OCCA Communities Association

Women Entrepreneurs Session 5: Customer Service & Sales Skills in a Canadian Context
2026-02-25 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Online, Canada
Are you ready to strengthen your customer service and turn great service into real sales?
Join us for “Customer Service & Sales Skills in a Canadian Context” — a practical and empowering session designed for women entrepreneurs who want to build trust, confidence, and loyal customers in Canada.
📅 Feb 25, 2026 (Wed) | 6:00–8:00 PM | Zoom
✨ In this session, you will learn:
• How to communicate professionally and confidently
• Canadian customer service etiquette and expectations
• How to build strong customer relationships
• How excellent service naturally leads to successful sales
Facilitated by Clara Val & Kathy Crocker, this interactive webinar will provide real-life insights and practical strategies you can apply immediately to your business.
Whether you are just starting out or looking to grow, strong customer relationships are the foundation of long-term success. 💼🤝
Register now and invest in your business growth!
If you already registered, please check your email for the Zoom link.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Clara’s bio:
Clara Val is a marketing strategist and brand consultant who helps businesses and founders clarify their message, build trust online, and turn visibility into meaningful growth. With a background in branding, content strategy, and community-building, Clara specializes in simplifying marketing so it feels aligned, intentional, and sustainable (and not overwhelming or performative).
Her work focuses on helping business owners clearly articulate what they do, who they serve, and why they’re the right choice, with a particular emphasis on brand positioning, strategy, and content systems that support long-term momentum. Clara’s approach blends strategic marketing with an understanding of human behavior, making her work especially effective for entrepreneurs who want their marketing to feel authentic, confident, and values-driven.
Through 1:1 consulting, Clara supports clients in refining their messaging, strengthening their online presence, and creating clear, actionable marketing plans that are realistic to implement alongside busy lives and growing businesses. She is known for her grounded, practical style and her ability to help clients move from feeling stuck or scattered to feeling focused, confident, and clear in how they show up.
Clara currently works with founders, creatives, and service-based businesses who want their marketing to feel more human, more intentional, and more effective.

Women Entrepreneurs Session 6: Build Partnerships & Connect with Local Communities
2026-03-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Online, Canada
Ready to grow your business through real community connections?
Join We Thrive BC – Women’s Entrepreneurship Program | Session 6 and discover how strong local partnerships can directly fuel your sales, visibility, and long-term growth.
In this practical and engaging webinar, you’ll learn how to:

Strategic Relationship-Building – Identifying aligned partners and creating mutually beneficial collaborations that support long-term growth
Community Engagement & Visibility – Building trust and presence through authentic participation in local networks, events, and initiatives
Value-Driven Partnerships – Offering clear value in every collaboration, not just seeking support but contributing meaningfully
Sustainable Connection Strategies – Turning relationships into long-term partnerships through consistency, communication, and shared purpose

Strong community ties and smart partnerships don’t just feel good — they drive revenue and sustainable growth. Your next customer may already be in your network.
📅 March 5, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM💻 Online via Zoom | FREE🔗 Register today and start building partnerships that grow your business.
If you already registered, please check your email for the Zoom link.
Facilitator:Samantha Wedlund

Samantha Wedlund is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and CEO of Success 21 Salon in Kelowna, BC, recognized as Best of Kelowna in 2023 and 2024. She is also the founder of Samantha Elevates 21, a mentorship platform that provides entrepreneurs with mindset strategies and execution frameworks to build purpose-driven businesses. As the Professional Development Director for Kelowna Women in Business and a Top 40 Under 40 recipient, Samantha is passionate about leadership, community partnerships, and helping women achieve financial independence.

Women Entrepreneurs Session 7: Practical AI Tools for Entrepreneurs
2026-03-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Online, Canada
Join us for an engaging online workshop designed to help entrepreneurs discover practical ways to use AI in their daily business operations.
In this session, Dan (Danny) Fan will introduce simple and effective AI tools that can help small business owners save time, improve productivity, and work more efficiently. Participants will learn how AI can support tasks such as marketing, research, customer communication, and everyday business management.
This workshop is designed especially for minority and equity-deserving entrepreneurs, including newcomers and racialized small business owners, and no technical background is required.
Through clear explanations and live demonstrations, you will learn:
• What AI can (and cannot) do for your business• How to write effective prompts using a simple framework• Practical AI tools for marketing, research, customer replies, and daily tasks• Real business use cases you can apply right away
📅 Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2026⏰ Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM (Pacific Time | Kelowna)💻 Format: Online via Zoom🎤 Facilitator: Dan (Danny) Fan
What you will get
1. Understanding AI:
What It Is and What It Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Business
A simple introduction to how modern AI works, where it comes from, and how AI assistants generate responses. This section explores practical ways AI can support daily business operations such as research, content creation, and customer communication, while also highlighting its limitations.
2. Designing Prompts That Actually Work
Learn a simple framework for writing clear, tailored prompts that generate useful, business-specific results. Through practical examples, participants will see how better prompts can dramatically improve AI outputs without requiring any technical background.
3. AI Tools in Action: Live Demonstrations and Business Use Cases
Hands-on demonstrations of modern AI tools and features, including AI copilots, real-time voice interaction, and AI-assisted project creation. Participants will see how entrepreneurs can apply these tools for marketing ideas, quick research, and everyday business tasks.
🔗 Register Now
If you already registered, please check your email for the Zoom link.

