Workshops, Speaking & Educational Events
Helping Canadian business owners get organized, prepare for the unexpected, and protect the businesses they've worked so hard to build.
Whether you're looking for practical business preparedness education for yourself, your team, or your organization, these workshops provide clear, actionable guidance that helps business owners prepare before life takes an unexpected turn.
Business preparedness isn't just about planning for the unexpected.
It's about creating clarity, reducing uncertainty, and making it easier for your family, employees, business partners, and clients if you're ever unable to run your business.
Every workshop is designed to provide practical education—not fear—and leaves participants with simple actions they can take immediately.
Are You Prepared? A Three-Part Virtual Workshop Series
Three free educational workshops to help you prepare for life's unexpected changes, understand executor responsibilities, and protect what matters most.
Most of us know we should have a will. We know that someone may eventually need to manage our affairs. And if we own a business, we probably recognize the importance of having a plan for when we can't be there.
But knowing something is important and understanding what to do about it are two very different things.
What happens if you become seriously ill or are suddenly unable to make decisions? What information would your family need? What if you've been named as someone's executor or power of attorney? And if you own a business, what happens to your customers, obligations, and operations if you're no longer available?
Are You Prepared? is a free, three-part virtual workshop series designed to make these important conversations easier to understand and act upon.
Hosted by Jodi Laking, founder of Your Business Executor, each session provides practical education, relatable examples, and helpful resources to guide you through the responsibilities and decisions that come with personal and business preparedness.
No complicated legal language. No assumptions about what you already know. Just practical information to help you understand where to begin.
Series Details
Cost: FREE
Format: Live, virtual workshops
Duration: 60–75 minutes per session, with the executor session running 75 minutes
Who can attend: Adults, families, individuals named as executors or powers of attorney, entrepreneurs, and self-employed professionals
Location: Online — join from anywhere in Ontario
Registration: Attend all three workshops or choose the sessions most relevant to you
Experience required: None
Each workshop includes an opportunity to ask general questions and a downloadable resource to help you put what you've learned into practice.
Why Attend?
You don't need to have everything figured out before joining.
These workshops are designed to help you better understand the questions you should be asking, the responsibilities involved, and the information that may be missing.
Preparedness isn't about anticipating everything that could go wrong. It's about giving yourself and the people around you a better place to start when something changes.
Join us for one workshop or all three.
All sessions are free, educational, and open to adults who want to better understand personal and business preparedness.
Educational disclaimer: These workshops provide general information relevant to Ontario and do not replace individualized legal, tax, accounting, financial, or other professional advice. No wills or powers of attorney will be prepared during these sessions.
Workshop 1 | Beyond the Will: Preparing Your Personal Affairs for the Unexpected
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026 @ 7pm EST
60–75 minutes | FREE | Live Virtual Workshop
Having a will is important. But does your family know where to find it? Would someone know which accounts you have, who to contact, or what needs to happen if you become seriously ill?
A will is just one part of being prepared.
In this workshop, we'll explore the practical steps individuals can take to organize their personal affairs and make things easier for the people who may need to help them.
What we'll cover:
The purpose of a will and what happens when someone dies without one in Ontario
The difference between wills and powers of attorney
Understanding the roles of executors (estate trustees) and other designated decision-makers
Identifying important personal, financial, and legal documents
Organizing digital accounts, subscriptions, and essential contact information
Communicating important information and instructions to loved ones
Creating a practical personal preparedness checklist
You'll leave with: A clearer understanding of what personal preparedness involves, a checklist of information to organize, and practical steps you can take to begin preparing.
Who should attend? Any adult who wants to be better prepared, regardless of age, income, family structure, or whether they currently have a will.
Workshop 2 | You've Been Named an Executor. Now What?
Understanding Estate Trustees, Business Responsibilities, and Powers of Attorney
Tuesday, November 24th, 2026 @ 7pm EST
75 minutes | FREE | Live Virtual Workshop
Being named as someone's executor or power of attorney is a significant responsibility. But what exactly are you agreeing to do?
Many people accept these roles because they want to help someone they care about, without fully understanding the legal, financial, administrative, and practical responsibilities involved.
And what happens when the person you're responsible for also owns a business?
In this workshop, we'll explore the differences between personal estate administration, business-related responsibilities, and acting under a power of attorney.
What we'll cover:
Understanding the role of a personal executor, legally known as an estate trustee in Ontario
Common responsibilities involved in administering an estate
What can happen when a deceased person owns a business
Understanding business executor support and who may have legal authority over business decisions
The differences between powers of attorney for property and personal care
Understanding when each role begins and ends
Questions to ask before accepting responsibility
Identifying important records, information, and professional support
You'll leave with: A clearer understanding of the responsibilities associated with these roles, their limitations, and a practical checklist of questions to ask before agreeing to act on someone else's behalf.
Who should attend? Individuals already named as executors or powers of attorney, those considering accepting these responsibilities, family members, business owners, and anyone who wants to better understand estate administration.
Workshop 3 | What Happens to Your Business If Something Happens to You?
Understanding Business Preparedness and Continuity Planning
Tuesday, December 15th @ 7pm EST
60–75 minutes | FREE | Live Virtual Workshop
You know how your business works. You know your customers, manage the finances, maintain important relationships, and make the everyday decisions.
