Written By David Gomez
ILDERTON - Are you looking to start a business but don’t know where to begin? Do you have an idea, but aren’t sure how to build a business plan or find the financing to make it happen?
Those are some of the situations Community Futures Middlesex – The Business Help Centre is trying to help with across Middlesex County.
Based in Ilderton, the non-profit organization supports new and existing businesses through one-on-one counselling, workshops and financing. Executive Director John Kiser said one of its biggest challenges is simply making more people aware those services exist.
“If business owners knew, and prospective business owners knew what we did, and knew that one of the main things that we do is lending to small business and new businesses, they would be lined up out the door,” Kiser said.
Kiser recently joined Community Futures Middlesex after a 39-year career in banking. He also spent 11 years on the volunteer board of Community Futures Huron, where he served on its loans committee. He said seeing businesses succeed after receiving support gave him a sense of pride.
Community Futures Middlesex is funded by the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario. Each Community Futures office has its own volunteer board, with Middlesex’s board drawing members from communities across the county.
Businesses can typically borrow up to $300,000 for needs including working capital, start-up costs, equipment and leasehold improvements. Kiser said the broader goal is to support the economic viability of local communities and, ideally, help create jobs.
But financing is only part of the organization’s role.
Business and Loans Advisor Cindy Viner said conversations with prospective entrepreneurs often begin with developing a business plan and cash-flow projections before determining whether an idea is financially viable.
“It’s your roadmap for how you want your business to go,” Viner said of a business plan. “It’s not a one and done. You can edit as you go along your journey.”
Viner said staff provide guidance and feedback rather than writing the plan for the entrepreneur, helping clients consider issues such as their target customers, marketing and expected expenses.
The organization also offers workshops on subjects ranging from tax planning and insurance to bookkeeping, digital marketing and artificial intelligence, often bringing in outside professionals with expertise in those areas.
For John Kiser, increasing Community Futures’ visibility will mean meeting business owners throughout Middlesex County, connecting with municipalities and financial institutions, attending local events and strengthening its online presence.
“If we had stronger branding out there and stronger awareness, they would know right away that Community Futures Middlesex is there to help,” he said.
