About
About ELEVATE Institute
ELEVATE Institute is a self-paced learning platform designed to support entrepreneurs, newcomers, and side hustlers in building and scaling their business. With flexible, on-demand access, entrepreneurs can engage with courses whenever it fits best into their schedule.
Welcome to Pictou County
Video Transcript
Welcome
[Wade Tibbo] Welcome to Pictou County, where our commitment to building a prosperous community is woven into the fabric of every initiative we undertake. Here at the Pictou County Partnership, we believe in the power of community economic development to transform our region into a beacon of sustainability, inclusion and prosperity. We’re committed to fostering an environment where creativity is unlocked at every level, believing that from greater creativity comes great innovation, and with greater innovation comes greater prosperity.
Side Hustle Program
The Side Hustle Program supports entrepreneurs in testing their idea in a safe environment and provides supports for them to continue on with their idea if that’s what they choose to do.
Video Transcript
Side Hustle
[Cindy James] The Side Hustle Program was created as a way for entrepreneurs, budding entrepreneurs to practice their ideas. So we designed a program that allowed them to test the idea in a safe environment, a supported environment, and it allows them to continue on with their idea if that’s what they want to do.
[Andrea Paul] Mine was a hobby that turned into kind of a side hustle, so I was like, what can I learn about how to make my side hustle more productive. For me, that was really important because I was kind of all over the place with my Wasawek Beading and it was nice to just kind of come in and talk it out and have them listen to me and then give me back really good, constructive feedback.
[Cindy James] We’ve had great success with the Side Hustle Program. To me, the best part of the program has been watching entrepreneurs come to life.
ELEVATE Program
The ELEVATE Program supports entrepreneurs with specific challenges they are facing in their business. It is a customized program crafted to meet the needs of each individual entrepreneur.
Video Transcript
Elevate Program
[Cindy James] The ELEVATE Program was created when we started to see some gaps in the small business ecosystem here in Pictou County. We started working with entrepreneurs on specific challenges and problems, so not a one size fits all, very much a customized program crafted to meet the needs of those entrepreneurs.
[Tanya Milne] I heard about the ELEVATE Program through a friend of mine who’s also a business owner, and she mentioned how helpful the partnership was. The ELEVATE Program benefited me in my business by connecting me with other entrepreneurs for collaboration. I love the one-on-one that I got with PC partnership.
Newcomer Business Navigation Program
The Newcomer Business Navigation Program supports newcomers that move to Pictou County that are wanting to start, grow or purchase an existing business.
Video Transcript
Newcomer Business Navigation
[Colleen Proudfoot] The Newcomer Business Navigation Program is a program that was launched by the partnership last year. The aim of the program is to help support newcomers that are wanting to start, grow or purchase an existing business. What we wanted to do with this program is offer a wrap-around approach to fully support newcomers through the entire business planning process, getting their business launched and providing the supports they need as their business grows. It’s a great program, and we’re excited to be part of it.