Feature Articles

Marketing Series for Women Entrepreneurs

#4 Branding: It’s Not Just For Cows Anymore

"Brand” used to mean a stamp, a symbol, on a cow’s rump, burned there, permanent. No matter how far on the range a cow wandered, it was clear who owned it and where it came from. These days the concept of brand is most often used to describe the recognizable physical or visual characteristics of a product, such as the logo and perhaps packaging. But there’s a difference between a logo and a brand.

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

Cash Flow and Break-Even Analysis - Two Essential Components for Every Business

A cash flow forecast, one of your most important management tools, is also the most challenging part of any entrepreneur’s financial juggling act.

On a day to day, month to month basis you will use your cash flow forecast to monitor actual expenses versus planned expenses, anticipate and budget for future expenses and formulate credit and collection policies. It also serves as an early indicator for expenditures that are getting out of hand.

Entrepreneur of the Month

Kate Mukasa - Dow Imagery

From her childhood growing up in the suburbs of Johannesburg, South Africa to her work with HIV positive women and former child soldiers in Uganda, it’s Kate Mukasa’s life experiences that make her business, Dow Imagery, stand out from the competition.

News & Announcements

Women Entrepreneur Cybele Negris Wins Prestigious IWIB Award

Women's Enterprise Centre CEO, Laurel Douglas presents an IWIB Award
to Cybele Negris on April 14 in Vancouver.

Cybele Negris, COO and founding partner of Webnames.ca was honoured this month with Business in Vancouver’s 11th Annual Influential Women in Business Award. Cybele, along with her two partners launched the domain registration company in 2000; the company grew so fast that sales in the first year were $2.5million.

Interested in Exporting to the US?
Get Certified by WEConnect Canada

WEConnect Canada is a Canadian non-profit organization that is opening doors to new supply chains. Led by corporate members, it certifies firms that are at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by women and connects them with the growing global demand from corporations and the public sector for diverse and innovative suppliers.

For more information on how to become certified please click here

Join a Trade Mission to the US

Attend the Women in Business National Conference and Business Fair
A trade mission to the WBENC conference is being organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. For more information, or to participate, please contact Josie L. Mousseau, DFAIT, 613-943-4556 / josie.mousseau@international.gc.ca or Jocelyn at jocelyn.kartes@international.gc.ca

WEConnect certified companies will get special benefits at this conference.

For more information please click here

What you Need to Know About HST

CRA is now offering online webinars at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/vnts/hrmnztn/ and face-to-face training sessions around BC, please see a listing at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/vnts/hrmnztn/bc/menu-eng.html.

The CGA association of BC has also prepared a HST resource for you. Go to http://www.cga-bc.org/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=16092

$2,000 Kathy Barnett Memorial Scholarship

Apply by Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Junior Achievement of British Columbia (JABC) and Women’s Enterprise Centre have partnered to encourage entrepreneurship as a valuable option for young women and to enhance opportunities for young women to pursue a business education.

Current female participants and recent graduates of JABC’s senior high school business education programs are eligible to apply for this scholarship. The recipient will be chosen on the basis of her participation in JABC programs, leadership, pursuit of business studies and desire to become an entrepreneur.

For more information about this scholarship offering and to download an application, click here.

Women’s Enterprise Centre is proud to sponsor the Kathy Barnett Memorial Scholarship. Kathy was a role model for all women business owners, and was keenly interested in encouraging young women to consider entrepreneurship as a career option.

Become a One-to-One Mentor or Mentee this Spring!

Women's Enterprise Centre is looking for women in business to become mentors and mentees as part of their FREE Mentoring Program for entrepreneurs.

If you’re a woman with five years or more experience running a business and would like to give back to your community, become a One-to-One Mentor and help other women in business succeed!

If you’re a woman who is in the first three years of business operation and would like to benefit from a mentoring relationship, then apply today to participate.

For more information on becoming a mentor or mentee, click here or contact Sara Couper, Mentoring Coordinator at 1-800-643-7014 ext:201 or mentoring@womensenterprise.ca .

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Events and Happenings

Women's Enterprise Centre Sponsored & Hosted Events

Path Clearing Workshop: Cutting Through the Idea Clutter
Whistler Chamber Boardroom, Whistler
Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 8:30am – 12:30pm
For more information click here

The Power of One - Sales Workshop Kelowna
Ramada Hotel , Kelowna
Wednesday, May 5, 2010, 8:45am – 12pm
For more information click here

The Power of One - Sales Workshop Victoria
Victoria Executive Centre, Victoria
Wednesday, May 26, 2010, 8:45am – 12pm
For more information click here

Around the Province

Dragons' Den auditions
Peter Thompson Centre for Venture Development, Vancouver
Saturday, April 24, 2010, 11am – 7pm
For more information click here

Westshore Chamber of Commerce Business Awards
Royal Colwood Golf Course, Victoria
Thursday, April 29, 2010, 6 – 7pm
For more information click here

WBO 7th Annual Entrepreneur’s Retreat - The Disney Strategy
Brew Creek Lodge, Squamish
Friday, April 30 – Sunday, May 2, 2010
For more information click here

Passion for Retail Conference 2010
Executive Hotel & Conference Centre, Burnaby
Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 12 – 9pm
For more information click here

BC HRMA 2010 Conference
Vancouver Convention Centre
Wednesday, May 5 – Friday, May 7, 2010
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