As an entrepreneur, knowing where to find help, advice and business resources is important. So much so, access to business services can become an important criteria when deciding where to buy your next house.
If you’re an entrepreneur who’s looking for a community where you and your business can thrive, then Barrie may be just what you're looking for.
Here are just some of the many business resources you can access in our community.
1. Barrie Chamber Of Commerce
The Barrie Chamber Of Commerce advocates for and empowers local businesses. Through information and resources, they help keep owners up to date on the changing business landscape. They also provide tools, forums and advice on how to meet future challenges. All this helps business owners:
- Strengthen their business
- Expand their local network
- Connect with the community
- Enhance visibility
The Chamber is also well known for the many different events they run, as well as their programming, networking and local initiatives for business owners. Some of their more popular programs include:
Workshops And Webinars that provide business focused education.
Business After 5, which is an informal, social gathering for collaboration and networking.
The Barrie Chamber has over 900 members and even more community partners. While you must pay to join, all members can take advantage of discounts and saving programs to help boost their business’ bottom line.
2. Downtown Barrie BIA
If you plan on operating a business in Downtown Barrie, this is the organization for you.
The Downtown Barrie BIA is Barrie’s local Business Improvement Area. The association is made up of commercial property owners and tenants in the downtown core.
Together, members and BIA advocates help elevate and promote the downtown experience to improve visitation and increase growth of Downtown businesses. This is done by investing in beautification, art, safety and other community improvements.
The BIA also organizes initiatives, events and festivals to attract local and tourist traffic. Some of their past and current events include:
Open Air Dunlop – enjoy the beautiful weather without vehicle traffic every Saturday while you take in the farmers’ market, live music, tours, shopping, food and more.
Lawn Chair Luminata – experience outdoor music, movies and mindfulness throughout the summer at Barrie’s outdoor entertainment venue, Meridian Place.
Noella Festival – in the winter, celebrate the holiday season with light displays, live music, contests and more.
3. Sandbox Centre
The Sandbox Centre is a hub for shared innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship. One of their main goals is to connect people and their ideas to business resources that improve success.
They also help business owners network and build strong relationships by bringing together like-minded individuals.
Through Sandbox’s programs business owners can:
- Improve their personal development
- Get guidance from contributors in the local business community to help you meet goals
- Access business resources
4. Small Business Centre Barrie, Simcoe County, Orillia
The Small Business Centre is part of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs. Their goal is to empower and support entrepreneurship across Simcoe County. This is done through end to end support from start-up to scaling and growth.
At the Centre, you will find information on:
- Becoming an entrepreneur
- Business plan development
- Training and networking
- How to set up your business
- Referrals to other services and organizations
- Marketing plans
- Hiring Strategies
- And more
The Small Business Centre also has several different mentorship and training programs along with micro-grants to help you grow your business.
5. Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre
Located at Georgian College, the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre is available to students and local entrepreneurs. The Centre helps entrepreneurs with:
- Training
- Patents, copyrights and trademarks
- Networking
- Research and prototype design
- Accessing grants, loans, investments and other funding
- One on one coaching with experienced business owners, entrepreneurs and community members
All of this helps the Centre meet their goal of increasing opportunities for self-employment and bringing more business to the area.
In addition to the above business resource, Henry Bernick also hosts in depth workshops and entrepreneurial experiences. One of their biggest events is their annual summit and training program with hands-on workshops and networking, including events targeted at growing niche sectors, such as AI.
Our community is dedicated to growing business in and around Barrie. With this dedication comes many opportunities for business owners to learn, grow and maximize their potential.
