Founder Institute

## **Import & Export — Learn the Model, Remove the Risk, Build the Business** **Casual Learning & Support Session \| LeaderSHIFT Community** There is growing interest in import/export as a business — but most people get stuck on the same questions: * Where do I start? * How do I avoid getting burned? * How do I finance deals safely? * How do I find real clients (not tire-kickers)? This session is designed to answer those questions clearly and practically. ### **📌 Format (Two-Part Session)** **First Hour – Foundations (Beginner Friendly)** This is a structured walkthrough for anyone who wants to understand the business from the ground up. We will cover: * How the import/export business actually works * How to structure deals using government programs and banks to reduce or eliminate risk * How financing can be used properly (without putting yourself in danger) * How to find clients and generate deal flow * Common mistakes and traps to avoid All attendees will receive a **free booklet and resource package** with the information needed to begin setting up their own import/export business. **Second Hour – Open Support & Deal Discussion (Optional)** This portion is for: * People already working on deals * Those who understand the model and want deeper discussion * Anyone seeking feedback on a specific roadblock * Individuals who want to offer insight, support, or collaboration It becomes a collaborative, peer-supported environment rather than a formal presentation. ### **☕ Setting** This is a **casual, low-pressure meetup** held at Second Cup (Sheppard Centre, Yonge & Sheppard). Grab a coffee, bring your questions, and engage at your own pace. No pitches. No hype. Just real knowledge, real structure, and real conversation.

Turn your idea (or messy business) into a clear, simple model you can actually grow. You’ve got an idea… or even a business… but when someone asks, *“So what do you do?”* you still hesitate. This session is for founders who are tired of guessing and want real **business clarity**; what you sell, to whom, how it makes money, and why it’s worth betting on. We’ll walk through a practical, no-jargon way to move from *“I have an idea”* to *“Here’s my business model — and here’s how it works.”* **This is for you if:** * You’re sitting on a business idea and don’t know how to structure it * You’ve started, but your offers, pricing, or target market feel fuzzy * You’re pivoting and want to sanity-check the new direction * You want language that feels clear, confident, and not salesy **We’ll cover:** * The 5 building blocks of a simple, strong business model * How to define your “right-fit” customer (without a 20-page avatar worksheet) * How your offer, pricing, and delivery fit together (and where the leaks are) * Common clarity traps that keep founders stuck in “almost ready” mode **Format:** This is a **working, interactive session** — not a lecture. Expect: * Short teaching segments * Guided prompts * Small-group or roundtable discussions * Space to share your model and get feedback (optional) **You’ll walk away with:** * A one-page snapshot of your business model * Clearer language to describe what you do * A realistic next step to test or refine your model 🗓 Meeting Schedule * **7:00 PM** — Mingle & meet fellow entrepreneurs * **7:30 PM** — Focused discussion on this week’s topic: *Scaling Without Burning Out* * **8:30 PM** — Elevator pitch practice — get feedback, refine your message, and shine * **9:00 PM** — Wrap-up networking — connect, collaborate, and share insights ⚡ *Please arrive by 7:30 PM to join the main discussion — but you’re welcome to jump in whenever you arrive.*

We are a group of men that meet weekly. Regular attendees do not always RSVP but we usually have 12 men present. Expect a frank and confidential space where you can speak personally, engage in interesting conversations or get support for your personal goals. **We start our meeting at 7:15 sharp. You can rsvp via meetup or email Saul (sauljoy@gmail.com) for this week’s address.** Guests are welcome but it's pretty casual so make sure you are expected in case we move outdoors to the park. Our group is part of Mentor Discover Inspire (MDI) The MDI Mission: To cause greatness by mentoring men to live with excellence and, as mature masculine leaders, create successful families, careers and communities. From MDI website: https://goo.gl/3DQ6aY From Toronto Star: [https://goo.gl/oDH3uX](https://goo.gl/oDH3uX)

Lose 10lbs in 5 WEEKS and Win Prizes ! Topics will include Metabolism, Carbohydrate addiction, digestive health, label reading, dining out, heart health and many more. $ 50 to Join the Challenge includes: - Weekly Weigh In, Accountability and Motivation - 40 Min nutrition class - Voucher for 'Healthy Meal' - Personalized Meal Plan - Lose 1 - 3lbs a week. To register for your spot: www.ShapingUpCanada.com

PLEASE CONTACT Jason at 905-308-4100 FOR DETAILS.

