1. Introduction
NOBEEP has steadfastly pursued its mission to foster business growth and community engagement. This report details NOBEEP’s accomplishments in supporting entrepreneurs and businesses in Northern Ontario, emphasizing diversity and strategic partnerships.
2. Staffing and Diversity
- Creation of Employment: Four full-time and one part-time positions
- Diversity in Staffing: Hiring a bilingual female Executive Office Administrator on April 10, 2023, achieving a gender balance of 60% female and 40% male in the team.
3. Business Engagement and Expansion
- Engagement Growth: Increase from 19 entrepreneurs (Dec 31, 2022) to 99 (April 18, 2024).
- Business Development: Identification of 49 businesses, maintenance of 7, expansion of 7, modernization of 29, and 50 under development. 22 Partners (2 official and 1 unofficial partnership with the CFDCs), 13 Mentors, 1 Sponsor, 11 Volunteers, 19 business plans have been reviewed,7 Clients enrolled in the Business Planning Program, over 200 documents Translated from English to French, 12 Clients have been Sponsored
- Financial and Partner Support: 3 businesses connected with banks, 1 with partners, and 2 under development also linked with partners.


4. Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships
- Roadshows and Partnerships:
- Six roadshows in 2023 to various cities to secure strategic partnerships. (Timmins – Aug 10, North Bay – June 1, Elliot Lake – Sept 14, Sault Ste Marie – April 24, Parry Sound – Nov 17, and Thunder Bay– Dec 7 & 8 ), Manitoulin Island– Jan 30/24, Temiskaming shores– Feb 27, West Nipissing – April 11 A total of 29 Organizations Engaged.
- Collaboration with Educational Institutions: Engagements with Laurentian University (Sept 27, and College Boreal ( Nov 16) for identifying potential black student entrepreneurs.
- New Strategic Business Alliance: We have engaged with the Sudbury Innovation Centre to discuss a series of workshops from ideation to business launch. The first one was hosted on January 31st, “Venturing into Entrepreneurship”.

Partner | Nurture & Scope |
CFDC (Superior East, Sault Ste Marie, ) | Parties agree to share resources and expertise to facilitate clientsuccess in obtaining funding (Loan services) and business development. |
Regional Business Center | Partner up on workshops, and leverage their resources for business development and client referral between our organizations. The partnership is a long-term, strategic alliance shown by the planned series of workshops and the ongoing dialogue for deeper collaboration. We are currently working on a GSDC grant with their help. |
The Business Enterprise Center | Partner up on workshops, leverage their resources for business development and client referrals between our organizations |
Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission | Leverage economic development resources and client referrals between organization |
Northwestern Ontario Innovation Center | Leverage economic development resources and client referrals between organization |
Biopoc Foundation | Leverage resources for entrepreneurship development |
Business Management Systems | Consulting services business planning, grand & funding opportunities |
Chamber of Commerce (Thunder Bay, Sault Ste Marie | Leverage platform for business visibility and networking |
Moonbeam Trading Company | Mentorship services and client referral |
Elliot Lake & North Shore Corporation for Business Development | Leverage economic development resources and client referrals between organization |
Group Value Media | Assisting entrepreneurs with ads |
The Northwest Business Centre (NWBC) | Leverage economic development resources and client referral |
Desjardins Sudbury | Collaborate on funding opportunities for entrepreneurs |
FCR CPA | Accounting services for Entrepreneurs |
Diversity Canada | Leverage economic development resources and client referral |
North Bay Local Immigration Partnership | Collaboration to ensure that black community members/newcomers in North Bay can access business support |
5. Studies and Research
- Conducting Studies:
Wilfred Laurier was selected to conduct two significant studies on the socio-economic profile of Black people and capacity development gaps in Northern Ontario. To be concluded on April 30, 2024.
6. Outreach and Community Engagement
- Events and Interactions: Hosted 78 events, reaching over 750 people, and direct interaction with 1385 individuals.
