Brand Strategy Toronto

SD walk & talk

We’re heading back into the ravine! Our Service Safari continues, and this time we’re mixing a little walking with a little collaborative thinking. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been exploring Toronto’s **Vale of Avoca Ravine** through a service design lens. We’ve walked the trails, gathered observations, shared perspectives, and started connecting the dots. Now we’re heading back outdoors to see what else we can discover together! ### **What’s the plan?** We’ll start with a short walk through the ravine, revisiting some of the places, observations, and questions that have come up along the way. Then we’ll gather around the picnic tables at David A. Balfour Park for a **mapping jam** — using flip charts, sticky notes and markers to bring our observations together, explore different perspectives and see what insights and opportunities emerge. Think of it as part nature walk, part collaborative workshop, and plenty of good conversation! ### **Who can join?** **Everyone is welcome!** You don’t need to have attended the previous Service Safari events or be an experienced service designer. Whether you’re curious about service design, urban nature, public spaces or simply enjoy exploring the city with interesting people, come along! ### **Bring:** Comfortable walking shoes, warm layers, a hot drink if you’d like, and your curiosity! We’ll bring the mapping materials. **A note on weather:** This is an outdoor event, so we’ll keep an eye on the forecast and share any changes if needed. See you on the trails!

Play Gateway Strategy Board Games for Charity

FREE: City of Toronto Small Business Forum 2026

Join Toronto’s small business community for the City of Toronto’s Small Business Forum 2026, hosted by the Toronto Small Business Enterprise Centre. Tuesday, November 17, 2026 8:30 AM–3:30 PM EST St. Lawrence Market North, 92 Front Street East, Toronto This free, full-day, in-person forum offers expert insights, practical learning and networking for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. The program includes keynote speakers, speed mentorship, roundtables, a trade show and a local marketplace. REGISTER WITH THE EVENT ORGANIZER: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-city-of-torontos-small-business-forum-2026-tickets-2002892787243 Spaces are limited. Please register separately through Eventbrite; a Meetup RSVP does not reserve admission. Agenda and updates: https://www.toronto.ca/BusinessForum Shared with our Meetup community as an external learning and networking opportunity. The City of Toronto is the event organizer.

Legal Oversight and Business Registration

At some point the business has to become real on paper. This session will address the decisions that arise when choosing to operate as a sole proprietorship, a partnership or a corporation, as well as registering your business name in Ontario, understanding your obligations around HST, record-keeping and taxes. We'll also cover the protections new owners most often skip such as basic contracts, insurance, and how to protect your business name and brand. You'll leave knowing exactly which steps apply to you and roughly what each one costs. This session is general information, not legal or tax advice. The program includes a short networking component, providing participants with an opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs. Presented by Ryan Knight, TPL's 2026 [Entrepreneur in Residence](https://tpl.ca/programs-and-classes/featured/entrepreneur-in-residence/) (EIR) at Toronto Reference Library. **Registration via TPL website:** [Legal Oversight and Business Registration | Toronto Public Library | BiblioCommons](https://tpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events/6a99bb80b88596143287d9a3) **Drop-ins welcome until room capacity is reached.** Accessibility Live or automated closed captioning, sign language interpretation, intervenor services, or attendant services are available upon request. Please submit your request at least 2 weeks in advance to: [tpl.ca/accessibility-events](https://tpl.ca/accessibility/accessibility-supports/programs-and-events/?_gl=1*v83hy7*_ga*NDk5MDg2NTE1LjE3NjYwMDgxODQ.*_ga_G99DMMNG39*czE3NjkxMDY3NDMkbzE0JGcxJHQxNzY5MTA2ODM0JGozOCRsMCRoMA..).