In this presentation, I argue that when probability claims are used in decision contexts involving persons, they often undergo *a systematic shift* in how they are interpreted — from reports of population frequencies to ascriptions of individual or kind-level dispositions. This shift offers a more general explanation than existing accounts provide for why the use of accurate statistical information can nonetheless wrong or demean people in ways amounting to discrimination. Steven Coyne https://philosophy.utoronto.ca/directory/steven-coyne/ Assistant Professor Department of Philosophy University of Toronto **About the Speaker:** Steven Coyne, who is cross-appointed with the Department of Computer Science, teaches courses in moral and political philosophy, as well as the philosophy of law. He also prepares and delivers ethics modules in computer science classes for the Embedded Ethics Education Initiative in collaboration with instructors from the Department of Computer Science. His research is in moral and political philosophy, with a particular eye on issues connecting to reasons and rationality. His main projects concern how people can affect the reasons of other people, particularly through their speech acts, and particularly in political contexts. Can the state give new reasons to its subjects by commanding them? In order to properly obey the law, do people need to exclude some of their existing reasons for action? Do members of liberal democracies have any moral powers over one another? He is also interested in the reason-giving force of civil disobedience, the powers possessed by persistent minorities under majority rule, and the legitimacy of embedded ethics in higher education. He is also working on some projects in the ethics of technology concerning autonomy and bias and discrimination in algorithmic decision-making. **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** This is a talk with audience Q&A presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics that is free to attend and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided at the event. The talk will also be streamed online with live chat [here](https://youtube.com/live/p3UzLadcpXk?feature=share). About the Centre for Ethics (http://ethics.utoronto.ca): The Centre for Ethics is an interdisciplinary centre aimed at advancing research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. The Centre seeks to bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse scholars, students, public servants and social leaders in order to increase understanding of the ethical dimensions of individual, social, and political life. In pursuit of its interdisciplinary mission, the Centre fosters lines of inquiry such as (1) foundations of ethics, which encompasses the history of ethics and core concepts in the philosophical study of ethics; (2) ethics in action, which relates theory to practice in key domains of social life, including bioethics, business ethics, and ethics in the public sphere; and (3) ethics in translation, which draws upon the rich multiculturalism of the City of Toronto and addresses the ethics of multicultural societies, ethical discourse across religious and cultural boundaries, and the ethics of international society. The Ethics of A.I. Lab at the Centre For Ethics recently appeared on a list of 10 organizations leading the way in ethical A.I.: https://ocean.sagepub.com/blog/10-organizations-leading-the-way-in-ethical-ai

**Start your 2026 with Bang!** You got an idea or MVP and want to scale or just looking to partner with like minded Hungry entrepreneurs to build something. Join our Founder Match maker Dinner/Drink. An invite-only, small-group networking evening for early-stage founders and operators looking to build together. This is **not a typical mixer**. **The Ticket fee will cover** * Drink * Sharable **Who should attend** The goal is to create **real connections** between like-minded entrepreneurs who are: * Building or validating a startup * Looking for a **CTO, CMO, or CRO** * Open to co-founder or early leadership conversations We’ll keep the group intentionally small (max 10 people) and use light structure to help meaningful 1:1 conversations. Luma RSVP Link - https://luma.com/ngmkpzax * Startup founders (idea → early revenue) * Technical or business leaders exploring co-founder roles * Builders serious about long-term collaboration If you have any questions please reach out to me - [C K | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kchandank/) **Questions** **What best describes you?** * Founder * Operator (CTO / CMO / CRO) * Exploring both **What are you currently working on? (1–2 lines)** **What role are you looking for right now?** * CTO * CMO * CRO * Co-founder (open) **Startup stage:** * Idea * MVP * Early users * Revenue **Industry or domain (optional)** **What are you hoping to get out of this evening? (1 line)** Learn More about TorontoAI - https://www.torontoai.io/

