New Starter Plus arts-and-culture program now accepting applications for 2025 training sessions

The Stratford Perth Centre for Business is inviting businesses with a focus in arts and culture to apply for support through the Starter Plus program

Applications are being accepted until Dec. 2. The accepted businesses will participate in the five-session training program running from January to February. Upon completion of the program, business owners will receive a grant of up to $5,000 to invest in their business. 

"We are looking for businesses with an arts-and-culture focus with a certain viability and that they have a vision for what they would do with their grant,” said Holly Mortimer, business advisor at Stratford Perth Centre for Business and mentor in the Starter Plus program.

“The first and last session are in-person and very much focussed on learning to network and talk about your businesses. I find that creative entrepreneurs really struggle with that. We have had a lot of success in the past where they talk to each other. We also take them out in the community and invite partners to speak with them; this is all done in a very strategic and focused way.” 

Throughout the course of the program, the education will be centered on traditional business plan building that will focus on cash flow, marketing and operational strategies. Mortimer says the course will provide learners the confidence to speak about their business to strangers and people they know. 

The program will be facilitated by Morgan Kneider-Patterson, a previous Starter Plus program graduate who operates an education business. 

“I discovered that leading this program over the past decade, we can teach them all the very traditional basic education pieces to building a business plan,” said Mortimer. 

“When you get a bunch of like-minded entrepreneurs in a room who typically feel isolated, lonely and overwhelmed, they discover that they have similar interests and realize that they as a group can grow together, and we found they form exciting partnerships together to help each other succeed.” 

Upon graduating from the program and receiving the grant, successful graduates will continue to receive the support and mentorship they require from the Stratford Perth Centre for Business. 

To apply for the program and for more information, visit www.stratfordperthbusiness.ca.