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W e d n e s d a y, J u ly 2 3 , 2 0 1 4 E D M O N T O N J O U R NAL e d m o n t o n j o u r n a l . c o m
CAPITAL IDEAS c ap i ta l id e a se dm o n to 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 5 3 0 ; h e l l o @c a p i t a l i d e a s e d m o n t o n . c o m
How do you turn an idea into a business? Entrepreneurs discuss their paths toward launching successful ventures
“When I started off with my idea, it took me 30 minutes to explain….I took the opportunity to go to those public places where you pitch your idea and embarrass yourself. It was the most traumatic but effective way to start learning to get that elevator pitch down. Until you can communicate what you do, nobody can help you. So, the faster you get there the better.” — Meghan Dear, CEO and founder of Localize (localizeyourfood.com)
“Dream big. I’m not married. I don’t have a mortgage. I just graduated. If I weren’t to pursue my big idea now, I’d regret it for the rest of my life because I know I never would try. Just go for it.” — Joel Wegner, CEO of Menutria (www.menutria.com)
For the full recap of “How do you turn an idea into a business?” including video and audio, visit capitalideasedmonton.com/events
CAPITAL BUZZ: Here’s what some Capital Ideas members took away from the July 16 panel: “Put (your idea) out there to see if it works. Get feedback from customers and prospects.” — Chantal Beaulieu Lynch, managing partner at Omega Business Transformation — omegabt.com “Good advice from Meghan Dear: getting early validation for your idea is really important even though it’s intimidating.” — Frances Megan Kilgour (@megan_ kilgour), special projects manager for Alberta Women Entrepreneurs — awebusiness.com
THANK YOU! Wayne Kryzalka, managing director at ATB Business, congratulates door-prize winner Jonathan Taves of Banister Research & Consulting. The prizes awarded after the panel were donated by TEC Edmonton and the Edmonton Journal.
“ ‘It started off with ignorance,’ one of the successful (Edmonton) entrepreneurs at Capital Ideas quips. I love honesty!” — Artem Medvedev (@medvcom), founder of Art M Communications — artemcommunications.com “ ‘Until you can communicate what you do, no one can help you!’ Funny but true advice from Meghan Dear that had the others nodding.” — Moly Milosovic (@MolyEm), communications co-ordinator at Edmonton Economic Development — igniteedmonton.com
PH OTOS BY SA M BROOKS/C A PI TA L I D E AS
“Validate your idea first!” — Beverley Poong (@bevurlee), founder of Belly Buttons — bellybuttons780.com
“When you have an idea, the first thing you should do is think it through. Do lots of research. Talk to lots of people in the startup space….try to see if someone else is doing that idea. If they’re not doing it, find out why they’re not doing it. You should know your idea inside and out.” — Deepak Gupta, co-founder of LoginRadius (loginradius.com)
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Sarah Aaron Kathy Anders Augustine Aranas Catherine Armstrong L Arnold Jamie Ausmus Linda Banister Marina Banister Megan Bertagnolli Maryanne Bjecar Dave Buck James Carver Mark Chandra Janette Chau Sona Chavda Odelia Choi Cindy Chopoidalo Melissa Chow Shu Shu Dai David Demian Erik Einsiedel Julie Elford Andrea Ferguson Kendel Ferrier Gary Gan Chinthaka Gunathilaka Chris Gusen Barbilee Hemmings Graham Hicks Rajesh Jaiswal Sonu Jaswal Terry Jorden Xenia Kavoun Devonne Kendrick Michelle Kirkwood Cherie Klassen Derek Koizumi Irina Kovalenko Kelsie Kozakevich Yasmeen Krameddine Wayne Kryzalka Brittany Kustra Karen Lee Brian Lin
Anne-Marie Lindell Manchi Lo Mick Lolekonda Adriana Lopez Diane Luzny Kevin MacDonald Alicia Maina-Sabeski Deepa Maisuria Asha Marshall Sean McCaughan Patrick McCready Alison McMahon Anissa Melo Kristina Milke Laura Mitchell John Musgreave Mallory Nault Austin Nguyen Jennifer Pawlowski Shauna Perry Quyen (Wing) Pham Armando Pinedo Vlad Raivich Melissa Richards Henna Sahota Kristin Salachie Shine Samuel Cathy Schmidt Nidhi Sharma Leann Shewchuk Trina Shipanoff Niki Sibera Deirdre St. Luke Hussam T Ron Tan Jonathan Taves Kurt Thomas Catherine Toole Evan Tran Sherman Tsang Lesley Vaage Cecile Wendlandt Mei Yeung
“Need to validate ideas and find customers? Get out and talk to people you can serve. Builds research and clients at same time.” — Lauren Sergy (@lsergy), founder of Up Front Communication — upfrontco.com “I’m hearing that failure is a crucial part of the process in entrepreneurship. Learn to embrace it, be open, and grow.” — Chelsey Smith (@chelseysm1th), communications professional — about.me/chelseysm1th
NEXT EVENT:
HOW DOES CREATIVITY FEED YOUR BUSINESS? WHEN: AUG. 20, 11:45 A.M. TO 1 P.M.
WHERE: THE EDMONTON JOURNAL (10006 101ST ST.)
RSVP AT CAPITALIDEAS30.EVENTBRITE.COM
Questions? Contact us at hello@capitalideasedmonton.com