Attention all military family entrepreneurs: popular entrepreneurship program returns

The dynamic, hands-on and highly successful Telfer Entrepreneurship Program for Military Families is back for the third year in a row.

Sponsored by Military Family Services, and conducted in partnership with Military Family Resource Centres across the country, the program is contracted to the Telfer School of Management housed in the University of Ottawa.

The Telfer Entrepreneurship Program was designed specifically for military and veteran families the Telfer School of Management. All military family members who either have their own business or are thinking of becoming an entrepreneur are encouraged to attend.

The two-day sessions, take participants on an interactive journey to determine whether their ideas are viable and how to turn those dreams into a reality. Military families will learn about concepts like the financial and legal components of running your own business, marketing and social media and the components needed for a solid business plan.

The program also includes a lab session in which participants are given a visa card to promote their business, whether it is by buying a website or purchasing Facebook ads.

“If you’re interested in starting your own business or have your own business this course will give you a step up in what you’re doing. It will either largely improve your business and solidify the direction you’re going in, or it will help you decide if you should launch into the idea you have,” said Katie Ochin, Employment and Entrepreneurship Program Manager, Military Family Services.

The class is taught by Stephen Daze, a professor at the Telfer School of Management since 2012.

“He’s super dynamic, and we get a lot of positive feedback on him from the participants. He’s a really good instructor,”

At the end of the session, attendees will receive a certification of completion from the Telfer School.

Since launching in 2016, approximately 200 members have participated in the program across the country. A total of nine sessions have been held so far.

The program has garnered highly successful results. According to Ochin, the course received a 92 percent satisfaction rating last year; 95 percent of participants who had a business prior to the course reported that it helped improve their existing business and contributed to business growth; 41 percent of participants reported that the course increased their overall household income; and 75 percent of all participants agreed that the course supported their overall career satisfaction.

“We’re really happy with the results the program has given,” said Ochin.

The program will be offered this year at Petawawa, ON on Feb. 24-25, the deadline for registration is Feb. 10; Cold Lake, AB on March 10-11, registration deadline is Feb. 24; and Winnipeg, MB from March 17-19; registration deadline is March.

The program will be offered in English, but materials will also be available in French.

The Telfer Entrepreneurship Program for Military Families is open to military spouses, parents, adult children and all adult, immediate family members. Veterans, military members and veteran family members wishing to take part are encouraged to reach out MFS. They will be placed on a waiting list.

To register for the Telfer Entrepreneurship Program click here .