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Small Business Services offers a wide array of business programs and services from business consulting to business plan preparation and access to financing.

With the help of a Business Services Officer, individuals can schedule one-on-one counseling sessions to discuss in detail business options available to them.

Business Consulting

Business consultation services are provided to clients using in-house expertise or specialized volunteer business consultants from the Canadian Executive Services Organization (CESO).

Bookkeeping Aftercare

Training, mentoring and coaching are available in manual and computerized accounting/bookkeeping systems.  Business financial statement preparation is also available.

Entrepreneurship Training

A 13-week course explores entrepreneurship in Kahnawake. The entrepreneurship introductory session is designed to help you research your opportunities and discover if you are entrepreneur oriented.

Training course topics begin with the exploration of business ideas and your potential as an entrepreneur (9 hrs) and Strategy Development & Business Plan (30 hrs). Clients have an opportunity at the end of the first 9 hour training session, to confirm if they want to continue the training for the additional 30 hours.

Business Seminars

Seminars are offered by Small Business Services, on a demand basis, covering various business-related topics. You may recommend a seminar topic for consideration by the SBS team.

Business Plan Preparation

Clients who have successfully completed the 13-week Entrepreneurship Training Course can obtain assistance from a Business Services Officer (BSO) in the preparation of a business plan. A business plan is a requirement to accessing capital from the Business Assistance Fund; Tewatohni’saktha Business Loan Fund, Kahnawake Youth Business Fund, financial institutions or through Federal or Provincial business funding programs.

Business Assistance Fund (BAF)

Clients who have successfully completed the 13-week Entrepreneurship Training Course and who have a viable business plan are eligible to apply for this fund. A standard loan application form must be completed.The BAF provides a $5,000 one-time grant contribution, which must be paired with a direct loan at a 50/50% ratio from the Tewatohnhi’saktha Business Loan Fund (TBLF) for applicants 36 years of age and over, and from the Kahnawake Youth Business Fund (KYBF) for applicants between 15 and 35 years of age. The fund is available for either business start-ups or expansions. A $2,500 follow-up grant is provided to successful applicants following one full year of continued active operation.

Marketing Program Fund (MPF)

This fund provides new and existing businesses with financial assistance to implement a marketing strategy. The marketing program fund will be a cost-sharing program between SBS and the client. SBS will cover 75% of marketing costs, up to a maximum of $1,000. The client's contribution will be 25%. Eligible costs include: advertising, signage, promotional giveaways, web server and domain name registration.

Funding for the program will be limited to one financial contribution per client per SBS fiscal year.

Professional Services Fund (PSF)

This fund provides new and existing businesses with financial assistance to access professional services. The professional services program fund will be a cost-sharing agreement between SBS and the client. SBS will cover 75% of professional costs, up to a maximum of $1,000. The client's contribution will be 25%.

Examples of eligible professional services are: financial statement preparation; taxation, incorporation, and intellectual property issues; lawyers; consultants; technical specialists; graphic artists; and website designers.

Funding for the program will be limited to one financial contribution per client per SBS fiscal year.

Tewatohnhi'saktha Business Loan Fund Ltd. (TBLF)

This fund provides, upon approval, loans and/or loan guarantees. The loan program offers Kahnawake Aboriginal businesses, who have successfully completed the 13-week Entrepreneurship Training Course, access to direct loan financing to a max. of $100,000 to establish a viable business, create employment opportunities, and facilitate greater economic well-being for the participants and the community. Loan guarantees assist businesses in obtaining commercial loans in the form of collateral up to a max. of $110,000. Depending on your needs, one or more of the following will be required: business plan, historical financials, completed TBLF loan application form and executive summary.

The Kahnawake Youth Business Fund (KYBF)

This fund is available to those who have successfully completed the 13-week Entrepreneurship Training Course. The fund supports the creation or expansion of viable Kahnawake Aboriginal businesses and offers direct loans at a max. of $15,000 for youth, ages 15 to 35. Interesting features of this fund are: 8.5% interest rate, interest only payment option for the first year, and after repaying 75% of the loan in a timely manner, 25% will be forgiven. Cash equity is not required. All loan program applicants are required to attend our Entrepreneurship Training in its entirety.

Shop Kahnawake First

The Shop Kahnawake First promotional campaign has been developed by SBS in an effort to encourage the purchase of local products and services. In support of  Kahnawake businesses and our local economy, we encourage Kahnawake entrepreneurs to get involved in this campaign by contacting a Tewatohnhi’saktha Business Services Officer. Participating entrepreneurs will be promoted throughout the year along with other participating businesses. Each participant will receive a vinyl sticker, a poster and information on how to redeem Shop Kahnawake Certificates. Various denominations of Shop Kahnawake Certificates are available at Tewatohnhi'saktha.

Click here to view the latest Shop Kahnawake First promotion.