What’s Coming Up in September

Since September is synonymous with ‘back to school’, we thought we would share the learning opportunities that abound for women entrepreneurs in Manitoba. Whether you are thinking about starting a business or making plans for growth, there are lots of opportunities to develop your skills and build your networks. We’re preparing for a busy autumn, check out what’s coming up at the Centre and through various other organizations in September:


Welcome to Business

Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba
September 9
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
free
Starting a business is an appealing idea for many women, but do you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur? This session helps you explore the advantages and challenges of being self-employed. It will also provide you with answers to frequently asked questions including: What is a business plan? How do I register my business name? Do I require any special licenses or permits? How do I finance my idea? A Business Advisor from the Women’s Enterprise Centre will guide you through the resources available at the Centre and introduce you to services delivered by our business network partners to help you put your dream into action. Click here to learn more about the session and the register.

Business Plan Development Workshop Series
Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba
September 16 – October 21
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
$180.00
What is a business plan and why do I need one? A business plan is a critical tool for outlining the strategy and developing the tactics to manage your business. This document identifies your business concept, organizes the information derived from your research, and explains how you will start and operate your business. This interactive series is delivered from 5:30 to 8:30 pm on six consecutive Wednesday evenings (summer hours differ) and provides in-depth instruction on preparing each section of the business plan. A business plan template is included. Classes are small and range in size from 6 to 15 participants so there is lots of time for questions and discussion. Click here to learn more about this workshop and the register.

Winnipeg Design Festival
Storefront MB
September 16 – September 19
Winnipeg
The Winnipeg Design Festival aims to celebrate and promote contemporary design and art in the city of Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg Design Festival attempts to cultivate and share Winnipeg’s rich community of talented and creative individuals; and the products of their creative processes of design and making. WDF also strives to build and cultivate interdisciplinary relationship and partnerships with industry and like-minded organizations that promote the value of good design of art, objects, architecture, and the greater built environment. The festivals events are the primary means of participation and interaction amongst participants and festival patrons, and may include lectures, installations, tours, and symposiums. WDF also wishes to be inclusive to a greater public audience, as a means of promotion, appreciation, and education of the design of the built environment.
* If you’re a designer, check out the event on September 19th, Design is a Business. Click here for more information.

My Gold Mine
Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba
Ongoing intake
My Gold Mine is an innovative financial management program created to help entrepreneurs use their business financial information to make strategic growth decisions. It consists of a comprehensive financial template and one-on-one coaching using the entrepreneur’s own financial information to create a diagnostic analysis of the business. Clickhere for more information.

Setting Your Price
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Workshop
September 3– September 10

Winnipeg
If you’re a food processor, or if you’re planning to operate a wholesale food processing business, join us for a free, two-part workshop! Click hereto learn more.

A Closer Look to Asia
The World Trade Centre Winnipeg Breakfast
September 11
Winnipeg
Export Development Canada’s representatives from Asia, today’s fastest region in the world, will share what is current and important for Manitobans to know. They live there, do business there, help Canadian businesses grow there… they have answers for you. Join the World Trade Centre Winnipeg for a light Asian breakfast and learn three key topics to help you understand better China, India and Southeast Asia. Click here to learn more.

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence
Women Business Owners of Manitoba
September 16

Winnipeg
A cocktail hour season opener will be held in a beautiful and informal setting at the Niakwa Golf and Country Club. There will be ample opportunities for networking and meeting new connections. To RSVP your attendance, email info@wbom.ca.

Women in Manufacturing Summit
September 23 – September 25
Minneapolis, Minnesota
This annual event is tailored for women who have chosen careers in manufacturing and want to share perspectives and network with others in the industry from across the country. The SUMMIT format includes keynotes, speakers, panel discussions, professional development tracks, networking opportunities and plant tours. Click here to learn more.

National Learn to Code Day: Data Insights with Python for Beginners
Ladies Learning Code
September 26
Winnipeg
This year, in partnership with Facebook, Ladies Learning Code has set out to teach learners 21st century digital skills and more specifically how to unlock the power of data using python. In hands-on, beginner friendly python workshops happening on this day across Canada, participants will learn basic programming fundamentals and how to read and manipulate large data sets, provided by the Government of Canada, to draw insights for marketing and analysis. And, it will be fun! In Ladies Learning Code fashion, over 300 volunteer expert developers will serve as mentors at each workshop across Canada – a ratio of 4 learners to every mentor making the learning environment perfect for absolute beginners. Click here for more information.

Women in Business Workshop
Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce
September 29
Winkler
Theo Heineman from 1 Life Workplace Safety & Health will be presenting her workshop “The Purpose of Life is a Life of Purpose. Click here for more information.

The 15th Annual Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference
September 29 – September 30
Novi, Michigan, USA
The 15th Annual Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference is a great resource to propel your business forward. This conference will address the needs of both aspiring and established business owners and will deliver strategies for succeeding in a highly competitive market. The conference is attended by women business enterprises (WBE’s), corporate procurement and supplier diversity professionals, government representatives and partner organizations. Click here for more information.

How to Kiss Like the French?
World Trade Centre Winnipeg
September 30
Winnipeg
And other lessons in international business etiquette. This knowledge can also be important in an increasingly multicultural workforce. And the world is coming to Winnipeg for Centrallia 2016, so you’ll want to be prepared! Join us at our Special Luncheon to discover more intriguing cultural differences with keynote speaker Terri Morrison, best-selling author of the Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands series on business etiquette. Click here for more information.

EXCELerate 2015
September 30 – October 2
Vancouver, British Columbia
EXCELerate 2015 is dedicated to the full spectrum of women entrepreneurs that operate and own small, medium, or large sized enterprises from all sectors. The main focus is to foster and support the economic empowerment of women by enhancing trading opportunities among communities across Canada, the USA and internationally through the powerful alliances between GroYourBiz, Professional Women’s Network, WBE Canada and UnitedSucces. Click here for more information.

Have we missed anything? If you’re attending an event this month that would benefit other women in business, please share it below in the comments.

– Ashley Wood