000 Orangeville-based businesses that help keep our economy competitive and strong.
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Volume 7
Issue 4
Company Profile
Expanding in Orangeville – Alfacon Solutions Ltd. Successful manufacturers recognize that manufacturing competitiveness is built through the growth of business opportunities that include exporting activity. Orangeville’s own recently rebranded Alfacon Solutions Ltd. is an excellent example of this statement and the importance of building a global presence. More than 20 years ago, as a local area resident wanting to work closer to home, Alfacon Founder Steve Marr moved his manufacturing business to Orangeville in 1993 after purchasing the Bramptonbased D.S. Handling Systems. Mr. Marr operated the venture from two locations in Orangeville until 1998, when he purchased a facility at 10 Centennial Road. From there, the business expanded again as Mr. Marr purchased a Quebec-based custom conveying systems business and moved it to Orangeville. In 2013, the business grew yet again and relocated from its 35,000-square-foot facility on Centennial Road to approximately 80,000 square feet at its current location at 695 Riddell Road. The company acquired another business – Aerdon Lifts -- and began to increase efforts on expansion of the U.S market. The aggressive expansion was made possible by a significant investment in the company by Monteco, a Toronto-based investment firm. It appears to have paid off – since partnering with Monteco, the company’s exporting has increased to 50 percent of its business in the past two to three years and sales have doubled in the past year. According to Mr. Marr, expectations are that exporting will account for 70 percent of total sales in future years and with available space for expansion, the firm is well poised for growth in Orangeville. Already the firm has increased to approximately 80 staff and expansion to three shifts is under consideration. According to Mr. Marr, “the acquisition of additional companies enabled our Orangeville business to diversify and serve different markets while also reducing the impact of natural business peaks and valleys”. Growth has also fueled the availability of job opportunities and Alfacon Solutions will be participating in the upcoming Orangeville & Area Career Fair. Anyone interested in this progressive company is encouraged to visit alfaconsolutions.com.
Connect with Business. Connect with Life.
Upcoming Events
In The News
Exporting Essentials for Business • October 6, 10 a.m. to Noon This seminar is for new exporters who want to understand the steps and regulations involved in implementing an exporting strategy and for business owners who may already be exporting and want to expand their markets. Richard Ross from Export Development Canada and Rob Schock with the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Growth will provide an overview of the resources available to potential exporters, including funding and exporter support programs. No Cost.
Manufacturing Day℠ • October 7, Best Western PLUS Orangeville Inn & Suites This business connections event will bring together local manufacturers and high school students in a learning environment designed to expose youth to the world of industry.
Market Research & Analysis • October 18, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Anne Dorsey from the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre will be on hand to provide training on the P-Census market analysis tool for businesses at all stages of operation. Participants will learn how to use consumer expenditure data to evaluate locations, find markets and get to know customers. Cost $12.
Annual Economic Outlook Breakfast • October 20, 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The Town of Orangeville will team up with the TD Bank to deliver its annual networking breakfast featuring a keynote address by TD Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist, Derek Burleton. Derek will provide analysis of the Canadian economy and financial markets and offer insights on economic and financial developments pertinent to the Dufferin County economy. Cost $25 (includes breakfast).
Incorporating Your Business • October 25, 10 a.m. to Noon. This interactive workshop will help you to understand whether incorporating is the right way to structure your business. Lisa Johnson, CPA, CA, BDO Canada LLP, and Nancy Claridge, BA, MA, LLB from Carters Professional Corporation, will provide guidance on the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating as well as the process and costs associated with incorporation. Cost $12.
Bridges to Better Business: SeniorPreneurship • November 3, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Popular media personality Dini Petty will share her post retirement entrepreneurship triumphs. Her message is inspiring and demonstrates that with a good idea, an entrepreneur can succeed in small business at any age. Participants will also learn about trends in senior business startups, resources and guidance for starting an enterprise after 50. Cost $35 (includes lunch).
Career Fair • November 8, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will host local employers/agencies who are interested in promoting both their businesses and career opportunities to job seekers considering working within the Dufferin region.
Video Marketing for Small Business Part 1 & 2 • November 15 & 22, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Create engaging, inexpensive, shareable online video using the camera you already own – your smartphone. In this two-part series, TV producers Mag Ruffman and Daniel Hunter will demystify shooting with an iPhone or Android device and teach you simple steps to create crisp, inspiring video clips for your websites, newsletters and social platforms. Participants will learn key techniques to use a smartphone to assemble and output short marketing pieces at a fraction of the cost of conventional video. Cost $25 each session. All prices include HST.
Real Estate - Featured Listing Northwest Corner C Line and Centennial Road Approximately 4 acres of shovel-ready industrial land available for sale. Located at the northwest corner of Centennial Road and C Line, the land is close to the Orangeville bypass and is zoned M-1 for general industrial uses. The lot size is 1.6949 ha (4.076 ac) and can be severed into smaller parcels. The current asking price for the land is $215,000.00 per acre. Interested buyers should contact Ruth Phillips, Manager of Economic Development, Town of Orangeville at 519-941-0440 Ext. 2291 or by email at rphillips@orangeville.ca.
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Business Retention & Expansion Program – Upcoming Initiatives Almost one year ago, in recognition of the significant role that industry plays in the economy, the Town of Orangeville undertook its first Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) project focused on the manufacturing sector. Led by the Town’s Economic Development Committee (EDC), the Orangeville BR+E initiative was a co-operative effort between businesses in the manufacturing sector, municipal government representatives, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and various community partners. The project brought the voices of the local business community together to help guide economic decision-making. To date, the Orangeville BR+E initiative has included the completion of 36 comprehensive interviews with local manufacturing leaders and the information has provided valuable data and feedback on doing business in Orangeville. The confidential survey results have been analyzed and aggregated to identify major issues, themes, and priorities for follow-up. As the EDC, industry leaders, and partners finalize actions and recommendations to address the topics that emerged for local business, the Economic Development office has begun to implement programs that will support local manufacturers. As initial steps, the Town of Orangeville will partner with the local Workforce Planning Board, Centre for Career and Employment Services, and Dufferin Board of Trade to deliver Manufacturing Day℠ on October 7 as well as the first-ever Orangeville & Area Career Fair on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. The project has been led by the Orangeville EDC with strong participation and engagement from the business community and the Town thanks both of these groups for their time and efforts. The full BR+E report will be considered by Town Council this fall and further outcomes will follow.
Things To Know Starter Company Grants Are you a young business owner looking to offset start-up costs and receive advice from successful local entrepreneurs? The Starter Company program, offered by the Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC), provides local entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 29 with funds and mentorship to start and/or expand a business in Dufferin County. Program participants receive training and mentorship and successful candidates may receive up to $5,000 in grant funding. Visit the Starter Company page on our website for more information or call 519-941-0440 Ext. 2270. Hurry though; you don’t want to miss this opportunity to access funds that can help grow your venture.
Strategic Plan The Town of Orangeville is developing a corporate strategic plan and is seeking input from the community regarding the current situation and the future. Citizens deserve to be engaged on the plans and projects that affect their communities. Your input can help define priority areas for Orangeville and help shape the future of our community. Responses are anonymous and cannot be traced back to you. Help us plan the future. Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Orangeville to complete the survey.
87 Broadway, Orangeville, Ontario L9W 1K1 Phone: 519-941-0440 Toll Free: 1-866-941-0440 E-mail: info@orangevillebusiness.ca Twitter: @OrangevilleED You Tube: Orangeville Business Facebook: Orangeville Economic Development & Tourism