Regional Entrepreneurship Services:
Strengthening the Community,
One Business at a Time.
About Regional Entrepreneurship Services
Welcome to YES Employment + Entrepreneurship, your dedicated partner in providing essential support services for regional entrepreneurship throughout Quebec. With a focus on empowering English speakers across the province, we’re committed to unlocking their full potential to contribute to the vibrant local economy.
At YES, we believe in the power of community strengthening through robust support for local businesses. Utilizing an extensive toolkit and resources, we offer personalized in-person and online coaching sessions, alongside skill development workshops. Our goal is to ensure the success and sustainability of small businesses in every community we serve.
What the program offers
-
Regional Entrepreneurship Services in Quebec: Our dedicated focus on regional entrepreneurship throughout Quebec ensures tailored support services to meet the unique needs of entrepreneurs in different areas of the province.
-
Personalized Coaching: Access individualized coaching sessions tailored to your specific business needs, delivered by experienced professionals dedicated to your success. We offer both in-person coaching appointments in select regions within Quebec, facilitated through our partnerships with local community organizations, as well as online coaching sessions for added flexibility and accessibility.
-
Dynamic Workshops: Participate in a variety of interactive workshops covering essential topics such as marketing strategies, financial management, and business planning, designed to equip you with practical skills and insights.
- Resource Access: Gain access to a wealth of resources, including templates, guides, and toolkits, to support you at every stage of your entrepreneurial journey, from startup to expansion.
-
Online Platform: Effortlessly join our online workshops from any location, ensuring you can participate and engage with valuable content regardless of your schedule or geographical constraints.
-
Community Engagement: Join a supportive community of like-minded individuals who share insights, experiences, and advice, creating a collaborative environment that fosters growth and innovation.
FAQs
1. Is YES the right choice to help me with my business?
Your business is our business.
For almost 30 years, YES has been providing province-wide entrepreneurship support. Each year we help more than 500 business owners across the province, bringing them closer to achieving their entrepreneurial goals.
We do this by delivering personalized coaching, tailored workshops, and engaging events, all designed to help you and your business succeed.
Whatever stage you’re at in your business, whatever your age, YES’s expert entrepreneurship coaches can provide you with the support you need.
Reach out to us today to make an appointment and take the next step in achieving your business goals!
2. How will coaching support me in my entrepreneurial journey?
Whatever challenges you’re facing with your business, you don’t have to face them alone! Our Business Coaching Services give you personalized guidance throughout your business journey.
Whether you are planning on starting a business, have a side hustle, consider yourself an artist (and would like to earn an income from your art), or you’d like to buy a business that you believe should stay within your local community, we’re here to help!
Our coaches will help you understand the ins and outs of business and how to navigate the overwhelming aspects of entrepreneurship.
With one-on-one business coaching and a wide range of workshops, we’ll help you forge your path as an entrepreneur.
3. At what stage of my business do I need to be at in order to receive business coaching?
Whatever stage you’re at in your business, whatever your age, YES’s expert entrepreneurship coaches can provide you with the support you need.
Whether you just have a business idea and don’t know where to start, to seasoned businesses who would like to expand, sell, or bring in more revenue, we are here to help you with personalized advice.
In this journey with YES, remember that you have a dedicated partner by your side, ensuring that you are never alone in your pursuit of success.
4. What are some examples of how YES' Business Coaches can help me?
No matter what stage of development your business is in, entrepreneurs or aspiring ones need to make important decisions on matters from general management to human resources, to finances, and so much more.
Fortunately, our expert coaches have overseen these processes countless times before and are ready to do the same for you.
Our business coaching services can assist you with:
+ Idea evaluation and sketching of a proper business plan
+ Setting up a business in Quebec
+ Importing/exporting, online positioning, franchising, and more
+ Market research, sales, and marketing
+ Advice on financing options and resources
+ Maintaining and growing your business
5. What kind of experience do YES' Business Coaches have?
Our seasoned Business Coaches bring a wealth of experience across diverse industries.
Whether you’re in the arts, logistics, sales, or e-commerce, we’re equipped to match you with the perfect coach tailored to meet your specific needs.
We can offer you a 15-min free consultation to make sure your coach is the best fit, you can book it right now by emailing [email protected]
6. I would like to receive one-on-one coaching. How can I register?
You can register for one-on-one coaching by contacting the regional partner closest to you (check out the list of partners below). They will help you book an appointment either online or in person. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized guidance and support to help you achieve your goals. Take the first step towards success and connect with us today!
7. None of the centres listed are close to me. How can I still take advantage of the services?
We provide a wide range of workshops that you can attend either in a hybrid format or fully online. Our Business Coaches are also available for virtual meetings.
If you’re a representative of an organization and believe our services would benefit your community, reach out to us to explore partnership opportunities.
8. Can I still access services that are not in my region?
You are always welcome to all our workshops and events!
We encourage you to look at our calendar to check out upcoming events and workshops.
Our workshops are offered in an online or hybrid format.
9. There is no coach coming to my area until the next month. Do I need to wait until then to get coaching support?
You don’t have to wait for a coach to go to your location.
We offer business coaching online, and once the coach visits your town, you can schedule a face-to-face meeting.
