...................................................

...................................................

Women's Enterprise Centre assists women entrepreneurs, not just loans clients!

Over the last six issues of this e-newsletter we have profiled a dozen different women entrepreneurs, their businesses and how a loan from Women’s Enterprise Centre helped them start, grow and succeed in their business.

This being the last article in the series, we would like to share with you how Women’s Enterprise Centre can help you with training and business counselling at any stage of your business, even if you are financing your business through another source.

Success tips for women entrepreneurs

Success Tip #7:
Expand business capacity without breaking the bank

When your business reaches a point where you have to expand your capacity to meet market demand you can celebrate! You’ve just achieved an important milestone in moving your dream from “survival” to “growth”.

But now you’re faced with a whole new set of questions...

Return to Top

Previous Tips:

• February 2007 Success Tip #1 - Motivation and a game plan
• March 2007 Success Tip #2 - Building a support team is critical for women starting a business
• May 2007 Success Tip #3 - Change from do-er to strategist
  and watch your business grow
• June 2007 Success Tip #4 - Finding the heart of your business
• September 2007 Success Tip #5 - Think big,even if your business isn't
• October 2007 Success Tip #6 - Zeroing in on growth strategies that fit your business

This is Women's Enterprise Centre's last eNewsletter of the year!

We'd like to take this opportunity to wish all of our readers a wonderful holiday season!

We look forward to a new year filled with many exciting opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Look for our next eNewsletter in January 2008. Women's Enterprise Centre will be there to help you start, grow and succeed in 2008!

Return to Top

Business tips from Women's Enterprise Centre

Getting good referrals by perfecting your "elevator pitch"

Your elevator pitch helps people understand what your business does, which in turn gives you better referrals. Take a moment to think about your answers to the following four questions:

1. Who are you?
2. What do you do?
3. Who are your customers?
4. How do your products and services benefit your customers, from their point of view?

A good elevator pitch takes time and practice to develop, so don't worry about getting this perfect the first time. Create no more than one sentence for each answer; it should be a maximum of four sentences. An effective elevator pitch can be delivered in an elevator ride! Be honest and don't make things up that aren't true.

This is an exercise straight out of our Focused Marketing learning guide. Focused Marketing workshops help women develop a better understanding of their customers and how to effectively reach them.

Return to Top

Focused Marketing workshops coming to the Lower Mainland

Full day or six-week workshops for women entrepreneurs!

Coming in 2008!
If you live in the Lower Mainland and want to create a marketing strategy that will help you grow your business, our full day and 6 week Focused Marketing courses will be offered  in the new year.

The 6 week course will be offered from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, one day/week. Full day courses generally start at 8:30 and finish at 4:30.

Please call Lynda at Women’s Enterprise Centre 1-800-643-7014 ext:112 and ask to be placed on the list. Please specify if you want the full day or 6 week program.

We will announce specific dates and locations in our upcoming eNewsletters!

Return to Top

New Peer Mentoring Groups in Golden, Trail and Port Hardy

Apply now!

If you are a woman in the first two years of business who resides in, or near, Port Hardy, Golden or Trail, apply now to take part in Women's Enterprise Centre Peer Mentoring program.

For more information about this program and to apply...

Return to Top

Women's Enterprise Centre success story

Heloise Dixon-Warren, Moose Meadows Farm

It all started with a simple plan: a small farm with a few chickens, a couple of horses and 20 acres to grow Christmas trees.

Heloise and her husband were not looking to become major players in the agricultural industry; they simply wanted a lifestyle for themselves and their two daughters that allowed for self-sufficiency and sustainability.

But as most of us know, not all plans end up as envisioned...

Return to Top

5th Annual business plan contest - ENTER TODAY!

Only one month left to enter

Small Business BC is honoring successful small businesses by hosting its 5th Annual Business Plan Contest.

