Frequently Asked Questions
Listed below are a few frequently asked questions about SBC. If you do not see your questions, please feel free to submit your question and one of our members will get back to you.
▶ Can i have multiple listings?
Yes you can have multiple listings of different businesses you own. If we find listings for a business for each product or service SBC holds the right to delete listings at any time.
▶ Do you offer advertising on the website?
We do offer advertising however we are not set up completely yet. If you are interested please click here to join the advertising waiting list, so you will be notified when available.
We do have a few rules about advertising on SBC. Such as the ad must be value to a member business. Clean and professional. We suggests ads that add value to members, such as 10%... Thank you.
▶ If I have a really negative comment what can I do?
Only members can right a review, where SBC has full control and at our discretion we can delete reviews at anytime. If someone wrote a real negative review you have two options.
- Reply to the review or contact the reviews to make it right?
- If the review is inappropriate submit a "Request To Delete" or submit "Report A Problem"
▶ Who is on your management team?
The SBC is managed by volunteers, and supported by local businesses. The present team is:
- Patricia Dent (Inciteful Solutions)
- Debbie Ouellet (EchelonOne Consulting)
- Sinda Simpson (ESS Direct)
- Shane Serra (WSI)
- Rich Grof (RG Performance Development)
▶ Where does SBC meet?
SBC meetings are held at the Business Enterprise Resource Network location at 121 Commerce Park Drive, Unit A, in Barrie, ON every second Wednesday. Many thanks to BERN for offering their facility as SBC’s meeting place.
On alternate Thursdays SBC meets at the Barrie City Hall Rotunda, 70 Collier St. Barrie, ON. Deepest appreciation to the City of Barrie for offering their facility for our meetings.
▶ What is your refund policy?
Website listings and participating in our bi-weekly meetings are FREE. However, if you pay for an advanced listing membership, the membership is good for a year and no refunds are available. As well, any advertising or special services are subject to the respective person’s or company’s refund policy.
▶ How often does SBC meet?
Meetings are held weekly rotating on Thursdays and Wednesdays. Thursday meetings are held at the Barrie City Hall, Rotunda and our Wednesday's are in Barrie South at the Business Enterprise Resource Centre (BERN).
▶ How much does it cost to join SBC?
Our mandate is to offer FREE SBC bi-weekly meetings for business owner and business professionals. We offer FREE Business Listings, as well enhanced Business listing for only $30 (including HST) per year which simply offsets operating costs. To learn more on how to join, please click here.
We offer select advertising and other services within SBC and affiliates, all proceeds will be donated to a local charity of choice by the SBC admin committee.
▶ How did SBC get started?
The Small Business Network concept started in early 2011 when a trio of Simcoe County Business owners got together to discuss networking opportunities for newer and small businesses. Debbie Ouellet (EchelonOne Consulting), Sinda Simpson (ESS Direct) and Shane Serra (WSI) remembered the help they received from the Simcoe business community when first starting out in their businesses.
They wanted to start a networking group where they had the opportunity to give something back. Soon, Patricia Dent (Inciteful Solutions) and Faye Zevenbergen (FBZ Accounting Solutions) joined the team. The group approached local business experts and champions for feedback and received wonderful encouragement from such places as Business Enterprise Resource Network, Grow Vantage, The Barrie Public Library and Mr. Bob’s Network. The first SBC meeting took place on September 21, 2011 at the BERN office located in southern Barrie.