u/TalkingToyzBestie

I’m based in Oshawa and started an event decor business late last year. Trying to track down grant opportunities to help fund a van and more inventory.

Quick context on why: I originally launched thinking I’d focus on intimate tablescapes for 10 to 12 people max. But clients kept asking for bigger. Most of what I’m booking now is 50 to 60 person events, where I’m providing full table settings, backdrops, and sometimes furniture on top of the decor itself. That’s a lot of stuff to transport and stock. Backdrops alone won’t fit in a regular car. Renting a vehicle every gig and buying pieces one job at a time is eating my margins. A van and proper inventory are basically the baseline to operate at this scale.

What I’m looking for:
• Links to grants for new small businesses in Ontario, whether federal, provincial, specific to Durham Region or Oshawa, or anything for women, BIPOC, or first time founders
• Advice from anyone who has actually applied: which programs were worth the effort, which were a waste of time
• General tips on positioning a new business for grant applications when you don’t have years of financials yet

Any leads or advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I’m based in Oshawa and started an event decor business late last year. Trying to track down grant opportunities to help fund a van and more inventory.

Quick context on why: I originally launched thinking I’d focus on intimate tablescapes for 10 to 12 people max. But clients kept asking for bigger. Most of what I’m booking now is 50 to 60 person events, where I’m providing full table settings, backdrops, and sometimes furniture on top of the decor itself. That’s a lot of stuff to transport and stock. Backdrops alone won’t fit in a regular car. Renting a vehicle every gig and buying pieces one job at a time is eating my margins. A van and proper inventory are basically the baseline to operate at this scale.

What I’m looking for:
• Links to grants for new small businesses in Ontario, whether federal, provincial, specific to Durham Region or Oshawa, or anything for women, BIPOC, or first time founders
• Advice from anyone who has actually applied: which programs were worth the effort, which were a waste of time
• General tips on positioning a new business for grant applications when you don’t have years of financials yet

Any leads or advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I’m based in Oshawa and started an event decor business late last year. Trying to track down grant opportunities to help fund a van and more inventory.

Quick context on why: I originally launched thinking I’d focus on intimate tablescapes for 10 to 12 people max. But clients kept asking for bigger. Most of what I’m booking now is 50 to 60 person events, where I’m providing full table settings, backdrops, and sometimes furniture on top of the decor itself. That’s a lot of stuff to transport and stock. Backdrops alone won’t fit in a regular car. Renting a vehicle every gig and buying pieces one job at a time is eating my margins. A van and proper inventory are basically the baseline to operate at this scale.

What I’m looking for:
• Links to grants for new small businesses in Ontario, whether federal, provincial, specific to Durham Region or Oshawa, or anything for women, BIPOC, or first time founders
• Advice from anyone who has actually applied: which programs were worth the effort, which were a waste of time
• General tips on positioning a new business for grant applications when you don’t have years of financials yet

Any leads or advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I’m based in Oshawa and started an event decor business late last year. Trying to track down grant opportunities to help fund a van and more inventory.

Quick context on why: I originally launched thinking I’d focus on intimate tablescapes for 10 to 12 people max. But clients kept asking for bigger. Most of what I’m booking now is 50 to 60 person events, where I’m providing full table settings, backdrops, and sometimes furniture on top of the decor itself. That’s a lot of stuff to transport and stock. Backdrops alone won’t fit in a regular car. Renting a vehicle every gig and buying pieces one job at a time is eating my margins. A van and proper inventory are basically the baseline to operate at this scale.

What I’m looking for:
• Links to grants for new small businesses in Ontario, whether federal, provincial, specific to Durham Region or Oshawa, or anything for women, BIPOC, or first time founders
• Advice from anyone who has actually applied: which programs were worth the effort, which were a waste of time
• General tips on positioning a new business for grant applications when you don’t have years of financials yet

Any leads or advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.