Since 2003 and without falter through the pandemic, our Aboriginal (BEST) Business and Entrepreneurship skills training program has been providing opportunities for the Canadian Indigenous communities to explore entrepreneurial aspirations by providing business programming, website development, advisory services, mentorship support, technology access and training, online marketing tools, community event space, connections to business networks and much more! Bring BEST to Your Community Bring BEST to Your Community Please complete the form below so we can gain an understanding of your community/organization's interests, and a member of our team will get back to you within one business day. If you have any difficulty completing the form or would prefer to chat over the phone, please get in touch with us at 1-226-243-5635, and one of our team members will be happy to assist you. Full Name? * Email Address? * Phone Number? * Band/Groups/Company/Organizations Name? Name of Affiliated First Nations, Métis and or Inuit Community? (If Applicable) Approximate Community Population? Or Number of Annual Community Members Served? Less then 100 100-1,000 1,000-2,500 2,500-10,000 10,000+ Other Would You Like This Training Program To Be Delivered In-Person, Online, or Hybrid? In-Person Online Hybrid To Be Determined Other Ideal Start Date of Your Requested Training? (Leave Blank If To Be Determined) Year Month Month Day Approximately how many people will attend this training? 1-5 5-30 30-50 50-100 100-250 250+ To Be Determined Other What level of training do you feel is appropriate for your group Beginner Intermediate Advanced To Be Determined Other Any other notes you would like to share? Submit

a2ecfbca-cae7-40a9-bffc-632944d09fdb KISS THE BRIDE Custom Wedding and Grad As a 2005 graduate of the Helen Lafaux School of Fashion Design in Vancouver, Andrea Hughes had been putting together her accumulated knowledge and experience, gleaned from years of working in the film industry, for her idea of a full-service bridal shop. The answer for the Castlegar resident came in the form of the Bruce Lacroix and the 2008 Aboriginal BEST program in Nelson. “I just wanted to get inspired to get it all done. This course gave me the push to do it.” Next Item Previous Item Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community

c2620ec1-3e28-433a-8ade-8175646b7210 DJ "O Show" Orene Askew was pretty content with her life. She had a job, was very active, but always had some business ideas looming in her head. She decided she wanted to start her own DJ-ing business. The idea had been in her head for over 3 years, but she wasn’t sure how to pursue it head on. And then she heard about the 2011 Aboriginal BEST Program and decided to register for the classes. Orene now hosts a weekly show on Vancouver’s Co-op Radio, based in the downtown Eastside. The show, Sne’waylh, literally means “teachings” and the first 15 minutes of every program is a lesson in Squamish language. And her business, DJ O Show, keeps the dance floors hopping all over the Lower Mainland. orene_a@hotmail.com Next Item Previous Item Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community

9537c630-8243-4531-be2d-576d841c3952 Inez Jasper Inez Jasper is a singer songwriter with powerhouse talent and universal appeal. As one of Canada’s top aboriginal musicians, her blending of traditional native sounds with a love for contemporary hip hop and R&B, brings the best of her culture to the mainstream world. Inez completed the Aboriginal BEST program in 2013, and was a regional winner of the Aboriginal BEST of the BEST Business Plan Competition held in Toronto in 2013 Exploding onto the Canadian music scene in 2006 and releasing her hit album Singsoulgirl in 2008, this proud Ojibway and Metis artist has been featured at myriad high profile events across the country including the 2009 Aboriginal Tourism BC Awards, “Native Rocks” at Winnipeg’s Pyramid Cabaret and a headlining performance at AMP Camp (Canada’s prestigious Aboriginal Music Program), not to mention feature spots on national television programs like “Beyond Words”. Despite all the attention, she maintains an endearing humility and commitment to inspiring youth. “I always tell fans that whatever their passion, they should go for it. But I don’t just paint a pretty picture. I let them know that achieving their dreams is all about hard work, determination, and asking for help when you need it.” Inez’s lyrics speak of strength, cultural roots and pride in identity. As for her music…it speaks for itself. Next Item Previous Item Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community

Explore the CCAE Gallery to view highlights from events, programs, and milestones celebrating educational advancement in Canada. Discover the vibrant community of CCAE in action. Videos & Gallery Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community

