About us
Are you starting or growing a small business? We can help. You call them Meetups; we've always called them free programs, seminars, workshops and small business networking - on various topics like social media, taxes, the law, networking, franchising- everything you'll need to run your small business. Meet experts and other like-minded professionals at our programs/networking events, and get your idea rolling! Ask library staff at our branches to help you find what you need- from business resources to great business material in our vast collections! We also have spaces for you to work and meet - everything you need to make your business a success.
Join our Meetup group today and you will never have to pay membership dues, and you will be notified of exciting and informative business programs which will help take your business to the next level!
Upcoming events
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Customer Segmentation: Who Will Pay for Your Product?
Toronto Public Library - Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 2G8, Canada, Toronto, ON, CAThe fastest way to start a new business is to try to sell it to everybody. This session will teach you to narrow down your target group by using geography, demographics, and behavioral statistics to determine demand. It will also cover how to spot your early adopters, i.e., the people who need what you're building most will be flexible while you get it right. We'll discover how to narrow down your target audience, and how to determine if you were well informed in your decisions.
The program includes a short networking component, providing participants with an opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs.
Presented by Ryan Knight, TPL's 2026 Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) at Toronto Reference Library.
Registration via TPL website: https://tpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events/6a99b901d94765189bb97c31
Drop-ins welcome until room capacity is reached.Accessibility
Live or automated closed captioning, sign language interpretation, intervenor services, or attendant services are available upon request. Please submit your request at least 2 weeks in advance to: tpl.ca/accessibility-events.15 attendees
The Romance vs Reality of Entrepreneurship
Toronto Public Library - Fort York Branch, 190 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 0E7, Canada, Toronto, ON, CA“The only thing that prepares you to run a business is running a business.” – Ben Horowitz.
What is an entrepreneur? One of many lessons learned from Jean’s fourteen-year journey as a passionate food entrepreneur and her ongoing fifteen-year small business coaching practice is that “entrepreneur” is not a job title. Join us for the first session of Entrepreneur in Residence (Newcome Focus), Jean Chow's, residency at the Fort York branch!
This session will include:- Self-assessment – “Should I Be An Entrepreneur?”
- Reflection on your current passion level.
- Balancing the risks associated with entrepreneurial passion.
Come early to network from 6-6:30pm!
Presented by Jean Chow, TPL's Fall 2026 Newcomer Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) at Fort York branch.
Registration via TPL website: https://tpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events/6aaad5c6ca248a00291644a4
Drop-ins welcome until room capacity is reached.Accessibility
Live or automated closed captioning, sign language interpretation, intervenor services, or attendant services are available upon request. Please submit your request at least 2 weeks in advance to: tpl.ca/accessibility-events.1 attendeeCashflow Projections: The Numbers Your Business Needs to Work
Toronto Public Library - Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 2G8, Canada, Toronto, ON, CAThis session will teach you how to assess your numbers to determine if your business will survive. We will cover:
- Costs of operation
- What each sale earns after costs
- How many sales it takes to break even
- Building a straightforward monthly cash flow projection
- Setting justifiable prices
We'll work through the numbers of real businesses together before you begin thinking about your own. No accounting experience required — bring a calculator or your phone.
The program includes a short networking component, providing participants with an opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs.
Presented by Ryan Knight, TPL's 2026 Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) at Toronto Reference Library.
Registration via TPL website: https://tpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events/6a99b901d94765189bb97c31
Drop-ins welcome until room capacity is reached.Accessibility
Live or automated closed captioning, sign language interpretation, intervenor services, or attendant services are available upon request. Please submit your request at least 2 weeks in advance to: tpl.ca/accessibility-events.7 attendeesThe Three “Know’s for Success as an Entrepreneur
Toronto Public Library - Fort York Branch, 190 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 0E7, Canada, Toronto, ON, CAIn this highly interactive workshop with Entrepreneur in Residence (Newcomer Focus), Jean Chow, we’ll explore how well you know yourself, know your reason why you want to own a business, and will your customers need and want to buy what you are offering. What are the key traits of an entrepreneur? Is this an opportunity worth pursuing, a T.R.U.E. (Testable, Real. Unique, Essential) value proposition? Who are your customers?
This session will include:
- Know your dominant dimension as an entrepreneur – “heart, smarts, guts, or luck”.
- Pinpoint your “why” with your T.R.U.E. value proposition and articulate the problem you are solving. Is it an opportunity worth pursuing?
- Create a buyer persona/ideal customer profile (ICP) to demonstrate how well you know your target audience.
Come early to network from 6-6:30pm!
Presented by Jean Chow, TPL's Fall 2026 Newcomer Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) at Fort York branch.
Registration via TPL website: https://tpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events/6aaad5e3ab7a8e0037c24145
Drop-ins welcome until room capacity is reached.Accessibility
Live or automated closed captioning, sign language interpretation, intervenor services, or attendant services are available upon request. Please submit your request at least 2 weeks in advance to: tpl.ca/accessibility-events.1 attendee
Past events
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