April 1, 2020 – These past few weeks have been a glitter explosion of information and we are happy to welcome the expertise of Nicole Anderson and Yvonne Pilon to help us navigate and get the right details.
Shout Out to all the healthcare workers and essential employees, as well as beauty industry workers who have stepped up and donated masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment.
Webinar Video Link Here: To Be Uploaded
Support For Self-Employed Individuals
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit ($2000) – Nicole
- *NEW UPDATE* Apr 2: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html
- https://toronto.citynews.ca/2020/03/29/what-we-know-so-far-about-the-canada-emergency-response-benefit/
- For individuals who:
- are involuntarily laid off,
- no other EI options,
- earned a minimum of 5,000$ in income in the last 12 months,
- April 6th registration tentatively opens
- Note: Register your CRA account, register for direct deposit, use the right codes to get ahead of the crowd
- Note: 500$ weekly is taxable income, save a portion for taxes
- Benefits start within 10 days of submission (“hopefully” according to the Government)
- Advise from accountant, leave “Comment” section blank when applying
- Mortgage Deferral Canada – Nicole
- CALL YOUR BANKS first!
- Up to 6 months deferred, but you still have to pay interest
- Note: https://www.macleans.ca/economy/realestateeconomy/deferring-your-mortgage-because-of-coronavirus-could-cost-you/
- Rent Deferrals Canada – Nicole
- There is NO legislation for rent deferrals so far (April 1, 2020),
- Talk to your landlords, it never hurts to ask, some landlords may/ca be flexible – again, not legislation to be
- No programs as of yet
- Canadian Child Care Benefit – Nicole
- Not much new information
- https://globalnews.ca/news/6695313/canada-child-benfit-coronavirus/
- Municipal Tax, HST Deferrals – Yvonne
- Taxes due June 30th no penalty or interest
- HST/GST payments are deferred
- $40,000 Business Loan – Yvonne
- https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/additional-support-for-canadian-businesses-from-the-economic-impact-of-covid-19.html
- Call your banks first!!!
- For-profit businesses and non-profit organizations eligible
- Eligibility: Paid out $50,000 to $1M in payroll in 2019
- Forgiveness of 25% or up to $10k
- 75% Wage Subsidy – Yvonne –
- https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/04/government-announces-details-of-the-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy-to-help-businesses-keep-canadians-in-their-jobs.html
- Eligibility: Drop in gross revenues of at least 30% in March, April or May, compared to the same month in 2019, would be able to access the subsidy
- 3 month program starting March 15 through June 15
- Need to apply each month for 3 months
- The 75% replaces the prior 10% program
- Read more from the link above
Windsor Self-Employed Business Resources
- Small Business Centre – Nicole
- Business advisors – offering business advisory services,
- http://www.windsoressexsmallbusiness.com
- Summer Company Program http://www.windsoressexsmallbusiness.com/summercompany
- EVENT: Navigating social media through COVID-19 by Nichole Howson https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/webinar-managing-social-media-during-covid-19-registration-101342080892
- EPIcentre – Nicole
- http://www.epicentreuwindsor.ca
- Discovery program
- Founders Program – $5,000 Grant, 12-week program
- Project Nimble – Companies who weren’t using technology use up to $4k to implement tech into their business
- RISE Windsor Essex – Nicole
- http://www.risewindsoressex.com
- Pivoting Your Business – business advisory available 1-on-1
- St Clair College Genesis Centre, Chamber of Commerce, Women of Windsor and others – Nicole
- Webinars – Webinars with other organizations
- Stay informed on social media
- Tourism Windsor Essex and Pelee Island – Yvonne
- https://visitwindsoressex.com
- #YQGSTANDSSTRONG, #WineOrderWednesday and #TakeoutTuesday
- Local businesses, micro breweries, “Who can I order food from?” Pelee Island currently doing deliveries
- Cooper’s Hawk – All wine orders will be matched with a donation to local hospitals on Wine Order Wednesday
- WEtech Alliance – Yvonne
- “Business as Virtual” –
- Adam Castle – advising about virtual meetings, access to mentors, expertise, recovery strategies and how to do our best within our limits
- “Business as Virtual” –
- Windsor Delivery or Curb-side Options
- Companies in Windsor with delivery options by categories
- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PBYh7h2nl46IWdjSAze-J_V0XWd5Oxf1-gVXMrEeNRI/htmlview
Online Tech Resources
- Shopify
- NEW Shopify 90-day trial (previously 14-day trial),
- Shopify Academy – Free Shopify training to help you build and grow a profitable business
- Facebook
- Facebook Small Business Grants Program – Will spend $100 million on grants to support over 30,000 small businesses in 30 countries
- Google
- Free upgrade Google G Suite Advanced Hangouts Meet video-conferencing, Think With Google Canada marketing, Grow With Google free training tools, and events to help you grow your skills, career, or business, Google Primer lessons to better your business, Google My Business guidance on updating info and temporary closures
- Hootsuite
- Manage social media accounts, free access to Hootsuite Professional plan tools to small businesses and non-profits
- Hootsuite Academy – build your social media skills
- Microsoft:
- Free six-month Office 365 E1 Trial, including Microsoft Teams.
- Vidyard:
- Free secure video messaging to enhance internal communications for all businesses.
- Zoom
- Free basic version video conferencing and webinars
- Canva graphic designs and marketing material design
- Udemy online learning courses
- Windsor Public Library get an E-card online
- For a downloadable PDF: https://www.beauxapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beaux-App-Webinar.pdf
Mental Health Resources
- Windsor Call the Community Crisis Line at 519-973-4435
- Online Mental Health Resources
- Visit CAMH Website http://www.camh.ca
- Visit Canada.ca Website https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html
- Better Help app for online counselling (individuals, couples, teens) https://www.betterhelp.com
- Events
- Self Love Saturdays: Stay at home and stay inspired with these self-love aficionados in the beauty, nails, hair, skincare and mental wellness world! YOU-TIME! https://www.facebook.com/events/234618761066160/
- Monday Mindfulness: Start our weeks off right, together, and at home. Link TBA
- Do my bed, meditate, glass of water, wash my face, sometimes do my makeup
- Keep my routine the same – wake up the same time, eat the same time, do chores the same day
- Prioritize Top 3 must-do and finish them at all costs
- Keep family involved, have that conversation with them
Other Links
Support To Businesses, Government of Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/covid19-businesses.html
Additional Support for Canadian Businesses from the Economic Impact of COVID-19
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/additional-support-for-canadian-businesses-from-the-economic-impact-of-covid-19.html
How To Apply For CERB, Canada’s New $2,000 Emergency Response Benefit
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/coronavirus-benefit-how-to-apply_ca_5e7d073bc5b6cb9dc19cd1eb
What We Know So Far About the Canada Emergency Response Benefit
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2020/03/29/what-we-know-so-far-about-the-canada-emergency-response-benefit/
Prime Minister Announces Support for Small Businesses facing impacts of COVID-19
https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/03/27/prime-minister-announces-support-small-businesses-facing-impacts
Webinar Video Link Here: To Be Uploaded
Nicole Anderson is the Director of Women Entrepreneurship Strategy of Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation and RISE Windsor Essex and a proud strategist for women entrepreneurship and women in STEM.
Yvonne Pilon is the CEO of WE Tech Alliance and a strong advocate for local businesses and entrepreneurship!