- 1 first anniversary event
- 1 pitch like a pro webinar
- 1 (3 staff) attended collision 2023
- 1 post-collision webinar
- 1 attended the BEP program Conference in Windsor
- 1 Mall Booth Rue La Ronde
- 9 attended Chamber of Commerce Events
- 1 attended the Magnetic North conference
- 1 attended the African Chamber of Commerce Event (BC, Vancouver)
- 1 attended the Welcome to North Bay Event
- 3 sessions for the Wild Harvesting Program A guidebook developed in collaboration with Northern Wildflowers draft submitted April 18, 2024. Videos are also uploaded on YouTube see list of Resources on YouTube)
- 2 AfroFest Events (2022 & 2023)
- Parry Sound Small Business Week
- 1 Understanding The Entrepreneurial Spirit
- 1 Conversation Between Us Men
- 1 Opportunities In The Trades
- 1 Future North: Redefining Success Campaign
- 2 Northern Ontario Business Support Symposium
- 1 Attended Nigerian Community Association of Greater Sudbury Meet & Greet for International Students
- 1 Attended Innovation For A Greater Sudbury Networking Event: 1P:101
- 1 Attended Sudbury Local Immigration Partnership Employer Event
- 1 Attended Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub Research Symposium
- 1 Attended Student Outreach at Laurentian University & College Boreal
- 2 Sudbury Multicultural Folk Arts Association Gala
- 1 Greater Sudbury Cultural Forum
- 1 Community Safety Empowerment Forum
- 1 Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub Research Symposium
- 1 Laurentian University African & Caribbean Association’s (LUACSA) Black Entrepreneur Day
- 1 Convening of the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Funded Organizations
- 1 Afro Women and Youth Foundation’s (AWYF) Black History Month Public Education Event
- 1 Saint Charles College ( Presenting NOBEEP Services)
- 1 2024 LIP Summit (Presenting NOBEEP services)
- 2 CIF African Cabaret
- 2 Haitian Galas

– Diverse Meeting Engagements: Multiple meetings in Timmins, North Bay, Elliot Lake, Sault Ste Marie, Parry Sound, Thunder Bay, Temiskaming Shores, Manitoulin Island and West Nipissing
7. Sponsorships
- 8 Entrepreneurs Sponsored to be Vendors the 2023 Afrofest
- 5 sponsored Haitian Gala, Nyama Nyama experience, SEO event, Between Us Ladies event & Conversation Between Us Man event 2023
- 1 Entrepreneur sponsored for the Retail Ready course, (beneficial to knowledge transfer to other clients in the same business ( 15 % of our clients are in the food industry)
- 2024 – 4 Sponsored to attend Haitian Gala, 2 attend Sudbury Women Center IWD
8. Digital and Social Media Presence
– Social Media Metrics: Followers and reach statistics for
- Instagram: 493 Followers, Page Reach 1,056 (Last 90 days)
- Facebook: 85 Followers, Page Reached 2K (Last 90 days)
- Twitter: 53 Followers Impressions 1,027 (Jan to April 2024)
- LinkedIn: 149 Followers, Impressions 876 (Last 30 days)

– Digital Content: NOBEEP YouTube videos covering various business topics and events.
- NOBEEP Launch 2022
- Northern Ontario Business Symposium 2022: The need for a business Plan & Grant Application
- Northern Ontario Business Symposium 2022: Operating a Restaurant in the North
- Northern Ontario Business Symposium 2022: Market Research/ Market Communications
- Northern Ontario Business Symposium 2022: Finances & Taxes
- Northern Ontario Business Symposium 2022: Francophone Pannel summarizing all topics
- Northern Ontario Business Symposium 2022: Keynote
- Pitch Like a Pro: The four steps to a perfect wholesale pitch
- Membership benefits: The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
- Insights from Collision for Start-Ups
- NOBEEP 1st Anniversary
- Harvesting Value from the Wild Sessions 1,2 & 3
- Opportunities in the Trades
- Northern Ontario Business Support Symposium 2023
- Venturing into Entrepreneurship
- Meridian Business Accelerator Loan Program
9. Marketing and Communications
– Email Campaign Performance via Mailchimp: Analysis of
- Mails sent: 17,700 as of April 15th, 2024.
- Open rate: 43%, down 10 %
- Click rates: 1.6 %, down 69%
- Unsubscribe rates: 0.12%, down 51%
– Newsletter
- NOBEEP has published 20 Newsletters, since August 2022
- Newsletter Subscription – 380 as of April 15, 2024
9. Jobs Impact on Businesses
Jobs Created and Maintained:
Definitions:
Jobs Maintained: The number of employment positions that entrepreneurs, who are clients of NOBEEP, have successfully sustained in their businesses since their inception or since becoming a client of NOBEEP. In addition, maintained jobs include part-time, casual, seasonal and contractual employment provided by NOBEEP entrepreneurs.
