Workshops, Online Courses, Programs & More
Exporting allows you to expand the horizons of your small business beyond the local market. Export Navigator’s community-based advisors provide FREE support and ongoing guidance to help your business grow outside of B.C. Whether you need export advice or help with developing export strategies and researching new markets, we are standing by to connect you with expert guidance.
Our advisors offer:
Funding provided by the Province of B.C., the Government of Canada, Small Business BC, Community Futures Organizations, and Women's Enterprise Centre.
Why Expand Your Markets?Diversifies Your Customer Base
Expanding to new markets increases the size of your target market, may broaden your product offering, and offset seasonal fluctuations in sales.
Increases Profitability
Increased production generally leads to economies of scale and decreased cost per unit, which increases your profit margins.
Fosters Innovation
Expanding to new markets fosters innovation in your goods and services, which enhances your competitiveness.
Export Navigator is open to growth-oriented small and medium-sized businesses in B.C. in select regional service areas. Businesses must be willing to commit resources to the planning process, and sustaining a market entry strategy.
Export Navigator provides services in the following regions:
Cariboo & Northeast
Cariboo: Community Futures Fraser Fort George
Northeast: Community Futures Peace Liard
Kootenay Boundary: Community Futures Central Kootenay
North Okanagan: Community Futures North Okanagan
Pacific Northwest: Community Futures Pacific Northwest
Vancouver Island North: Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot
Vancouver Island South: Community Futures Cowichan
Specialized services are available for:
Indigenous-Owned Businesses: CFDC of Central Interior First Nations
For businesses in the Lower Mainland and those outside of the program communities, the Province’s trade professionals and its network of international Trade and Investment Representatives are available to help your business.
Email us at [email protected] or visit www.exportnavigator.ca.
You’ll receive in-person guidance from an advisor with advanced knowledge in market expansion strategies. Advisors connect businesses to the services they need, saving them time and money.
How quickly do I have to start entering new markets?
Entering new markets takes time. Export Navigator’s goal is to help businesses work efficiently and effectively towards achieving their identified opportunities. Export Navigator will help you create a growth plan that works for you.
How should I prepare to be part of the program?
You’ll need to commit time and resources to the research, planning and implementation of a market growth strategy. Strong program candidates are businesses that can scale up operations, are willing to adapt, and are able to self-fund or obtain financing for a sustained expansion strategy.
Is there a fee to participate in the Export Navigator program?
No. Essential services (market entry readiness assessment, business needs assessment, etc.) are free. Clients referred to third party service providers for additional support may be subject to a fee for services.
Will my business qualify to be part of Export Navigator?
If you own a growth-oriented small or medium-sized business in B.C., the first step is to apply. You’ll be asked to complete a self-assessment and meet with an advisor to determine if your business is right for Export Navigator.
The team at Community Futures Fraser Fort George (CF FFG) continuously does outreach to the people, businesses and communities we serve; however, when funding is available, we are excited to ramp up our outreach services by retaining three Regional Business Liaisons to do enhance the number of connections and services provided. We do this by hosting one part-time Reginal Business Liaison to do outreach in each of the Fraser Fort George areas: Mackenzie, Prince George and Robson Valley.
2020-2021 (extended to summer 2022): Funding through Northern Development Initiative Trust and the receipt of Covid funding from PacifiCan enabled CF FFG to enhance our regional outreach to support the businesses and communities during the pandemic. This was an 18-month program that provided an opportunity to provide relevant resources to the businesses and non-profits in the communities and to gather information on their needs (thus, identifying gaps in services being provided). A robust report was generated along with a summary of this report, and community/area specific reports; all are available by request.
2023-24: Launching June 1, 2023, CF FFG is grateful to be the recipient of the 2023-24, Northern Development Initiative Trust Regional Business Liaison Grant as this will provide an opportunity to enhance our outreach across the region. There will, once again be a part-time Regional Business Liaison placed in each of the areas (Mackenzie, Prince George and Robson Valley) and they will be tasked with providing up-to-date resources to the businesses and non-profits while engaging with these communities to understand what has changed since Covid and where there is a need to fill gaps in support and services.
Want to connect to a Regional Business Liaison or receive the past reports? Please send an emails request to: [email protected] be sure to include your name, outline your request and most importantly, how we can get in touch with you.
At Community Futures Fraser-Fort George we believe that dreams, passion and a willingness to take risks builds communities and businesses, now and into the future.
Community Futures Fraser Fort George is continuing the program to support Robson Valley food producers in expanding their current operations by accessing new regional markets within the province. The activities of this program connect to the renewed discussions regarding food security within the province, as well as build a more resilient and diversified economy within the Robson Valley, by linking producers to markets within, or just outside provincial borders.
Within this program we launched a Robson Valley (Albreda to Dome Creek) specific Regional Market Opportunity Analysis to:
The Robson Valley Regional Market Opportunity Analysis report can be found in
RVMOA Summary or in RVMOA_Market Analysis and Opportunities Report and Implementation Plan.
Have a disability and a dream for a business? Ask us about the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
Self employment can be a great way for persons with a disability or an ongoing medical condition to achieve economic inclusion. Self employment is made more manageable through flexible hours, personalized work environments and a sense of control over your future.
The Community Futures Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) provides assistance to entrepreneurs with disabilities or ongoing health conditions to start or grow their businesses.
EDP is for entrepreneurs who:
Self-disclose a disability or ongoing health issue
Have a viable business idea, and have demonstrated commitment through research learning and planning
Is ready, willing and motivated to run their own business
Is creative, resourceful and ready for change
Needs additional support to overcome a barrier to entrepreneurship
EDP can provide:
Access to a network of business professionals and resources.
Business skills coaching
Business skills training
For more information on the program, contact our office today!
