Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) is aiming to help small businesses in Peterborough soar to success by launching a limited-edition educational series this fall focusing on growth and expansion.
CFP and its Business Advisory Centre are partnering with Scotiabank for the launch of Soar, a new training program running over four months beginning in September that is designed for established businesses ready to expand or scale their operations.
The free series comes at a good time, according to CFP executive director Devon Girard.
“With today’s changing economic climate, we’ve heard from businesses of all sizes their desire to grow and expand — whether that is bringing their business to e-commerce or looking at markets outside of Ontario or North America,” Girard told kawarthaNOW. “The Soar program is designed to meet the challenges business owners are facing today and ensure they are best prepared to grow and expand strategically.”
The offering for businesses “is a direct response to the gaps we’ve consistently seen in our local businesses while operating the Business Advisory Centre for the past year,” said Business Advisory Centre and corporate communications manager Rose Terry in a media release.
“Existing businesses often hit a ceiling without access to tailored, expert support, and guidance. We have been offering this in our one-on-one consultations, but the Soar series bridges that gap, offering high-impact, cohorted, practical training to help businesses in our region thrive and lead.”
Offered September through December, there are limited spots available for each month. Business owners are encouraged to apply now to be accepted into the individual cohorts for each month. Successful applicants will gain access to expert-led workshops tailored to the challenges and opportunities that growing businesses face.
“We’re excited to renew our partnership with Community Futures Peterborough in support of Soar,” said Scotiabank’s Chris Skinner, district vice-president for Ontario Central East. “This program aligns strongly with Scotiabank’s commitment to fostering local entrepreneurship and empowering business owners to achieve their goals.”
Scotiabank previously partnered with CFP in 2023 and 2024 for the ScaleUP program, which CFP piloted in 2022 when the organization identified a lack of existing support and programming for established small businesses that were looking to expand.
As was the case with ScaleUP, with Scotiabank’s support, the Soar program is free for all successful applicants. Each month, the program will focus on a critical area of business development that has been determined by the needs of the local business community.
The Soar program begins in September with “Marketing Mastery and Pitching for Growth,” running for four sessions (September 4, 11, 18, and 25) and featuring interactive workshops led by marketing, branding, and communication experts, including Rosalea Terry, Erika Eileen, and Kyle MacDonald, each bringing unique perspectives and toolkits to help entrepreneurs craft and communicate their story with impact. The deadline to apply is August 17.
In October, “Business Development and Sales” will include three sessions (October 9, 16, and 23) led by Jason Fiorotto, a highly successful marketing and sales leader with more than 25 years of experience working with companies ranging from private equity-backed startups to Fortune 50 global brands. Focusing on building the systems and strategies that drive consistent revenue growth, these sessions will teach business owners how to identify and qualify leads, strengthen their sales conversations, close deals with confidence, and build a sustainable business development pipeline that supports long-term growth and scalability. The deadline to apply is September 17.
In November, “Cross-Border Expansion and E-Commerce” will offer two sessions (November 6 and 13) for businesses looking to expand into new provinces or sell across international borders. The sessions will help business owners master the logistics, digital tools, and market entry strategies required for expansive growth, and teach them to optimize their e-commerce presence, from choosing the right platforms to navigating shipping, compliance, and customer experience across borders. The deadline to apply is October 17.
The series wraps up in December with “Selling, Acquiring, and Succession Planning,” with two sessions (December 4 and 11) covering the key aspects of transitioning a business, whether through sale, purchase, or succession. Led by business succession planning experts Michael Riseley and Nicole Truman, the sessions will focus on all aspects of a business transition, with business owners learning about various transition strategies for a range of diverse businesses and how to transition in tax-efficient ways. The deadline to apply is November 17.
Businesses can apply for as many months as they wish. To be eligible to participate, businesses must be legally registered in Ontario (as a sole proprietership, partnership, or corporation), must be operational and actively selling products or services, and must be located within the city or county of Peterborough or Hiawatha or Curve Lake First Nations. The sessions will rotate across locations (to be announced) to ensure both urban and rural entrepreneurs will be able to participate.
With over 95 per cent of businesses in Canada identifying as small businesses, CFP says the support offered through the Soar series “is crucial,” especially for small businesses in rural areas. According to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, rural small businesses are growing faster than their urban counterparts in key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, yet many rural entrepreneurs report facing barriers to growth, including limited access to mentorship and specialized training.
For more information and to apply, visit communityfuturespeterborough.ca/soar.
