Top 10 small business resources in Manitoba (revisited)

With the ongoing pandemic, our working-day world has changed dramatically. Many people are finding new ways to work, whether online from home, or changing careers altogether as jobs evolve.

One way to avoid job insecurity is to create your own job through entrepreneurship. By innovating and creating certainty in a time of uncertainty, we can ensure that our economy remains strong.

In Manitoba, there are many great resources for anyone taking this route that can help you manage and grow your business. Here are the top 10 small business resources to help you get started:

 

Manitoba Chambers of Commerce

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce provides a list of resources and programs that are available to business owners. With almost 10,000 members, this is Manitoba’s largest and most diverse business association. Their main goal is to grow Manitoba’s economy and ensure greater prosperity for businesses and communities. By ensuring that entrepreneurs have access to programs and information that can help them succeed, they are contributing towards the economic growth of our province.

Website: www.mbchamber.mb.ca

 

Entrepreneurship Manitoba

Entrepreneurship Manitoba offers a variety of services to entrepreneurs at every stage of their business life cycle. Their services include the business name and corporate registration, general business counselling, financial assistance programs, online tools, and resources, as well as workshops and seminars.

Website: www.entrepreneurshipmanitoba.ca

E-mail: EMBinfo@gov.mb.ca

Telephone Number: 204-945-2500

Toll Free: 1-888-246-8353

 

Manitoba Marketing Network

Manitoba Marketing Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance to Manitoba’s small business community. It is run by volunteers, and since its inception in 1985, the MMN has assisted over 5,500 businesses through its services. The MMN provides workshops and facilitates networking events to help entrepreneurs develop that “winning edge” and successfully grow their businesses.

Website: www.manitobamarketingnetwork.ca

E-mail: mbmmnet@gmail.com

Telephone Number: 204-295-1512

 

Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba

The Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba is a resource for women looking to start or expand their businesses. They work on an individual basis with women throughout the province to answer their questions and help them determine the steps to make their businesses successful. In addition to their three core services — business advising, training and financing — the team at the Centre has developed innovative programs to assist women at all business stages. They deliver a variety of events, networking and mentorship opportunities to help women develop their business knowledge and expand their networks.

Website: www.wecm.ca

E-mail: wecinfo@wecm.ca

Telephone Number: 1-800-203-2343

 

SAFE Work Manitoba

SAFE Work Manitoba is a division of the Workers Compensation Board (WCB), the public agency dedicated to the prevention of workplace injury and illness. Working with their partners in the safety community, SAFE Work Manitoba provides prevention education, safety programming, consulting and strategic direction to create a genuine culture of safety for all Manitobans.​

Website: www.safemanitoba.com

E-mail: information@safeworkmanitoba.ca

Telephone Number: 204-957-SAFE (7233)

Toll Free: 1-855-957-SAFE (7233)

 

TAXcess

TAXcess is a convenient and secure way for business owners to access their tax accounts online. This resource makes it easy for entrepreneurs to stay on top of their taxes through the ability to access any information they need in regards to their taxes at any time that’s convenient.

Website: www.taxcess.gov.mb.ca

 

BizPal Manitoba

BizPal helps you find the permits and licences you may require when starting and/or operating your business. You can filter permits based on your location, industry, and business activities and save the ones that apply to your situation.

Website: www.bizpalmanitoba.ca

 

Business Consulting Unit (BCU) – Manitoba

The BCU has a team of experts that are there specifically to assist new immigrants who wish to start or invest in a business in Manitoba. They assist potential foreign business investors in the exploration stage, post-approval support and integration. BCU also helps entrepreneurs identify their goals and business concept. Their programs are focused around having new immigrants integrate and settle in Manitoba so they can start their business here. By joining forces with different organizations and government programs, BCU ensures that entrepreneurs have all the resources they need to operate a successful business.

Website: www.immigratemanitoba.com/immigrate-to-manitoba/mpnp-for-business/

E-mail:  bcu@gov.mb.ca

 

YMCA /YWCA of Winnipeg

Offers programs and seminars for business owners so they can develop and grow their business. Their Self-Employment Program offers services to turn any great idea into a successful business. Their in-house team of trainers and coaches — who between them have many years of experience and expertise — will team up with business owners and provide crucial business coaching.

Website: www.ywinnipeg.ca

Telephone Numbers: 204-945-2806

Toll Free: 1-800-665-8332

 

World Trade Centre Winnipeg

The World Trade Centre Winnipeg provides a list of directories and programs that are available for business owners. Entrepreneurs are able to talk to a Business Information Officer to get guidance, access seminars and training workshops to develop their skills, and get access to a personalized research database to help find answers to specific questions.

Website: www.wtcwinnipeg.com

E-mail: info@wtcwinnipeg.com

Telephone Numbers: 204-253-4888

Toll free: 1-800-665-2019

 

There are many more resources online to help you through the process of creating your own business. One resource to check out is CanadianSME Business Magazine, which provides a much-needed support system for hard-working business owners. You can visit the website at canadiansme.ca

The Government of Canada also has more great resources for entrepreneurs at www.canada.ca

This article previously ran on November 6, 2020.