A SEA of opportunities

Author: Michele Lawson

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Michele Lawson

Executive director Cathy Greer of the Business Enterprise Resource Network (BERN) took the stage at the annual Self Employment Assistance (SEA) program conference in May. Almost 200 entrepreneurs, program participants and guests showed up at Geneva Park Conference Centre to learn, network and celebrate.

Losing a job may seem like an ending at the time, but for many it’s the start of life as an entrepreneur, says Cathy Greer, executive director of the Business Enterprise Resource Network (BERN). In addition to a range of support services for new and existing business, the non-profit organization spends about 75 per cent of its operating budget delivering the government-sponsored Self Employment Assistance (SEA) program for employment insurance (EI)-eligible individuals interested in starting their own companies. Applicants who are accepted into the program may receive financial and business support for up to 52 weeks while establishing their new businesses. BERN boasts a 93-per-cent success rate of people who continue operating their new businesses after their funding runs out. “They usually come from a sad situation (like losing their jobs), so their confidence is shaken,” says Greer. “We see a big difference between when they start and when they finish.” While the recession may be responsible for significant job reductions in the region, there has been a boom in those interested in the self-employment option. Participation in the Barrie program has jumped 80 per cent, while South Simcoe has seen a hike of 63 per cent. “There’s been a huge increase in numbers since November of last year,” Greer reports. “They’re coming from all sectors.” With six intakes a year (every two months), the program is set for further expansion. BERN was recently asked to deliver the popular program in Bracebridge, Orillia and Collingwood as well. Wanting to do it properly, Greer also negotiated a new staffed office for each of the locations to better serve clients. The SEA program has been operating in the Barrie area for 10 years paralleling the lifespan-to-date of BERN, which began by developing its own business resource centres and incubator programs. Greer’s team has been managing this start-up program for the past six years. “It’s one of the best programs to arm local business people to contribute to the community,” Greer says. “Not only are they going to support themselves in their own right and their families, they’re also going to be purchasing things in the community like printing, advertising, stock, and equipment. “It has far-reaching effects just from the tax base. It goes on and on and on.” The first 10 weeks of the program concentrates on building a business plan, and includes marketing and sales planning and well as strategic planning. “That’s when we have the most intense classroom time,” explains Greer. “The remaining 42 weeks provides support while they implement that plan.” Participants meet regularly for seminars, mentoring, coaching and to discuss the new challenges as they arise. “When you’re out there operating your business, you’re going to be faced with things you hadn’t anticipated and are impossible to plan for,” says Greer. “Even the best-laid plans, assumptions and research are open to all sorts of changes and situations. So, that’s why we’re here.” Even though statistics say 80 per cent of businesses that get professional assistance succeed (which is more optimistic than the correlating general statistic stating 80 per cent of independent businesses fail within the first five years), not everyone is cut out for an entrepreneurial lifestyle, says Greer. “There are two kinds of people who succeed in the program,” she details. “A natural entrepreneur – they have the drive and creativity to see and grasp opportunities and make them work for them; and the other kind of business person who puts their head down and works very hard following structures they have set in place for themselves.” For every 10 people recommended for the program by BERN staff, about 13 apply. “We’re not only looking at the business, but also the person in the business,” she explains. “Even though we’re not judging, we’re assessing. We’re not doing them any favours if we encourage them in the SEA program when they’re going to have a struggle because of their personality.” It’s a winning formula that is benefits the entire community. “If they’re successful enough, they’re going to have jobs available for my kids,” says Greer. “Success attracts success. It raises the profile of a community and attracts more successful industry.” Many SEA program alumni stay connected to BERN and become successful role models for fledgling business owners who may never have started down this path unless “forced into the opportunity,” says Greer. The success of the recent SEA program annual conference, which attracted 150 current and past program participants, attests to the power of this network. For more information about all the support services at BERN, call 705-792-0989 or visit www.businessenterprise.ca.