'Very specific to their businesses': Newcomer Entrepreneurship Program includes industry experts
The program offered by the PEIANC helps newcomers develop a business plan
A group of newcomer entrepreneurs presented business pitches Tuesday evening as the final component of the Newcomer Entrepreneurship Program offered by the P.E.I. Association for Newcomers to Canada.
This is the fifth year the program has been offered, and this year program facilitator Lisa Chaisson added a new component, matching up the entrepreneurs with industry experts in their fields.
"It was very tailored to them, and very specific to their businesses," said Chaisson.
During the nine-week program, the participants work on a business pitch, and learn about various topics, including insurance, law, and marketing.
New component
This year, Chaisson also brought in industry experts in fields ranging from IT, tourism, the construction industry, and retail.
Those experts held small breakout groups with the entrepreneurs in their field, offering specific industry advice, and an opportunity for networking.
Maggie Mao was one of the participants. She moved to P.E.I. from China last year, and has started a business importing heat pumps from China to sell to contractors and others in the construction industry.
Mao is confident that there is a market for the business in the province, however, she said she didn't know a lot about the local industry or regulations in Canada and in the province.
During the program, she was able to meet with Sam Sanderson with the Construction Association of P.E.I.
"He is very helpful, and he gave us a lot of data from this area, and what kind of contractors and companies we should contact to prosper our company," said Mao.
'I got what I need to help me'
Participant Thompson Feng said he also benefited from meeting an industry expert. Feng met Kevin Moufflier with the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I.
Feng said when he began the entrepreneurship program, he wasn't totally sure what business he wanted to start or get involved with. After he learned about the tourism industry, he decided to buy shares in The Eden Hall B&B in Charlottetown. He said the information from TIAPEI was really helpful.
"They taught us how to use the data from their website, from their system. So I checked the statistics, numbers, and analysis from their website, and I think I got what I need to help me to make the final decision," said Feng.
Chaisson said she hopes the contacts made during the program will be helpful for the entrepreneurs as their businesses progress, and that they'll continue to seek advice.