Start and Manage a Small Business

The YMCA of Cape Breton builds strong communities through our entrepreneurship program and centre. Proper small business start up and management are critical to small business success. The YMCA Entrepreneur Centre offers support for business start up. 

YMCA Entrepreneur Centre
106 Reserve St.
Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, B1A 4W5
Tel: 902-849-1794; Fax: 902-849-5042
Toll free: 1-877-636-5655  E-mail: smallbusiness@cbymca.com

Business Plan Development Program

A strong business plan is key to a successful business and entrepreneurial development is essential if we are going to build a strong new economy in Cape Breton. This is the strength and focus of the YMCA Entrepreneur Centre. Since 1987 the YMCA Enterprise Centre has played an important part in the economic activity of Cape Breton. The Business Plan Development Program has assisted over 1,400 individuals in completing their business plans. The entrepreneur clients will learn about recognizing business opportunities, doing market research, studying their competition, as well as, financial planning. The Centre assists clients in preparing their own business by taking them through the various phases of developing a business plan.

The Business Plan Development sessions will cover:

• THE BUSINESS- Phase One
  • Business Description
  • Management and Personnel

• MARKET RESEARCH- Phase Two
  • Industry Information
  • Community & Customer Profile
  • Competition
  • Survey & Results
  • Suppliers

• MARKET PLAN- Phase Three
  • Product, Service & Programming
  • Pricing
  • Promotion
  • Location
  • Monitoring
  • Risk Assessment
  • Market (Sales) Estimates

• FINANCIAL DATA- Phase Four
  • Estimated Start-Up Costs
  • Financing Plan
  • Projected Income Statements
  • Projected Cash Flow Statements
  • Balance Sheet
  • Notes to Financial Statements
  • Break even Analysis