**Welcome to our group! We hope to see you out at the pool soon. We play Fridays 8:30-10pm at Riverdale Collegiate Institute pool. We have lots of spare gear for you to try the game, so there is no need to buy anything before you try U/W Rugby. Just bring your suit and towel. And your first 2 practices are free!** \*Please note: This game requires swimming. While we do have lifeguards, you must be a competent swimmer and comfortable in the water in order to participate. **Enter the school through this door: [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T1BP7DXur9QHK5aYo-s3vwmHu3MG9N55/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T1BP7DXur9QHK5aYo-s3vwmHu3MG9N55/view?usp=sharing)** **Directions to the pool:** **[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ggRqpd6UiCX1L-1Hbupg2GMclkbxNVx7/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ggRqpd6UiCX1L-1Hbupg2GMclkbxNVx7/view?usp=sharing)** **Looking forward to seeing you at the pool,** **Gord**

## **🔥 LeaderSHIFT: New Year, New Opportunities** ### **Private Group Visit to The National Franchise Show (FREE Admission)** The new year is the perfect time to **reset, explore options, and think bigger** — without pressure, sales pitches, or noise. LeaderSHIFT is organizing a **group visit** to **The National Franchise Show in Toronto**, where attendees can explore **business ownership, franchising, and alternative paths to entrepreneurship** — all under one roof. This is **not** about selling franchises. It’s about **exposure, learning, and better questions**. *** ### **📍 Event Details** **Event:** The National Franchise Show – Toronto **Dates:** January 17 & 18 **Time:** • Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM • Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM **Location:** Metro Toronto Convention Centre 🎟 **FREE Admission** (regularly $15) Promo Code: **OWNABIZ26** *** ### **💡 Why Attend with LeaderSHIFT?** * Explore **dozens of business and franchise opportunities** * Learn about **ownership, systems, and scalability** * Attend **free educational seminars** * Ask real questions — no pressure * Connect with others who are **thinking seriously about their next chapter** This is ideal if you are: * Considering entrepreneurship but unsure where to start * Exploring alternatives to traditional employment * Curious about franchises, systems, or structured businesses * Looking to make **smarter decisions in 2026** *** ### **👥 How This Works** This is a **self-guided visit** with optional group coordination: * Come for as little or as long as you like * Explore at your own pace * Optional meet-up time for LeaderSHIFT members on-site No obligation. No expectations. *** ### **⚠️ Important Notes** * This event is **informational**, not a sales event * LeaderSHIFT is not affiliated with any specific franchise * Come curious, not committed *** ### **✅ RSVP to Save Your Spot** RSVP here so we know who’s attending and can coordinate group timing. Let’s start the year with **clarity, options, and better conversations**.

***Tickets must be purchased in advance:*** https://luma.com/ecomTO2601?utm_source=meetup ***(limited early bird & discounted tickets available)*** \-\-\- Kick off 2026 with an amazing evening of connection, conversation, and great vibes at Bar Maaya - one of Toronto’s most stylish, modern cocktail bars setting the tone for this amazing year ahead. 🍸✨ 📸 [Follow us on Instagram @Ecomnetworking](https://instagram.com/ecomnetworking) 📸 Hosted by the **Ecom Network**, this first event of the year brings together **ecommerce and DTC founders, online sellers, and digital entrepreneurs** for a relaxed yet high-energy networking night. Expect great drinks, curated music, and meaningful conversations with people building and scaling real businesses. 💬🎶 **​​Who is this event for?** This event is suitable for all online sellers - whether you run a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brand on Shopify, sell on Amazon (FBA), Etsy, eBay, Walmart, or manage a store on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.​ — **Event Highlights** **✨ Network in a Vibrant Setting** We’ve secured a dedicated section at Bar Maaya just for our group. Enjoy meaningful conversations and great vibes while connecting with fellow entrepreneurs. We kindly ask that you support the venue by purchasing at least one drink or food item. 📣 **Share Your Story** Building a brand, product, or project? Looking for partners, feedback, or fresh ideas? This is your chance to introduce yourself and spark valuable connections in the ecommerce community. 💡 **Learn and Grow** Exchange insights on scaling, marketing, operations, and sales with fellow ecommerce founders. Many past attendees have walked away with partnerships, new clients, and fresh ideas - one conversation could be the start of something big. — **Dress code: Smart casual** — Have questions or suggestions? ​Feel free to reach out to the organizers! ​We can’t wait to see you (again)! — *Notice of Photography* *​During the event, photos and videos may be taken for promotional purposes. By attending, you consent to being photographed and/or filmed. If you prefer not to appear in any media, please let one of the event organizers know.*

