CAPITAL IDEAS c apitali d e ase d mont o n .c o m
P R O J E C T L E A D E R : K A R E N U N L A N D , 7 8 0 - 4 2 9 - 5 2 6 0; k a r e n @ c a p i t a l i d e a s e d m o n t o n . c o m
CAPITAL QUESTION:
UPCOMING:
What’s the best thing you’ve 15 learned through Capital Ideas? Members share their best lessons and ideas from 3 years of learning and contributing
JULY
Doing good in the neighbourhood
JULY
Social Media 101 for Business
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CAPITAL IDEAS12 “I have learned to appreciate and value the diverse base of knowledge of the Capital Ideas community. I have also learned that your story matters and you have to be willing to get it out there and share it to engage and help continue to build this great entrepreneurial community.” — Kris Kasawski, principal and founder of Park Power — parkpower.ca “As a business owner you are not alone in your struggles and learning curves. Having an outlet/avenue to share and learn from others experience is very beneficial and Capital Ideas gives us an outlet.” — Nadine Litwin, advisor and solutions manager at Integrity Plus Financial Inc. “The best thing I learned was all of the various apps that entrepreneurs are using in their businesses. Keeping up with technology is vital to my business.” — Laura M. Schuler, general counsel at Schuler Law Group “As a home based business, I’m so impressed with the support everyone is willing to share on this page. No matter your business profession there’s so much information you can utilize from this community of amazing entrepreneurs.” — Danika Riedel, tea ambassador — mysteepedtea.com/DANIKA “I have learned that myself and my company are not the only ones that are going through certain situations or challenges. It is also great to see how the Edmonton business community, even competitors, come together to freely exchange information and help each other.” — Kevin MacDonald, business consultant at L6S Business Consulting Inc. — L6SBC.ca
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY: ERYNE SARABIN
Eryne Sarabin, owner and lead planner at Tycoon Events (tycoonevents.ca), has found support in Capital Ideas. “Being exposed to such a diverse network of professionals and entrepreneurs has validated that any questions, concerns or challenges that I am faced with as a small business owner have also been felt and overcome by others in my community. Rather than starting from scratch, to be left scrambling, or learning the hard way, Capital Ideas provides an invaluable opportunity for me to connect with and learn from my peers.”
“So many wonderful things learned, but I would say the best is how many amazing entrepreneurs we have in Edmonton who are open to sharing their experiences and learning from each other. Why reinvent the wheel when you have such great connections?” — Cecile Wendlandt, director of advisor recruiting for Freedom 55 Financial — freedom55financial.com “Marketing and promotion cannot be a one-size-fits-all strategy. Different market segments use different social media platforms, have different priorities and respond to different things. Marketing and promotion need to take all of these into account in order to be successful.” — Sarah Aaron, policy analyst at Government of Alberta — alberta.ca
“I’ve learned that Edmonton is full of passion no matter what field you are in. Anything and everything to do with entrepreneurship, big or small, there is always someone to lend an ear or point you in the right direction. We have so many fascinating people in this city to learn from and I love meeting them.” — Michelle Weisgerber, owner and artist at Michelle Weisgerber — 4cats.com “I learned that the Edmonton business community is a tight-knit group that is open and willing to share ideas in order to push our city forward in growth and innovation. Always willing to help and advise, you can see the impact of the outside-the-box thinkers in how much our city has changed over the last 5 years even. It’s so exciting to see and be a part of.” — Desmond Chow, senior finical advisor at ATB — is.atb.com/poitraschow “That Edmonton is home to many smart, innovative entrepreneurs and we can learn a lot from each other no matter what industry we work in. Thanks Capital Ideas for showcasing the talented people that live here!” — Sarah Befus, president of Rescue Flat — rescueflats.com “Capital Ideas brings to the table many aspects of entrepreneurship through financial knowledge and small business training. I’m a strong believer in lifelong learning and the best thing that I learned through Capital Ideas is that it is possible to have real entrepreneurial collaboration between the younger entrepreneurs and the more mature entrepreneurs.” — Joe Wasylyk, founder of the Seniorpreneur Project — seniorpreneur.ca
These answers are in response to a question posed by Wellington Holbrook, executive vice-president of ATB Business. Here’s his take: Capital ideas is already 3 years old? Surprising only because the ideas that entrepreneurs bring to the table are always so fresh and thoughtful. For me, the best thing I have learned thanks to the great ideas that 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 take the time to share their ideas and show their entrepreneurial spirit.
AUG
A monthly panel discussion hosted by Capital Ideas Where: Edmonton Journal (10006 101st St.) When: 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission: Free. Tickets at capitalideasyeg41.eventbrite.com
Learn the basics of social media for business on four major platforms Where: 10310 Jasper Ave., Unit 301 When: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Admission: $29. Tickets at awebusiness.com/event
Savvy Networking with Ease Learn how to boost your internal and external networking Where: Advanced Technology Centre (9650 20 Ave) When: 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: $75. Tickets at styleforsuccess.com/training
For more great events, visit capitalideasedmonton.com/edmontonevents.
“The very moment I left that first event I learned that we have a vibrant and brilliant community of entrepreneurs. It’s inspiring and amps you up to know that Edmonton is such a fantastic city with so much to offer.” — Dennis Michael, brand builder of Wake Creative — wakecreative.ca “I have to say the best thing that I have learned is that the small business community in Edmonton really looks out for itself. Even though some of us may be in direct competition with each other, there is still this spirit of ‘we are all in this together’. People are always willing to give out advice or lend an ear. There is nowhere else that I would rather do business.” — Mark Remple, president of Point of View Media — pointofviewmedia.com
COMMUNITY QUESTION: Has a conversation ever sparked a surprise business idea or career opportunity? The best ideas can come out of seemingly unrelated conversations, sometimes with someone you’ve just met. And a new job opportunity might pop up surprisingly from dinner discussions. Which is why Joanne Blake, founder of Style for Success (styleforsuccess.com), is curious to hear from you, “Has a conversation ever sparked a surprise business idea or career opportunity?” You can answer the question in two ways: • Open today’s Capital Ideas email if you’re a member, or • Visit capitalideasedmonton.com We’ll publish the best answers, along with your business name and website address, on July 15.
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