Comox BIA Business Resources Hub

Comox BIA businesses have faced significant challenges since COVID arrived; pandemic related restrictions, supply chain disruptions, labour force issues, inflation and much more. To support BIA members to quickly access small business tools, information, and financial resources, the BIA has created this Comox BIA Member Business Resources page. It will continue to be updated and refined with a wide range of links to help you find the resources you need to thrive.

 

Downtown Comox Shoulder Season Marketing Campaign

The Comox BIA is excited to invite downtown Comox BIA businesses to participate in an upcoming marketing campaign designed to promote Downtown Comox and drive customer engagement with local businesses. This campaign will highlight Downtown Comox shopping, services and eateries during a period when business is generally slower and road closures and disruptions are expected to be at their peak, between January and May 2025.

Learn more here.

 

2024 Comox Business Matters – Resources

Sewer Conveyance Project and Beaufort Avenue Improvement Project Update, with Ingrid Sly, Communication & Engagement Specialist, CVRD; Craig Perry, Engineering Manager, Town of Comox; Cole Makinson, Manager of Capital Projects, CVRD

The Search for Truth & Gems – A critical step toward marketing your business, with Bill Downie

 

Business Enhancement Resources:

BDC – Revving up Your Sales, a guide for entrepreneurs

Small Business BC – Preparing Your Business For The Holidays: A holiday prep checklist, key holiday shopping dates in 2024, and more.

The BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative Launches: Sustainable Tourism and Climate Adaptation Planning

BDC – How to write a business plan

New Business Initiative Supports Indigenous Entrepreneurs

WeBC: Expanded support for women entrepreneurs

The BC Fast Pilot program

This free entrepreneurship program has launched 20 immigrant-owned businesses in B.C.

Resources for Growing a Business – Small Business BC Several different business growth strategies available; from exploring new markets or new products to refining your marketing message.

Starting a Business – Small Business BC: Provides easy access to practical resources and support you’ll find useful during the startup phase.

Small Business Resources [PDF] – Government of BC: A handout that lists resources available to help entrepreneurs and small business owners start and grow successful businesses.

WeBC Resources: How to write an effective business plan, cash flow template, identifying target markets and more.

Starting a Small Business [PDF] – Government of BC: This publication has been developed as an introductory guide to help you with planning and starting a small business. It provides essential information as well as links to additional resources to help ensure that your new business is successful.

Go Global to Grow Your Business – Trade and Invest BC: Trade and Invest B.C. offers a wide variety of resources to help your business grow through international opportunities.

BDC – How to find the right buyer for your business

BDC – 6 steps to create your company’s financial plan – Your financial plan should act as an early warning system.

Planning for Business Growth, resources from John Baxter, Regional Business Advisor – Vancouver Island, Small Business BC

Leveraging Technology to Grow Your Bottom-line resources from Graham Truax, Executive Director / Executive in Residence, Innovation Island Technology Association

Online Marketing: Thriving on a Budget, resources from Sasha Hull, Senior Digital Strategist, Tuff Media

  • Meta has a great walkthrough of setting up a Business Manager, from which assets like the pixel, ad account, Facebook page and Instagram accounts can all be managed. To run ads on Instagram and Facebook, an ad account, pixel, Facebook page and Instagram account will need to be created and connected via the Business Manager. Getting Started with Business Manager.
  • Google is a little more simpler for most businesses in that all that’s required is a Google Ads account and Google Analytics. I’ve shared the page above (Click Start Now) since most businesses do qualify for ad credit if they’re starting a new account. Start here for Ad Account Creation.
  • Slide Deck [PDF]
  • Zoom presentation, password: AN#72rT*

 

Financing and Grants:

Indigenous Labour Market Fund – Intake 1 Now Open until December 2024 – Apply Now

Canadian Red Cross Additional Assistance Program – 2021 BC Floods: Support for Small Businesses and Not-for-Profit Organizations

The Top 10 Small Business Grants Open to Canadians – Read More

Securing Small Business Rebate Program Portal Open until January 31st, 2025: To provide small businesses with funds for eligible commercial property crime and vandalism repairs, or to implement eligible preventative measures, the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation has launched its $10.5 million Securing Small Business Rebate Program.

Start-up Financing and Grants – Small Business BC: Discover how to prepare for meetings with lenders, and whether lending or investing is right for your business. You’ll also find information on the almost $5,000 in grants available to improve your e-commerce, and make your business more accessible for those with disabilities.

Canada Digital Adoption Program, open until September 30, 2024: Helps small and medium-sized enterprises adopt digital technologies to increase their competitiveness. Eligible businesses will receive a grant to build their digital plan, followed by a 0% loan of up to $100,000 to implement it.

Alacrity Canada

BDC – Small Business Loan

Business Benefits Finder – Government of Canada: A range of federal grants and funding programs for a range of business financial needs.

Women Entrepreneurship Strategy – Government of Canada: WES aims to increase women-owned businesses’ access to the financing, talent, networks and expertise they need to start up, scale up and access new markets.

 

Workforce Development:

Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium – Wilworks Program: Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium, a preferred partner with the Government of Canada, delivers the Student Work Placement Program subsidy to Canada’s manufacturing and related sectors.

WelcomeBC: Learn about programs that can help you hire international workers and find out how you can support your new hires as they transition to life in B.C. and your workplace.

go2HR: Supporting Strong Workforces and Safe Workplaces in BC’s Tourism & Hospitality Industry