But how much of that information exists only in your head?
If an illness, accident, hospitalization, or death suddenly prevented you from running your business, would someone know what to do?
In this workshop, we'll explore why business preparedness matters, what information is important, and how owners can begin creating practical plans to protect their business and the people who depend on it.
What we'll cover:
Understanding business preparedness and continuity planning
How temporary absence, incapacity, and death create different challenges
Why a personal will may not address all business operational needs
Identifying essential business records, accounts, contacts, and obligations
Planning for customer communication, employee responsibilities, and ongoing commitments
Understanding who may have authority to act on behalf of the business
Identifying critical gaps in your current preparedness
Getting started with a basic business preparedness plan
You'll leave with: A practical business preparedness starter checklist, a better understanding of potential operational risks, and actionable steps to begin preparing your business for an unexpected change.
Who should attend? Entrepreneurs, freelancers, sole proprietors, incorporated business owners, self-employed professionals, and family members who may become responsible for managing business affairs.
Signature Workshops & Presentations
Protecting the Business You've Worked So Hard to Build
Most business owners have insurance, a will, and maybe even a succession plan—but very few have prepared for what actually happens if they suddenly can't run their business.
The Business Plan Every Business Owner Is Missing
Business planning helps you grow. Business preparedness helps protect everything you've built.
The First 72 Hours
What families, business partners, and employees need to know when a business owner suddenly dies or becomes incapacitated.
Business Preparedness Made Simple
An introduction to The Business Executor Method™ and practical steps every entrepreneur can begin today.
Building a Business That Can Continue Without You
Practical strategies for reducing risk and increasing resilience.
Workshops for Organizations
Looking for a Speaker?
Jodi regularly presents for:
Chambers of Commerce
Small Business Centres
Professional Associations
Women's Business Organizations
Networking Groups
Financial Professionals
Insurance Professionals
Legal Professionals
Healthcare Organizations
Conferences and Summits
Presentations can be customized for your audience and delivered in person or virtually.
Previous Workshops & Topics
Business Preparedness Foundations™
The Business Plan Every Business Owner Needs
What Happens to Your Business If Something Happens to You?
Wills for Entrepreneurs
Business Preparedness for Healthcare Professionals
The First 72 Hours
Protecting Your Business Legacy
Why Every Entrepreneur Needs a Will — And Why Your Business Changes Everything
Many entrepreneurs create business plans, marketing strategies, and financial goals — but very few create a clear plan for what happens to their business if something unexpected happens to them.
If you are a business owner, your will must address more than personal assets. It must also consider your business, clients, employees, and operational responsibilities.
This educational workshop will help entrepreneurs understand the role wills play in protecting both their personal estate and their business.
In this workshop, we will discuss:
what happens to your business if you pass away without a will
how business assets are treated in an estate
the role of an executor when a business owner dies
why legal documents alone may not be enough
the importance of business contingency planning
You will also learn how to begin organizing your business information so your family, advisors, and executor are not left trying to figure out how your business operates during a difficult time.
Who Should Attend
This workshop is ideal for business owners who want to ensure their family and advisors are prepared if something unexpected happens.
No legal or financial background is required.
What Happens to Your Business If You Suddenly Can’t Run It?
The Hidden Risk Most Business Owners Ignore
Many businesses rely heavily on the owner’s knowledge, relationships, and daily involvement.
But what would happen if you suddenly became unable to run your business due to illness, accident, or another unexpected life event?
Who would communicate with clients?
Who would access business systems?
Who would manage urgent responsibilities?
This workshop introduces entrepreneurs to the concept of business contingency planning and the steps business owners can take to protect their business, clients, and families.
In this workshop, we will discuss:
the real risks small business owners face
what often happens when a business owner becomes unavailable
the first 72 hours after a crisis
the five areas every business owner should prepare
how to begin organizing your business contingency plan
This workshop is designed for:
entrepreneurs
sole proprietors
small business owners
consultants and service providers
What Happens to Your Private Practice If You Suddenly Can’t Work?
The Hidden Risk in Every Solo Healthcare Practice
Healthcare professionals carry significant responsibility for their clients or patients.
But many solo practitioners and private practice owners have never been taught what steps should be taken if they suddenly become unable to work due to illness, accident, or unexpected life events.
This workshop explores the operational and ethical responsibilities involved in protecting clients and maintaining continuity of care.
In this workshop, we will discuss:
what happens when a practitioner becomes unexpectedly unavailable
responsibilities related to client or patient records
communication with clients during a disruption
regulatory and ethical considerations
contingency planning for private practices
Who Should Attend
Psychotherapists
Psychologists
Social workers
Healthcare professionals in private practice
Don't Miss Future Workshops
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Business owners, entrepreneurs, sole proprietors, incorporated businesses, professionals, and organizations looking to better understand business preparedness and business continuity.
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Yes!
Workshops and keynote presentations can be customized for conferences, professional associations, chambers of commerce, networking organizations, healthcare groups, financial professionals, legal professionals, and corporate audiences.
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Yes. Presentations are available both in person and online across Canada.