Self-Employment Programs - Westcoast Community Enterprise

Contact

Westcoast Community Enterprise
430-688 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 1P1

Tel: 604.685.5058

Email: dbarbour@dowco.com
Website: www.westcoastcce.com

About The Program

Owning your own business IS AN EXCITING AND CHALLENGING OPPORTUNITY !

The growing trend towards self-employment shows many people are finding both success and satisfaction in owning their own business. The most common reasons cited for becoming an entrepreneur are:

Being your own boss and having control over decisions
Making better use of your individual skills and knowledge
The potential for gaining financial rewards

Becoming successful requires commitment, careful planning, appropriate management skills, and a willingness to take calculated risks. If you are unsure about where to start, Westcoast offers a 2 hour Business Information Workshop and a one day "Starting a Business in Vancouver" workshops. These workshops are open to everyone from the Lower Mainland area and are offered on a regular basis.

ABOUT US

Westcoast Community Enterprise, has helped over 1,000 enterprising people successfully launch their own business. Annual surveys show that over 90% of our SE graduates are still in business after their first year and over 70% are still in business after three years.

Our business advisors are knowledgeable entrepreneurs with decades of tangible and practical business experience.

Westcoast is registered with the Private Post-Secondary Education Commission of B.C. Facilities are wheelchair accessible and appliances to assist the hard of hearing are available.

How Does The Program Work?

T THE WESTCOAST SELF-EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM helps prepare you for the challenges of starting and operating a successful business. This well established and industry leading program provides:

8 weeks of comprehensive business workshops designed to assist you in developing the skills required to operate a small business and to create a viable business plan.
40 weeks of mentoring while you start your business and implement your business plan.
Up to 48 weeks of financial support
Peer group support

Who May Apply?

The Westcoast SE Program is designed for people who have a viable business idea backed by relevant skills, education and experience. Eligibility is based on guidelines set out by Services. Applicants must either:

Have an active Employment Insurance (EI) claim
Have been on EI in the 36 month period prior to the start of the Self-Employment Program
Have been receiving maternity /parental benefits during the 60 months prior to the start of the Self-Employment program and be seeking re-entry to the labour force
Applicants must:
- Reside in the Lower Mainland
- Have a viable business idea and be legally entitled to work in Canada
- Start a business new to them and demonstrate an ability to make an investment in the business, in cash and/or goods
- Live and plan to operate their business within the above defined geographical area
- Provide proof of control of ownership of their business

Application and Selection Process

To apply, prospective client should register to attend the Business Information Session, held every Wednesday at 2:00 PM. The client will learn about the SE program and will be given a short workshop on "Why Businesses Fail" and "How to Do Proper Market Research".

Once your completed application is submitted, Westcoast will schedule a personal interview with one of our Business Advisors to discuss your idea and application. WE GUARANTEE all applicants an interview with a Business Advisor.

Space is limited and the application process is competitive. A panel of volunteers from the local business community makes the final selection of participants for the program.

Selection Criteria

Here are some of the criteria we use to evaluate applications:

A clearly defined business idea
Unique or competitive advantage
Proven market opportunity or need for your business
Completion of some market research
Relevant education, skills and experience
Reasonable ability to either finance or raise financing for your business
Letters of support or interest from prospective customers

When are the Programs Offered?

Information Sessions are held on Wednesdays at 2:00p.m. Check the website calendar for the next available session then call the Westcoast Community Enterprises office at 685-5058 to register.

Intakes for 2007 are scheduled for January, May and September. Check the website calendar for exact start dates.