Events Calendar
SMALL BUSINESS BIG GROWTH 2024
LEARN FROM EXPERTS | MAKE A PLAN | BUILD A NETWORK
We are pleased to announce our 2024 edition of the Small Business Big Growth Summit on Monday, October 21st.
Join fellow small-business owners at the half-day Small Business Big Growth summit, an action-focused day built around supporting your business’ growth and development. This annual event kicks off Small Business Week – celebrate by investing in your business’ strategic development.
Build your network, get direct access to business experts, and learn about relevant business support programs.
Learn from local experts in topics such as finance, legal, scalability, and risk management. We’ll start the day with an inspiring keynote from local business owner, Sheena Russell with Made with Local. After feeling uplifted from Sheena’s incredible story, we’ll move into breakout sessions. Our last segment features a panel of local business owners highlighting risk-taking and defying the odds in your business hosted by BDC.
Walk away feeling refreshed and excited with a plan to kick-start your business goals. Stick around for a networking event to share what you’ve learned with fellow attendees, connect with experts, and grow your business network.
What to Expect from the Summit?
IF YOU ARE...
- A small business owner/entrepreneur,
- Looking to grow your business,
- Ready to take your business to the next level...
THEN THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU
Previous Attendees have said:
- "This event helped me to see where I am right on track and identify areas where I can improve. It also helped me to make connections for future opportunities." - Survey Respondent
- "The summit was an excellent use of time. It was run very professionally despite everyone being out of practice for live events. It was good to see people in person again. Thank you for running a safe and timely event with great messaging." - Survey Respondent
- "I had a fantastic time. Took a lot of notes and feedback to my teams. Handed out lots of business cards and was able to meet a lot of individuals I have been working with and put a face to the name. 5/5." - Survey Respondent"
Sheena Russell, CEO, Made with Local
Sheena Russell, a Nova Scotian entrepreneur driven by her passion for creating a more equitable world, is the trailblazing founder behind Made with Local, a renowned Canadian snack foods brand. Inspired by her roots as a farm kid in Prince Edward Island, Sheena’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and justice has shaped both her studies and life’s work.
As an advocate for connecting people with the planet and the farmers who cultivate our food, Sheena has forged a remarkable path. At Made with Local, where she serves as a people-first leader, she spearheads a triple-bottom-line approach that transcends the boundaries of traditional snack foods. Sheena’s creativity and storytelling prowess fuel the brand’s mission to craft nourishing snacks while prioritizing the welfare of both individuals and the environment.
The humble beginnings of Made with Local trace back to a modest 5-foot farmers market table in Halifax. Under Sheena’s guidance, the company has experienced rapid growth, expanding its presence to encompass over 3000 retailers across Canada. However, her ambitions don’t stop there. With determination, Sheena aspires for Made with Local to ascend as one of the world’s most sustainable food companies, blazing a trail for others to follow.
When Sheena isn’t leading her team of twelve forward, she can be found indulging in her love for live music & long dinners with friends where she resides, amidst the scenic beauty of Atlantic Canada.
Presented by:
Join us for an inspiring discussion with visionary entrepreneurs Bradley Farquhar of Purple Cow Internet, Connie McInnes of R Studios, and Andy Hay of The East Coast Kitchen. They’ll share how strategic risk-taking has transformed their businesses, highlighting pivotal moments that led to innovation and growth.
Learn their strategies for assessing risk, insights from successes and failures, and the mindset shifts that empowered their journeys. Whether you're seasoned or just starting out, this panel offers invaluable insights to inspire your own risk-taking adventure. Don't miss the chance to learn from those who dared to go beyond the ordinary!
| Andy Hay The East Coast Kitchen |
Connie McInnes R Studios |
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| Bradley Farquhar Purple Cow Internet |
Russell Hopson BDC |
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Dani Warren, Small Business Development Manager for Scotiabank
Dani Warren is the Small Business Development Manager for Scotiabank in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A lifelong resident of Dartmouth, she attended Dartmouth High School and earned her Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University in Halifax. Dani is a dedicated parent of two children, both actively involved in football and basketball, keeping her household busy. With over 18 years of experience at Scotiabank, she has held roles in retail banking, the client contact center, wealth management, and primarily in business banking. Dani is passionate about working with clients, helping them grow their businesses and reach their next milestones.
Greg Newell, Senior Small Business Advisor for Scotiabank
My name is Greg Newell and I’m the Senior Small Business Advisor at the Spring Garden Road Scotiabank. I’m born and raised here in the HRM and I’m passionate about continuing to grow and support our municipality through local entrepreneurs. In the world of entrepreneurs where so many different hats are worn, I pride myself on taking the stress of business banking off my clients shoulders.
Presented By:
Join us for an engaging workshop, led by Mark Symes from Symplicity Designs, designed specifically for small business owners looking to unlock the secrets of scaling their operations and maximizing profitability. Learn how to clearly identify the problem you solve and articulate your value, define essential capabilities and create repeatable processes for your team to execute. You will leave this session with a clear action plan to systematize your capabilities and build a capable team. Ideal for small business owners eager to enhance their scaling strategies!
Mark Symes, Founding Partner Symplicity Designs
As one of the three founding partners of Symplicity Designs, Mark has been leading training and large-scale transformations with Symplicity for 10 years. Mark specializes in business transformation and strategy in all sectors and with businesses of all sizes. Through leveraging the Symplicity methodology, he has helped over 500 Atlantic Canadian organizations across the regions to prosper.
Mark holds a Lean Six Sigma Yellow, Green, Black, and Master Black belts and holds a Business Analytics Certificate. He has 15 years of experience in Performance Excellence and has a passion for daily management and driving process improvement through engaged teams. An avid outdoorsman, Mark works on the 6th generation family farm and enjoys adventure, travel and family time. Mark currently resides with his wife, Marie, in Shediac, NB.
Small Business Week Partner:
Workshop Partners:
Luncheon Partner:
Small Business Resource Partners:
Event Sponsors
Date and Time
Monday Oct 21, 2024
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM ADT
Monday October 21st
12:00PM - 6:00PM
12:00pm - Registration and Buffet Lunch
12:45pm - Welcome and Introduction
12:50pm - Presenting Partner Remarks
12:55pm - Keynote: Sheena Russell (Made with Local)
1:50pm - 1st Workshop: Presented by Scotiabank
2:30pm - Coffee Break
2:45pm - 2nd Workshop: Presented by Boyneclarke
3:45pm - Panel Discussion hosted by BDC
4:30pm - Wrap up
4:35pm - Networking and Ask the Experts Market Lounge
6:00pm - Event End
Location
Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel
1919 Upper Water Street.
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3J5
Fees/Admission
Tickets:
Members: $149.00
Future Members: $180
All prices subject to HST
Not-for-Profit / Student Member Discount of 25% available upon registration
Contact Information
Sandra Thomson, Manager of Events
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