🔥Toronto Founder Walk | Marketers, Entrepreneurs & Business Owners

A lot of people in this group work with entrepreneurs every day — or are entrepreneurs themselves. Agency owners, marketers, consultants, freelancers, creators, startup founders and business owners often end up at the same conferences and seminars... …but don't necessarily get much time to actually know one another. So instead of another marketing presentation, we're trying something simpler: \# 🚶 Toronto Founder Walk A casual Sunday walk along Toronto's Harbourfront where entrepreneurs, marketers and business owners can meet through natural conversation. No slides. No speakers. No sales presentation. No forced networking exercises. Just: **Walk. Talk. Meet someone interesting.** \#\#\# The idea I've been involved with entrepreneur and community events in Toronto since 2016, and this new series grew out of the **18,000-member Toronto Entrepreneurs & Start-ups Facebook community**. One thing I've noticed over the years is that the best connections rarely come from exchanging as many business cards as possible. They usually happen when you spend enough time talking to someone to discover: \> “Oh\, this person actually thinks about things in an interesting way\.” That's what we're trying to create. **🚩Important: Meetup RSVP ≠ confirmed spot** **Keep your Meetup RSVP as Going so the event stays visible here. You will get link to a short application after you RSVP.** 📍Meetup Location: Simcoe Wavedeck sign **📅Sunday schedule** **🕛2:45 PM — Arrive / check in** **🕛3:00 PM — Introductions** Tell us who you are, what you're working on and one interesting way you're using—or want to use—AI. **🕛3:15 PM — Walk begins** We'll rotate conversations and introduce a few AI discussion prompts along the route. **🕛Around 4:15 PM — Official finish** Many stay afterwards to network. Some people may grab food or a drink afterward. **🏃Running late?** Don't give up on coming. Approved guests can join our Sunday Walk WhatsApp group. Once we're moving, we'll share our live location so late arrivals can catch up. We'll help make introductions at the start, but this is intentionally informal. Possible conversations might include: * What's actually working in marketing right now? * Growing an agency or service business * AI and automation * Customer acquisition * Entrepreneurship * Building a personal brand * Sales * Hiring * What you're currently working on * Or something completely unrelated to work You don't have to talk marketing for 75 minutes. The activity is simply there to make meeting people easier. \#\#\# Who this is for Especially relevant for: * Entrepreneurs * Agency owners * Digital marketers * Consultants * Freelancers * Creators * Startup founders * Business owners * Growth and marketing professionals You don't need to sell marketing services. You just need to be genuinely interested in meeting other people who build, market or operate businesses. \#\#\# What this is NOT This is not: * A lead-generation mixer * A seminar * A pitching session * A place to aggressively collect prospects If your main objective is to distribute business cards to everyone, this probably isn't the right event. If you'd enjoy meeting a few thoughtful people and seeing where the conversation goes, it probably is. \#\#\# ☕ Optional afterward We'll finish the formal walk around 6:15 PM. Anyone who wants can continue for coffee, food or a drink nearby. \#\#\# 🎟 How to reserve your spot **Meetup RSVP does not confirm attendance.** Please register through Luma: 👉 [https://superr.ca/mmevents](https://superr.ca/mmevents) We keep the walks relatively small, so please release your spot if your plans change. \#\#\# 📱 Future events For first notice of upcoming casual entrepreneur events, join **TES Social on WhatsApp**: 👉 **[https://biz1.ca/wa](https://biz1.ca/wa)** Upcoming formats may include: * Founder walks * Small dinners * Breakfasts * Marketing/AI discussions * Sports * Wellness * Social activities \#\#\# 🙌 Want to host or contribute? We're looking for people interested in: * Hosting * Co-hosting * Photography * Video * Reels * Venue partnerships * Activities * Event support 👉 **[https://superr.ca/host](https://biz1.ca/host)** Come curious. Leave the pitch at home. Hopefully meet someone worth seeing again. #DigitalMarketingToronto #TorontoEntrepreneurs #FounderWalk #MarketingCommunity #TESSocial ***📸Photo, Video & Audio Notice:*** *By registering for or attending this event, you acknowledge that photos, video and audio recordings may be captured during the event. You consent to Superr / TES Social using your image, likeness, voice and comments in event recaps, social media, promotional materials and other community content. If you prefer not to be photographed, filmed or recorded, please let the host know before the event and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.*

Sunday Board Gaming (Corner Cafe)

Practical Philosophy Social!

Get to know your fellow hikers more intimately with a night of Practical Philosophy. In partnership with the Practical Philosophy Meetup I thought it would be a fun a social ! **How does it work?** We select a topic like monogomy vs pologomy and in groups of 6-8 with a moderator (so conservations are respectful) ten questions are asked and everyone has a chance to give their take on the subject. Get to know your fellow hikers on a deeper level! You may be surprised! **Opposing views are of course welcome!** Location to be determined!

Toronto’s Largest Ecommerce Networking Mixer – Entrepreneurs Social ✨

***Tickets must be purchased in advance through Luma:*** https://luma.com/ecomTO2611?utm_source=meetup ***Please note: A Meetup RSVP does not count as a ticket.*** ***Limited discounted tickets available.*** \-\-\- ​Surround yourself with top ecommerce founders and operators at one of the city’s trendiest venues. 🚀 Hosted by the Ecom Network, this high-energy night brings together people actively building and scaling real businesses. ​Enjoy meaningful conversations on growth strategies and AI-powered workflows, alongside great drinks 🍸, curated music 🎶, and a room full of ambitious people looking to grow faster and smarter. 💡🤝 ​ [Follow us on Instagram @Ecomnetworking](https://instagram.com/ecomnetworking) \-\-\- **​​Who is this event for?** This event is suitable for all online sellers - whether you run a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brand on Shopify, sell on Amazon (FBA), Etsy, eBay, Walmart, or manage a store on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.​ — **Event Highlights** **✨ Network in a Vibrant Setting** We’ve secured a dedicated section at at the venue just for our group. Enjoy meaningful conversations and great vibes while connecting with fellow entrepreneurs. We kindly ask that you support the venue by purchasing at least one drink or food item. **Share Your Story** Building a brand, product, or project? Looking for partners, feedback, or fresh ideas? This is your chance to introduce yourself and spark valuable connections in the ecommerce community. **Learn and Grow** Exchange insights on scaling, marketing, operations, and sales with fellow ecommerce founders. Many past attendees have walked away with partnerships, new clients, and fresh ideas - one conversation could be the start of something big. — **Dress code: Smart/Business casual** — Have questions or suggestions? ​Feel free to reach out to the organizers! ​We can’t wait to see you (again)! — *Notice of Photography* *​During the event, photos and videos may be taken for promotional purposes. By attending, you consent to being photographed and/or filmed. If you prefer not to appear in any media, please let one of the event organizers know.*

