Advisory Services

The Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre (PREC) supports entrepreneurs by providing advisory services to help temp start and grow their businesses.

Advisory services provide information, referrals, advisory services, mentoring, workshops, networking opportunities and business resources to support entrepreneurs and small businesses at all stages of development.

Free Services

  • Free consultations with a business consultant;
  • Developing business plans;
  • Workshops and seminars;
  • Information on the licenses, permits, registrations, forms and documents needed to start a business, not to mention the regulations to be complied with;
  • Mentoring and networking opportunities;
  • And more!

Existing Entrepreneur

As your business develops and your needs change, you must update your business plan accordingly. 

Questions you might have

There are many other questions the Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre could answer as your business grows. 

  • How do you recruit qualified personnel and conduct a good interview? 
  • If you have employees, how to keep them safe?
  • What is the Employment Standards Act?
  • How do you approach payroll and deductions for the first time?
  • Should you consider expanding your business and forming a partnership or corporation?
  • Is it time to increase your floor space, or perhaps find a more spacious location, or even open another location?
  • Are there government grants or employer programs available?

Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation. 

Business Advisory Services

Our Business Advisory Services are focused on helping entrepreneurs who want to grow their business here and abroad. The PREC offers:

  • Access to government programs;
  • Strategic market intelligence;
  • Market development support, including export assistance;
  • Financial analysis and other benchmarking tools to improve operations;
  • Access to financial assistance;
  • Support for innovation and new technology; and
  • Networking and expert advice.

New Entrepreneur

To become a successful entrepreneur, you need good business planning,  an innovative spirit, and the ability to take risks. It is a lot of work, but there are many benefits to being your own boss.

Why Consider Entrepreneurship?

You Can Put Your Own Ideas to Practice

Being your own boss can allow you to develop your ideas, be independent, and give you freedom of action, whereas working for someone else can limit your creativity and dynamism. As an entrepreneur, to ensure the success of your business, you can use your time and energy creatively to put your ideas to good use.

You Can Decide on What Type of Business You Want

Your business should reflect your experience, interests, and knowledge. Before you put too much work into your business, make sure that the field you choose is the right one for you. You must consider your hobbies and interests as well as your work experience.

You Make the Decisions for Your Business

Starting your own business can be risky. However, combining passion and perseverance along with innovative thinking can only work in your favour. Self-confidence and the ability to base decisions on previous knowledge and experience can only lead to the success of your business. Nonetheless, respecting the limits of your abilities and having the power to ask for help from experts or your own knowledgeable staff  can prove indispensable to making the right business decisions and growing your business.

You also have the opportunity to establish the policies for your business and give them a tone that fits well with your personal culture and values. This can be a significant advantage over working for another business where you will have to follow policies that may be difficult to accept or compromise your personal ethics.

You Can Choose the Location of Your Business

If a long commute to and from work is no longer desirable, or if your family is planning to move, this may be a good time to consider starting your own business. You can choose a location that suits your needs, whether it is working from home or close to home. Alternatively, you could take the opportunity to travel and visit new places. You may also choose to settle downtown or outside a city to avoid the daily traffic. However, even if you have flexibility in choosing a location, you also need to consider the needs of your potential customers, as you could loose them by choosing the wrong location.

You Have the Potential to Earn More

As an entrepreneur, you have the flexibility to set your own working hours and make the most of your earning potential. Usually, this success is the result of hard work and long hours. If your business is a success, you will probably make more money than you would have as an employee.

However, the downside is that there is no guarantee of salary compensation, and your hard work can cut into the time you have available for personal and family obligations.

You Can Take Part in All Your Business' Activities

Running your own business can be a tremendous source of satisfaction and pride. You will be able to see your business flourish from the moment it was born.

However, you are responsible for the initial investment in your business and its day-to-day running costs. You may also have to do some administrative tasks for which you are not trained, such as purchasing and accounting. Do not hesitate to seek professional help for certain management tasks, and concentrate on the areas where you can contribute most.

You Can Turn the Business Into a Family Asset

Being a business owner sometimes means being able to offer your children and other family members a job to help finance their future. It is an opportunity to teach them valuable skills and spend more time together. Depending on your children's career aspirations, you may be able to leave the business to them when you retire. A family business can also provide employment for other family members who may be unemployed or underemployed.

Still Not Sure?

Take the Entrepreneurial Potential Self-Assessment to see if entrepreneurship is right for you.

If you are starting, expanding or buying a small business, apply for training, mentoring, and a grant through Starter Company Plus.

Book a Consultation

Please complete the client intake form to book a consultation.

Thank you to our partners

OSBAC programs and services are delivered locally by the Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre and funded in partnership with the Government of Ontario.

From left to right: Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre logo, United Counties of Prescott and Russell logo, Ontario Small Business Advisory Centre logo, and Government of Ontario logo