Epicenter of Innovation, Creativity and Economic Growth
CHILLIWACK, BC, November 15, 2013 – A handshake between two local entrepreneurs kicks off Global Entrepreneurship Week (Nov 18-24) by designating the Sutton Downtown Business Centre a NEW centre for innovation, creativity, and economic growth.
Kelly Johnston, owner of Sutton Group Showplace Realty Ltd., sealed a tenancy agreement with the Discovery Centre for Entrepreneurship, a private career-training institute that focuses on entrepreneurial leadership and corporate workforce innovation. The partnership designates Sutton’s full service business centre a learning campus that is recognized by Canada Revenue Agency. “We began the Sutton Downtown Business Centre in 2010 with a vision to create a space for synergy and a climate for business people to succeed”, reports Johnston.
“Research shows that effective systems integration is key to new venture creation, job readiness training, workforce development, and economic development”, says Tana Plewes, who is CEO of the Discovery Centre for Entrepreneurship. It is this emphasis on systems that inspired Plewes to reach out to the world-renowned expert on small business and entrepreneurship, Michael E. Gerber, while conducting research for her master’s degree.
Gerber’s genius for understanding the plight of the entrepreneur is the crux of his success as author of the timeless classic, The E-Myth: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It. Gerber’s latest innovation, The Dreaming Room™, is a 12-week, 36-hour intensive for business owners, startups, and organizational leaders who want to learn how to foster a sense of emotional ownership and accountability through all levels of their organization. Plewes is a Gerber-certified licensee of this hands-on learning technology.
Chilliwack’s first Dreaming Room™ series is set to launch on Wednesday, November 20th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The hands-on program, which is RESP-eligible for young people pursuing post-secondary learning, is 3-hours each week for 12 weeks. Plewes, the entrepreneur in residence at the downtown centre, is also community partner to the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (cybf.ca), a national charity offering startup loans and mentorship to young entrepreneurs aged 18-39.
“We offer affordable business solutions in terms of office space and shared services: admin staff, boardrooms, lobby, washrooms, and state-of-the-art communication systems. We are pleased to create another door for entrepreneurs through this partnership”, says Johnston.
To schedule an appointment with the entrepreneur in residence, or to register for the Dreaming Room™, drop by the Sutton Downtown Business Centre at 9240 Young Rd, visit www.possibility.ca, call 604-824-1460, or email tana@possibility.ca.
