March 2007

Starting/Growing a Business Information Session:
March 20, 2007

Do you have a great idea for a business, but don’t know how to get started? Or, are you already in business and looking for ways to grow?

If you are confused about what to include in a business plan, don’t know where to start with market research, or unclear about how to apply for a business loan, this information session is for you!

Business Loans Information Session: March 29, 2007

Learn how we can help finance your business! This phone-in, province-wide information session will cover:

What your options are for financing your business, what your credit rating means, why a Women's Enterprise Centre empowerment loan is different from a bank, and how you can qualify.

Head Office
201 - 1726 Dolphin Avenue
Kelowna, BC V1Y 9R9

Vancouver Office
82-601 West Cordova St
Vancouver, BC V6B 1G1

Victoria Office
Suite G-7, Sussex Building
1001 Douglas Street
Victoria, BC, V8W 2C5

BC Toll Free:
1-800-643-7014
E-mail: info@womensenterprise.ca

Visit our website at
www.womensenterprise.ca

View this newsletter online:
click here

Archives:

February 2007
January 2007
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006

Subscribe to our Newsletter

An initiative of:

Women now own about 36 per cent of the small businesses in BC—that’s 137,000 businesses. In the next decade, it’s estimated that over 200,000 BC women will own and operate businesses.

—Women's Enterprise Centre,
"Taking the Leap to Entrepreneurship"

Trust your passion
What's your main motivator? If you want to be in business, you will need the passion that keeps you learning - to become expert at what you provide, to run your business, to make good decisions.

This is an ongoing process; it won't come all at once, but it will become more and more rewarding .

—Women's Enterprise Centre,
"Taking the Leap to Entrepreneurship"

Women's Enterprise Centre celebrated International Women's Day in Victoria

Laurel Douglas, CEO, Women’s Enterprise Centre, released the newest resource guide and announced our new Mentoring Program

The following is an exerpt from the presentation that Laurel Douglas made on International Women's Day, March 8, 2007, in Victoria. Click here, or on "read more" below the article, to read the full speech.

International Women’s Day is a time for us to honour the movement for women’s rights. Ninety-seven years ago, in 1910, a Women’s Day was established in Europe to promote the movement for women’s rights:

• the right to vote and to hold public office,
• the right to work, education and training,
• and the end to discrimination on the job.

Today, over 800,000 women in Canada own their own business.

According to our forecasts, the number of women running small businesses in BC will exceed 200,000 by 2015.  In the next 10 years, more women over 55 will also make the transition to running their own businesses.

We recently carried out extensive research into transition issues, generously funded by the Ministry of Community Services.  The research showed that while women are ready to ‘take the leap’ to entrepreneurship, they don’t want to do it alone.

Around the province, mentoring programs exist in many forms, but none target women in the first two years of their business –to help them reach the third year and beyond; to become part of the success rate not the failure rate.

Whether it’s push or pull we want to make sure transitioners are as successful as our other clients. And that’s why the Women’s Enterprise Centre’s Mentoring program was created. We want to help women who are considering making the transition to entrepreneurship.

Today, I am pleased to announce the launch of our new resource guide, Taking the Leap to Entrepreneurship: A guide to help BC women make the transition.

Women's Enterprise Centre releases their newest guide to help women make the transition to self-employment.

Download the FREE GUIDE today and begin your transition into self-employment.

This guide is for women who are making the transition to
self-employment. Using real life experiences from women entrepreneurs, we will explore the internal process, offer inspiration and resources for your successful venture.

To download the .pdf guide for free, click here.

Success Tips for Women Entrepreneurs

Success Tip #2:
Building a support team is critical for women starting
a business

As you start your business, or gear up to take it to the next level, you’ll inevitably face challenges and decisions beyond your current scope or experience. Unchecked, these uncertainties can rob you of the confidence you need to move forward. But help is out there, maybe even closer than you realize.

Building a strong, reliable support team is an invaluable tool for overcoming hurdles. Whether you tap into your existing circle of family and friends, join a professional network or seek professional advisors, a good support team helps you see those hurdles for what they are. And, when you are professional and realistic about what to expect, your support team can be an ongoing source of strength and inspiration.

Previous Tip:

• February 2007 Success Tip #1 - Motivation and a Game Plan

Obtaining Financing from Women’s Enterprise Centre

Common Questions Answered

In the next few issues of our eNews, we will address a number of the most commonly asked questions and concerns about obtaining business financing from Women’s Enterprise Centre. Our loan clients come from all over the province, and no two businesses are alike. We will share the stories of several women who have obtained financing for their business, and de-mystify the process.

Last month we shared how having Women's Enterprise Centre head office in Kelowna affects our clients. 

Question #2:
Does it matter what industry my business is in?

Previous Question:

• How can I get a loan if there isn't a Women's Enterprise office in the city that I live in? Answer

Women's Enterprise Centre Client Success Story

Kelly Josling, Owner, Fetch Dog Boutique
Exclusive dog boutique caters to its customers ...and owners

Thanks to Kelly Josling, Vancouver dogs (and their owners) have a place to call their own. Fetch is an exclusive dog store and "spaw" — a place to mix and mingle, especially during Yappy Hour. Dogs who are celebrating a special event can enjoy a catered party in their honour; owners can celebrate the arrival of a new family member with a hosted puppy shower.

