The Self-Employment Benefit Program is coordinated in West Nipissing by Economic Partners Sudbury East / West Nipissing Inc. This program is funded by Services Canada, with the intent of helping those who desire to create their own job by becoming self-employed. The program provides income support, technical advice, and training. Each client receives ongoing business counselling during the start-up and operation of their business over the remaining year.

SEB Success

During the past 10 years, the SEB program helped thousands of entrepreneurs to start-up NEW businesses across Canada. Many of these businesses create new jobs, generate above average incomes and continue to grow year after year. Business start-ups cross all business sectors: retail, service, manufacturing, trades, hospitality, tourism and training. Entrepreneurs range in age and demographic groups. Women, aboriginals, visible minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Who can apply?

• This program is available to residents of West Nipissing who are unemployed, eligible to collect EI benefits, or have been on EI during the last 36 months, or have been on maternity or parental benefits during the last 60 months.
• Those starting the business before it is approved for the SEB program are not eligible to apply.
• The applicant cannot have previously participated in the SEB program.
• Prospective clients must agree to make a full-time commitment to the business, participating in skills development sessions, and the establishment of a viable business.

The SEB program has five main phases:

• Phase 1 - Orientation
  • To apply for the SEB program, contact the SEB Coordinator at Economic Partners to make an appointment.
  • Prospective clients who are eligible to apply to program, decide whether or not they wish to apply.
    
    
• Phase 2 - The application process
  • Meetings with a Business Consultant provide the guidance and assistance required to:
    • assess the validity of your business idea;
    • make decisions around personal effectiveness;
    • self-assess your own suitability for self-employment.
      
      
• Phase 3 - Assessment and selection
  • Personalized counseling and instruction is aimed at helping clients examine the strengths and weaknesses of self-employment, as well as their suitability for self-employment.
  • Business feasibility is established through the market survey results and cashflow forecast.
  • The SEB Coordinator brings information regarding the potential participants' suitability as an entrepreneur, and business feasibility to the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee recommends the potential participants' acceptance in to the program or not.
    
    
• Phase 4 - Prepare and submit a business plan
  • Prospective clients must develop a market survey questionnaire with a market sample of one hundred people, and submit a cashflow forecast, with revenues based on results from the market survey.
  • Participants must develop their idea into a written business plan. At Economic Partners, the participant is provided with business literature, such as books and hand-outs, a resource centre library, and the guidance of the Business Counselor / SEB Coordinator, to assist in the development of the business plan.
  • Participants have a maximum of eight weeks to complete their business plan.
  • Income support begins at this phase and is provided through a contractual agreement with Services Canada.
    
    
• Phase 5 - Launching of the business
  • Economic Partner's SEB Coordinator will monitor and document each client's progress and provide technical assistance and business development training for one year. Practical, skill-based instruction is mandatory for SEB participants and provided in small groups, based on adult learning principles.
  • The Coordinator will also provide one-on-one coaching and mentoring for the new entrepreneur.

Labrosse Landry, Julie SEB Coordinator 30 Front Street, Unit A Sturgeon Falls, ON   P2B 3L4 Canada Tel: 705-753-5730 x 227 Fax: 705-753-0542