New this year, the Contest will have two categories for start-up and growth businesses.  A judging panel will review all submissions that meet the eligibility requirements and select the top three business plans in each of the two categories. December 17th, at 12pm (sharp) is the deadline for all submissions. Prizes include cash and in-kind prizes, as well as major media publicity! Submit online at www.bizplancontest.ca or by direct mail.

Return to Top

A student entrepreneur's chance to win $10,000!

National student entrepreneur competition nominations closing soon

The 2008 Student Entrepreneur Competition is winding down and we will only be accepting nominations until December 7th, the nomination process is simple, so nominate any deserving students you know today (self-nominations are welcome). This competition is an amazing opportunity for any student entrepreneur!

Click here to make your nomination!

Return to Top

2010 Business network

Are you aware of the latest developments at the 2010 Commerce Centre?

The 2010 Business Network has been set up to profile your business to buyers looking for suppliers of goods and services. When you join this supplier database, you can also use our resources to network in a secure online environment, promote your business internationally and meet potential partners.

Don't wait -- click here to register today!

Return to Top

.Awards Featuring Women Entrepreneurs

Discover Wines' owners awarded finalist for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2007

Canada’s most prestigious business awards program considers nominees in a number of business categories before selecting finalists.  Among finalists for Entrepreneur of the Year 2007, Pacific region are: Tracy Gray and Suzanne  Mick of Discover Wines Ltd.

Congratulations to all the 2007 Women of Resource Communities Conference award winners!

The third annual Women of Resource Communities Conference was held August 14, 2007 in Campbell River.

Eight women were recognized with the first Resource Women of Distinction Awards. These awards will honour women from the resource sector for their achievements, creativity, innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, mentorship and vision in their lives, in their work, and in their communities.

Women's Enterprise Centre was pleased to present Janet Docherty of Merridale Ciderworks Ltd. the 2007 outstanding resource woman of honour award for business.

Sharon Barnes, CEO of RFind Systems nominated for the Best Canadian Entrepreneur at the Stevie Awards for Women in Business!

November 12th, Las Vegas hosted The Stevie Awards, for Women in Business honouring women executives, entrepreneurs, and the companies they run – worldwide.  The Stevie Awards have been hailed as “the business world’s own Oscars.”  (New York Post, April 27, 2005).

Sharon is under 40, located in Kelowna BC, a recognized expert in the world of RFID RTLS and is spearheading this new young company into the international world of tagging and locating assets.

Return to Top

.Women's Enterprise Centre .Workshops, Events and Happenings

Starting/Growing a Business Information Session
November 20 & December 11
Phone in Toll Free from anywhere in BC, click here

Creating Your Business Coaching - Session 6 & 7
Tuesday, November 27 - Phone in Toll Free from anywhere in BC
To sign up to any one of these sessions, click here. You MUST have purchased the CYB guide to participate.

Business Loans Info Session: Learn About Your Financing Options
November 29 & December 13
Phone in Toll Free from anywhere in BC, click here

Six-week Focused Marketing course in Victoria!
Starts Tuesday, January 29th, from 11:30-1:00
Fee: $149, which includes the Focused Marketing learning guide
For more information on this course, email lynda@womensenterprise.ca or call Lynda at 1-800-643-7014 ext: 112

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 West Cordova, click here

Return to Top

Around the Province

BC Export Awards Gala Luncheon;
Recognizing BC's top 25 exporters for 2007
Friday, November 23rd, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Vancouver
bcexportawards.com

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

Return to Top

Around the Country

2007 RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards
November 20 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, On
For more information click here

2007 RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards Gala
Tuesday, November 20th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON
Reception 5:30-6:30pm, Dinner & Awards Gala 6:30-10:00pm
For tickets click here, for more information click here, or call Lisa Constanzo at 416-923-1688, or email info@powerpointgroup.com

Fifth Annual 2007 Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100
Wednesday, November 21 in Metro Toronto Convention Centre
South Building, Exhibit Hall F, 222 Bremner Avenue, Toronto, ON
http://www.wxnetwork.com/top100.html

Return to Top