An award-winning program, that was started in Airdrie and helps would-be entrepreneurs get a solid start has launched for the year.  

The SMARTstart program kicked off last week at the Woodside Golf Course with the introduction of the 14 entrepreneurs, representing 13 businesses, the 17 local business volunteers who are serving as mentors this year, and the sponsors of the program this year.

SMARTstart started in 2014 and since then has assisted 103 local entrepreneurs with their new business, or business idea.  The result has been that 17 new businesses have opened their doors and 29 more have expanded their business operations or services.

The SMARTstart program is delivered by the City of Airdrie Economic Development Department, Bow Valley College, and Community Futures West.  Tara Levick sits on the committee for Airdrie Economic Development and is the SMARTstart Entrepreneur Coordinator.  She says the launch event is one of her favourites.

"With each new group of entrepreneurs we see a new set of unique businesses each with interesting challenges and opportunities.  We're very excited to see where these new entrepreneurs will be in eight months when they complete the program."

Over the course of those eight months, the group will complete the 100 Essential Business Skills online training, take part in 11 in-person workshops, and work with a mentor on the completion of a business, feasibility or strategic plan.  

The mentors they'll be working with were determined by a "speed connecting" session held during the launch.  Jodie Eckert is the SMARTstart Mentor Coordinator.  She said, "SMARTstart mentors tell us they get just as much from the program as the entrepreneurs.  It reignites that creative enthusiasm they had when they started their business."

You can learn more HERE about the SMARTstart program.

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