Feature Articles

Marketing Series for Women Entrepreneurs

# 5: Magic Messaging: Words That Connect With Your Customers

Writing copy for ads and websites is easy. Writing effective copy for ads and websites...now that is much trickier. The goal of all marketing copy is to attract attention, educate and prompt action on the part of the reader. Which is a lot easier said than done. You must first uncover what customers need to know in order to act, then be very clear on what you want them to do. Then you can explore what tone and style will attract attention.

Business Tip of the Month
...from the desk of the Client Services Coordinator

Mentor or Business Advisor - when and where to find the support you need

One of the first things most people who are just starting to explore the prospect of becoming an entrepreneur discover is that there are a lot of unknowns. Just thinking about creating a business plan, determining if the business is viable, dealing with all the technicalities of business start-up and finding financing can be overwhelming.

Often people will spend a lot of time searching for a mentor during this idea and planning stage when what they really need is some basic instruction regarding the processes involved or, for specific issues, the help of a Business Advisor.

Entrepreneur of the Month

Krista Marchand-Spinoy - Wannawafel

Krista Marchand-Spinoy and her husband Renaat Marchand just wanted to bring a little piece of home to Victoria when they started their business, WannaWafel, last year. Having moved to Canada from Belgium in 2000, Krista was having a hard time finding a job that she was passionate about, so last year her and her husband decided to team up and start a business they could really sink their teeth into.

News & Announcements

Are Women Entrepreneurs Different From Men?

A new study from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, "Are Women Entrepreneurs Different From Men?" provides insights into the few differences and many similarities between successful men and women entrepreneur in the US, including background, education, motivations for starting a business and beliefs about key success factors.

"We have a robust pool of potential high-growth entrepreneurs in the women who now earn nearly half of all PhDs conferred in this country, yet few are following an entrepreneurial path," said Lesa Mitchell, Kauffman Foundation vice-president of advancing innovation and an author of the study. "This study identifies subtle but meaningful factors that influence women to pursue, and succeed in, entrepreneurship. If we can respond to this study by developing programs that support women in creating high-growth businesses, the positive impact on our economy could be significant."

Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100

Nominate her in any of the above categories for Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100. To date, 460 women across Canada have received the Top 100 Award.

Winners will be announced on November 29, 2010 at the Top 100 Summit and Awards Gala in Toronto.

Deadline for nominations is: June 30, 2010 @ 5 PM EST

For complete details visit: WWW.TOP100WOMEN.CA

RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards
Celebrate the Extraordinary

It is vital to Canada's future economic development and prosperity that entrepreneurs, particularly women entrepreneurs, be encouraged and cultivated.

Nominate an Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur Today!

Awards are presented in six categories:

• The Deloitte Start-up Award
• The HKMB Hub Impact Award
• The RBC Momentum Award
• The TPH Sustainability Award
• The Bell Trailblazer Award
• The PROFIT Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship

To nominate download a Nomination Form, Visit www.theawards.ca
Call 416-923-1688 or Toll Free 1-800-354-3303

Deadline for nominations: June 17, 2010

Celebrate BC Export Excellence

Seeking BC's Top 25 Exporters

Nomination and applications now open.

Nominations until May 31
Applications until June 30

For information on award description and judging criteria, please visit www.bcexportawards.com

Return to Top

Events and Happenings

Around the Province

Enhancing Competitiveness with Internationally Trained Workers (ITWs) Workshop
Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, BC
Tuesday, June 1, 2010, 7:30 – 9:30am
For more information click here

The Entrepreneur Affair hosted by FWE
Birks Flagship Store, Vancouver, BC
Thursday, June 3, 2010, 5 – 7:30pm
For more information click here

The Successful You Small Business Award Ceremony & Networking Event
Birks Flagship Store, Vancouver, BC
Thursday, June 10, 5pm – Friday, June 11, 2010, 8pm
For more information click here

Across Canada

TECHNOLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY: Making it Work for Small Business
The Fort Garry , Winnipeg, MB
Tuesday, June 1, 2010, 8am – 4pm
For more information click here

6th Annual Women & Leadership Conference
Toronto, ON
Tuesday, June 15 – Thursday, June 17, 2010
For more information click here

International

WBENC National Conference and Business Fair, Women in Business 2010: The Opportunity Connection
Baltimore, Maryland
Tuesday, June 22 – Thursday, June 24, 2010
For more information click here