This was Sharon Whiting’s mission statement when, with the assistance of the Community Futures Self-Employment program, Accurate~Timesaving~Mobile Bookkeeping Service started up in 1999.

“Dave Scott was my CFDC mentor at start-up and throughout the years until his retirement” Sharon states with appreciation. “Dave was just awesome with his encouragement but he strictly ensured business professional ethics were followed.” Sharon continues to refer those interested in assistance with a business start-up and/or business loan to Community Futures. “The CFDC staff are available to assist you with every step of the way and sincerely care about you and your business success. This is so evident when you learn that there are so many successful businesses who received the assistance of CFDC."

BC Author Launches Unique Canadian Small Business Book

How Much Money Can I Make? Finally, . . .  A Publication That Unlocks The  Realities of Owning a Small Business in Canada!

Kelowna, BC -  July 8, 2015 -The title of this book may imply selfish capitalism in all its splendor, however the contents are a necessary reveal of what Canadians need to know in order to thrive in the world of small business. This straight-talking book answers the following questions and many more:

• What Is It Like Owning a Small Business In Canada? 
• How Much Money Can I Really Make?   
• How Is My Business Doing?
• What Can I Do To Make It More Profitable?
• What Is My Business Really Worth?

Sadly, only 50% of Canadian businesses last more than five years.  It doesn't have to be this way, and How Much Money Can I Make? explains how to improve these odds.

How Much Money Can I Make? is available in paperback and digital formats through Amazon.com, Amazon.ca,  Chapters.Indigo.ca or www.howmuchmoneycanimake.com. The 472 pages are comprised of 45 chapters, 15 appendices and 100 income statements.

About Tim Young - You win some, you lose some, and the score is 8 to 4 in Tim's favor after 35 years of small business ownership. Many small business authors talk the talk, but few have walked the walk like Tim Young. Tim has experienced first-hand the highs and lows of being a small business owner in Canada.

Armed with a business degree, Tim set out to climb the corporate ladder only to find his passion was small business. Tim's entrepreneurial spirit and profound desire for independence chronicles a journey worthy of note by all small business owners who strive to become above-average operators in their chosen field. Born and educated in Regina, Saskatchewan, Tim and his wife, JoAnn, spent the first part of their business careers on the prairies.  They have lived and worked in Kelowna, British Columbia for the past 23 years and counting.

For more information, please visit www.howmuchmoneycanimake.com. You can contact Tim at 250-859-1485 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Chef Martin started The Chef in Stead 10 years ago with a very simple mission statement, to make people happy with food. He is thankful for the assistance Community Futures gave him in getting started, giving him the framework with the start-up course and then networking opportunities. He tells us that it was a slow start and he was not even sure how successful he would be, but business has become so crazy busy for the last 5 years that he now has a great add on, his wife. "I love that my business now has that extra touch with service that helps take the food to the next level as well", he says. "We're a power couple!", referring to his wife's skills as a sommelier and service professional.

Chef Martin started The Chef in Stead 10 years ago with a very simple mission statement, to make people happy with food. He is thankful for the assistance Community Futures gave him in getting started, giving him the framework with the start-up course and then networking opportunities. He tells us that it was a slow start and he was not even sure how successful he would be, but business has become so crazy busy for the last 5 years that he now has a great add on, his wife. "I love that my business now has that extra touch with service that helps take the food to the next level as well", he says. "We're a power couple!", referring to his wife's skills as a sommelier and service professional.

"In 1993, I brought a new franchise to the Okanagan with the support of CDFC.  That business is still operating today, as are several others that I have developed over the past 22 years. I respect the CDFC organization and am grateful for the support offered by the organization and the staff.”

Tim Young, Author of How Much Money Can I Make?  Proven Strategies for Starting, Managing and Exiting a Canadian Small Business www.howmuchmoneycanimake.com

Youth Mean Business Program Extended ... Again

Community Futures Central Okanagan delivers a youth entrepreneurship program entitled Youth Mean Business since August 2011. The pilot program period has recently been extended to June 19 for new applications. The new objective for July 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015 will be to help 2 aspiring entrepreneurs to develop their own business. Competition for the program is strong so it is important to get involved quickly to avoid being left out.

The YMB Program has been very successful and has assisted over 50 youth prepare for their business launch. The program is targeted at unemployed youth aged 18-29 who are not Employment Insurance (EI) eligible and have not had an EI claim for the past three years (5 years if maternity claim). Those that are accepted into the program can expect:

• Financial support of up to $5,000 for agreed upon living supports, targeted support such as daycare or bus pass, seed business funding, training grants and a $500 completion bonus upon successful completion of the program
• Support for completing the application to the program including participation in a 1 day Assess Youth Business Idea workshop
• A personal interview to review applications
• Support in developing a participation plan
• Ongoing one on one counseling support to assist in developing a business plan
• Group instruction to assist with preliminary business examination and detailed business planning
• Mentorship and business introductions
• Additional specialized business training where appropriate
• Assistance to complete business plan and/or business examination
• A resource centre to conduct research and development
• Committee review final business plan
• Recommendations regarding start-up, action plan and implementation including seed funding, education grants and access to financing
• The full program is expected to take 3 months depending on how quickly the participant can complete their business plan

Next steps

1. Participants register and attend the Assess Your Business Idea Workshop.
2. Complete Youth Mean Business application based on results of the assessment workshop.
3. Submit Youth Mean Business applications and schedule an interview