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T H U R S D A Y, J U LY 9 , 2 0 1 5
CAPITAL IDEAS UPCOMING J U LY 1 4 : MARKETING SUMMER SCHOOL: GET READY! CREATING YOUR MARKETING MACHINE Join marketing specialist Cidnee Stephen as she takes you through some fresh marketing ideas to take your business to the next level. ■ Where: The Commons Calgary (1900 11st S.E. Unit 150) ■ When: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ■ Admission: $69. Details at awebusiness.com
FINANCIAL POST
CA LG A RY H E R A L D
C A P I TA L Q U E S T I O N
WHAT’S THE BEST THING YOU’VE LEARNED THROUGH CAPITAL IDEAS? Members share their best lessons and ideas from a year of learning and contributing. “Capital Ideas has opened my eyes to the sheer number of smart, motivated entrepreneurs in this city. From food and beverage, to personal care, to technology, healthcare and education there are really exciting things happening all around us and it’s great to see them.”
Jill Dewes, Managing Director of Uppercut, madebyuppercut.com
“Marketing in today’s environment. In reading the weekly Capital Ideas pages, as well as attending a few of the monthly events, I’ve learned about the interconnection of the various web media and how I can utilize them to get my message out and realize effective inbound traffic.”
J U LY 3 0 : DOING GOOD IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD A monthly panel discussion hosted by Capital Ideas ■ Where: Glenbow Conoco Phillips Theatre (130 9 Ave. S.E.) ■ When: 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. ■ Admission: Free. Tickets at capitalideasyyc7. eventbrite.com
Bob Hogarth, principal of Propose To Win Consulting, proposetowin.com
“It’s hard to boil it down to one thing, but I learned that Calgary has a really pervasive entrepreneurial spirit, and tapping into it helps teach you lessons to improve on your own business and strategy. Small business owners need a network of like-minded individuals to bounce ideas off and get advice. Capital Ideas has brought us great stories from entrepreneurs on how they got in business, how they run their business, and especially how they stay in business through all their ups and downs.”
For more great events, visit capitalideascalgary.com/ calgaryevents.
Merri Lemmex, owner of Lemmex Williams Training Inc., lemmexwilliams.com
“The power of influence in staying connected and networking with an awesome community and the strength that comes from keeping up to date with my industry’s advancements. I love learning from the insights of likeminded people in different industries.”
COMMUNITY QUESTION
Sara Dasko, CEO at Free Mind, freemindls.com
How do you maintain sustainable growth in your business?
“As entrepreneurs, we face many business challenges and we are always looking for solutions. Business support and creative ideas are available through Capital Ideas which makes it a great new resource for us!”
Carmen Goss, HR consultant and career coach at Carmen Goss, linkedin.com/carmengoss
“It was less of a learning, more of a reaffirmation. I am completely encouraged by the amount of amazing Calgarians that are putting themselves out there to make our city a better place.”
Jim Button, partner at Evans Hunt and co-owner of Village Brewery, villagebrewery.com
“Have a passion and perseverance for your business.” David Birkby, president of Vector Energy, vectorenergy.ca
Some entrepreneurs will find themselves scrambling to keep up with demand of a hot new product or business, while others are focused on steadily growing, which is why Jeffrey Cockram, founder at Horace & Jasper Streetwear and STONE Clothing & Curiosities (stoneyyc. com) is curious to hear from you: “How do you maintain sustainable growth in your business?” You can answer the question in two ways: Open today’s Capital Ideas email if you’re a member or visit capitalideascalgary.com. We’ll publish the best answers, along with your business name and website address, on July 16.
“I’ve learned that as an entrepreneur, I’m not in it alone. There are others out there grinding every day just to keep their business afloat. With the current times we really need to help each other and a part of that is putting an emphasis on local.”
Shawn Freeman, president of TWT Group Inc., twtgroup.ca
Ave Peetri, owner of Confident Marketing Coach (confidentmarketing. com) has learned a lot about Calgary through Capital Ideas. “The vibrancy and diversity of the entrepreneurial scene in Calgary is just amazing. There are so many great businesses and people here and Capital Ideas is really great at highlighting the best.” PHOTO SUPPLIED BY: AVE PEETRI
“To be able to share, listen and help each other. Allow others to enhance their quality of life and achieve their goals. This results in everyone being better for themselves, their family, their business and the community.”
Dean Kendall, founder of Ideal Life Experience Ltd., linkedin.com/IdealLifeExperience
“Copy success! We tend to focus on what went wrong and how do we fix it. Instead switch your attention to what went right and how do you duplicate it. Look for areas of success and clone them.”
“By comparing answers with the others listed, we can tailor our marketing and production efforts. Our clients now communicate more frequently, because they feel, their responses are validated.” Ralph Meyer, president of RMMT Enterprises, rmmt.ca
“Quite simply, the value of connecting with like-minded entrepreneurs. It can be pretty lonely out here, and sometimes you can become so wrapped up in your own business you forget that you are not alone and that there are many others out there in our community facing the same challenges and problems as you. Hearing from fellow entrepreneurs in the weekly question and answer has been reassuring, inspiring and motivational, a weekly dose of entrepreneurial medicine.” Sam Tattersall, Integrative Health Coach at Mamaita’s Journey, mamaitasjourney.com
“Instead of thinking, talking and procrastination just get in the arena and play already!”
Kris Hans, strategist at Market Grade, marketgrade.com
Shauna Sinclair, president of Wild Things Baby Stuff Inc., wildthingsbaby.com
“Joining Capital Ideas has lead me to think in new ways and I feel inspired by each publication and event. Entrepreneurs are a powerful, dynamic group and being more involved in the community teaches me to grow in all areas and challenges me to do more.”
“I have learned that I am not alone! There are many others going through the same kind of challenges and seeking the same type of support. It has kept me motivated to stay the course. Thank you for what you do to lift up small business owners.”
Megan Armstrong, owner and director of Dogma Training & Pet Services Inc., dogmatraining.com
Kelly Hipkin, owner of Organized Lives Ltd., organizedlives.ca
Business owners helping business owners
These answers are in response to a question posed by Wellington
JOIN US!
Holbrook, executive vice-president of ATB Business. Here’s his take:
✔ Get expert advice on
For me, the best thing I have learned thanks to the great ideas that
your biggest challenges
✔ Share insights with entrepreneurs like you
✔ Appear in the Calgary Herald
get shared through Capital Ideas is that Alberta continues to lead the way with innovative and thoughtful entrepreneurs that are going to change the world. I am inspired by the entrepreneurs who
S I G N U P AT :
take the time to share their ideas and show their entrepreneurial
capitalideascalgary.com
spirit. Join our LinkedIn group: Capital Ideas Alberta • Follow us on Twitter: @capitalideasyyc