Self-Employment Benefit Program
Thinking about running your own business?
Community Futures Thompson Country has successfully managed the Self-Employment Benefit Program funded by Service Canada since 1989. Since that time there are hundreds of successful businesses that received assistance as fledgling home based operations
Community Futures can help:
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Start-up assistance
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In-depth training
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Financial support available
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One on one business consulting
The Self-Employment Program is a Service Canada program, which is administered by Community Futures Development Corporation. This program provides financial assistance, business and management information to eligible applicants who want to start or purchase a business.
Applicant Requirements:
- Must be unemployed
- Must be referred by the appropriate Case Manager/Referral Agency
- Must have an Employment Insurance benefit period established or whose benefit period has ended within the previous 36 months (also referred to as the 36 month reachback period), or has had a benefit period established in the previous 60 months and
- who was paid special benefits (Maternity or parental benefits) during the benefit period
- subsequently withdrew from active participation in the labour force to care for new born or children placed in their care for the the purpose of adoption.
- Must reside and operate your business in the greater Kamloops Area / Thompson Country Region
- Must be legally entitled to work in
- Must reside and operate your business in the Thompson Country area.
- Must agree to work full time on your business concept and plan while you receive financial assistance (minimum of 35 hours per week)
Program Benefits:
Self-Employment benefits provide weekly financial support in the form of EI equivalent benefits, for a maximum period of 52 weeks while the applicant develops their business. This is in two 'stages', the first being the development of the business concept and business plan stage for up to 10 weeks, the second being the implementation stage of the business for the remaining weeks (up to a maximum of 52 weeks).
What is the structure of the program?
All workshops are mandatory to attend. The entire program will take approximately 1 year to complete.
Business Plan Development: (5 Days)
Day 1 Section 1- Introduction: Orientation and Group Guidelines/Expectations/Time Frames, Introductory Letter, Executive Summary, Mission Statement
Day 2 Guests: Accountant/Banker/Insurance/WCB/Lawyer/City
Day 3 Section 2- Information: Business Environment/Industry Overview/Products and Services Market Survey.
Day 4 Section 2- Information (Continued): Market Analysis*/Market Analysis Summary.
Day 5 Section 3- Marketing: Setting Goals/Implementation Plan, Business Start Up, Equipment List/Start Up & Funding Worksheet.
Break of 5 days to complete and tabulate Survey for Market Analysis*
Continuance of Business Plan Development: (4 days)
Day 6 Section 3- Marketing (Continued): Marketing Plan/Promotion Strategies/Sales and Distribution.
Day 7 Section 3- Marketing (Continued): Pricing/Sales Projections
Day 8 Section 4- Operations: Operations/Administration, Professional Services/Control Systems/Risk Assessment.
Day 9 Section 5- Financial: Cash Flow/Projected Income Statement/Personal Budget/Appendix.
Immediately following BP acceptance
Management Training: (2 days)
Day 10 Check in and controls- how are yours, Customer Service- Measuring Tools
Day 11 Professionalism/Human Resource Management Guest- Invite a previous 'successful CFDC graduate' and graduation ceremony Certificates.