Explore community training programs by the Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship (CCAE). Gain skills and knowledge to empower Indigenous communities and drive entrepreneurial success across Canada. Sponsor a Webinar for Your Community HAVE A BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS TRAINING (BEST) WEBINAR IN YOUR COMMUNITY (for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous webinars) No software to download: just click the link we send, and you are IN Webinar works on any device: laptop, phone, tablet. Participants can ask questions, chat, show their faces, and even be given “the floor” to present their own ideas Everyone gets a copy of the Powerpoint slides and videos used, and can review the whole presentation afterwards Each participant also gets a copy of the > 250 page BEST Participant Manual, easy to use, fill-in-the blanks Business Plan template, including Financial Statements. (Pricing, Personal Budget, Net Worth, and Projected Cash Flow Statement) final exam, with results and corrected Graduation Certificate if attending 90% of sessions and pass the test Together, you and the CCAE will determine the “best” times and dates, and we will tailor the content to serve your needs. Online Training Sessions Cover the Following Whether in your community or through and online webinar our entrepreneurship program uses the following sessions 1 - Entrepreneurship What is an Entrepreneur? Characteristics of an Entrepreneur Advantages and Disadvantages of Being Self-employed Mental Preparation Goals From your Business Ways to Begin a Business Idea vs. Opportunity Hundreds of Business Ideas What Types of Businesses are Needed in Your Area? Business Planning What Goes Into a Business Plan 2 - Market Review What is Market Research? Why is Market Research Important? How to do Market Research Primary and Secondary Market Research Market Research in Aboriginal Communities Interpreting your Market Research and Including it in Your Business Plan 3 - Competitors, Competition & Competitive Advantage What is Competition and Who is a Competitor? How to Get Customers: Creating Your Competitive Advantage Competitor Profile Analyzing the Results 4 - Marketing What is Marketing? Beware of the Three Major Mistakes most New Businesses Make when Marketing Creating a Marketing Plan Create a Benefit Statement for Your Business Decide How Sales will be Made Decide How to Reach your Customers with Marketing Set a Marketing Budget for Your First Year Choose a Variety of Marketing Methods Put Your Marketing Mix into a Chart General Marketing Tips 5 - Operations: Laws and Insurance Legal Structure of your Business Location Laws and Legal Stuff: Municipal, Provincial and Federal Insurance and Risk Management Types of Insurance 6 - Operations: Tax, Suppliers, Hired Help, Production Process Capability, Professional Advisors, Financial Institutions Tax and Indigenous Business GST/PST/HST Registration Suppliers The Hired Help: Staff and Contractors Production Process and Capability Professional Advisors: Accountant, Lawyer Financial Institutions: Banks and Credit Unions The Importance of Mentors, and How to Choose Them Canada Revenue Agency Write-offs and Deductions 7 - Funding: Where will you get the Money? 5 Major Ways of Funding a Business Cash Friendly Sources Personal Resources Equity Debt Financing Peer Lending What Lenders look for: the 5 “C”s How to Check Your Credit Record Government-related Lending Programs 8 - Financials: Personal Budget and Net Worth Personal Budget: How to figure out how much to pay yourself from the business Personal Net Worth: What you OWN minus what you OWE 9 - Costs and Pricing Cost of Doing Business Fixed Expenses Variable Expenses Pricing: How to set prices that maximize your profit 10 - Financials: Start up and Cash Flow Sources and Uses of Financing Start up Expenses Cash Flow Income Statement Balance Sheet Break-even Analysis 11 - Technology E-Business, The 21st Century Trading Post Planning an Internet Strategy Internet Marketing Techniques How to Choose a Web Designer 12 - Business Plan Executive Summary and Polishing Your Presentation Business Plan Executive Summary Polishing Your Presentation Presenting Your Business Plan and the Art of Storytelling Story-telling / Presentation tips Presentation Templates General Presentation Tips For more Information, Help and Assistance in Making Great Presentations Useful Web Links Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Sponsor a Training and Bring a Best to Your Community Bring the BEST program to your community, either in person when possible, or online. NO “çanned” courses! We will tailor the BEST program to “best” meet the needs of your organization and members. Whether for the general community, artisans, tourism businesses, youth, the trades … we have worked with many diverse groups and organizations to adapt the BEST program so that you get what you need and want. No minimum or maximum number of participants. IN-PERSON BESTs usually run for about 10 days over 2 weeks. This is adaptable to your needs. ONLINE BESTs are also adaptable but are around 16 – 20 hours online. You are wondering about the cost? Contact us, and we will create a unique program that is just right for you and your group. Bring A Course To Your Community Online, In-Person or Hybrid! Both our clients and us agree that live training with all participants gathering is the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community

