FINANCIAL POST
T H U R S D A Y, J U LY 2 3 , 2 0 1 5
C A P I TA L Q U E S T I O N
HOW DOES YOUR BUSINESS GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY? Business owners are connecting to their communities in many ways. “Everyone has a story but not everyone has the chance to share his or her stories. This is especially true of people living on the streets or dealing with addictions. As the owner of a writing business, I’ve been giving back to the community by teaching memoir writing workshops at homeless shelters and detox centres. I’ve been volunteering through a Calgary organization called This is My City (TMC) for a few years. TMC brings art and people together no matter what their social status. In my workshop, ‘Write YOUR Story’, participants learn to tell their tales in their own words. They can write happy stories or sad stories or scary stories or inspirational stories. Positive or negative, these anecdotes give a voice to people whose words might never be heard.” Lea Storry, owner of Family Lines, ourfamilylines.ca
“I’ve had the pleasure to volunteer as a business mentor for aspiring entrepreneurs through the Canadian Youth Business Foundation. It’s rewarding to encourage, motivate and share personal experiences to help prepare future entrepreneurs to achieve their own success. As well, we’re very proud to help support Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids. For every barter transaction between business members that goes through our community, we donate one dollar. That dollar equals a healthy lunch for a hungry child. When you pay it forward, it truly becomes a priceless experience.” Sam Tattersall, integrative health coach at Mamaitas Journey (mamaitasjourney.com) gives back by offering free support to those in need. “My coaching business originally evolved due to my passion to empower women in our community and in recognition of the centuries old healing power that a group of women coming together to support and inspire one another holds, I began a women’s group called ‘Bats in the Belfry’. We meet on a regular basis and empower and give back to one another. The meetings are no cost to attend and open to all.” PHO TO SUPPL IED BY : SA M TAT T E R S A L L
“I think that giving back to the community shouldn’t be an action that is aside from the everyday business but it should be part of our mindset when we operate our business. In my business, the best way to give back to the community is to design a good product that enhances what already exists. When a product has a better quality, is more accessible, lasts longer and has a good customer service that is the right way to satisfy the community making people’s life easier.” Davide Veronesi, founder of Matterealize, matterealize.com
“We give back to the community by offering use of our employment and volunteer site, at no cost, for goodwill organizations looking to post opportunities and hire great people. As social change agents, we need to work together to better understand the needs of people, and then set the process in place to create a solution. The biggest mistake we can make as leaders, is to think we fully know the needs we are trying to solve. Engage with your community, listen to those in need and learn from their experience.” Steve Mix, CEO and CoFounder of WeEmploy™ Inc., WeEmploy.com
Nelson Liem, founder and president of eXmerce Barter Inc., exmerce.com
“We strive at being a business that’s part of our community and not just in it. We volunteer by travelling to various First Nations Communities with the Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force, offer free grooming, daycare and boarding to AARCS foster dogs, offer free grooming to service dogs, free pick up and delivery to seniors and clients with mobility issues, donate funds raised from trial daycare days to four partner charities and will soon be offering a fully paid grooming scholarship to select First Nations girls to give them the head start they deserve.” Annie Cole, owner of Muttley Crue Organics, muttleycrue.ca
“Although we are a small business, just starting out, we have already established a community giving program. We tie our giving into the annual Pi Day celebrations on March 14, when we host a party as both a client appreciation and networking event. This year, we chose to partner with Light Up The World. We invited them to speak at our event and demonstrate their LED low wattage lights. We held a raffle for some great prizes with all of the proceeds going to LUTW. We plan to continue our Pi Day event and will partner with a variety of great charitable organizations annually.”
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CAPITAL IDEAS UPCOMING EVENTS J U LY 2 9 : STA R T U P D R I N KS Startup founders, funders and enthusiasts come together to exchange ideas, share knowledge, discuss challenges and learn from one another ■ Where: Beer Revolution (1080 8th St. S.W.) ■ When: 6:00 p.m. ■ Admission: Free. More info at meetup.com/StartupCalgary AUGUST 11: MARKETING SUMMER SCHOOL: GET ROLLING! FLICKING ON YOUR PROMOTIONAL SWITCH Marketing specialist Cidnee Stephen takes you through a series of four, hands-on workshops to help educate and inspire you ■ Where: The Commons Calgary (1900 11st S.E.) ■ When: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. ■ Admission: $69. More info at awebusiness.com/event For more great events, visit capitalideascalgary.com/ calgaryevents.
COMMUNITY QUESTION
How does networking benefit your business?
Lynette Lefsrud, president of GridStone Marketing, gridstonemarketing.com
“We offer free business support and consulting to select not for profits. We also donate to Habitat for Humanity and are involved in many charity fundraisers.” David Barnes, CEO of Paradox Performance Group, paradoxperformancegroup.com
These answers are in response to a question posed by Wellington Holbrook, executive vice-president of ATB Business. Here’s his take: “Corporate social responsibility has become a really important priority for many large corporations across Alberta but truth is, small and midsized businesses have been making this a priority for generations. It doesn’t always have to be about money, when it comes to ways that small business can make a difference, it usually shows up in showing up. Contributing to community initiatives by being there is often the most important way entrepreneurs show their community and customers that they are committed to making a difference.”
Making the decision to include events and networking into a packed calendar can be challenging for a busy entrepreneur. That¹s why Brad Celmainis, president of Brad Celmainis Consulting is curious to hear from you: How does networking benefit 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 30.
R O U N D U P : R E C E N T P O S T S F R O M C A P I TA L I D E A S M E M B E R S Find the full posts on these members’ LinkedIn profiles. We’ll curate a selection every Friday on our LinkedIn group, Capital Ideas Alberta. To bring yours to our attention, email it to hello@capitalideascalgary.com
From “Native, Hybrid & Web Apps: The Differences and Benefits of Each” by Ryan Hnetka, founder at App Guys Inc. (appguys.ca):
“If you’re looking to have a mobile app developed, there are three different types that you’ll want to familiarize yourself with, so you can make the choice that best suits your product and idea. The three types of apps are: native, hybrid and web, and here’s a quick lesson on the differences and benefits of each.”
From “What Can We Learn from Haida Strategy” by Wilma Slenders, founder at Transcend Management Advisors Inc. (transcendmgt.com):
“Recently my husband and I sailed Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands) for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. We visited three Haida Villages... The Haidas were conscious and intentional in their strategy and we have much to learn from them.”
From “How a 13 Kilometre Bridge is Like Your Marketing Plan” by Amanda Schewaga, owner at The Marketing Girl (themarketinggirl.com):
“Creating a marketing strategy can feel very overwhelming, as if there are so many steps where something could go wrong. I find it helpful to think of all the incredibly huge, impressive projects humans have achieved, knowing that with the right plan, even the biggest task can be broken down into steps — and achieved.”
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