Cornwall, ON – Mark your calendars! The Cornwall SDG Business Advisory Centre, the Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce, and ACCFutures are excited to present the highly anticipated Bridges to Better Business event, a cornerstone of Small Business Month. This year’s edition, Built on Connection, will take place on Thursday, October 29th, from 7:30AM to 10AM at the South Stormont Hall in Long Sault.

Built on Connection

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 focus on community, celebrating the connection between local businesses and the people they serve. When local businesses and residents support one another, they help create strong connections and shared success that keep our region thriving.

Introducing our Keynote Speaker, Jessie Cardinal

Jessie is the co-owner of Cardinal & Son Wholesale Meats. She and her brother, Andre, are in the driver’s seat of their multi-generational family business that has been in operation since 1960. She graduated from Trent University in 2006 with her bachelor’s in business administration. She’s been working full-time at the company ever since.

Now in the 3rd generation, Cardinal’s is a vital part of our community, offering high-quality meat and food products while maintaining that old school customer service. Over the last 20 years, the business has seen many changes and faced multiple challenges. Recently, they have opened their doors to the public to extend that “old school” family business shopping experience.

This session will include candid discussions surrounding the challenges of running a small business, how to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and the importance of customer service and community interactions. Rather than a traditional presentation, the discussion will take place in an interview-style format, encouraging authentic conversation and meaningful insights.

Attendees will also hear from our community partners, who play an important role in supporting local businesses and strengthening the economic and social well-being of the Cornwall SDG and Akwesasne region.

Registration

The Bridges to Better Business event is open to business owners, entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, business professionals, and anyone with an interest in business, innovation, and community growth. Tickets are $10 and include a delicious breakfast buffet and the chance to hear from our exciting guest speaker – all while networking with the best of our local business community!
To register, please click here: Registration Form

Event details

Location: South Stormont Hall, 2 Mille Roches Road, Long Sault, K0C 1P0

Agenda:

7:30am – Doors Open (Breakfast Buffet Served)

8:00am – Welcome

8:15am – Keynote Speaker, Jessie Cardinal

9:00am – Q&A

9:15am – Networking Break

9:30am – Community Partners Discussion

10am – Wrap Up

About Cornwall SDG Business Advisory Centre

The Cornwall SDG Business Advisory 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.

About ACCFutures

Founded in 1987 ACCFutures, formerly Cornwall & the Counties Community Futures Development, is an independent, not-for-profit social enterprise. ACCFutures not only offers a wide range of funding, financing, and capacity building services to the local business communities—with proven impact—it has also undertaken an innovative Indigenous-focused partnerships program which brings Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners together for a stronger economic future. ACCFutures employs local staff and is governed by a volunteer board of directors, made up of local residents representing the community.