We can’t find the page you’re looking for This page doesn’t exist. Go to Home and keep exploring. Go to Home Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community

Discover the Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship (CCAE), a leading organization fostering educational advancement in Canada. Explore resources, professional development, and networking opportunities for alumni relations, fundraising, and institutional success. Empowering Indigenous Entrepreneurs for a Sustainable Future. Supporting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities with training, resources, and opportunities for growth. Learn More Over the past 25 years, The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. has assisted over 3,500 entrepreneurs across Turtle Island (Canada, US and South America) on the road to successful self-employment. Come on inside and discover how we can assist you or your organization in creating self-employment training that is successful, sustainable, easy to understand, and FUN. Read More About Us Building Skills, Inspiring Growth: Our Featured Programs 1-on-1 Business Startup Package Use this space to promote the business, its products or its services. Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training (BEST) Use this space to promote the business, its products or its services. Bits of the BEST Use this space to promote the business, its products or its services. Bring A Course To Your Community Bring the BEST to your Community! All programs are delivered live, In-Person, Online or Hybrid training with all participants interacting is the most effective and fun way to learn and share. We at the CCAE are providing in-person, on-site training based on current Covid-19 conditions and regulations in your community. You and the CCAE will work together to create a tailored-for-your clients training sessions that serves your communities needs. Please contact us to discuss the possibility. Sponsor a Webinar for Your Community HAVE A BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS TRAINING (BEST) WEBINAR IN YOUR COMMUNITY (for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous webinars) Live webinars a better choice for your community? No problem! The CCAE uses cutting edge technology so that ANYONE can easily log in and take part. No software to download: just click the link we send, and you are IN Webinar works on any device: laptop, phone, tablet. Participants can ask questions, chat, show their faces, and even be given “the floor” to present their own ideas Everyone gets a copy of the Powerpoint slides and videos used, and can review the whole presentation afterwards Each participant also gets a copy of the > 250 page BEST Participant Manual, easy to use, fill-in-the blanks Business Plan template, including Financial Statements. (Pricing, Personal Budget, Net Worth, and Projected Cash Flow Statement) final exam, with results and corrected Graduation Certificate if attending 90% of sessions and pass the test Together, you and the CCAE will determine the “best” times and dates, and we will tailor the content to serve your needs. Real Stories of Transformation and Growth Bring an in-person program to your community In-Person Have a BEST webinar in your community BEST Webinar Individual Online Training Individual Online Training Options Mountain Sky Soaps www.mountainskysoap.com Raynald Losier and Nina George started the family business in 1993 to stay home with their kids, Malaya Mountain and Rahel Sky. Mountain Sky manufactures soaps, massage bars and lip balm for the company and for private labels. Mountain Sky Soaps Read More Artist Nigel Fox www.nigelfoxart.com graduated from the 2010 BEST program held in Terrace. We asked him about his business experiences: Q. “How far you have gone with your business idea?” Nigel Fox Read More Orene Askew was pretty content with her life. She had a job, was very active, but always had some business ideas looming in her head. She decided she wanted to start her own DJ-ing business. The idea had been in her head for over 3 years, but she wasn’t sure how to pursue it head on. DJ "O Show" Read More As a 2005 graduate of the Helen Lafaux School of Fashion Design in Vancouver, Andrea Hughes had been putting together her accumulated knowledge and experience, gleaned from years of working in the film industry, for her idea of a full-service bridal shop. KISS THE BRIDE Custom Wedding and Grad Read More Yvette Carol Adams is a Haida from the Tsâ aahl Laanas clan and took part in Aboriginal BEST on Haida Gwaii in 2011. “I create and design my own work: pendants made of yellow cedar, red cedar, yew wood, devils club, alder, beads from the same kind of wood as the pendants, Haida Gwaii Art Shop Read More Sauce so good, he got on CBC’s Dragon’s Den. Ebesse Zozo Hot Sauce is the creation of Edmund Segbeaya who hails from Togo, a small country in West Africa. Hot sauce is part of everyday life in Togo, hot foods and hot sauces are eaten with every meal. Ebesse ZoZo on Dragon’s Den Read More Once he found fame impersonating bespectacled rocker Buddy Holly, and led the Crickets astray on a diving tour of the UK. Now, leading technical diver John Garvin has helped to pull together what could be the most authentic diving movie to date. O2 Technical Diving Read More Inez Jasper is a singer songwriter with powerhouse talent and universal appeal. As one of Canada’s top aboriginal musicians, her blending of traditional native sounds with a love for contemporary hip hop and R&B, brings the best of her culture to the mainstream world. Inez Jasper Read More Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community

