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A Workshop at the Business Centre

About Us

Business Centre Guelph-Wellington has been helping businesses start since 1999.

About Us

Founded in 1999, the Business Centre Guelph-Wellington was established to provide the entry point for entrepreneurship in Guelph and Wellington County. Our offerings include business advisory services, business development programs, and more. We have become a leader for Small Business launch and support within our community and beyond.

Our Impact

BCGW has led to the creation of over 10'000 jobs within the Guelph-Wellington area since 1999. We have awarded over $180,000 in grant funding in the past 2 years between Starter Company Plus, Summer Company and Rhyze Ventures.

Our Commitment

We foster an anti-racist environment; a space where everyone is free to be who they want to be. We are committed to building a community rooted in inclusion and equity; listening and learning as we go. Everyone on our team and within our community receives the same respect and opportunity, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, culture, identity, beliefs, or language. We celebrate and value our differences and know that collectively, we are stronger together.

Core Values

Integrity

What We Are

Providers of objective, honest business advice in the best interest of our clients

How We Are

  • Professional
  • Respectful
  • Aligned in our values
  • Ethical

Connected

What We Are

A hub in the small business community network connected to other organizations

How We Are

  • Relationship builders
  • Collaborators
  • Facilitators
  • Involved

Adaptable

What We Are

A positive, flexible, energetic, open-minded team of forward-thinking professionals

How We Are

  • Innovative
  • Nimble
  • Future-focused
  • Inspiring

Entrepreneurial

What We Are

Business professionals, passionately committed to supporting local small business

How We Are

  • Service-oriented
  • Driven
  • Visionary
  • Resilient

Learning

What We Are

Knowledgeable about business programs, resources, & relevant information

How We Are

  • Educated
  • Prepared
  • Inquisitive
  • Generous

Our Team

Kristel Manes, Executive Director

Kristel Manes

Executive Director

Email: [email protected]

Kristel Manes is a Change Management Specialist; having spent the last 13 years coaching entrepreneurs as they start and grow businesses. Kristel has an extensive history in communication and negotiation amongst such prominent groups as boards of directors, sponsors, core funding partners, senior management, peers, and aspiring business owners.

Expertise

  • Business plan creation
  • Forecasting
  • Goal definition & growth strategies
Angela Poirier

Angela Poirier

Program Manager

Email: [email protected]

Angela Poirier is an experienced Program Manager and Digital Advisor. She has a background helping a wide variety of industries streamlining their business to be the most efficient possible, from trucking, to retail, to food production. Her primary focus is helping businesses learn to build consistency through out all aspects of their business ventures.

Expertise

  • Online Marketing
  • Program creation & coordination
  • Process management & implementation
Olga George-Cosh

Olga George-Cosh

Business Advisor

Email: [email protected]

Olga George-Cosh is an accomplished professional and an entrepreneurial thinker with extensive experience in management of non-profit organizations and social entrepreneurship. Her career spans a diverse range of business accomplishments, from being a partner in the family’s businesses, to consistently achieving superior results as an executive, and guiding non-profits in creating and sustaining positive community change.

Expertise

  • Non-profit sector
  • Newcomers to Canada
  • Youth mentorship
Tony Morris

Tony Morris

Business Advisor

Email: [email protected]

Tony Morris is an experienced professional with a passion for Canada's agriculture sector and small business. His varied career includes work within financial institutions, business consulting, government, and governance of not-for-profit organizations. With years of hands-on experience owning and operating small businesses and a farm operation, he strives to help people answer the question: "what is it you do better than anyone else, that adds value to the lives of people, that makes you unique?"

Expertise

  • Business planning
  • Problem solving and solutions development
  • Networking and relationship management
Saleh Albaity Digital Advisor

Saleh Albaity

Digital Advisor

Email: [email protected]

Saleh Albaity is an accomplished professional in the e-commerce space. He has worked with many businesses and guided them towards a digital transformation!

Expertise

  • E-commerce consultation
  • Developing marketing strategies
  • Content creation

Our Partners

Founding Partners

Funding Partners

Community Partners

Board of Directors

Alexander Di Lello

Alexander Di Lello

Alex is a Senior Manager at RLB where he utilizes his diverse skillset and expertise in tax to constantly develop and build relationships with new and established small business owners to become their trusted advisor. As the current Chair of the Board, Alex works diligently to ensure the Business Centre Guelph-Wellington continues to be a leading community resource for small businesses and start-ups.

Bob Campagnolo

Bob Campagnolo

Bob is experienced in the corporate, startup, academic and NPO sectors. He has mentored startup companies and is a partner in a startup. Certified in project management (PMP) and business process management (6 Sigma). Bob previously sat as a member of the Innovation Guelph board of directors. Presently he is consulting for the University of Guelph's student entrepreneurship center.

Christine Chapman

Christine Chapman

Representing the City of Guelph, Christine brings seventeen years of municipal experience in developing and executing award winning economic development programs and strategies. As Manager for the Economic Development Department for the City of Guelph she has been both project lead and support for high level strategic economic development initiatives as well as ground level program development.

Shawn Watters, Centre Wellington Mayor

Shawn watters

Mayor Shawn Watters, Centre Wellington Mayor. Shawn has chaired numerous committees at both local and county levels including planning, land division, information, heritage and seniors committees. He has served on boards including Groves Memorial Hospital, and the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. Shawn's business career has provided him the opportunity to design communities and build parks, streetscapes, restaurants, golf courses and music festivals.

Jennifer Seberras

Jennifer Seberras

Jennifer Seberras, P.Log, is the owner of Simplify Supply Chain Solutions, a courier company providing package delivery for businesses across Ontario. With 20 years experience in logistics, Jennifer saw a need for women led businesses in the transportation, operations and logistics. As a past participant in Business Centre Guelph-Wellington's programming, she has volunteered for the board as a way to give back to the entrepreneurial community.

Heather J. MacDougall

Heather J. MacDougall

Heather MacDougall is a lawyer in Guelph with Nelson, Watson PC, specializing in employment matters and general litigation. She helps both employees and employers navigate the complex world that is employment law. Heather is excited to volunteer to be a part of an organization that fosters and supports local entrepreneurs by providing them with the tools and support they need to succeed.

Joleen Constantis

Joleen Constantis

Joleen is the Owner of, and Principal Designer, at Volumes of Space Inc. With a passion for colour, architecture and design, and 20+ years of experience in the industry, she is committed to helping bring your design vision to life.With an endless energy and enthusiasm for design, Joleen pushed herself to venture into her own business roughly 15 years ago, and incorporated Volumes of Space Inc. over five years ago. With strong attention to detail, endless creativity and a highly-skilled team of craftspeople and contractors, Joleen has proudly developed a reputation for going above and beyond the expectations of each and every client.

Gillian Cuthbert

Gillian Cuthbert

Gillian Cuthbert is the Co-Owner/Director of Operations for Malamar Construction, a family owned and run business with 14 employees, offering a superior full service complete renovation and construction service, with years of experience in renovating/restoring and building. Prior to working with Malamar, Gillian worked within the finance & banking space supporting business owners, small/medium and large, in many facets. Gillian believes in following your dreams to create a life that you love every day.

Harold Mosos

Harold Mosos

Harold is an accomplished business leader with extensive sales and marketing experience in local and international markets. His career highlights progressive management roles, showcasing expertise in business development, market expansion, and successful turnarounds in both B2B and B2C sectors. Notably, his leadership played a key role in the turnaround of Family Services of Peel during his five-year term on its Board of Directors. Harold is presently a local business owner and an active member of the community