Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland

09/10/2026

Building a food business with food safety in mind! 🍯🧀
Whether you're manufacturing products yourself, working from a commercial kitchen, or partnering with a co-packer, understanding food safety expectations is essential for building a successful food business! Join the Foodpreneur Advantage program today to learn more!

🗓 Thursday, September 17, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM

In this FREE 60-minute online webinar, you’ll learn:
✅ Food safety fundamentals every food business needs
✅ Practical production best practices
✅ How food safety supports retailer readiness and consumer trust
✅ Common startup mistakes to avoid

Sign up today! https://becn.ca/programs/foodpreneur-advantage-program/

09/09/2026

Before we introduce this year’s She Owns It Conference speakers, we thought we’d start at the very beginning... ✨

🤍 As the women behind the scenes, Alexis and Kailyn, we can’t wait to bring this day to life. 🫶 Think big ideas, a little nostalgia, and a reminder that sometimes reconnecting with who we were, helps us see more clearly who we’re becoming.

💪 Every journey starts somewhere. With an idea, a spark, a setback, a leap, or simply a sense of who we might become. This year, She Owns It is leaning into the journey: how we grow, adapt, build community, and become more of who we want to be.

The momentum is building… and so is this year’s theme. We’re getting closer. 😉

https://becn.ca/programs/she-owns-it/

Northumberland County

09/09/2026

🎒 The kids are back in school… now it’s time to work on YOU and your business ideas! We can help!

Whether you’re thinking about starting something new or already running a business, BECN has two upcoming September sessions to help you move forward.

🤝 BECN Peer-to-Peer Connect
📅 Wednesday, September 16
⏰ 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
📍 BECN Boardroom | 600 William Street, Cobourg

Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, share ideas, talk through challenges and hear from guest speaker Rachel Moore of Rewire Hypnosis on the unconscious patterns that can influence how we think, communicate and make decisions.

💻 Thinking About Starting a Business?
📅 Thursday, September 24
⏰ 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 Virtual via Zoom

Join BECN Business Advisor Julie for a beginner-friendly session covering business planning, registration, HST, permits, marketing and finding customers.

✨ Whether you have an idea you’ve been putting off, are exploring a side hustle, or want to take your business further, now is a great time to refocus and take that next step.

Both sessions are free. Registration required. https://becn.ca/seminars-workshops-and-conferences/

09/03/2026

✨ Tickets are almost ready to drop! 🙌 Stay tuned right here for the launch of She Owns It Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference. Who are you bringing? Tag your ‘She Owns It’ bestie! 🫶

🗓 November 5, 2026
📍 Best Western Cobourg Inn

We’ve got an incredible lineup and we can’t wait to share it with you!
🎤 Keynote
✨ Workshops
💬 Business Panel
🤝 Connection, learning & LOTS of surprises
Full agenda + speaker reveals coming soon!

👉 Follow along on our socials and website! You won’t want to miss this one: https://becn.ca/programs/she-owns-it/

09/02/2026

🍅 For Food & Beverage Businesses: Tomorrow's Workshop! 💻
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR PRODUCT ACTUALLY COSTS YOU?

Learn how to:

✅ Calculate your true Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)
✅ Understand gross margins and unit economics
✅ Build profitable wholesale and retail pricing
✅ Calculate your break-even point
✅ Improve cash flow and financial forecasting
✅ Make smarter pricing decisions for growth

🎁 BONUS: Participants will receive a comprehensive Excel financial forecasting tool, complete with examples to help build cash flow projections, pricing models and profitability forecasts.

Stop guessing what to charge. Know your numbers and price with confidence.

📅 Thursday, September 3, 2026
⏰ 10:00 a.m.
💻 Online | FREE

👉 Register today! https://becn.ca/programs/foodpreneur-advantage-program/

Join this practical session to gain the financial tools and knowledge needed to build a profitable food business. Learn about product costing, cash flow, budgeting, and profit planning, and receive valuable forecasting templates to support your success.

Price smarter. Plan better. Grow stronger.

📅 Thursday, September 3, 2026
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
💻 Online | Free to Attend

Register now and get the knowledge you need to turn your food business idea into reality!

🔗 https://foodpreneuradvantage.ca/start-up-seminars

09/02/2026

🤝 BECN Peer-to-Peer Connect is back this September! Don't forget to register.

Join fellow entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals for a morning of conversation, connection, idea sharing and practical learning.

🗓 Wednesday, September 16, 2026
⏰ 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
📍 BECN Boardroom | 600 William Street, Cobourg

This month, we’re welcoming guest speaker Rachel Moore, Director of Rewire Hypnosis, for a thought-provoking 30-minute session exploring the unconscious patterns that influence how we think, communicate, make decisions and respond to challenges. https://www.rewirehypnosis.ca/

💭 What patterns could be keeping you stuck?
💰 How might unconscious beliefs influence your relationship with money or success?
🧠 What becomes possible when you start recognizing — and changing — the patterns behind your choices?

The first half of the session will include a facilitated discussion and guest presentation, followed by open conversation, networking and peer-to-peer connection.

Come ready to connect, share, learn and grow alongside other local entrepreneurs.

✨ Free to attend | Registration required: https://becn.ca/seminars-workshops-and-conferences/

Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce

08/28/2026

A big thank you and farewell to our Economic Development summer student, Tessa! 👏💛

Over the past few months, Tessa has supported a variety of projects across BECN and Northumberland Tourism, from content creation and business visits to events, youth programs, marketing initiatives, and more.

We’re grateful for her hard work, creative vibes, positive attitude, and willingness to jump in and support the team wherever needed.

Wishing you all the best in your next chapter back to school, Tessa, and thank you for being part of the team this summer! ☀️✨

08/26/2026

🗓 WORKSHOP: Ready to start selling your food products with confidence? Join Nicole Haney, former Founder & CEO of Boho Bars, as she shares practical insights on selling at markets, online, and through retailers.
https://www.nicolehaney.com/

Learn strategies for pricing, product positioning, marketing, and customer engagement, and gain actionable tips to help attract customers, build loyalty, and increase sales.

📅 Thursday, August 27, 2026
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
💻 Online | Free to Attend

Register now and gain the knowledge, confidence, and practical strategies to turn your food business idea into reality or take your existing business to the next level.

In partnership with Foodpreneur Advantage and Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre

👉 Register today: https://becn.ca/programs/foodpreneur-advantage-program/

08/25/2026

WORKSHOP: Thinking about starting a business? 🤔 Have an idea but not sure what to do first? The kids will be back in school, so join us for this information session!

Join BECN Business Advisor Julie for a practical, beginner-friendly virtual session that breaks down the basics of starting a business — in plain language, with no previous business experience needed.

📅 Thursday, September 24
⏰ 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
💻 Virtual via Zoom

✨ We’ll cover:
✔️ Turning your idea into a simple business plan
✔️ Choosing and registering your business
✔️ Insurance, HST and permits
✔️ Marketing, finding customers and making sales

Whether you’re exploring a side hustle or ready to launch something bigger, this session will help you understand your next steps with confidence.

Register at: https://becn.ca/seminars-workshops-and-conferences/

08/22/2026

☀️ A successful day at the 3rd annual Youth Showcase at the Cobourg Farmers' Market! Collaboratively these youth entrepreneurs made a whopping $2,725! 👏🏼

They worked so hard on their business, and was amazing to see their dedication over the summer. Congratulations to all bosses! Great job! 👍🏼