OCCA 16th Free Tax Filing Seminar – Learn to File Your Taxes with Confidence
2026-03-14 14:00 - 15:00 | landmark 6, Kelowna, BC, Canada
OCCA is pleased to support the 16th Free Tax Filing Seminar, a practical and beginner-friendly session designed to help community members confidently manage their personal tax returns in Canada.
This free seminar introduces participants to free tax-filing software and guides them step by step on how to complete their tax returns independently. In addition, OCCA will provide on-site tax-filing support for low-income individuals and families, ensuring access to free and reliable assistance.
The session is ideal for newcomers, families, students, and anyone looking for a clearer, more stress-free tax-filing experience.
📅 Event Details
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Format: Hybrid – Online (Microsoft Teams) & In-person ( Landmark 6, Kelowna)
Cost: Free (registration required)

📌 What You’ll Learn

How to use easy tax-filing software step by step
Common tax issues and how to avoid mistakes
Live Q&A with experienced tax and financial professionals
On-site tax-filing support for low-income individuals and families (3:00 pm-4:00 pm)

👩‍🏫 Guest Speakers

Zhengjun Liang, CPA® – International Certified Senior Accountant, Manager at RHN CPA, with over 20 years of professional experience
Lingna Cai, CFP® – International Certified Financial Planner, Senior Advisor at IGM, with 15 years of experience in major Canadian banks, demonstrating how to complete a tax return in just 3 minutes

🌐 Language & Accessibility

Seminar delivered in Chinese
AI-powered simultaneous English subtitles provided

🎟 This event is free and open to the public.
📌 In-person seats are limited—early registration is encouraged.
🎁 A limited number of participants will also have the opportunity to receive free one-on-one consultations on a first-come, first-served basis.
👉 Register for the Seminar now:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1288822565989?aff=oddtdtcreator
👉 Register for One-on-One Consultation (On-Site): Register for One-on-One

OCCA 第十六届免费报税讲座｜轻松学会自己报税
OCCA 很高兴支持并举办 第十六届免费报税讲座。本次讲座是一场实用、易懂、适合初学者的社区活动，旨在帮助社区居民更有信心地完成加拿大个人报税。
本次 免费讲座 将向参与者介绍免费的报税软件，并以清晰的步骤讲解如何自行完成报税。同时，OCCA 也将为符合条件的低收入个人及家庭提供现场免费报税支持.
本活动适合新移民、家庭、学生，以及任何希望拥有更清楚、更轻松报税体验的朋友。

📅 活动信息
日期： 2026 年 3 月 14 日（周六）
时间： 下午 2:00 – 3:00
形式： 线上（Microsoft Teams）＋ 线下同步进行（ Landmark 6）
费用： 全程免费（需提前报名）

📌 讲座内容

手把手教学：使用简单易用的报税软件完成个人报税
常见报税问题解析，避免常见错误
税务与理财专家现场答疑
为到场低收入个人及家庭提供现场免费报税支持

🎁 一对一报税支持：点击登记
👩‍🏫 主讲嘉宾

梁正君 CPA®
国际注册高级会计师，RHN CPA 会计师事务所经理，拥有 20 年专业会计与报税经验
蔡凌娜 CFP®
国际注册金融策划师，IGM 高级理财顾问，金融管理双硕士，15 年加拿大五大银行工作经验，现场示范 3 分钟自己搞定报税

🌐 语言与无障碍服务

中文讲解
AI 英文字幕同步翻译，方便不同语言背景的参与者

🎟 活动完全免费，欢迎公众参加
📌 线下名额有限，建议提前报名
🎁 免费一对一咨询或报税协助 （3:00pm-4:00pm）（先到先得）
👉 立即报名讲座：
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1288822565989?aff=oddtdtcreator
👉 现场一对一咨询登记：点击登记

JCF Expansion Workshop Session 10: From Busy to Brilliant, A Practical Guide to Goals That Stick
2026-03-17 05:30 - 19:30 | Okanagan Regional Library 2nd Floor Great Room, 1380 Ellis St., Kelowna, BC, V1Y 2A2, Canada
Do you often feel busy all day but not make real progress toward your goals?
In this practical and interactive workshop, you will learn simple strategies to set clear goals, manage your time more effectively, and stay focused on what truly matters in your career and daily life.
Through guided reflection, real-life examples, and practical tools, you will leave the session with a clear action plan you can start using immediately.

📅 Workshop Details
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Kelowna Downtown Library
📍 1380 Ellis St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A2
Facilitator: Mike Penninga

🎯 What You Will Learn
✔ How to set clear and achievable goals for your career and personal growth
✔ How to manage your time effectively and avoid feeling overwhelmed
✔ How to stay motivated and focused even when facing challenges

🎁 Participant Benefits

Free workshop (no interview required)
$25 Gift Card for participants who attend (limited quantity, first-come, first-served)

👉 Register Now!
Or scan the QR code on the poster to register
