Airdrie launches The Cashflow Canvas to empower local entrepreneurs during financial literacy month

AIRDRIE, ALBERTA – Airdrie entrepreneurs have access to a new lifeline for financial success, announced during Financial Literacy Month. The City of Airdrie, in partnership with Airdrie Entrepreneur Common, is introducing an empowering local support program – The Cashflow Canvas – designed to equip business owners with the essential financial skills to thrive. The pilot program will launch on Jan. 22, 2025, with its first three-hour bootcamp.

The Cashflow Canvas tackles the core issue that, according to Statistics Canada Micro-Economic Analysis Division, 71 per cent of business owners fail due to their inability to build and balance a budget. The three-hour learning session provides startups and business owners with a powerful, results-driven framework that transforms budgeting from a daunting task into a clear, actionable process.

“We’re excited to introduce this program to Airdrie at such an important time,” says Airdrie Mayor, Peter Brown. “By leveraging Financial Literacy Month, we hope to empower entrepreneurs with tools that not only improve their businesses but also secure their long-term financial well-being.”

Startups, businesses seeking financing and business owners looking to build financial literacy and resiliency will all benefit from the pilot program. Certified trainers will help Airdrie entrepreneurs develop a one-page financial plan that projects revenue streams, price points and operating expenses. The learning tools, developed by Nail The Numbers, will help them master the basics of business budgeting using eight easy-to-understand building blocks and then transfer their financial data into a pro forma / cashflow forecast that’s as easy as paint by numbers.

“This is more than a program—it’s a lifeline,” explains Taunya Woods Richardson, creator of the Cashflow Canvas. “We have already seen how this system has transformed over 5,000 businesses across Canada and the U.S. With the City of Airdrie launching this initiative, Airdrie entrepreneurs now have new opportunities to build strong financial foundations and thrive.”

This new initiative is made possible in part by funding granted to the City of Airdrie by the Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) program. Airdrie is currently certifying trainers, local Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) and business coaches, via a 10-week training program.

Entrepreneurs can sign up now at www.airdriecommon.ca/cashflowcanvas.