Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
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Q. Who do I talk to if I have questions about the Seafood Business Accelerator?
A. During the beginning stages of the SBA we are asking people to send their questions to sba@bucksuzuki.org. This mailbox is monitored by the SBA Team who will find the person best to answer your question(s). As the program gets going you will work with your coach and mentors.
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Q. Why is the fall 2024 program focused on Indigenous seafood harvesters and processors?
A. New Relationship Trust, the major funder of the fall 2024 SBA program, supports First Nations and Indigenous businesses in achieving their goals related to food sovereignty, food security, food systems, and agriculture.
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Q. How much does the Seafood Business Accelerator cost?
A. The fall 2024 SBA program is free. New Relationship Trust and Island Coastal Economic Trust have generously contributed funding for this program. However, while the program is free, participants are expected to commit their time to complete the SBA training.
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Q. How much time will the SBA take?
A. The Seafood Business Accelerator will take place from October to February 2025. We estimate that it will take 5-10 hours per week to participate in the 4-month SBA program. The more you put into your project, the more you will accomplish!
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Q. Will there be homework?
A. Yes, there will be homework. For instance, you need to prepare prior to meeting with your Business Coach, or Expert in Residence. This may include following up on your coach’s and expert’s recommendations, writing down your questions before meetings and taking notes while speaking with coaches and experts.
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Q. What kind of assignments will there be?
A. Do not worry, there are only a few assignments, and all of them will be directly related to your project or business. Here are some examples of SBA assignments:
Two-Minute “Commercial” or Elevator Pitch: You will be invited to come to the first workshop prepared to give a two-minute presentation about yourself. In your presentation you should cover:
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Personal Background – who you are, where you are from (15 seconds)
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Career or Life Experiences – related to your business (15-30 seconds)
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About Your Business/Idea – what you do, your successes, your plans (45-60 seconds)
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Why are you attending the Seafood Business Accelerator – what do you want to accomplish (15-30 seconds)
Innovation Plan – A one-page, fillable template that will describe what you want to do in one page. You may have additional details to add as attachments to your Innovation Plan.
Your Story: You will be interviewed by a professional writer who will craft your story. You can use this story for marketing your business, for funding or finance applications and more.
Communicating Your Project: At the final showcase event you be asked to communicate what you accomplished through the SBA.
Q. What is an Innovation Plan?
A. Your Innovation Plan is your guide to how you will get to where you want to go with your project. Think of it as a road map for your project. Your coach will help you to develop your plan and to help you create a simple 1 page canvas. This canvas is a one page living plan that you can modify as circumstances change. You will use your Innovation Plan to work with Mentors so that you can quickly focus on what you need to work on. You can also present your plan to potential buyers, investors, or financers to quickly help them understand your project.
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Click here to watch a short video about the Innovation Plan
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Q. How many people from my company or organization can participate?
A. How many people participate depends on the activity.
In-person workshops: Are limited to 1 or 2 people per trainee spot. This means someone who signs up for the program could bring 1 guest to the workshop. This is due to space and catering limitations.
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Virtual workshops and Webinars: There are no restrictions – anyone can watch, however we ask that only 1 person from your group speaks in virtual breakout sessions or discussions.
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Coaching and Mentors: 1 or 2 people per session.
Q. What do I need in terms of technology? Can I use my cell phone?
A. Possibly. You might be able to do the SBA program on your cell phone, but it would be better if you used a PC or Laptop for the virtual activities, to complete your Innovation Plan and other exercises. You will need a stable Internet connection, and a webcam to participate in the online activities and a word processing program to complete your assignments.
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Q. What happens if I miss a session?
A. While it is best if you can participate in all activities, we know that you are busy and may need some flexibility. All virtual workshops and webinars will be recorded so that you can watch on your own time.
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Q. Are funds available to help with travel to and from the in-person events.
A. Yes, some funding is available to help fall 2024 trainees offset the cost of getting to the in-person events. The amount available will be based on need, the distance to be travelled and/or the availability of funds. Please talk to an SBA Team member about funding for travel.
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Q. The timing of the SBA doesn’t work for me, will it be offered again?
A. We will be offering another Indigenous SBA program in the fall of 2025.
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Q. Are seafood processors eligible for the fall 2024 program?
A. Yes, providing that they are a B.C. based small-scale Indigenous owned seafood processor that is not a subsidiary of a large or international company.
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Q. Are businesses or entrepreneurs involved with Farmed Finfish eligible?
A. Depends. The SBA program is only for small-scale, independent seafood harvesters and processors. So if you are not part of a big or international company you could be eligible. For instance, someone working on a small shellfish farm, or a land-based aquaculture or an aquaponics system could be eligible.
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Q. Who do I contact if I am interested in supporting (funding, sponsorship, being a mentor) the SBA program?
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A. We would love to hear from you! Please fill email us at sba@bucksuzuki.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.  
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