Feature Articles

Sales Savvy Series for Women Entrepreneurs

#6 - Gender Differences in Buying Habits

Successful sales strategies are based on a solid understanding of target customers, their needs and what drives them to buy. For every small business owner, a marketing plan is the foundation for solid sales because it shows exactly how to generate awareness and interest in your product or service. However, it’s the sales strategy itself that turns consumer awareness and desire into a sale; you can’t have one without the other.

Should You Fire Your Spouse?

My hat is off to any couple that can live and work together in a business. This is truly a test to their commitment to each other and to the business they operate and control.

Should couples work together in business? Only those involved can answer that question. Business and private lives, responsibilities and obligations are always as different as the individuals and working styles of each person. Working and living together could create conflicts which impact the relationship and potentially the company’s profits, not to mention the added stress it could bring to any staff involved in the crossfire.

In The News

Client of the Month

Mary Johnston - watermatters

Although Mary Johnston attributes her success in business to being at the right place at the right time, there is no denying the research and work she put into developing her business Watermatters.

Five and a half years ago, when Johnston was planning to sell water treatment devices from her home, she realized that she knew very little about the local water she was intending to improve.

“That moment of insight established the defining niche for my business. I started educating myself on what makes Vancouver’s water unique and soon enough became an expert in my field,” says Johnston. “There are no other businesses who address local water from the bottom up, the way I do.”

Become a Mentor or Mentee this Fall!

This fall will mark the third year of Women's Enterprise Centre’s Mentoring Program and we’re looking for more women to become mentors and mentees than ever before!

We are proud to continue offering free mentoring opportunities to women who are in the first three years of operating their business. If you are one of these women and would like to have the knowledge and support of a mentor, then please apply today!
If you are a woman with five years business experience or equivalent and you value giving back to your community, then becoming a mentor and helping another woman to succeed could be the volunteer opportunity you’ve been looking for!

To find out more about eligibility or to apply, please click here
or contact Sara Couper, Mentoring Coordinator at 1-800-643-7014 ext:201.

Investigating immigrant and non-immigrant businesses in Kelowna research project

If you have been operating a business in Kelowna since 1990, please participate in this research by C. Teixeira, Associate Professor of Geography, UBC Okanagan.
For more information click here

Video Conference Facilities Available

Women's Enterprise Centre is proud to present Video Conference training opportunities for BC women entrepreneurs! We now have the ability to offer more training in more communities around the province. It's easy to use and offers new learning opportunities for business owners.

With more than 40 locations in BC that offer video conference options, you now have access to interesting business training through your local Community Futures, Chamber of Commerce, Front Counter BC, Small Business BC, or Women’s Enterprise Centre. For more information about workshops available now click here

Call to Women Entrepreneurs

Dr. Andrea E. Smith-Hunter, an Associate Professor at Siena College in Loudonville, New York, is currently conducting a global study on women entrepreneurs. The results from the study will be used to write her third book entitled, Women Entrepreneurs in the Global Marketplace, slated for publication in 2010. To participate in the study, please visit the online survey, click here

Return to Top

Events and Happenings

Women's Enterprise Centre Sponsored & Hosted Events

1/2 Day Financial Management Workshop
Park Place Lodge, Fernie
Thurs, Oct. 1
For more information contact members@ferniechamber.com

Focused Marketing - Targeted Effort, Tangible Results, Four Parts
Thurs, Oct. 29, 9am – 12pm
For more information click here

Moving Up! Business Growth Strategies
4230 Gateway Drive, Whistler
Thurs, Oct. 22, 8:30am – 12:30pm
For more information click here

Around the Province

Today's Woman Trade Show & Leadership Conference
Coast Inn of the North, Prince George
Fri, Oct. 2 – Sat, Oct. 3
For more information click here

BC Innovation Council, Connect 09
Sheraton Wall Centre - 1088 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Mon, Oct. 19, 4:30pm
For more information click here

WEConnect Canada's First Annual Conference
Hyatt Regency Toronto Hotel
Wed, Oct. 21
For more information click here

Emerging Leaders Event
Four Seasons Hotel, Vancouver
Thurs, Oct. 29, 9am – 1:30pm
For more information click here

Beyond Pink Conference
Marriot Renaissance, Vancouver
Fri, Nov. 13 – Saturday, November 14
For more information click here

Innovasion 2009
Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre
Wed, Nov. 18, 10am – 6pm
For more information click here

Small Business BC Seminars - Vancouver
All Year - at Waterfront Station, 82-601 West Cordova
For more information click here

Business EBC Seminars - Vancouver
All Year - Tuesdays at Waterfront Station, 82-601 West Cordova
For more information click here