YES Entrepreneurship Services in Your Region
We’ve partnered with local community organizations to provide in-person business coaching appointments and workshops in select regions within Quebec.
Connect with our participating community partners in your area to find out when we’ll be coming to your region.
For in-person appointments at our community partner’s locations, reach out directly to the organization. They’ll keep you informed about our next service visit. To schedule an online coaching appointment, please contact Jayna Patel [email protected], (438) 812-0175.
Discover the full list of Local Community Partners in Quebec, organized by region! Click on the + below to find partners near you and easily access our services through them.
Local Community Partners
Abitibi-Témiscamingue:
Neighbours Regional Association of Rouyn-Noranda
139 rue Murdoch,
Rouyn-Noranda, QC, J9X 5A9
Phone: (819) 762-0882
Email: [email protected]
Contact Person: Sharleen Sullivan
Website: https://neighboursat.ca/
Capitale-Nationale:
Voice of English-speaking Quebec (VEQ)
1270, chemin Sainte-Foy, Suite 2141
Jeffery Hale Pavilion (to the right of the Jeffery Hale Hospital)
Québec (Québec)
G1S 2M4
Phone: (418) 683-2366 ext. 225
Email: [email protected]
Contact Person: María Castro
Website: https://veq.ca/
Côte-Nord:
The North Shore Community Association (NSCA)
337 Blvd. LaSalle Local #202,
Baie-Comeau, QC G4Z 2Z1 or
598 Blvd. Laure Local #106,
Sept-Îles, QC G4R 1X7
Phone: (418) 296-1545
Email: [email protected]
Contact Person: Jody Lessard
Website: https://quebecnorthshore.org/
Eastern Townships (Estrie):
Townshippers’ Association
3355 College Street,
Sherbrooke, QC J1M 0B8 or
584 Knowlton Rd #3 (Lac Brome/Brome Lake),
Knowlton, Quebec J0E 1V0
Phone: (819) 566-5717
Email: [email protected]
Contact Person: Cathy Turner
Website: https://townshippers.org/
Gaspé:
The Committee for Anglophone Social Action (CASA)
168 Gerard D. Levesque Blvd,
Carlisle, QC G0C 1Z0 or
13, rue d’Église
Pointe-à-la-Garde, QC, G0C 2M0
Phone: (418) 752-5995
Email: [email protected]
Contact person: Cindy Carney
Website: https://casa-gaspe.com/
Laval:
CDC Pont Viau
60 Rue Lahaie, Laval, QC H7G 3A8
To book appointments at the Laval centre, please reach out to YES Employment + Entrepreneurship at 514-878-9788 or email [email protected]
Website: https://bilingualtraining.ca/
Outaouais:
The Regional Association of West Quebecers (RAWQ)
181, Rue principale Unit A-11,
Gatineau (Aylmer), QC J9H 6A6
Phone: (819) 682-9602
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.westquebecers.ca/
Client Success Stories
Meet Kim MacInnis of Garage Pizzeria (New Richmond)
Kim MacInnis, a seasoned professional in the food industry, became a client of YES six years ago when she envisioned opening her own pizza restaurant. Despite encountering challenges in finding the right location, her determination and passion drove her forward. Finally, in January 2021, she opened her doors, initially offering only takeaway and delivery services due to COVID-19 restrictions. As the effects of the pandemic eased, she transitioned to in-restaurant dining, surpassing sales projections and even expanding her offerings to include fresh baked goods, further boosting her business.
In 2022, Kim encountered staffing challenges, which led to the business closing completely for two days. On two other days, only pick-up and delivery services were available, while the remaining days were dedicated to providing full in-restaurant service, with the staff focused on delivering an exceptional dining experience. Despite these challenges, her business continued to thrive, prompting her to take a significant step forward by purchasing a local building. This strategic move will enable her to expand her restaurant, offer larger dining space, and generate additional income by leasing out extra space. Through resilience and innovation, Kim’s business continues to grow and evolve with the support of YES.
Meet Kristy Findlay, Genevieve Fily-Pare and Aurelie Papillon of Centre Mosaique (Quebec City)
Kristy and Genevieve established their partnership in 2016, starting with a climbing wall in Quebec City. This partnership evolved into a bilingual speech therapy service focused on individualized client care, addressing unique needs in both maternal and second languages, particularly in Quebec. They secured contracts with local schools, assisted seniors with speech-related health issues, and established a clinic for comprehensive support. Expanding their services to rural areas and First Nations communities, they introduced telepractice in 2017, hiring additional bilingual therapists by 2019 to accommodate growing demand.
In 2020, amidst COVID-19 restrictions, they seamlessly transitioned in-person clients to telepractice and opened a service point outside Quebec City. By 2021, they acquired a building to support expansion, with a team of 11 professionals managing the clinic by 2024. Centre Mosaique has been supported by YES since its inception, aiding in startup guidance, client acquisition, resource procurement, office space acquisition, and ongoing growth planning, positioning them to better serve the community.
Sign up to get local business support through our Regional Entrepreneurship program
Need business advice?
Let’s transform your vision into reality! Get in touch to find out more.
Call (438) 812-0175 or email Jayna Patel, Entrepreneurship Services Coordinator at [email protected].
