Cornwall, ON – Mark your calendars! The Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre and the Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce are excited to present the highly anticipated Bridges to Better Business event, a cornerstone of Small Business Week (October 20-24). This year’s edition, Pathways to Growth, will take place on Wednesday, October 22nd, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Ramada by Wyndham in Cornwall.

Supporting Local Businesses

Small Business Week is an important time to highlight the vital role that small businesses play in our community. Small businesses are essential to our local economy, creating jobs, driving innovation, and contributing to the overall vibrancy of Cornwall, SDG Counties and Akwesasne. This year, the Bridges to Better Business event will provide a unique opportunity for small business owners to network with their peers and gain valuable insights from industry experts. Participants will have the chance to learn strategies on how to propel their business to the next level of growth and success.

We’re excited to partner with the Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce and bring the community together for this year’s Bridges to Better Business event,” said Mireille Lemire, Business Advisor at the Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre. “This event gives small business owners and business professionals a chance to learn from experts, connect with peers, and discover new ways to grow and thrive. By working together, we can strengthen our local business community and foster continued success”.

About the Speakers:

Keynote Speaker
Andrew Patricio, Founder & CEO of BizLaunch

Andrew Patricio is an internationally recognized small business expert, entrepreneur, and author. He is the founder of BizLaunch, a global training company that mentors and supports entrepreneurs. With over 25 years of experience, Andrew has started seven businesses, written two books, and delivered seminars, webinars, and workshops on business planning, financial management, marketing, and leadership. He has trained and inspired small business owners across Canada and in 24 countries worldwide, sharing practical tools and advice to help them grow and scale successfully.

Cris Urroz, Co-Owner Urroz
Workshop: Roadmap to Building a Brand

Cristian Urroz is the co-founder of Urroz, a brand studio based in Cornwall, Ontario, helping the ambitious build memorable brands from strategy through execution. Since launching in 2020, he’s partnered with a wide range of clients—approx. 90% local to Cornwall and the SDG Counties—delivering everything from logos and visual identities to websites and launch campaigns. Cristian loves working as an extension of his clients’ teams, supporting their vision and bringing it to life with practical, high-impact design.

In this quick, practical workshop, Cristian Urroz shares a clear roadmap to building a brand people remember—what it is, why it matters, and how to focus on the essentials. We’ll cover the key components, common gaps to tighten, and how audience perception shapes everything. You’ll leave with simple brand and marketing basics, a focused starting point, and an easy review rhythm you can adapt as your goals evolve.

François Bruyère, Desjardins Commercial Account Manager
Workshop: Buying for Growth: Mastering the Business Acquisition Journey

François Bruyère is a Commercial Account Manager with Desjardins, the largest credit union in Canada. He works primarily with commercial operating businesses across Eastern Ontario, supporting entrepreneurs and business owners through every stage of growth. With extensive experience in business acquisitions, François has helped individuals become entrepreneurs by acquiring existing businesses, as well as supported companies pursuing strategic acquisitions as a pathway to expansion. He is committed to working collaboratively with clients’ professional advisors and financial partners to help bring business projects to life.

In this workshop, discover how acquiring an existing business can be a powerful way to expand and scale. This workshop will guide you through identifying the right target, knowing when to engage your lender, and structuring a successful deal. Learn the key roles of professional advisors, common pitfalls to avoid, and winning strategies to ensure a smooth and rewarding acquisition process.

Nel-Kevin Junior Dubois, Founder & Owner Lifet Media
Workshop: Automating Engagement: From First Contact to Client in Minutes

Nel-Kevin has been in the digital circle for nearly a decade, 9 years of experience to be exact. He is the founder of LiFet Media, he has helped hundreds of businesses save an average of 125 hours per year by streamlining their processes through AI-powered automation. His solutions enable companies to respond to clients within the first 60 seconds, reducing client no-shows by up to 80%, boosting productivity, and increasing revenue by an average of 25% due to optimized operational efficiency. Through his company, LiFet Media, he continues to innovate in digital marketing and automation to help businesses scale confidently and efficiently.

In this session, you will discover how responding to an inquiry within five minutes can make you 100 times more likely to close a new client. You will then experience this speed firsthand through a live, hands-on demonstration of our intelligent automation system, receiving an instant, human-like response after acting as a prospective client. Prepare to leave with a clear strategy to slash your response times, dramatically increase conversion rates, and make your business future-ready.

Registration

The Bridges to Better Business event is open to all business owners, entrepreneurs, and individuals interested in starting their own businesses. Tickets are $40 and include a delicious breakfast buffet, energizing breaks with tasty snacks, 3 dynamic workshops, and the chance to hear from our exciting guest speaker – all while networking with the best of our local business community!

To register, please visit Bridges to Better Business – Pathways to Growth

Event Details

Location: Ramada by Wyndam, 805 Brookdale Ave. Cornwall, ON

Agenda:

8:00 am – Doors Open (Breakfast Buffet Served)
8:45 am – Welcome
9:00 am – Keynote Speaker: Andrew Patricio – Pathways to Growth
9:45 am – Q&A
10:00 am – Networking Break (Refreshments Served)
10:30 am – Workshop #1 – Cristian Urroz – Roadmap to Building a Brand
11:00 am – Workshop #2 – François Bruyère – Buying for Growth: Mastering the Business Acquisition Journey
11:30 am – Workshop #3 – Nel-Kevin Junior Dubois – Automating Engagement: From First Contact to Client in Minutes
12:00pm – Wrap Up

 

About Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre

The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre is a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Cornwall and the surrounding area. They provide support, guidance, and resources to help businesses start, grow, and succeed.

 

About Cornwall Chamber of Commerce

The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the local business community in Cornwall. They provide networking opportunities, advocacy, and resources to help businesses thrive.