April 2006
Business Loans Info Session: May 11, 2006
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.
Small Business
Audio Tip (mp3 file)
Learn how to market YOUR business click here
Women's Enterprise Centre assists women entrepreneurs who live
and do business anywhere in BC. We invite you to contact us for
assistance in financing your business up to $100,000.
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-8, 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
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December 2005
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Women's Enterprise Centre Skills Development
"Six Keys To Common Sense
Marketing"
Good marketing is a cornerstone of business success. You can be
the best multi-tasker, accountant, even negotiator, but if you don’t
have a sound marketing strategy based on meeting the needs of a
clearly defined target market, you aren’t going to sell much
of anything to anybody. And like it or not, a business has to sell
stuff to survive.
While developing marketing strategy requires considerable research
and thought on the part of the entrepreneur, it’s not rocket
science. There are some basic common sense principles at work. In
fact, although some experts out there will tell you differently,
a lot of marketing boils down to concepts that you already know
and, in fact, most likely already use in your day-to-day lives.
The secret is in knowing how to use them to maximize business potential.
Over the next several months, the Women’s Enterprise Centre
newsletter will feature what we’ve identified to be the six
keys to common sense marketing.
Marketing Key #1:
Specialists make more than generalists
Intuitively this makes sense, doesn’t it? Let’s look at
an example. Let’s say that Jayne owns a high-end gift store
and has concentrated for several years now on gathering a unique
collection of quality art and collectors’ items. She is to
the point, today, where her eye for beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces
and her talent in getting them are well-known to the public, other
retailers and the media - and also to the many satisfied customers
she’s served over the years. Jayne has won awards for the quality
and flare of her shop.
Sally, on the other hand, also owns a gift store but has never liked
to put all her eggs in one basket. Gifts are gifts and people have
very different tastes, she always says.
She’s not about to cater to any one type. Over the last few
years, Sally has sold some high-end stock, some middle-of-the-road
stock, some trinkets and even a novelty item or two. She prides
herself on the variety in her store. She is known as a multi-purpose
gift seller and does, in fact, offer all manner of items in all
different price ranges, many of them at the lower end of the scale.
So now, let’s say that my friend Jennifer and I are talking over
lunch one day and I mention to Jennifer that I’ve finally put
away enough money to buy my spouse a really extravagant gift. I have
a vision in my mind of something unique, with real character and elegance
– something he will really value. I want an extraordinary gift
and I don’t want to scrimp. I ask Jennifer if she can recommend
a store to me. Whose store do you think she’ll send me to? (Click
below to find out.)
Focused Marketing: Supported Self Study & Workshops
Women's Enterprise Centre Focused Marketing self-study guides and
workshops address the challenges of small business owners: are you
doing too much marketing for the return? Do you feel tired and frustrated
at the amount of money and effort this marketing requires? What
if you could find a way to reduce the scatter, efficiently manage
your time and get better results?
That is what focused marketing means: concentrating on your best
potential customers and delivering a clear, consistent and appealing
message that improves your "batting average". With this guide,
you'll develop a better understanding of your customers and how
to effectively reach them.
Get
the study guide here >
Focused Marketing Workshops - Kelowna and
Vancouver
Focused Marketing Kelowna:
A six-part training series for small business
April 7, 21, 28 - May 5, 12, 19 - Women’s Enterprise Centre, Kelowna, click here
Focused Marketing Vancouver:
A six-part training series for small business
May
16, 23, 30
- June
6, 13, 20 - Small Business BC, Vancouver, 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. For information email info@womensenterprise.ca
Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs In Your Hometown
Celebration of Kamloops and area Women Entrepreneurs
Enterprising business women and aspiring entrepreneurs came together
for a full-day of workshops on Thursday April 6 and to listen to
guest women entrepreneurs tell their stories of business start-up
and growth.
Read about the speakers here>
First Annual Northern Women's Symposium
At yet another event held in March, women entrepreneurs from Fort
St. John came together to talk about supporting the oil and gas
industry through entrepreneurship. Read about guest storytellers here>
Growing Your Business Workshop - Port
Alberni
A mix of start-up and established women entrepreneurs gathered on
March 20 to learn about how strategic alliances and other strategies
can grow a business. Read guest women entrepreneurs stories here>
Aurora Award, Presented by Women's Enterprise
Centre
Women's Enterprise Centre was proud to present the New Entrepreneur
of the Year Award at the 2006 Aurora Awards in Fort St. John. The
lucky recipient of the award was Debbie Fleet of Deb’s
Flower Hut. Having been in business for less than a year, Debbie
has already built a reputation for excellent service and quality
products.
Women’s Enterprise Centre Chair Wins Volunteer of the Year
 Congratulations to Donna Gault, Chair of Women’s Enterprise Centre. Donna was presented with the 2006 Vancouver Island Athena Award for Outstanding Female Volunteer of the Year. She was honoured with this award for contributing time, energy and enthusiasm to community projects and programs. Donna was also the manager and past owner of the Airport Inn located in Port Hardy on Vancouver Island.
Women's
Enterprise Centre Coming Soon to Your Hometown!
- Moving Up! Growing your Business Workshop:
Chinese Women Entrepreneurs Association
April 28, 2006, 1788 West Broadway, Vancouver BC click
here
- Be Your Own Boss: Workshops for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2006, Okanagan College, Kelowna BC click here
- Women in Motion: The Un-Conference. Forging Business Success
May 13, 2006, Dunsmuir Lodge,
515 McTavish Rd, Victoria BC click here
- Celebration of Northwest BC
Women Entrepreneurs
May 18, 2006, 4620 Lakelse Avenue, Terrace BC click here
Growth
Workshop for Women Entrepreneurs
 May
8, 2006. "Assess, plan and better implement growth strategies!"
