Trades Business Program in Ontario

Built for Trades. Focused on Business.

Being great at your trade and running a successful trades business are two different skill sets.

BuildUP helps bridge that gap.

Whether you're preparing to start your own business, already taking on jobs independently, or looking to grow an existing operation, you'll learn the fundamentals behind building a business that is profitable, organized, compliant, and ready to grow.

This program is built for electricians, plumbers, HVAC professionals, carpenters, welders, landscapers, contractors and other skilled trades professionals who want to build stronger businesses.

Your 8 Week Learning Journey

BuildUP follows the natural progression of building a trades business—from getting the fundamentals right to creating a company that can grow beyond you.

Build a Strong Foundation

Week 1 - 3
Start your business correctly.
Stay compliant.
Understand your finances.

You'll learn how to establish your business, understand your tax obligations, organize your finances, and make smarter decisions from the beginning.

Workshops & Skill-Building

Week 4 - 6
Market your business.
Sell with confidence.
Price for profit.

You'll learn how to attract the right customers, build a strong reputation, communicate your value, create profitable estimates, and understand where your business is actually making (or losing) money.

Build a Business That Can Grow

Week 7 - 8
Create efficient systems.
Lead a team.
Scale sustainably.

You'll learn how to reduce administrative chaos, build repeatable systems, hire and lead effectively, and prepare your business for long-term growth.

Why Tradespeople Choose BuildUP

This program isn’t just theory—it’s practical, hands-on, and built for tradespeople who want results.

Learn the Business Basics (without the fluff)

Workshops and mentorship sessions cover what really matters—things like marketing, taxes, hiring, and how to price your services.

Connect with Others in the Trades

Meet others just like you. Learn from their experience and build a support network that lasts beyond the program.

Get Ready for Financing

Not sure how to talk to the bank or apply for funding? We’ll walk you through it so you can feel confident and prepared.

Module 1: Entrepreneurship & Starting a Business

Module 2: Tax Basics

Module 3: Business Banking, Financing & Bookkeeping

Module 4: Marketing & Reputation Management

Module 5: Sales & Winning More Work

Module 6: Financial Management & Estimating

Module 7: Systems, Technology & Operational Efficiency

Module 8: Leadership, Hiring & Business Growth

Meet our Trades Experts in Residence

All Trades Experts in Residence and their affiliations are screened, vetted, and reference-checked. They're under contract with the Innovation Cluster and are bound by confidentiality and code of conduct agreements.

Grant Conrad

Human Resources Health and Satefy

Grant Conrad is the President of WorkforceWins Ltd., a company that provides full HR and Health & Safety management services tailored specifically for construction and trades businesses.

Grant’s mission is to empower construction and trades leaders to focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional customer experiences, maximizing profitability, and achieving long-term business goals such as expansion, succession, or sale.

Saba Medghalchi

Finance Strategy and Tax Expertise

Saba Medghalchi is a finance strategist and tax expert with deep experience supporting early and growth-stage startups. With a background spanning both corporate and startup ecosystems, she brings a unique blend of financial strategy, operational insight, and hands-on tax expertise.

She has worked with large corporations serving Canadian businesses and individuals, and has also collaborated closely with founders, accelerators, and VCs—guiding fundraising efforts, building robust financial models, and helping teams navigate the operational challenges of growth.

Chris Beetham

Strategy and Business Operations

Chris is a serial entrepreneur with a deep understanding of what it takes to build and grow a business. With a background in finance, civil engineering, and innovation, he supports trades-based founders in launching sustainable businesses by helping them navigate pricing, collections, automation, and the operational chaos of being a one-person show.

Chris offers practical guidance on everything from quoting and invoicing to managing risk, scaling at the right pace, and dealing with tough realities like bad actors, competition, and social media missteps. Having raised millions and led seven-figure deals, he brings hard-earned insight and real-world strategy to help entrepreneurs focus, automate, and thrive in an increasingly tech-driven world.

Trista Greer

Digital Marketing and Sales Strategy

A self-admitted marketing nerd, Trista has been the CEO of the award-winning agency For the Love of Marketing (FTLOM) for close to 7 years, helping real estate professionals scale to million-dollar businesses through strategic positioning and powerful marketing. Some of the companies she’s worked with close over $80 million in annual transactions.

Trista specializes in navigating the ever-changing digital world, knowing where to invest, what’s working now, and how to tailor strategy to your business long term. She’s also an educator for social selling, helping modern businesses blend sales and marketing to build authentic relationships and drive long-term growth through their acquisition process.

FAQs About the BuildUP Program

Don’t see your question? Feel free to reach out to our program team.

Zahra Shafiei
Director of Programs
(705) 930-5520
zshafiei@innovationcluster.ca

Ann-Majella McKelvie
Program Manager
(705) 930-5514
ammckelvie@innovationcluster.ca

How much does the program cost?

It’s completely free. There’s no cost to participate in the BuildUP Program—just your time, energy, and commitment to building your business.

What's the time commitment?

The training runs for 8 weeks, with 2 hours of sessions per week. That’s a total of 16 hours of practical, hands-on learning designed for busy tradespeople.

How is the program funded?

This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

Your Business, Your Way