Latest News
ACSBE and Open Acadia Team Up to Help Small Business
ACSBE and Open Acadia do more than just share a building (Willett House) – we are working together to build two new professional development programs that will help enhance the performance of small businesses and business advisors across the country.
“It’s a perfect fit,” says Andy Horsnell, Manager of Professional Development, ACSBE. “Our growing partnership with Open Acadia is giving us the ability to help a much greater number of people - in ways that previously just wouldn’t have been possible.”
Kings County Business Training Needs Survey
In May 2011, the Acadia Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship partnered with the Eastern Kings Chamber of Commerce, the Western Kings Board of Trade, the Central Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Berwick & Area Economic Development Action Committee to conduct a survey of Kings County businesses. The purpose of this survey was to assess the training needs and preferences of the businesses (and, to a lesser extent, non-profit organizations) operating in Kings County. The aforementioned partners will use the findings from this survey as a tool for developing high-impact business support services for our entrepreneurs. Being able to respond to the demand for training with a more accurate proposition allows ACSBE and its partners to deliver solutions that better enable businesses to contribute to the growth of our economy.
Announcement
ACSBE is very pleased to welcome two new members to our team: Sharon Horne and Lisa Fontanella.
Sharon Horne is joining our Business Development team where she will be working on a number of programs for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Sharon is a leadership development specialist with an extensive background in custom program design, development and delivery. She has worked with individuals and groups in four continents where she has provided a suite of services including executive coaching, strategic change consulting and adventure leadership programming. Prior to returning to Wolfville, Sharon most recently worked in Alberta for three years where she was on faculty at “The Banff Centre”, Banff, AB and also led a successful consulting business in Calgary, AB. We are so thrilled to have Sharon join us, and look forward to the impact she will have with ACSBE’s clients. Sharon can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Lisa Fontanella is taking on the role of our new Business Counsellor/Self Employment Benefits (SEB) Coordinator for the Bridgewater office. Lisa has extensive experience as an Employment and Career Counsellor, Case Manager, Life Coach, and workshop facilitator both in Nova Scotia and Alberta. Lisa brings a unique perspective having been on both sides of the SEB process, as a Career Counsellor doing pre-screening for the program and as a recipient through the creation of her successful home based business. Lisa’s holistic and empowering approach to coaching and counselling provides clients with an opportunity to explore their entrepreneurial passions, gain knowledge and insights and make informed decisions. We are delighted to have Lisa on the ACSBE team! Lisa can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Acadia Well Represented at Nova Scotia Innovative Ideas Competition
Wolfville(NS) – Five original thinkers competed for Acadia University’s entries in the new Nova Scotia Innovative Ideas Competition. Ideas came from the fields of engineering, computer science, business and the arts and the winning entry was a social idea being launched at Acadia this year.
ACSBE Addresses Yarmouth Chamber
Developing more of a connection between the business community and postsecondary institutions could be mutually beneficial, members of the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce were told during their annual general meeting.
Ron Robichaud, executive director of the Acadia Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship (ACSBE) and guest speaker for the chamber’s AGM, said he encourages business people to take advantage of university or college programs that might help them.