Presented by RBC Financial Group and the Business Development Bank
(BDC) and supported by the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards.
This afternoon workshop will provide a forum for you, to network,
to learn, to hear the success stories of other women entrepreneurs,
and to meet community resource people who can support you during your
business growth process. This workshop will help you assess, plan
and ultimately accelerate the implementation of your business growth
strategies. Sponsored in part by Women's Enterprise Centre.
The Association of Women Business Owners Presents:
The Leader Within You Entrepreneur’s Retreat on Gabriola Island this May 12 - 14, 2006. If you’re a business owner, you’re a leader. Do you have what it takes to lead your company successfully? Spend a few days amongst your peers and discover the leader within you. Become the leader you’d want to follow! This event is designed for busy entrepreneurs with limited time and budget. Be taught by top industry experts who specialize in teaching leadership skills to women, all in a relaxing, yet stimulating environment of the islands.
(CRA) Guide for Canadian Small Businesses
Are you starting a new small business in Canada or operating one already?
This guide introduces you to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the federal government agency responsible for administering tax laws for the Government of Canada and for most provinces and territories, administration of tariffs, various social and economical benefit and incentive programs delivered through the tax system. It informs you of programs you need to know about, and provides you with an overview of your obligations and entitlements under Canadian law. Many activities of a small business are subject to different forms of taxation. This guide will help you with each of these, and will explain how to plan for taxes, keep records, and make and report payments.
Recommended Reading
Shattering the glass box - women entrepreneurs and the KBN
This report focuses on the recent rapid rise of the number of self-employed women, across the number of industries and Canada - with special attention to the fast in-roads they are making in the knowledge based economy (KBN).
How to start a home-based business
How do you start a successful home-based business? The secret of success is not to stop halfway through the business selection process as so many people do. Follow these six steps to start a home-based business that will succeed rather than just being a drain of your time and money.
Women's networking groups on the move
Suits still outnumber skirts in Canadian boardrooms, but some women are hoping that by improving their networking and business skills, they can change that statistic. Growing at a much faster rate, however, is the number of women's networking groups in the country. Such groups offer women networking opportunities, mentoring programs and skill-building workshops to encourage more women up the corporate ladder.
What is market research and what it can do for your business
Market Research is an important factor in ensuring a business succeeds. In our society, change is rapid and continuous. In business, the customer dictates the market. Without customers, there is no reason to produce a product or provide a service.
Courses, Events and Happenings
Women's Enterprise Centre
Business Loans Info Session: Learn About
Your Financing Options
May 11th, 2006, anywhere in BC. Toll Free phone-in click
here
Small Business BC and eBC Seminars
Small Business BC Seminars - Vancouver
All Year. Waterfront Station 82 - 601 West Cordova, click
here
eBusiness BC Lunchbox Seminars - Vancouver
All Year Tuesdays. Waterfront Station 601 W. Cordova, click
here
Tax, GST/HST and PST Seminars for Small Business - Vancouver
601 West Cordova Street, Seminar Room
on 3rd Floor, Room 390, click here
Payroll Information Seminars for Small Business
601 West Cordova Street, Seminar Room
on 3rd Floor, Room 390, click here
Around the Province
Free Online Small Business Workshops
Produced by The Network of Canada Business Service Center click
here
Abbotsford Valley Women's Network 18th Annual Spring Fling
Celebration
April 27, 2006. Ramada Convention Centre, Contact Susan at 604-855-4643
eWomenNetwork Accelerated Networking Workshop
April 27, 2006, 837 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC. click here
Deadline for Applications: The 2006 G.E.R.I. Fund Competition
April 30, 2006. For more information on this event, click here
Wired Woman Silent Auction and Sponsorship Opportunity Call
for Donations
May 4, 2006. For more information, phone:
604 451 0500 ext 142
The Financially Enlightened Small Businesswoman Workshop
May 5, 2006. To Register or for more information, click here
Accelerating Growth Workshop for Women Entrepreneurs
May 8, 2006. The Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver. For details, click here
Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
May 10, 2006. 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Dorchester Hotel in Nanaimo
Victoria Women of Distinction Awards
May 11, 2006. For more details click here
The B.C. New Canadian Entrepreneur Awards
May 11, 2006. Hyatt Regency in Vancouver, BC click here
Women Entrepreneurs Retreat at The Haven on Gabriola Island
May 12 - 14, 2006. To reserve your spot call 604.878.6699 or click here
Nominations for the 2006 BC Innovation Council Awards
May 15, 2006. For information and nomination forms, click here
Keys to Effective Brand Building: Jeff Hilton, Integrated Marketing Group
May 24 - 26, 2006. For details call (604) 822-6920 or click here
Get Noticed By the Media: Expert Panel Discussion & Networking Reception
May 25, 2006. Azure Grill, 770 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, click here
23rd Annual YWCA of Vancouver Women of Distinction Awards
May 30, 2006. 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver, For details, click here
Nominations for The RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards
July
17, 2006 is the deadline for nominations. For details, click here
2006 Sapphire Awards – Business Vancouver Island
September
18, 2006, Tigh-Na-Mara Resort, Parksville. Details TBA
RBC Dominion Securities 4th Annual Cruise for Female Entrepreneurs
September
30 - October 3rd, 2006. For details, click here
Small Business Week
October
16 - 20, 2006, Details TBA
Northern BC Today’s Woman Tradeshow 2006
October
27, 2006. For details, click here
Events Calendar Online
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