Enterprise Saint John April 2011 Business bulletin

Business Bulletint Enterprise Saint John our job is as much about �nding people for jobs as jobs for people. A large majority of the clients we work with identify the recruitment of quali�ed workers as the biggest challenge to growing their business. We actively work with employers to strengthen their HR e�orts by focusing on job retention training, providing labour market research reports, workforce requirement analyses, targeted recruitment campaigns and industry-

speci�c job fairs. Our e-letter distribution now reaches nearly 300 HR managers within our region. Working together with the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and other community partners - that’s how we’re getting the job done!

Investment attraction

Immigrant mentorship & supportWe are pleased to announce that we will be running the successful Business Immigrant Mentorship Program again for a 2nd year. We help newcomers operating a business (or getting ready to launch) meet with, learn from, and talk to established local business people. This connection to our business and social networks is an e�ective way to promote business success and retain newcomers in our community. An information luncheon for prospective mentors is taking place May 25 at Enterprise Saint John. A mentee session is taking place on May 26. We hope to see you there.

Grand Bay-West�eld Quispamsis Rothesay St. Martins Saint John

The month of April was very active at Enterprise Saint John with our team hosting 5 investment client visits. In hosting an investment prospect, Enterprise Saint John coordinates and facilitates all activities while these clients are our community. From airport pick-up and organizing welcome packages in hotel rooms to coordinating meetings with real estate agents, human resource professionals, potential customer suppliers, Mayors and other elected o�cials and key partners such as the Port, Airport, University and College, to name a few, Enterprise Saint John is there to make sure the right connections get made.

The go-getters are going outOn April 12, Enterprise Saint John hosted 25 emerging entrepre-neurs for the third instalment of the popular networking event, “The Go-Getters Are Going Out”, with special guest entrepreneur & wine a�cionado, Craig Pinhey. Inspired entrepreneurs gathered at Happinez for a chance to connect with one another, share business advice to help overcome challenges they may experience in their 24/7 entrepreneurial work week.

A P R I L 2 0 1 1 A C T I V I T Y U P D A T E Inspiring people, ideas & investment

April’s inspired entrepreneurs: Shelley & Nick DeMerchantShelley & Nick DeMerchant �rst approached Enterprise Saint John in the summer of 2010. With two young children at home, Shelley wanted to pursue a new entrepreneurial adventure by opening a woman’s fashion-forward shoe and handbag boutique. With a referral from Business New Brunswick, they came looking for guidance in re�ning their plan. Our sta� worked to connect Shelley & Nick to the right people and the right information sources - whether it was �nding key stats, information on hiring employees or navigating the Canada Revenue Agency. We even facilitated a focus group which resulted in making their store concept and product mix even stronger. With a very successful grand opening on April 15 & 16, the Urban Shoe Myth, 78 King Street, is adding “sole” to the retail renaissance in our vibrant Uptown.

"I am so appreciative of Hemant Kumar and Enterprise Saint John for their assistance with me taking my dream to reality. Sarah Jones and Jen Teed facilitated a focus group for me which gave me valuable information for the business plan, and further con�dence on my direction for the business. When I �rst approached Enterprise Saint John, I was a dreamer with little knowledge on how to start the business process. They were able to guide me on the right path with creating a sound business plan to present to my �nancial institute. My dream is now a reality, and I get to go to work every day doing what I love!" Shelley DeMerchant, inspired entrepreneur and owner of the Urban Shoe Myth

EnterpriseSJ

feelgoodsj The Feel Good StoreGreat entrepreneurial time @EnterpriseSJ go getter event with @bradleblanc @JeSuisPrest @frogspadca @jonesgallery @ApryllAileen et al!

ApryllAileen Apryll Stans�eldHappy we all met! Fantabulous evening @ Happinez - Cheers! @jonesgallery @feelgoodsj @frogspadca @jkorentayer @JeSuisPrest @purpleturtlebiz Hosting potential business

immigrants from around the globeIn April, Enterprise Saint John hosted 13 potential immigrants from China, Korea, Iran and Vietnam.

I am very happy here and I couldn’t imagine a better place than Saint John to run a business and live with my family. I am satis�ed by everything here. I especially appreciate Enterprise Saint John’s sta� and everyone who has helped me to settle here.” Originally from Korea, Leo Sung Ho is an entrepreneur and graduate of the Business Immigrant Mentorship Program

BUSINESS IMMIGRANT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM ~ Discover the reward of mentoring a business immigrant at this free information luncheon, Business Resource Centre, 40 King St.

