MPL supports entrepreneurs during Small Business Month
By David Yin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Markham Public Library is celebrating Small Business Month this October with a vendor market and will also be offering resources designed to support local entrepreneurs.
The highlight will be the Small Business Market at the Markham Village branch on Oct. 11 from noon to 4 p.m., featuring a variety of one-person-operated businesses.
The current list of vendors includes Kaori Tavares, Jaydee Handcrafted, Zua’s Bakes, Yuenique Cards, Serene Illustrations, Asian Munchies, Shifty Story, Jem and Ace, Jus de Noix, Petite Paire, Chesty the Chestnut, Dalingling Cakes, and Loop Dreams.
The market will also feature non-profit organizations that help small businesses, such as Futurpreneur.
Librarian Jackie Lee said the market was designed to be as accessible to all entrepreneurs. She explained that the market does not charge vendors to attend, ensuring that a fee isn’t a barrier for small organizations.
The library will also run four business-oriented meetings throughout the upcoming Small Business Month. Registration is required for all of them.
The library will host a Women Entrepreneur Tea and Chat Meetup at the Angus Glen Branch on Oct. 2 from 6 to 7 p.m. Women entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to network and share information with one another at the meeting.
Additionally, the library will host two online workshops. The bookkeeping workshop will occur on Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to noon, and the social media workshop will occur on Oct. 20 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Thornhill branch will also host an information session to teach young entrepreneurs the difference between sole proprietorships and incorporation. The session will occur on Oct. 22 from 4 to 5 p.m.
Plus, the library provides access to a variety of resources to help individuals advance their business and career. For example, MPL users can access free courses on Udemy that cover subjects such as entrepreneurship, budgeting, marketing, and business planning.
Additionally, the library provides free access to Data Axle Reference Solutions – a database that provides in-depth information on over 2.6 million Canadian businesses.
“We always try to make our library space a place for discovery and growth, whether that is exploring ideas, discovering opportunities, or just enriching knowledge,” she said.
Small Business Month is recognized across Canada each October. In Ontario, about 99 per cent of companies are small and medium-sized enterprises, employing nearly half of the province’s workforce.
For more information or to register for one of the meetings, visit markhampubliclibrary.ca/business.
Photo: The Markham Public Library provides workshops and resources to help small businesses thrive.