Written By Olena Riznyk
NORTH MIDDLESEX – On November 7th, the North Middlesex Business Association hosted its second Social Media Workshop, drawing business owners from across the area to enhance their marketing skills and expand their online reach. The event, held in the Council Chambers of the Shared Services Building in Parkhill, was a resounding success, with a strong turnout of entrepreneurs from various sectors. Led by social media expert Derek Morningstar, the workshop provided practical marketing strategies tailored specifically for small businesses.
Felicia Krista, Economic Development & Communications Coordinator, noted the enthusiastic reception to these workshops, which began earlier this year. “This is the second workshop we have held, and the response has been fantastic,” Krista said. “We have participants from all sorts of businesses—home hardware stores, pet shops, hair salons, massage therapy practices, real estate agencies, and more. The diversity really adds value, as people learn from each other as well.”
Attendees appreciated Morningstar’s straightforward approach, which provided them with actionable tools to strengthen their social media presence. “Sometimes, marketing feels overly complicated, but it doesn’t have to be,” Morningstar explained. “My goal is to provide business owners with practical advice so they can be effective without feeling overwhelmed.”
Morningstar, founder of Utility Co., recently moved to the North Middlesex area from London, and expressed his dedication to helping the community thrive. “I attended a business meeting last year where everyone talked about needing help with marketing. That’s when we realized a workshop could make a difference,” he said. Now, with the workshop series underway, Morningstar is eager to continue assisting local businesses. “This is where my kids will grow up, and I want to help support the businesses that make this community special.”
One key takeaway for attendees was learning to create more engaging and attractive social media content to draw customers into their businesses. Krista highlighted this as one of the workshop’s main objectives. “We want local businesses to be able to make flyers, posts, and other materials that truly resonate with people. This way, they can reach a broader audience, whether they’re promoting an event or inviting people to their store,” she said.
Looking ahead, the North Middlesex Business Association plans to continue offering similar workshops in response to the positive feedback. For information on future events, business owners can visit the North Middlesex Business Association’s Facebook page or contact Felicia Krista directly at feliciak@northmiddlesex.on.ca or 519-294-6244, ext. 3220.