Find answers to common questions about the Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship (CCAE). Learn more about membership, programs, events, and resources to support educational advancement. Bring A Course To Your Community Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) How To Get Funding for Indigenous Business Training Programs The CCAE's past program partners have found funding through Federal, Provincial, Municipal, and Private Organizations Grants. The CCAE keeps a list of past program funding partners and examples of successful funding applications. We are happy to share direction with new programming partners who wish to bring our programs to their community. Please feel free to contact us to book a free consultation. Are The BEST Trainings Easy To Understand YES. Our Indigenous Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training programs are always customized based on the entrepreneurial experience levels of our participants. With an average participant satisfaction rate of 99.9%, our exceptionally experienced Indigenous facilitators are sure to deliver the best program to meet the needs of your/our community. Do We Provide Training For Indigenous Youth & Seniors YES. Our Indigenous Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training programs have had a strong track record of success with youth and senior age demographics, and we developed customized programs for training delivered exclusively to these groups. 4. Question Answer 5. Question Answer 6. Question Answer Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc.

f040816f-8e83-4649-afb5-afc6005735c4 Mountain Sky Soaps Mountain Sky Soaps www.mountainskysoap.com Raynald Losier and Nina George started the family business in 1993 to stay home with their kids, Malaya Mountain and Rahel Sky. Mountain Sky manufactures soaps, massage bars and lip balm for the company and for private labels. Mountain Sky Soap maintains seven jobs with a production that has increased from 320 soaps per week at its beginning to about 6,000 today in peak production times. With their products in stores from Victoria to St John’s to Yellowknife, Mountain Sky is a true Canadian success story. Next Item Previous Item Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community

Meet the sponsors supporting the Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship (CCAE). Explore partnerships that drive educational success and innovation across Canada. Sponsors Our Valued Partners Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Business Courses 1-on-1 Business Startup Package CCAE Workbook & Courseware. PLUS: 1 hour of one-on-one personal time via Zoom with Bruce. FULL Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training (BEST) 8 x 2 hour sessions = 16 hrs, max 20 attendees Bits of the BEST – 1.5 Hour Courses Our 1.5-hour modules are designed to deliver impactful learning experiences. Bring A Course To Your Community

Applications are open to all Canadian First Nations, Métis and Inuit community members. The annual rolling application Deadline is February 1st, at 5pm. There are only 80 spots available. Annual Sponsored Program Application Annual Sponsored Program Application Form - CCAE Business & Entrepreneurship Skills Training (BEST) Program Please complete this form to apply. Applications are open to all Canadian First Nations, Métis and Inuit community members. The annual rolling application Deadline is February 1st, at 5pm. There are only 80 spots available. After your application is received, we will contact you between Jan 1st - Feb 1st to schedule a brief 60-90 min virtual meeting for you to meet the program coordinators/instructor. Afterward, you will receive your letter of acceptance within two business days of that meeting. Where: Virtual Classroom/Video Conferencing meeting via Zoom. When: Approximate Annual Class Schedule: For 6 weeks, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, between March 1st - April 30th, at 12pm - 4pm (Eastern Standard Time). Interactive classes are delivered online via Zoom. 1-on-1 Tutoring/Mentoring/Business Coaching via zoom focused follow-up period: April 30th - June 30th. 60-90 min at the participant's choice of time. Total Program Duration: March - June. Your completed registration will be kept in strict confidence. For more information, please contact Us at ccaecanada@gmail.com or 1-226-243-5635 Email* Full name* Mailing Address (Street, Postal Code, City & Province) * Phone* What is your age range? * 0-18 19-35 36-59 60+ Best way to contact you (email, phone, Text, etc) * Please ensure the check your spam inbox to emails* Do you Identify as ** First Nations Inuit Métis Other How did you hear about this program? Facebook A friend on Social Media Poster Community Organization Employee NCCT Staff Member Other Next