**Founders Running Club** (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome. 🗓️ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022 🌍 Now in 35+ cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community **Join the community** https://bit.ly/frc-toronto-chat **Stay updated**: Instagram [http://instagram.com/foundersrc/](http://instagram.com/foundersrc/) Podcast [http://podcast.foundersrc.com/](http://podcast.foundersrc.com/) LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/](http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/) Strava [http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC](http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC) Website [http://foundersrc.com/](http://foundersrc.com/)

Calling all founders, CEOs, lawyers, doctors, and entrepreneurs to join our special *Founder Edition* of Sip & Read meetup event. Let's sip on fine wine and discuss our first book **The 5AM Club- Own Your Morning Elevate Your Life, by Robin Sharma**. We will pair this book with our favorite wine at **Wine on High** and engage in thought-provoking discussions on startup businesses and entrepreneurship, and network with like-minded individuals in a cozy book club setting. *The 5AM Club* by Robin Sharma explores how waking up early and following a structured morning routine can dramatically improve productivity, mindset, and overall life mastery. Through a blend of storytelling and practical frameworks, it teaches high performers how to build discipline, focus, and long-term success by owning the first hour of the day. Come prepared to discuss this month's book. At the end of each book club meeting, we will take next book and venue suggestions from the participants for the next meeting. Whether you are a book lover, women entrepreneur, or a content creator, this event is perfect for sharing ideas and insights with other funders and founders in the entrepreneurial world. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together. Sign up now to reserve your spot! *Fun fact! This meetup was established in 2015 and had over 1,000 members. I had to shut down operations while attending law school, but we're back!!*

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

At Evolve Synergy Sessions, you'll be part of a supportive mastermind where we share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and inspire one another to take bold steps in our businesses. Grow your network, gain fresh perspectives, and build meaningful relationships with like-minded women who are committed to success. Whether you’re looking to move the needle in your business or simply need a space to connect and recharge, this is the perfect place to fuel your entrepreneurial journey. [Add Event to Calendar](https://evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com/) \*\* Please note, we will be arriving around 8:15a for open networking! Get there early and get connected! Contact Alexis Morley at [alexis.morley@edwardjones.com](mailto:alexis.morley@edwardjones.com) or Terri Lawson at [terri.lawson@e-merge.com](mailto:terri.lawson@e-merge.com) for more information.

We are excited to host Guided Meditations on Sundays at 6 pm in our Ashram/Gallery/Home! !! !! Everyone wants to know what kind of God we worship and what kind of meditation we do. We worship the GOD that LOVES US! We understand that god is an energy and it lives in us as us. Our meditations guide others to actually experience that energy! xoxo We don't just talk about peace, love and affection, we experience it :) Also we are a home not a business, so we enjoy building community one friend at a time. We always build in time for people to mingle & develop friendships! xoxo Much Love, Frank Tennyson Namaste, Frank Tennyson http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/f/9/9/600_447824953.jpeg

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.

Evolve exists to connect women entrepreneurs connect with one another, serve one another, and help one another overcome challenges in marketing, sales, networking, and professional development. [Add to Calendar](evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com) What to Expect: \~ Welcome team to greet you, introduce you to others, and make sure you feel a part of the group from your very first meeting \~ Welcome & Introductions: 15 second introductions \~ 15 Minute Speaker Spotlight: Member speaker who shares a bit of her story, how she got to doing what she does, and a tangible tip she uses to gain success in her business. No hard selling...no expectations. Simply giving the group an opportunity to get to know her and her journey. \~ 20 Minute Break Out Sessions: Small groups is where we connect best. Extroverted and Introverted alike get the opportunity to share on a deeper level and learn from one another. \~ Take Aways: Hear what the other groups talked about and share resources to grow yourself and your business \~ Grow Time!: Do you need a specific connection to a person, company, or industry? Share it with us! We love to open our networks to one another and grow together! Guests are always welcome. Please contact Mentor Director Donna Schomer at Donna@EvolveWomensNetwork.com for more information. We'd love to meet you!