Toronto Founders and Entrepreneurs Networking at 5 Elements Espresso Bar

Join the Toronto Founders Hub every other Saturday at 3:30pm for our regular meetup at 5 Elements Espresso Bar. Sit down with other entrepreneurs to network and discuss business ideas or strategies. \- Broaden your network \- Get critical feedback \- Socialize in low pressure setting I look forward to seeing you!

⭐Toronto AI Social Walk | Founders Builders & Business Owners

**🔥Everyone is talking about AI. Let's talk about what we're actually doing with it.** At our last Founder Walk, something unexpected happened. The conversation kept coming back to AI. One person was exploring AI agents for businesses. Someone else was thinking about automating workflows for small and medium-sized companies. We talked about using AI to evaluate employee onboarding, browser agents that can operate websites for you, AI-generated music, investing, software development and where actual business opportunities might be emerging. Nobody planned an AI discussion. It just happened. **🚩Important: Meetup RSVP ≠ confirmed spot** **Keep your Meetup RSVP as Going so the event stays visible here. You will get link to a short application after you RSVP.** So this Sunday we're leaning into it. **⭐Toronto AI Walk⭐** A small group of founders, builders, professionals and curious people walking Toronto's waterfront and talking about: **What are you actually using AI for?** **What have you built?** **Which tools are genuinely useful?** **Where is AI still overhyped?** **What business opportunities are appearing?** **What workflows should already be automated?** **What will become possible if today's AI gets 10× better?** This is **not a presentation or AI conference.** There are no speakers. No panels. No sitting through someone's 45-minute pitch. And you don't have to be an AI expert. We're deliberately keeping the group small enough that everyone can participate. **Some of the conversations from our last walk** 1. One attendee was exploring creating custom AI workflow systems for small businesses. 2. Another wanted to better understand how AI could solve problems outside the traditional technology industry. We discussed using AI to evaluate sales training and employee onboarding, AI browser agents, automation, music, investing and entirely new businesses. This week we'll use a few prompts to take those conversations further. 📍Meetup Location: Simcoe Wavedeck sign **📅Sunday schedule** **🕛2:45 PM — Arrive / check in** **🕛3:00 PM — Introductions** Tell us who you are, what you're working on and one interesting way you're using—or want to use—AI. **🕛3:15 PM — Walk begins** We'll rotate conversations and introduce a few AI discussion prompts along the route. **🕛Around 4:15 PM — Official finish** Many stay afterwards to network. Some people may grab food or a drink afterward. **🏃Running late?** Don't give up on coming. Approved guests can join our Sunday Walk WhatsApp group. Once we're moving, we'll share our live location so late arrivals can catch up. **❓Who should come?** You might be: * building with AI; * using AI inside an existing business; * working in technology; * exploring an AI startup; * trying to automate your work; * curious about where the opportunities are; * simply interested in learning from people experimenting with it. You do **not** need to be an AI expert. Come curious. Bring one thing you've learned and one thing you're trying to figure out. **No hard selling.** **💌RSVP: [https://superr.ca/msevent](https://superr.ca/msevent)** We're also using the Superr Social WhatsApp Community to announce upcoming walks, dinners, sports, activities and other casual gatherings first: 👉[https://superr.ca/mwa](https://superr.ca/mwa) #TorontoEntrepreneurs #TorontoFounders #FounderWalk #EntrepreneurCommunity #TESSocial ***📸Photo, Video & Audio Notice:*** *By registering for or attending this event, you acknowledge that photos, video and audio recordings may be captured during the event. You consent to Superr / TES Social using your image, likeness, voice and comments in event recaps, social media, promotional materials and other community content. If you prefer not to be photographed, filmed or recorded, please let the host know before the event and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.*

