The Tillson Group is celebrating its first birthday on December 23. This is part three of a three-part birthday note, providing some resources that I hope will help similarly youthful businesses improve their chances for success.
Visit Part I — Thank You | Visit Part II — Showcase
According to US Small Business Administration, 50% of new businesses fail in their first year.
Here’s an interesting article on why and some tips for those in their first year, from the Self-Employed Cafe.
Fortunately, The Tillson Group is not among the first-year casualties. We are busy as a one-armed paper hanger, having discovered that “the slow season” is the time that our clients, small businesses and not-for-profits, take the time to work ON their businesses, developing websites and getting ahead of the game in their communications planning.
If you are a newly-established small business in Muskoka, here are some excellent local resources where you can get advice, training, funding, and much more.
- Muskoka Small Business Centre
- Muskoka Futures
- Muskoka Community Network (check out MCN’s BEAM grant, subsidizing the cost of new or revamped websites.)
- Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce (The Tillson Group is a proud member)
- Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce
- Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce
- Community YWCA Muskoka (I’m a graduate of their Women in Business program–really helpful for getting started and making connections.)
I hope this helps. Best of luck with your business. It’s a wild ride, but so worth it if you’re doing what you love.
Yours sincerely,
Tamsen Tillson
Creative Director