PORT DAYS 2011 BUSINESS SESSION ~ Enterprise Saint John’s CEO, Steve Carson, will moderate this business session at the Saint John Trade & Convention Centre

THE 8TH CATCH THE WAVE TO EMPLOYMENT ~ Employers wishing to participate can [email protected]

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ~ Save the date! Saint John Trade & Convention Centre

Contact InformationEnterprise Saint John40 King StreetSaint John, NB E2L 1G3

phone 506-658-2877toll tree 1-800-561-2877e-mail info@enterprisesj.comwww.enterprisesj.comwww.saintjohnlifeonyourterms.ca

Join our distribution list [email protected] our HR e-letter list [email protected]

MAY 25 12:10-12:50 PM

JUN 1610-11:30AM

JUN 231-2:00PM

JUN 14 8:30-11:15 am

Upcoming Events

.......................................................................

Award from the Saint John Multicultural & Newcomers Resource Centre (SJMNRC)Congratulations to Hemant Kumar, Enterprise Saint John’s Project O�cer for receiving the Outstanding Partnership Awardfrom the SJMNRC on April 19. The selection committee agreed that Hemant demonstrated dedication to the SJMNRC through his regular, monthly “How to Start a Business” seminars and his willingness to take part in a variety of other events including the Workplace Diversity Series, facilitating a “How to Network” workshop with newcomers, conducting mock interviews with clients, co-hosting a business mixer; and he was even a model at the SJMNRC’s Youth Career Adventure Week last summer!

Catch the Wave to Employment is a half-day workshop to help currently unemployed individuals identify their strengths and how to go about getting a job. It is organized in partnership with Enterprise Saint John, Vibrant Communi-ties, Urban Core Support Network, Saint John Community Loan Fund and the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour. Gina O’Rourke-McKay, Enterprise Saint John’s Workforce Development O�cer, plays a vital role of gaining critical employer support to make it a success. So far, there have been seven sessions and the next one takes place on June 16. Interested employers can catch the wave by contacting [email protected].

Inspiring people, ideas & investmentA P R I L 2 0 1 1 A C T I V I T Y U P D A T E

Grand Bay-West�eld Quispamsis Rothesay St. Martins Saint John

“Enterprise Saint John plays a key role in connecting individuals with employers. It does this in two ways - �rst by identifying employers who are looking for potential employees and second by providing input on how best to prepare individuals looking for work.” Cathy Wright, Vibrant Communities

Community overview presentation

Inspiring entrepreneurship

clients beyond the initial meeting stage

and invited them to participate in entrepreneurship programming

students in “How to Start a Business” and “Using Social Media for Business Development”

to entrepreneurship as a career path

emerging entrepreneurs

Catching the wave to employment

Hemant Kumar, Enterprise Saint John’s Project O�cer, provided an Economic Community Overview presentation to approximately 50 store owners, managers and sta� at the Cadillac Fairview (McAllister Place) Annual General Meeting on April 13. This is a service we provide business-minded community organizations, and anyone interested in receiving this presentation can call Christine Comeau, Communications O�cer at 658-6209.

"Since SJMNRC opened its doors in May 2009, Hemant Kumar has been part of the action. His dedication to the Centre and the clients has not gone unnoticed and we were pleased to present him with the �rst Outstanding Partnership Award during our second annual Volunteer Appreciation Night in April. Thanks for everything, Hemant!” Mary Stack, Employment Counsellor, SJMNRC

“I have received great feedback from many of the retailers at McAllister Place. They found Hemant very informative and were very impressed with the presentation provided by Enterprise Saint John.” Tanya McCluskey-Kelly, Marketing Director, Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited (McAllister Place)

Council presentationEnterprise Saint John’s Board Chair, Tony Gogan and CEO, Steve Carson, presented activities, strategic priorities and sought input for 2011 to Quispamsis Council on April 19. Feedback was positive and Mayor Murray Driscoll and Deputy Mayor Emil Olsen thanked Enterprise Saint John for their e�orts and results. This is part of our ongoing e�orts to enhance communications with our community partner mayors and council.