Last Updated: 2012-01-20

London Small Business Centre

Company information

Legal Name:   London Community Small Business Centre
Operating Name:   London Small Business Centre
Mailing Address 316 Rectory St 3rd Floor LONDON, Ontario N5W 3V9	Location Address 316 Rectory St 3rd Floor LONDON, Ontario N5W 3V9
Telephone: (519) 659-2882
Fax: (519) 659-7050
Email: info@sbcentre.ca
Website URL: http://www.sbcentre.ca

Contact information

Steve Pellarin
	Title:   Executive Director
	Area of Responsibility:   Management Executive
	Telephone:   (519) 659-2882
	Fax:   (519) 659-7050
	Email:   spellarin@sbcentre.ca
Andrew Verlaan
	Title:   Business Information Advisor
	Telephone:   (519) 659-2882
	Ext:   227
	Fax:   (519) 659-7050
	Email:   averlaan@sbcentre.ca

Company description

The London Small Business Centre, a non-for-profit organization, opened in 1986 with the support of its five founding members: the City of London; the Chamber of Commerce; Ontario's Ministry of Economic Development and Trade; the University of Western Ontario; and Fanshawe College. The Mission of the Centre is: "To stimulate, promote and support the entrepreneurial spirit, start-up and early growth of small business to actively contribute to the economic development of London." In pursuing this mission over the years the Centre has provided thousands of entrepreneurs with the full range of support services necessary to starting and successfully building their small businesses.
Country of Ownership:	Canada
Year Established:	1986
Exporting:	No
Primary Industry (NAICS):	813910 - Business Associations
Primary Business Activity:	Association
Number of Employees:	12

Product / Service / Licensing

Service Name:	Bridges to Better Business
Bridges to Better Business is an annual event held in celebration of Small Business Week (October). The conference is an interactive approach to addressing the various business issues and/or challenges that you, as a business owner, experience on a daily basis. Each year, this unique forum brings together businesses in various stages of development for an open exchange of ideas, advice, and feedback through the guidance of facilitators and mentors. Designed to maximize your learning and networking opportunities, participants can choose either a discussion group or seminar of a pre-determined topic. Discussion groups are limited to approximately 10 people, allowing for in-depth and quality discussions. Mentors have been recruited to share their knowledge and ensure a dynamic discussion.
Service Name:	Networking Wednesday
On the first Wednesday in every month clients, members, and friends of the Small Business Centre meet to exchange business cards and business ideas. This event provides a great opportunity to form new business relationships and maintain established contacts.
Service Name:	Self Employment Benefit Program (SEB)
The Self-Employment Benefit Program is designed to provide "Employment Insurance (EI) eligible" or "Reachback" clients with the necessary training and counselling support to launch full-time new businesses in the London Middlesex region. The application process takes 6-8 weeks and consists of Business Planning training, Advisory and Plan Assessment. If accepted, income support for the first 32 weeks of business operations, Business Skills Enhancement training, ongoing Business Advisory services and networking opportunities are available. The focus of the SEB program is on business start-up and we require that the applicant has a solid business idea and is committed to starting-up upon completion of the Business Planning Workshop Series, and acceptance into SEB. Individuals must clearly demonstrate their "entrepreneurial frame of mind", have a viable business concept with a "reasonable chance of success" in the London/Middlesex region and be recommended for acceptance into this federally funded program by SEB personnel.
Service Name:	Small Business Enterprise Centre
The Ministry of Economics Development and Innovation operates Small Business Enterprise Centres in communities across Ontario. New and existing Ontario entrepreneurs will find a variety of services and resources to enhance their business development. At each office, the services offered include: Consultant Services: the availability of a knowledgeable general business consultant; Publications: there are many informative publications and booklets that cover everything from preparing a business plan, to creating a marketing plan, record keeping for small business and financial assistance programs; Seminars: delivery of business-related seminars and workshops to expand your business knowledge.