Application deadline: September 4th, 2026

This 6-hour workshop is designed to help early-stage business owners move from day-to-day survival to structured, sustainable growth. You’ll focus on strengthening your sales, improving profitability, and building a clear path forward.

What You’ll Gain

• Clarity on your growth priorities
• A more consistent sales approach
• Improved pricing and profitability awareness
• Tools for operational efficiency and improved focus

Workshop Modules

Module 1: Building Foundations for Business Growth 
Build a strong foundation for sustainable business growth by understanding the key stages of business development, common challenges faced by young businesses, and the principles that support informed decision-making. Explore practical growth strategies by identifying new opportunities, strengthening existing revenue streams, and setting priorities for long-term success. 

Module 2: Understanding Costs 
Gain a clear understanding of your business costs, including fixed and variable expenses, and how they impact profitability. Learn how to identify cost drivers and make informed decisions to improve financial performance. 

Module 3: Pricing Strategies 
Develop pricing strategies that reflect the value of your products or services while ensuring profitability. Explore different pricing approaches and learn how to avoid common pricing mistakes that can limit business growth. 

Module 4: Understanding Your Customers & Target Market 
Identify your ideal customers and better understand their needs, behaviours, and purchasing decisions. Learn how market insights can help you tailor your products, services, and marketing for greater impact. 

Module 5: Process Management – Sales & Operations 
Improve business efficiency by developing simple, repeatable processes for sales and daily operations. Learn how effective systems reduce bottlenecks, improve customer experience, and create capacity for growth. 

Module 6: Marketing ROI Assessment 
Evaluate the effectiveness of your marketing activities by measuring what delivers results. Learn how to track return on investment, focus your marketing budget, and make data-informed decisions that support business growth. 

Module 7: Cash Flow Management 
Understand the importance of cash flow and how to effectively manage the movement of money through your business. Learn practical techniques to forecast cash flow, manage working capital, and avoid common cash shortages. 

Module 8: Break-even Analysis 
Learn how to calculate your break-even point and use it as a practical tool for planning and decision-making. Understand how sales volume, costs, and pricing influence profitability and support sustainable business growth 

Outcome

By the end of this workshop, you will have a clearer direction, stronger business fundamentals, and a focused plan to accelerate your growth. 

How do I sign up?!

Seats are limited. As an economic development program, priority will be given to individuals who are prepared to make a financial investment into growing the business and have the potential to create employment opportunities. 

Best fit candidates:

• Have real-world business experience (1–3 years)
• Are generating some revenue but want more consistency
• Are ready to refine, focus, and grow intentionally

Not suited for individuals:

• Still in the idea or exploration stage.
• Unable to work on the business full-time
• Unable to participate in ongoing coaching and training opportunities. 

Eligible participants for the Starter Company Plus program are:

Grant Opportunity:

Individuals who successfully complete the workshop will have the opportunity to submit a plan and compete for a grant of up to $5,000*.    The chances of receiving a grant will depend on the number of people in the workshop and the relative strength of the plan/pitch compared to other applicants.

Location: 

London Small Business Centre
900 King St., London, ON