The SMARTStart program – which pairs mentors with local entrepreneurs – completed its second session, producing 11 graduates from nine local businesses.
The eight-month program is comprised of online training through the GoForth Institute, 10 in-person seminars with local experts and the formation of mentor connections in the community.
SMARTstart was the brainchild of Community Futures Centre West (CFCW) and is delivered by the Airdrie Business Resource Partnership, which includes Airdrie Chamber of Commerce, City of Airdrie Economic Development, Bow Valley College and CFCW.
“Airdrie is actually the second time CFCW has done the project but we definitely expanded it in Airdrie,” said Jodie Eckert, a member of the CFCW SMARTStart Committee. “The in-person workshops were much more defined and we added the mentor program.”
The new graduates spent the last eight months refining their idea for a new business or working to strengthen their existing business.
The entrepreneurs were matched with mentors from the community who share their experience and expertise.
Christine McLeod of Tri Fit Training went through the program with her partner, Tracy Winger, and said taking part was extremely beneficial to her business.
McLeod and Winger were paired up with Sandi Christensen of Goodman Roofing and Joan Bell, a successful local entrepreneur who most recently ran the Airdrie Yoga Studio.
“The mentorship was by far the best part about it, but we had so much education as well,” McLeod said. “Twice a month we’d have classes where they’d talk about the accounting side and networking and every aspect of helping you build your business. The educational side we really appreciated as well.”
When the call went out for the first group of participants in March 2014, the new program proved to be very popular, receiving 37 applications for the 20 available positions. The cost of the program is $600 with participants paying $275 and the balance of the fee paid through program sponsorship.
“We have fantastic sponsors,” Eckert said. “For 2016 we have BMO on as title sponsor as well as Astoria Asset Management.”
Mentors volunteer their time and are expected to commit a minimum of 15 hours to the program, although some go far beyond that, according to Eckert.
“They were so selflessly giving to help us become more educated so we could be successful,” McLeod said. “We rarely (talked) over the phone; it was mostly face-to-face, but it was always out there. Someone giving their time to help you be successful – that’s amazing.
“The amount of money we paid to do the program was so small compared to what we got. To have someone from the city that you’re in, who understands your demographic, that understands where you’re coming from is so valuable.”
Applications are now being accepted for the 2016 program. More information is available at smartstartbusiness.ca