Jobs Created: The number of new employment positions that entrepreneurs, who are clients of NOBEEP, have established within their businesses since becoming affiliated with NOBEEP. This reflects the growth and expansion of their businesses facilitated by their engagement with NOBEEP.
Between March 2022 and April 2024
Business Employees at intake 61, 15 were created, and 67 Jobs were Maintained. 2 Entrepreneurs went out of business due to lack of funding, and 3 entrepreneurs moved out of Northern Ontario. 3 Entrepreneurs disenrolled from NOBEEP, expressing that it did not meet their business needs.
10. Client Testimonials
Dwane Campbell
Business: Caribbean Jerk Kitchen and Grill
Background: Dwane is a chef who had a dream of owning his restaurant. He became a NOBEEP client in 2023
Testimonial
“I worked with the NOBEEP team for close to a year structuring my documents to apply for funding to open the first-ever Caribbean restaurant in North Bay. I just received the necessary funding to make my dream a reality and it is all thanks to the NOBEEP team. They diligently and patiently held my hand throughout the entire process. Without their support, I am not certain this would have been possible! I am forever grateful to them.”
Bukola Opara
Business: BuchiHafrikana – Clothing
Background – She is a sole proprietor who sells African Fashion sourced from Africa and has been a NOBEEP client since 2022.
Testimonial
“As an upcoming entrepreneur, the presence of Nobeep in our region has been a game-changer. Their support in developing my business plan and sponsoring my participation in the 2023 Afrofest Festival significantly boosted my venture. The partnership for the New Sudbury Mall Rue La Ronde pop-up shop was another remarkable opportunity that NOBEEP facilitated. Looking ahead to 2024, I’m excited about taking my business online with their help. Thank you, NOBEEP, for your invaluable support and the numerous opportunities you’ve provided.”
Omobolanle Abajingin
Business: Zena sweets and treats
Background: Has been in operation for 4 years, and has been a NOBEEP client since 2022.
Testimonial
“I’m grateful to the NOBEEP team for their support. They supported my training, prepared my brand for retail, and helped us strive for better quality. Thank you!” – Omobolanle Helen Abajingin, Creative Chef, Zena Foods INC).”
Charity Martins
Business: Connecting Hugs
Background:
“Founder of Connecting Hugs in 2022 a non-profit that caters to mental health and wellness, a venture focused on bringing people from diverse backgrounds together. Since its inception, her organization has successfully hosted four events. NOBEEP played a pivotal role in assisting with two of these events in 2023, significantly contributing to their success and impact.”
Testimonial:
“NOBEEP has helped me structure my organization and organize my events. Their support has been invaluable in bringing clarity and efficiency to our operations. The improvements we’ve seen are a testament to the effectiveness of NOBEEP’s services.”
Faveur Maurelle Camara
Background: Faveur Camara is a graduate in computer science. Working full-time, she currently manages Mau Pearl on the part-time side. She has been a NOBEEP Client since 2023
Testimonial :
“Je tenais à exprimer ma profonde gratitude pour la collaboration que j’ai avec NOBEEP. Votre précieuse assistance a eu un impact significatif sur mon entreprise Mau Pearl.
Je tiens à souligner quelques points clés qui ont particulièrement contribué à la réussite de notre collaboration :
- 1. Votre professionnalisme et votre maîtrise du sujet ont grandement facilité la résolution de l’enregistrement et la correction du plan d’affaire de mon entreprise.
- 2. Votre réactivité face aux défis que j’ai rencontrés ou aux questions que j’avais.
- 3. Le partage des informations, des réductions pour participer à des évènements ont beaucoup aidé mon entreprise.
En conclusion, je tiens à vous remercier sincèrement pour votre dévouement et votre expertise. Travailler avec vous est un cheminement enrichissant, et je n’hésiterais pas à recommander vos services à d’autres.”
11. Upcoming Events
– Future Engagements:
- Taxes: Question and Answer Event – April 20 /2024
- NOBEEP Open House – May 23 /2024
- NOBEEP Youth Symposium – May 2024
- NOBEEP Entrepreneur Forum – June 2024
- Collision 2024 – June 2024
- Northern Ontario Business Forum – November 2024
12. Conclusion
Over the last and a half year, the team has seen substantial growth in NOBEEP’s activities, underlining its commitment to fostering business development and community engagement in Northern Ontario.