More Than Mere Reliance: An Account of Corporate Trust & Distrust

Philosophers have studied interpersonal trust in depth but have said much less about trust in groups. Corporations, as a subset of groups, have received even less attention as objects of trust. Any account of corporate trust must first reckon with Katherine Hawley’s (2017) sceptical challenge. Hawley argues that the distinction between **morally rich trust** and mere **reliance**, though central to accounts of interpersonal trust, can be abandoned for groups at little theoretical cost. Against Hawley, I argue that abandoning the trust–reliance distinction in corporate contexts is theoretically costly. Hawley suggests that resentment towards a group can be redirected either to its members or to broader unjust social structures. But such redirection overlooks how corporations make, maintain, and break commitments through their own organizational structures. I then ask what follows from a minimalist stance on rational corporate agency, where corporations can make commitments in their own name and be answerable for keeping or breaking commitments. Given this stance, our relations with corporations would extend into moral territory beyond mere reliance. On the account of corporate trust I propose, morally significant trust is not uniquely interpersonal, but includes trust grounded in corporate commitments as a distinct form. Further, when a corporation cultivates our reliance, makes exit costly, and opportunistically breaks its commitments, betrayal and distrust (rather than mere non-reliance) are *fitting*. I end by drawing out some of the theoretical and pragmatic benefits of my account for future work on corporate trust and distrust. Sareh Pouryousefi https://www.torontomu.ca/tedrogersschool/business-management/majors/law-and-business/faculty/sareh-pouryousefi/ Associate Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University Visiting Professor, University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics **About the Speaker:** Dr. Pouryousefi's research focuses on the normative foundations of business ethics and her current work is on trust and trustworthiness. Her articles have appeared in such journals as *Business Ethics Quarterly*, *Journal of Business Ethics, Philosophical Studies*, *Utilitas*, and *Inquiry*. She was the recipient of TRSM Research Recognition Awards in 2022 and 2025. Dr. Pouryousefi serves on the Editorial Review Board of *Business Ethics Quarterly* and is a co-editor of its Special Issue on Normativity in Business Ethics and Beyond. Dr. Pouryousefi has taught courses in business ethics, critical thinking, healthcare ethics, public administration ethics, organizational behaviour, and corporate social responsibility. Her teaching was recognized with school- and university-level awards at the University of Toronto and the University of Nottingham. **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** This is a talk with audience Q&A presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics that is free to attend and open to the public. Free pizza and refreshments will be provided at the event. The talk will also be streamed online with live chat here [to be posted]. About the Centre for Ethics (http://ethics.utoronto.ca): The Centre for Ethics is an interdisciplinary centre aimed at advancing research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. The Centre seeks to bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse scholars, students, public servants and social leaders in order to increase understanding of the ethical dimensions of individual, social, and political life. In pursuit of its interdisciplinary mission, the Centre fosters lines of inquiry such as (1) foundations of ethics, which encompasses the history of ethics and core concepts in the philosophical study of ethics; (2) ethics in action, which relates theory to practice in key domains of social life, including bioethics, business ethics, and ethics in the public sphere; and (3) ethics in translation, which draws upon the rich multiculturalism of the City of Toronto and addresses the ethics of multicultural societies, ethical discourse across religious and cultural boundaries, and the ethics of international society. The Ethics of A.I. Lab at the Centre For Ethics recently appeared on a list of 10 organizations leading the way in ethical A.I.: https://ocean.sagepub.com/blog/10-organizations-leading-the-way-in-ethical-ai

Practical Philosophy Meetup - Toronto 🇨🇦

**NO PHILOSOPHY EXPERTISE REQUIRED!** **🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B7LyJIeBlaH5VtXkMJTTph?mode=gi_t), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:30-19:45 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the official start. * 19:45-19:55 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:55-21:15 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 21:15-21:30 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:30 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy is operated entirely on voluntary donations! If we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Donations are 100% voluntary, but they help us to bring the gift of deep conversation to people around the world. If you'd like to support, you can [donate here](https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-practical-philosophy)! (Practical Philosophy is a registered Canadian charity) **💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** **🗣** “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * **Do I need to study or read anything to attend?** No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what you think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it. * **Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on?** The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * **Is it mostly men that attend?** Surprisingly, no! Although often, philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * **Can I come alone?** Of course you can, we encourage it :) * **Can I be late?** Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * **Where do you meet?** The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B7LyJIeBlaH5VtXkMJTTph?mode=gi_t) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). 🤝**POLICY** To respect our members privacy, we ask that no one privately message a member without first getting explicit consent. (This looks like speaking in person and being asked to message privately.) Contacting or texting other participants without prior consent is not permitted and may result in removal from the group. Practical Philosophy reserves the right to enforce this policy at its discretion to maintain a safe and respectful environment. **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY CLUB - Philosophy, everywhere. ✨** We started in Practical Philosophy back in 2021 and there are now 50+ chapters in over 25 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ **\*\*\*** **Join our [Toronto Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B7LyJIeBlaH5VtXkMJTTph?mode=gi_t) 👈** **Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈** **Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈**