Toronto Business Development Centre

There are few places I’d never thought I’d find myself on a Tuesday night and dare I say, Toronto Business Development Centre is one of them. Then on a fateful February 2, 2010…
Well, skipping my tale of woe, let me tell you WHY I was there: I’ve been thinking of starting my own business. And after scouting the Interwebs for affordable night classes that fit my schedule, I decided perhaps a workshop or seminar would provide me with a solid stepping stone to wrap my head around how businesses come to be. My search ended with TBDC.
Without talking about the course, the building looks rundown but it isn’t. I was intimidated because I wouldn’t know where to go but the seminar rooms were clearly labelled and had people waiting by the door to sign you in. It also turns out (at least on my floor) it’s impossible to get lost — to get to the washroom, you take a left, then a left and then one more left. The people, (on their site they’re called Advisors On Call) are so pleasant and helpful, both in person and on the phone. It was like getting customer service from everyone’s favourite aunt… the kind that married into the family and always has gum.
As for the seminar? It’s a 4-​part series called Starting a Business and is their flagship workshop. It’s a no-​nonsense discussion led by someone who has had experience with both successful and failing businesses. It helps to have someone who has been «in the sh*t» telling you the hard reality about something as serious and life-​changing as starting your own business. I was thinking taking this workshop would either motivate me or scare the hell out of me — it managed to do both. If the outcome of attending this seminar actually makes people come to the realization that they’re not ready, then it’s done its job. If people decide to take that next step and start planning their future, then it’s done its job twice.