New Entrepreneur and small business support
A key philosophy of the Paragon organization is to help new entrepreneurs start up, get running, and begin making sales through free coaching and advising. This comes from our passion for helping others, being an entrepreneur for many years and knowing how hard it is to get going, and having an innate desire to give back to the next generation of business people.
We provide initial free advice and coaching for new entrepreneurs to give them a jumpstart from our 30 years of real-world experiences including starting several successful small businesses ourselves. Along our business journey we learned so much but wished we had a mentor to guide us away from making errors, teach us different aspects of running a business, and support us through the challenges and decisions that come with growing a successful company.
Over the past several years, Paragon has positively impacted numerous entrepreneurs and small businesses by jumpstarting their business ideas, enhancing their brands, supporting their marketing, and helping them realize positive financial outcomes.
Below are services we offer new entrepreneurs and small business and a few testimonials from some of the many small business we've supported. If you have a business question, need some coaching to get your business going, or need some help taking your existing small business to the next level, reach out to us.
Testimonials
Project Success Examples
Below is a list of some of our many successful projects implemented for organizations using our strategic 3-step process: Research. Advise. Implement.
Rebrand and Visual Identity
Peter led the research, planning, development, and implementation for an updated brand / visual identity for the Township of Langley (external, internal, fire department, and airport) across all tools, channels and platforms, and with branded templates for employees to use. That also included an updated style guide, email signature standards, and other related brand elements. This project won two awards for its strategic approach, innovative designs, and positive outcomes.
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Government and Community Engagement
When School District 43 Coquitlam needed new school and support funding, Peter was part of the team to advocate for funding to the BC Government Ministry of Education. He also organized several community engagement activities to seek input from parents and educators for school programs, annual budgets, and other school district projects. As the school was being build, he organized communications to generate interest and excitement leading up to organizing an opening event.
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Public Engagement and Feedback Activities
Peter has led many public engagement activities for municipal land use and budgets, school district facilities and programs, university facilities and courses, business customer surveys, and several other organizations and projects. This included the planning and development of engagement activities (surveys, open houses, virtual meetings), design of the information boards and materials, and marketing to attract attendees, ensuring maximum participation from the target audience.
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Digital Marketing Innovations
Peter introduced several innovative technology-based marketing and communications plans and systems for Kwantlen Polytechnic University including CMS, CRM, online engagement, online surveys, advertising, social media, and e-mail marketing for student domestic and international recruitment and strategic enrolment management. He also led KPU to attain a $100,00 Google grant and be the 1st public university in North America to use Google ads and technologies for student recruitment.
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Crisis and Emergency Communications
Experience from over 50 crisis responses, and crisis communications training has prepared Peter for effectively managing high-pressure situations. From plane crashes to crane collapses, organization reputational issues to employee crimes, cyber attacks to murders, Peter has mitigated crises through effective advising and strategic communications. His leadership in crises communications helped maintain trust and transparency during critical times while minimizing reputational damage.
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Emergency Operations Centre and Information Officer
Peter has been part of EOC activations serving as IO (information officer) ensuring affected audiences were communicated to effectively through a variety of channels. His leadership in emergencies and crises communications helped maintain organizational trust and transparency during critical times. Certifications in EOC, IO, crisis communications and experience from 50+ different crises prepares Peter for effectively managing high-pressure situations.
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Media Relations Planning
Developing media relations policies, plans, and processes helps organizations prepare for proactive engagement with the media and respond effectively to potential crises. Peter has supported several organizations in creating comprehensive media relations programs that have strengthened media engagement and delivered measured positive results for initiatives including major campaigns, large construction projects, large events, grand openings, and issues management.
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Major Festival Planning and Marketing
The Township of Langley turned 150 and celebrated with a 3-day community-focused festival full of free exciting events and activities for all ages. To be successful it need a complete marketing plan with imagery, designs, collateral material, a website, advertising and digital marketing. It also need sponsors from the local community, media relations, collaboration with online influencers to ensure success. Peter led a team to accomplish all this and more and the event was a huge success.
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Charity and Small Business Support
Peter has passionately supported small businesses and non-profit organizations through practical, results-driven marketing guidance. He has helped several non-profits with branding, marketing, and fundraising, and several small businesses with their marketing and digital strategies to connect more effectively with the people they serve. His commitment to community success ensures that businesses and charitable organizations have the tools and confidence to share their stories and thrive.