More than 50 business and community leaders came together at Belleville Public Library to mark the launch of Empowering Belleville, a new initiative designed to bring local entrepreneurs together through conversation. It is one element of a broader interest Ishpreet Singh has in giving back to Belleville, where he launched his own entrepreneurial journey and saw the opportunity to bridge how two organizations’ work helps others.
Hosted in partnership with the United Nations Association – Quinte Branch (UNAC-Quinte) and the Belleville Chamber of Commerce, the event introduced an innovative approach to business support: connecting local entrepreneurs with peers and professionals who can share lived experience on common challenges. The panel discussion describing the approach was moderated by Loyalist College President and CEO, Mark Kirkpatrick with Dr. Aruna Alexander, Jill Raycroft and Ishpreet Singh.
“This is about making sure no entrepreneur has to feel like they’re navigating business alone,” said Jill Raycroft, CEO of the Belleville Chamber of Commerce. “When someone can share a lesson they’ve learned firsthand, or point you to the right professional support, it can save months of frustration and open the door to new opportunities.”
The Empowering Belleville initiative is designed to build a living inventory of local expertise and create opportunities for peer-to-peer conversations. By connecting entrepreneurs and professionals – whether well-established or just beginning – through conversations rather than a formal mentorship model, the program aims to create an accessible, supportive network that helps entrepreneurs ask better questions, avoid common pitfalls, and find the right resources at the right time.
The launch drew members from UNAC-Quinte and the Belleville chamber with diverse business experience. Through a panel discussion and group conversations, attendees explored how this conversation-based model can strengthen Belleville’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Councillor Sean Kelly, who also serves as chair of the Economic Development and DEI committees for the City of Belleville, noted it is “inspiring to see this happening in our local business community with the chamber, UNAC Quinte and Trenval.”
Graham Copestake, ED of Trenval Community Futures recognizes that when entrepreneurs are supported, the entire region benefits. The organization sees Empowering Belleville as a powerful step toward building a more connected, resilient, and prosperous community—and looks forward to continuing collaboration with partners at the chamber, UNAC-Quinte and beyond to ensure its success.
Members of UNAC-Quinte and the Belleville chamber will begin with developing the inventory of experience and expertise and look forward to inviting entrepreneurs to get involved in the coming weeks to share their stories and find support.
