By: Ari Poisson - Marketing Student – Genesis Centre
On Tuesday, May 30th, PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise, in partnership with the Genesis Centre at St. Clair College, brought together several regional business support organizations. The Alumni Hall Lounge in the Zekelman School of Business and Information Technology provided the ideal setting for current and aspiring entrepreneurs to network over coffee and a light lunch.
Starting a business is a daunting task, and the path to success inevitably involves uncertainty. This event provided access to a supportive community that understands and appreciates the challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
"This occasion brought together nine business support organizations in the Windsor-Essex region with their respective industry experts, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who converged to exchange ideas, forge connections, and celebrate the spirit of innovation," said Maitri Mou, a Business Counsellor from PARO and organizer of the event.
Attendees had the chance to have one on one conversations with representatives from:
- PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise
- Southwestern Ontario Black Entrepreneurship Network
- WEtech Alliance
- Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce
- Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre
- St. Clair College Genesis Entrepreneurship Centre
- Futurpreneur
- EPICentre
- Community Futures Essex County
Through interactions with these resource providers, current and future entrepreneurs learned about programs that offer mentorship, workspace, access to industry networks, and other essential resources to support business start-ups and growth. The event also gave local organizations an opportunity to share amongst themselves their different programs and services.
"The success of the Windsor Business Event would not also have been possible without the invaluable contribution of our partners. Their unwavering support, expertise, and shared vision played a pivotal role in making this event successful," said Mou.
Business support networking events offer entrepreneurs a space for connection, learning, and growth. Access to mentorship, expertise, resources, and funding opportunities significantly impact the success of young entrepreneurs. Fostering a supportive community and inspiring the next generation of business leaders are vital to nurturing entrepreneurial talent and driving innovation. St. Clair College continues to prioritize student entrepreneurs as they turn their vision into a reality and make positive contributions to local and broader communities.