Online Learning Resources
Welcome to ACSBE's online learning resources. Please check back often as we will continue to add new content in the very near future.
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Frequently Asked Questions (SEB)
What are the eligibility requirements?
What is the duration of the program?
If I apply, am I automatically accepted into the program?
Can I apply with more than one business idea?
What types of businesses are eligible for the SEB program?
What is the difference between my Case Manager and my SEB Advisor?
What other resources are provided?
Where do I get more information?
What is the SEB Program?
The Self-Employment Benefits (SEB) provides eligible individuals with financial assistance for up to 40 weeks while they start up a new business. ACSBE administers the SEB program in Lunenburg County.
What are the eligibility requirements?
To be eligible to apply for the ACSBE SEB Program, you must:
- Be currently unemployed;
- Be legally entitled to work in Canada;
- Have established an Employment Insurance (EI) claim, or have a claim that has ended within the last three years (within the last five years for parental leave);
- Be a resident of Lunenburg County;
- Be legally entitled to work in Canada;
- Be unable to find a job after a reasonable job search;
- Be able to contribute equity (cash or in-kind donation) based on the needs of the proposed business.
* You cannot start your business before you have been officially accepted into the SEB program. If your business is already established, you are ineligible for the program.
What is the duration of the program?
ACSBE’s SEB program is a maximum of 40 weeks. The program is divided into 2 parts. During the first part which lasts up to 10 weeks, you work with our business counsellors to develop your business plan, complete a competition assessment and submit your plan for review by our counselling team. If your Business Plan passes the review process you are recommended for part 2, implementation of your Business Plan which lasts a minimum of 30 weeks.
How do I apply?
First, speak to a Case Manager at an Employment Centre to be referred to the SEB program. In addition to completing the job search process with the Case worker, you will be required to attend an SEB orientation session which is held on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 AM at the ACBSE Resource Centre in Bridgewater. You will also be required to attend a full day So You Want to Start a Business workshop. These workshops are held on the third Thursday of each month at the ACSBE Resource Centre in Bridgewater. As part of your application to the SEB program, you must prepare an initial Business Concept outlining your business idea.
If I apply, am I automatically accepted into the program?
No. The decision on whether to accept an applicant is based on the personal characteristics of the candidate and the feasibility of the business concept.
Can I apply with more than one business idea?
No. The achievability of your business concept depends in large part on your commitment to it.
What types of businesses are eligible for the SEB program?
The proposed business must:
- Be full-time - which means the participant must devote at least 35 hours per week to developing and implementing the business,
- Be viable - the participant must clearly demonstrate the viability of the business in the business plan,
- Have strong potential for its own market share - the participant must clearly identify what competition currently exists and how the business will gain its own market share (certain types of businesses may be identified as ineligible based on existing market conditions),
- Be suitable for public funding (Must not exploit sex, religion or politics).
- Not be based on commission sales from a single source.
The proposed business may be:
- Seasonal in nature, however, the participant must demonstrate that they are devoting their efforts full-time to the business and the business must provide full-time financial support;
- Home-based;
and - Conversion of a hobby to a business is acceptable.
What is the difference between my Case Manager and my SEB Advisor?
Your Case Manager is your first point of contact when it comes to looking at your options for finding employment. In Lunenburg County Case Managers can be found at the ACSBE Job Depot in Hubbards and at the Employment Solutions Society in Bridgewater. If you choose to apply to the SEB program, your Case Manager will prepare the first part of the paperwork for the application to Employment Nova Scotia. Your ACSBE Business Counsellor reviews your application package, helps you develop your Business Concept (if required) and prepares a recommendation to Employment Nova Scotia. Employment Nova Scotia makes the decision to accept or deny your application. Your ACSBE Business Counsellor is your first point of contact once you have been accepted into, and are ready to begin, the SEB program. You will meet regularly with your ACSBE Business Counsellor during the time you are in the program to get feedback and guidance as you develop your business plan and to provide activity updates.
What other resources are provided?
ACSBE's staff is available for guidance and advice during and after program completion. You can also access ACSBE's other Small Business Resources, including online resources and workshops. We provide networking opportunities to allow you to connect with other small business owners, our staff and partner organizations. During the program, you'll also attend business-related workshops, one-on-one business consultation and receive ongoing support.support.
Where do I get more information?
For more information about the ACSBE SEB Program contact us at 543-1067 or
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Application Process (SEB)
The ACSBE Self-Employment Benefits Program, (SEB) is funded by Employment Nova Scotia to provide aspiring entrepreneurs who are Employment Insurance (EI) eligible, with income and entrepreneurial support as they develop and execute their business plan.
To be eligible to apply for the SEB Program, you must:
- Be currently unemployed;
- Be legally entitled to work in Canada;
- Have established an Employment Insurance (EI) claim, or have a claim that has ended within the last three years (within the last five years for parental leave);
- Be a resident of Lunenburg County;
- Be legally entitled to work in Canada;
- Be unable to find a job after a reasonable job search;
- Be able to contribute equity (cash or in-kind donation) based on the needs of the proposed business.
If you meet the above criteria, you must obtain a referral from a case manager at the ACSBE Job Depot in Hubbards or the Employment Solutions Society in Bridgewater. They will refer you to ACSBE for an SEB Orientation.
For more information about the ACSBE SEB Program contact us at 543-1067 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
ACSBE's Self-Employment Benefits Program
ACSBE's Self-Employment Benefits Program (SEB) helps people fulfil their potential through self-employment. If you are interested in starting your own business, and are Employment Insurance (EI) eligible, the Self-Employment Benefits Program can provide you with income and support to make it happen.
During the 40 week program, you will be required to:
• Complete a business plan including 3 year financial projections;
• Attend a minimum of three workshops;
• Attend one-on-one advisory sessions with an ACSBE Business Counsellor;
• Submit monthly timesheets outlining business activities;
• Invest a minimum of 35 hours per week.
If accepted into the SEB program, you will have access to ongoing support from our Business Counsellors and to our business workshops. Following the completion of the program you will continue to receive support from our counsellors to help you further your success in business.
For more information about the ACSBE SEB Program contact us at 543-1067 or
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Get Connected And Grow Your Business
GetConnected is a program specifically designed to enable rural-based small businesses in Nova Scotia to explore, develop and implement a growth strategy using web-based technologies. Giving you the knowledge you require to make strategic business decisions on when and how to invest in your online presence, the GetConnected program is for you if you want to learn more about growth opportunities.
The aim of this interactive, functional program is to provide small business owners with business planning sessions, online learning modules and hands-on skill development activities to assist in the growth strategy of their business.
Who should attend:
Small Business Owners with the potential for growth into new markets (specific criteria may apply)
The program will cover:
- How to use the Internet for market research
- What makes an effective web site
- Develop a social media strategy
- Measure your online marketing
- eCommerce
- How to track and measure the ROI your online presence
- Benefits of Attending
- Help assess your business for growth potential using technology and develop an action plan to get there
- Implement a growth strategy
- Develop the skills necessary to successfully implement a growth strategy utilizing eBusiness technologies
Topics will be covered in the following learning modules:
- Introduction to online marketing
- Market Research
- Market Research 2 – Trends
- Online Branding
- Social Media
- Communication and Collaboration
- E-commerce
- Online Advertising
Contact us at 902-543-1067 for more information
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