..Feature Articles

Financial finesse series
Part 2: Cash Matters

You’ve heard the saying, “you’ve got to spend money to make money”. While that may be true, when you’re a small business owner that can be easier said than done. Is your sales volume growing but you feel stressed that money is still going out of your chequing account faster than it is coming in? In this article we will discuss some of the reasons why that may be happening and what you can do to deal with the challenge of the cash crunch.

We want to hear from you!
We've had great feedback from our new financial finesse series and we want to hear more!

Every month we will draw a name from all of the comments we receive and give a gift to one of our readers! We will also feature the best comments on our eNewsletter and website. Click here now!

Success tips for women entrepreneurs

Success Tip #9:
Balancing risk and reward when you take on debt

A study done by Industry Canada a few years ago showed some interesting differences between women business owners and their male counterparts when it came to taking on debt. Women running small and medium-sized enterprises had a higher approval rate on loan applications than men. 

Click here to see last months tip...
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February business tip

Is this the right business for me?

How do you know that the business concept you've come up with is workable? That's a big question, especially if you've only just begun to commit yourself on paper. To answer it, break it down into smaller, concrete questions focused on your idea:

1. Will this business provide me with the non-negotiables I need?
2. What will motivate me to succeed in this business?
3. Do I have enough passion about this work to sustain me through difficult times?
4. What skills will I offer this business?
5. What skills will I need to develop vs. hiring someone?
6. How much time can I give to this business and will it be profitable with that amount of time?
7. Does this business suit my working style?
8. Will this business suit my life-style?
9. Will this business support my exit strategy?
10. How much money do I need to make and will this business provide that?

All of these questions are worth researching to ensure the business you want to start is going to meet your expectations.

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..In The News

Learn from experienced women business owners!

Do you ever feel like you’re the only woman in business facing challenges? You aren’t. Our mentoring program helps you to connect with and learn from other women who have already traveled down the road of business ownership.

Send us your questions, concerns, and challenges on the topics of marketing, balancing your personal life with business, and building a vision. Then join us by phone from anywhere in the province to get solutions and new ideas from a panel of experienced mentors.

To get the detailed information and to participate in this exciting, new, free service click here Mentor Advisory Forums .

Upcoming Mentor Advisory Forums

March 4th – 9:00am to 10:15am – Marketing Your Business
March 19th – 9:00am to 10:15am – Work/Life Balance
March 25th - 9:00am to 10:15am – Building a Vision

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Feature entrepreneur of the month

Susan Gagnon, SYKA Textiles Trading Corp.

It has always been a lifelong dream of Susan Gagnon to be the president of her own company. So, three years ago when all the pieces came together, it was only natural for Susan and her husband Yves to start SYKA Textiles Trading Corp., eco-friendly fabrics, in Mission, BC.

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Companies with more women board directors experience higher financial performance

Report shows that three or more may be the charm

According to the latest Catalyst Bottom Line Report, Fortune 500 companies with the highest representation of women board directors attained significantly higher financial performance, on average, than those with the lowest representation of women board directors. In addition, the report points out, on average, notably stronger-than-average performance at companies with three or more women board directors.

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.Events and Happenings

From Women's Enterprise Centre

One-day Focused Marketing workshop in Port Alberni, BC
Friday, February 15th from 8:30-5:00 at the Best Western Barclay Hotel. Click here for more information and to register before February 10th, 2008.

Focused Marketing: Targeted Effort, Tangible Results – Session 4 – Victoria, BC. Tuesday, February 19th, 11:30 am
BDC – 990 Fort Street. Click here for more information and to register

Starting/Growing a Business Information Session
February 20th, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Phone in Toll Free from anywhere in BC, click here

Business Loans Info Session: Learn About Your Financing Options
February 21th, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Phone in Toll Free from anywhere in BC, click here

Focused Marketing: Targeted Effort, Tangible Results – Session 5 – Victoria, BC. Tuesday, February 26th , 11:30 am
BDC – 990 Fort Street. Click here for more information and to register

Mentor Advisory Forum – Marketing Your Business – Session 2
Tuesday, March 4th, 9:00 am. Toll free phone-in from anywhere in BC
Click here for more information and to sign-up

Focused Marketing: Targeted Effort, Tangible Results – Session 6 – Victoria, BC. Tuesday, March 4th, 11:30 am
BDC – 990 Fort Street. Click here for more information and to register

Focused Marketing: Targeted Effort, Tangible Results – Castlegar, BC
Thursday, March 13th, 3:00 pm. Sandman Hotel – 1944 Columbia Ave.
Click here for more information and to register

Mentor Advisory Forum – Building a Vision – Session 3
Tuesday, March 25th, 9:00 am. Toll free phone-in from anywhere in BC
Click here for more information and to sign-up

Keep checking our Events Calendar for more information on these, and other, upcoming workshops.

Small Business BC and eBC Seminars

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

Business BC Lunchbox Seminars - Vancouver
All Year - Tuesdays at Waterfront Station, 82-601 West Cordova, click here

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Around the Province

North Shore’s Largest Business Trade Show – N. Vancouver, BC
Friday, February 15th, 12:00 pm
Capilano Mall. Click here for more information

FWE Gala on February 19, 2008
At the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver
Featuring speaker Julie Aigner-Clark, Founder of The Baby Einstein Company
Tickets are $150.00
For more information email kim@fwe.ca or visit fwe.ca

SBBC Business Plan Contest Award Ceremony
Tuesday, February 26th, 5:00 pm
Click here for more information

Kootenay Women’s Show – Cranbrook, BC
Sunday, March 2, 10:00 am. St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino. For more information, call 1-800-665-2382

Minerva Foundation Presents All About Girlfriends – Vancouver, BC
Green Goddess Networking Event. Tuesday, March 4th, 5:30 pm
Four Seasons Hotel – 791 W. Georgia Street. Click here for more information.

Influential Women in Business Awards Luncheon – Vancouver, BC
Wednesday, March 5th, 11:30 am, Fairmont Waterfront Hotel – Waterfront Ballroom. Click here for more information

SOWINS 3rd Annual Women Front & Centre Dinner & Awards Gala – Penticton, BC. Saturday, March 8th, 6:00 pm, Penticton Lakeside Resort & Casino. Click here for more information

Women In Agriculture Conference – Penticton, BC
Friday, March 14th, 4:00 pm, Penticton Trade & Convention Centre. Click here for more information.

Vancouver Island Women’s Business Network Speaker Series – Victoria, BC. Creating Strategic Alliances, Tuesday, March 18th, 5:30 pm
Ambrosia Catering & Events Centre – 638 Fisgard Street. Click here for more information.

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Around Canada

2008 Diversity Procurement Fair
PARTNERING for PROFIT, April 2nd & 3rd, 2008. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario. Click here for more details

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