More Women's Enterprise Centre Client Success Stories, click here

Creating Your Business Guide and Coaching Sessions

The Woman entrepreneur's roadmap to business success
NEW course starting April 4th, click here for more details

This learning guide will assist entrepreneurs with finding information they will need and then translating it into a working plan; first by discovering whether their idea has potential, and then by creating strategies that they can implement during the start-up and expansion of their business.

Women's Enterprise Centre is offering complimentary coaching sessions to support women as they complete the Creating Your Business learning guide. Face-to-face sessions are available in Vancouver and Victoria and telephone sessions are available for women around the province. Sessions will be held every two weeks and each session will focus on a different step in the Creating Your Business Guide. Sessions will offer guidance from a business advisor as well as peer support.

For more information on these coaching sessions, a session schedule and to register, click here
Order the Creating Your Business Guide here
View all of Women's Enterprise Centre Learning Guides here

Register Now for the Focused Marketing Workshops!
A full day workshop for entrepreneurs

Focused Marketing Victoria
This course is NOW FULL - watch our next newsletter for new course dates.
Tuesday, March 27, Business Victoria, click here

Focused Marketing Invermere
Friday, April 20, Look for details in our next eNewsletter

Focused Marketing Vernon
Saturday, May 5, Schubert Centre, click here

Courses from Women's Enterprise Centre are available on demand throughout the province. Courses are often held in partnership with community organizations such as Women in Business groups, Chambers of Commerce and Community Futures. If you are a provider of business services in BC, we invite you to partner with us to provide custom training for women business owners. Call 1.800.643.7014 or email info@womensenterprise.ca

New Education Services for Growing Businesses

Small Business BC expands with opening of Small Biz Education Centre

Small Business BC (SBBC) recently opened its Small Biz Education Centre to assist and guide small business owners looking to expand established businesses. Services include video conference facilities, facility rentals, networking opportunities and business coaching. Small Business BC CEO, Tara Gilbert, explains that the Small Biz Education Centre was inspired by the many thousands of BC entrepreneurs who have accessed SBBC since its inception in 1993. Gilbert notes the Centre is part of SBBC's vision to grow and expand its services to BC's thriving small business community.

For more information, visit the SBBC website at www.smallbizeducation.ca.

Recommended Reading

Filing your first income tax return as a business this year?

If your business is a sole proprietorship or partnership, you use the same income tax return to file your business taxes that you use to file your personal income taxes in Canada – the T1 income tax form. And, if you have a balance owing, you have to pay what you owe by April 30th, even though, as a self-employed individual, your income tax return doesn’t have to be filed until June 15th. For more information about completing and filing your Canadian income tax return, visit:

Your First Business Income Tax Return

Explore your financing options

Considering financing for your business? Small Business BC & Women's Enterprise Centre provides helpful information about how to choose the right financing to suit your business requirements. When you're ready to move forward, contact the Women's Enterprise Centre about the Empowerment Lending program and attend an upcoming Business Loans Info Session.

Small Business BC: Explore Your Financing Options

Women's Enterprise Centre: Empowerment Lending

Courses, Events and Happenings

Women's Enterprise Centre

Starting/Growing a Business Information Session
March 20, Phone in Toll Free from anywhere in BC, click here
April 17 , Phone in Toll Free from anywhere in BC, click here

Business Loans Info Session: Learn About Your Financing Options
March 29, Phone in Toll Free from anywhere in BC, click here
April 26 , Phone in Toll Free from anywhere in BC, click here

Creating Your Business Coaching: Session 6/7
March 19, Phone in Toll Free from anywhere in BC
March 20, Business Victoria Offices
April 2, Phone in Toll Free from anywhere in BC
April 3, Business Victoria Offices
Preregistered event, click here

Moving Up! Growing Your Business
May 23, Campbell River - Look for details in our next eNewsletter

Women's Enterprise Centre courses are available on demand throughout the province. Courses are often held in partnership with community organizations such as Women's Business Groups, Chambers of Commerce and Community Futures. If you are a provider of business services in BC, we invite you to partner with us. Call 1.800.643.7014 or email info@womensenterprise.ca

Small Business BC and eBC Seminars

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

eBusiness BC Lunchbox Seminars - Vancouver
All Year - Tuesdays at Waterfront Station, 82-601 W. Cordova, click here

Around the Province

BC Economic Women’s Institute
March 7-10, YWCA Vancouver , click here

SOWINS 2nd Annual Women Front & Centre Gala Awards Ceremony
March 10, Penticton Lakeside Resort & Casino, click here

10th Annual Women of Excellence Awards Banquet
April 4, Newlands Golf Course, Langley, BC, click here

Women of Whistler Annual Conference
April 10, Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort , click here

Connections - Women In Business National Conference
April 24, Fairmont Hotel Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, click here

Events Calendar Online