Nine Free Workshops Aim to Give Peterborough Entrepreneurs Practical Tools This Fall

By Scott Arnold

Local entrepreneurs and small business owners will have nine opportunities this fall to build practical skills through Community Futures Peterborough’s Entrepreneurship 101 workshop series.

Community Futures Peterborough is launching its popular Entrepreneurship 101 workshop series this fall with an expanded lineup designed to respond directly to the needs of local entrepreneurs and small business owner (photo courtesy of community futures peterborough)

The series is returning for Fall 2026 with new and expanded content aimed at some of the areas local business owners are seeking the most help with, including testing business ideas, bookkeeping, branding, marketing and social media.

Supported by Scotiabank, the free Entrepreneurship 101 series is designed for people at different stages of running a business, from those still exploring an idea to established owners preparing for growth.

The nine one-hour workshops will be held in the Everest Boardroom at the Venture North Building, beginning September 24th and continuing through November.

The series opens with a new workshop focused on putting a business idea to the test. Market Ready: Test Your Idea and Understand Your Market, led by Allison Adam, takes place September 24th from 12pm to 1pm.

Adam will also lead Launch Pad: Business Planning and Launch Strategies on October 1st from 12pm to 1pm.

Other sessions will tackle the financial side of running a business, including Funding Fuel: Explore Funding Pathways with Braden Clark on October 8th from 1pm to 2pm and Money Map: Cash Flow Forecasting with Clark on October 15th from 1pm to 2pm.

Bookkeeping is also getting its own new session. Bookkeeping Bootcamp: Bookkeeping Basics for Your Small Biz, presented by Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory, is scheduled for October 29th from 12pm to 1pm.

Marketing and branding will take up three sessions in November. Rose Terry will lead the freshly expanded Marketing Lab: Strategic Marketing on November 5th and Brand Lab: Craft a Compelling Brand Story on November 12th, both from 12pm to 1pm.

Terry will also lead the new Digital Impact: Online Marketing, Holiday Edition on November 19th from 12pm to 1pm.

The series wraps up November 26th with Protect It: Intellectual Property for Small Biz, led by Marcelo Sarkis from 12pm to 1pm.

The expanded lineup comes as Community Futures Peterborough says its one-on-one business consultations have revealed growing demand for support in several of these areas.

For Peterborough MP Emma Harrison, providing entrepreneurs with practical resources is an important part of supporting the local economy. “By equipping entrepreneurs with practical tools and expert guidance, these workshops are helping create opportunities, foster new ideas, and ensure businesses have the support they need to thrive here in Peterborough and Peterborough County.”

Each workshop is designed to go beyond simply providing information. Participants will take part in guided activities and leave with worksheets, templates and defined next steps they can apply to their own businesses.

Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith said the expanded program provides entrepreneurs with access to practical training and mentorship. “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy, and empowering our entrepreneurs with practical skills is essential for long-term regional growth”.

The series is supported by Scotiabank, which Community Futures Peterborough says has made its delivery and expansion possible.

“These valuable sessions are curated based on the demands of the local business community and we couldn’t be happier to help bring these learnings to our community of entrepreneurs at no cost” said Nolan Frazer, Team Lead at Scotiabank.

Registration is required, and space is limited. More information and registration are available through Community Futures Peterborough.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Dion & Dan’s Lemonade Stand Returns Friday to Raise Money for SickKids

By Scott Arnold

Brothers Dion and Dan Gemmiti are bringing Dion & Dan’s Lemonade Stand back to Westdale United Church on Friday, September 4th, with all proceeds going to SickKids.

Brothers Dion and Dan Gemmiti are ready to serve up lemonade and homemade cookies while raising money for SickKids during Dion & Dan’s Lemonade Stand on Friday, September 4th at Westdale United Church. (photo via instagram @dangemmiti)

The brothers are once again inviting the community to stop by and help support SickKids Hospital.

The fundraiser will take place from 8am to 12 noon at Westdale United Church, where organizers will be collecting donations for the hospital.

Organizers say 100% of the proceeds will go to SickKids.

This year, Dion & Dan’s Lemonade Stand can also accept corporate donations and provide tax receipts. Businesses interested in supporting the fundraiser are encouraged to reach out to the organizers.

Visitors can also look forward to homemade lemonade and cookies while helping support the hospital.

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A post shared by Dan Gemmiti (@dangemmiti)

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.