"The best laid schemes o' mice an' men,  Gang aft a-gley" - Robert Burns, 'To a Mouse'

(Translation: the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry).

Back in 2017, the world was quite a different place.  The Canadian economy seemed to be growing, investment in tech businesses was high, housing was much less expensive, and opportunities for small businesses were abundant.

At the time, I was convinced that I could start a business that would provide a much needed service to inventors, fellow entrepreneurs, and SME manufacturers in Canada. From that concept spawned Enable Innovation Product Development inc.

What Enable Innovation is and does is available here: https://www.enableinnovation.ca/
Suffice it to say, the goal of this business is to do exactly what is says on the tin; enable innovation... with a focus on Canadian manufacturing, supporting veteran-owned businesses, and helping Canadian inventors realize their product ideas. 

The cost of starting an engineering company was steep, but I was able to fund it personally with my "lump sum" pension from veterans affairs (received for being wounded in Afghanistan).  

This endeavor could only be bootstrapped, as no investor in the tech sector wanted to invest in a service business which requires personnel to grow.  

The first few years were rough, but the company gained traction and allowed me to hire a team of exceptional engineers from various disciplines.  We worked on many amazing projects, from commercial to defense products, industrial fixtures and tooling, and advanced manufacturing processes. We even managed to have a bit of fun along the way.

Then COVID hit.  
To keep the company afloat, I took advantage of the Canada Emergency Business Account; a loan from the Canadian government to support businesses through the pandemic.  These funds allowed me to keep my engineers employed and able to work from home while the world recovered, and would buy us time to pivot our focus to align with the rapidly changing business landscape.

Surprisingly, we had a really good year in 2021, and it looked as though we would be able to service our debts, pay the bills, and possibly grow as a company...  I was confident that I would even be able to draw a salary by 2022; something I hadn't been able to do since starting the business.

But, even the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

Due to massive market fluctuations, increased cost of living and doing business, as well as some regulatory changes that affected many of our clients, revenue began to shrink.  Our best customers were no longer able to afford to continue with their projects, and some even refused to pay for the work that had been delivered.  This downturn hit the company hard.

Shortly into 2023, revenue had dropped so low that the business could no longer afford employees, insurance, or rent... tough decisions had to be made, and the team was laid off.   Before long, the entire business was moved back into my basement, where it has languished since.

But, the dream that is Enable Innovation has not yet died. It is just in deep debt.  Over the last year, I have worked solo to service the many debts that have built up since downsizing, including CEBA, back payroll taxes, loans, and bills.... and I'm at the end of my rope. 

Just get a job, they say... I have been trying...  Since September of 2023, I have applied for over 300 positions, mostly relating to my engineering technology education, but not solely.  Of those 300 applications, I have sat for 1 interview, and have had no follow-up.  

So, what am I asking for?  As the title says; a bit of help climbing out of the enormous hole I dug for myself in the pursuit of entrepreneurship.  

How deep is this hole?  my primary goal is to repay the loan to the government for $40,000.  The stretch goal would be to pay CRA all of the back taxes I owe for the business, which is another $45,000.
Beyond that, every additional dollar will be used to pay back other loans and bills that are outstanding.

I've never liked asking for handouts, but I'm now in a dire state and could use the help more than ever.