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CAPITAL QUESTION:
UPCOMING:
How has being part of a network of entrepreneurs helped you? eWomenNetwork members share how banding together can lead to success Pam Robertson of Robertson Digital Media (RobertsonDigitalMedia.com) says that being part of a network has helped her business tremendously. “After a five-year absence from the region, I moved back to the city to find lots of changes. Contributing to, and being part of, this network meant I very quickly made new friends, was able to refer and be referred by entrepreneurs dealing with many of the same things I was — growing a business in a competitive, exciting, marketplace.”
JUNE
18
From Freelancer to Entrepreneur: Making the Shift A monthly panel hosted by Capital Ideas When: 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Edmonton Journal (10006 101st St.) Admission: Free. Register at capitalideas28.eventbrite.com
JUNE
June Focus Seminar
JUNE
Flaunt Tradeshow
JUNE
SEBA June Mixer
18
21
A seminar by DEXIO about understanding human behaviour When: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Where: Chateau NOVA Yellowhead (13920 Yellowhead Trail) Admission: $90. Learn more at dexio.biz
An event showcasing women in business When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Millennium Place (2000 Premiere Way) Admission: Up to $100. Details at flaunttradeshows.com.
26
A patio networking event to kick off summer When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Where: The Moose Factory (4810 Calgary Trail) Admission: Free. Details at sebaonline.ca
PH OTO S U PPL I E D : PA M ROBE RTS ON
“Building a business can be isolating — working long hours pushes your social life to the back burner. For me, a network of like-minded people puts social connections in arms’ reach, while also providing a sounding board and resources for tricky business conundrums. Friendly faces that help you problem solve aren’t just nice to have, they are a necessity.” — Angela Armstrong of Prime Capital Group — pcclease.com
“Being part of a network of entrepreneurs has helped me expand my business, take my business to a global level and extend my social reach. It has also helped me build a strong circle of champions, partners and strategic alliances. Networking groups are an important component to entrepreneur success and sustainability.” — Charmaine Hammond of Hammond International Inc. and Team Toby — TheOriginalTeamToby.com
“Being around like-minded women who are supportive and encouraging of each other is so valuable and important. I feel empowered and rejuvenated each and every time I attend an event. I have met potential clients, and am making great connections that I plan to invest into for lifelong friendships.” — Kathrine Baer of Baer Essentials — baeressentialservices.ca
“Over 90 per cent of my business comes from networking and referrals. I advise all of my clients to become good at both. I’m a member of six business-networking groups, and next to referrals, it’s the most cost-effective marketing strategy I know. It’s a great way to meet potential suppliers and people you can trust… It also gets you out of the office and into the real world of business.” — Mary Lou Gutscher of Magnetic Business Solutions — MagneticBusinessSolutions.com
“eWomenNetwork has connected me to other women in business and leadership positions who make things happen. They are the movers and shakers who think big, encourage and support one another. These connections have been powerful.” — Shirley Borrelli of Looking Your Best Inc. — ShirleyBorrelli.com “As a hairstylist, I’ve always been a go-to person for my clients. I love being able to connect like-minded people and spread the word when I hear of a great business, event or cause. Being a part of networking groups expands my reach throughout Edmonton and the surrounding area. Each time I am instrumental in connecting people, it is such a good feeling. Also, whenever I am searching for something or someone’s expertise, there is always an answer in my group.” — Kathleen Gagnon of Elation Studio — elationstudio.com “The opportunity to engage with other members has benefited me in many ways, including business growth, personal development and making great connections. I go to many networking events and the vibe that you find in attending an eWomenNetwork event is amazing — there are always great speakers teaching you something new.” — Loan Gowers of BMO Nesbitt Burns — loangowers.com
What are you making? “We are making a solution to the world’s testing and training problems. Our advice to fellow emerging Edmonton companies is to get started and get a customer! Don’t make the common mistake of focusing on an idea so hard that you fail to ever launch or start. Once you have a customer, even if the product is not perfected (it never will be), you will be making progress. From there, let the customers and the markets lead you to your next opportunities.” — Chris LaBossiere of Yardstick Testing & Training Experts — getyardstick.com We posed this question to supporters of E-Town, the entrepreneurial festival hosted by the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation at the Shaw Conference Centre on Sept. 11 and 12. To get your tickets, visit e-town.ca.
“I love having the opportunity to meet and share ideas with like-minded, energetic, talented and intelligent women. Each month we hear great speakers, take time to share information about ourselves, and learn about each other and the passion that we have for our businesses. This collaboration and sharing of ideas helps me in my business, and it also gives me the opportunity to support the amazing women I meet.” — Susan Janzen of Realty Executives — susanjanzen.com “Being part of a network of entrepreneurs has helped me build self-confidence in knowing that I am not alone in facing certain challenges. It has also helped me create joint-venture opportunities — to promote others and be promoted. It gives me perspective when I hear and learn from entrepreneurs in different industries, and I get new clients through the network.” — Pat Mussieux of Wealthy Women Leaders — wealthywomenleaders.com “The vibrancy of a network of entrepreneurs is second to none: Like-minded individuals who are passionate about their business and supporting others is key for maintaining and growing one’s business... Our reputations are everything, so knowing you are in a network of hardworking, dedicated business professionals who are passionate about their clients is an invaluable asset to any savvy business owner.” — Michele Weselake of Re/Max Realtor — MicheleWeselake.com
“I am making a video for the Gotta Minute Film Festival. It’s a public art piece that will be shared with the community on Edmonton Transit’s LRT system. The project has to be a one-minute silent movie, and I’m loving the creative challenge! It’s wonderful to live in a city where these kinds of opportunities exist.” — Cheyenne Lemery of One Blue Sock — onebluesock.ca “We started a non-fiction book club in our office to help encourage each other to continue learning and to generate more conversation about ideas and innovation. We’re currently reading Creative Confidence by Dave and Tom Kelly from IDEO.” — Jenifer Schaefer of Edmonton Economic Development Corporation — igniteedmonton.com
Have an event that Capital Ideas should know about? Contact us at hello@capitalideasedmonton.com
“Networking is not only the most enjoyable part of being an entrepreneur, but the most necessary! We all know that people will do business with those they like and trust, and can you really earn their trust through social media? Networking is also about sharing business successes and mistakes, which helps all of us to grow our businesses. Through networking, I’ve referred many and they, in turn, have referred me. What a great marketing plan!” — Louise White-Gibbs of Gibbs & Co Promotional Mktg — gibbsandco.ca These answers were collected from members of eWomenNetwork’s Edmonton chapter. To learn more about the organization, visit ewomennetwork.com.
CAPITAL QUESTION: How do you manage cash flow during seasonal lows? The latest ATB Business Beat survey found that 63 per cent of small and medium-sized businesses experience seasonally impacted cash flow. That has prompted Wellington Holbrook, executive vice-president of ATB Business, to ask: How do you manage cash flow during seasonal lows? You can answer the question in two ways: • Open today’s Capital Ideas email if you’re amember, or • Visit capitalideasedmonton.com. We’ll publish the best answers, along with your business name and website address, on June 18. To see how businesses cope with dry spells, click through to the survey on atb.com/businessbeat.
Your turn to ask the questions Capital Ideas is a strong, engaged community of people who have learned a lot along the way and are happy to share what they know. Now it’s your turn to tap into that wealth of knowledge. Visit capitalideasedmonton.com to ask the question that is keeping you up at night. We’ll pose the best questions to our members, and publish their answers every other week throughout the summer.
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