In 2020,  West Coast Wildflowers opened in Campbell River, offering high-quality, locally-made products for families, including apparel, jewelry, home decor, artwork, and more. On her entrepreneurial journey, Alissa and her partner Cody Assu also invested in RavenSong Soap and Candles to reconnect with plant medicine and Indigenous knowledge while embracing a mentorship role to learn and share the cultural stories behind the brand.

Alissa didn’t stop there, she has dedicated herself to educating her community and beyond about the unique lens of Indigenous business ownership. Through workshops and speaking opportunities, including the “Reconciliation and Resilience Fireside Chat” with WeBC, Alissa shares her journey and the challenges faced by Indigenous women in business. She emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and cultural understanding while addressing how well-intentioned efforts can sometimes be harmful. She is bridging the gap in knowledge and understanding for future generations.

Looking to scale her business and improve her understanding of finances, Alissa joined WeBC’s One-to-One Mentoring program. She felt the mentorship program would be another channel to express herself authentically while learning from a mentor. After being matched, Alissa’s mentor introduced her to valuable contacts outside her network, which helped her achieve her business goals and further her learning. The support and connections Alissa gained from the program reinforced her confidence, empowering her to pursue her goals, both big and small.

Client Q&A

Q: Tell me about RavenSong Soap, Bear Essential Oils, and West Coast Wildflowers.

A: RavenSong Soap and West Coast Wildflowers are both retail businesses with multiple locations. We have West Coast Wildflowers in the downtown core of Campbell River and RavenSong in Willow Point. RavenSong also has a manufacturing warehouse and our products retail at circular fashion Canadian brands such as Anian. We also have Bear Essential Oils, which is wellness brand that honours cultural knowledge, community spirit and self-care. We pride ourselves on offering 100% pure, organic, ethically sourced and wildcrafted essential oils. 

West Coast Wildflowers offers a variety of products, from ice cream made in Victoria to clothing from Aniàn, which focuses on circular fashion. We also carry sustainable cleaning products from Nature Bee, along with RavenSong products. I’m proud to include other Indigenous sisters and cousins in this space.

Q: What do you want others to know about your experience as an Indigenous entrepreneur?

A: I’ve learned some harsh lessons in the past three and a half years. When non-Indigenous women say “I don’t see colour” to Indigenous women, it can be particularly harmful because it dismisses the unique cultural identity and experiences of Indigenous women, who often face both racial and gender-based discrimination.

This phrase suggests a refusal to acknowledge the historical and ongoing impact of colonization, racism, and systemic inequality that Indigenous women experience. By claiming not to see race, non-Indigenous women may unintentionally perpetuate the erasure of Indigenous women’s voices and struggles, overlooking the ways in which race and culture shape their daily realities. It can also create a barrier to meaningful solidarity, as true allyship requires recognizing and addressing the specific challenges that Indigenous women face in a racially stratified society.

One of the hardest lessons for me has been figuring out who is a true ally, versus someone who is a performative action ally, versus those who are willing to sit beside us, learn, and be uncomfortable, knowing that there are better ways to approach these conversations.

I’ve had to become more unapologetic about my perspective. Before, I felt nervous about upsetting non-Indigenous women. But there is a community out there ready to support you, and if someone says, “I don’t see you as an Indigenous woman in business,” then that’s not a safe community to be part of.

Q: How did you find WeBC?

A: It’s been so long, I don’t really remember how I found WeBC, but I’m so grateful I did. One thing that non-Indigenous organizations, including WeBC, excel at is recognizing the significant power they have in Indigenous communities. What I mean by that is there are many pretenders out there, and we need to be very mindful and careful about who amplifies Indigenous voices. For instance, has that person or organization ever harmed someone in the Indigenous community? There are all of these multi-layered considerations.

What I’ve witnessed in non-Indigenous organizations is a tendency to just try to find someone to fill that ‘Indigenous gap’. I appreciate the work WeBC is doing to ensure Indigenous women have the opportunity to share our stories. It’s so important that we are connected to our communities and that our communities know us.

Q: Why did you decide to take the One-to-One Mentoring program?

A: I wanted to take the program to understand financials better. My husband and I are building our house, making it harder for us to secure business loans, even when our numbers show we’re growing.

The most valuable aspect of the program was the connections my mentor helped me make with important contacts outside of our usual circles. For many Indigenous people, our networks don’t include family members who work at banks. We often discuss the challenges of launching new businesses when living in a community struggling with poverty. It’s a different reality. The mentorship through WeBC helps us access those circles and resources.

Q: Were there any major successes coming out of the program?

A: It reinforced my belief that I can continue on this path and that my vision isn’t crazy. It showed me that my goals and the returns on investment I’m looking for must align with my business pursuits. I feel empowered to ask for help when I need it and know I’m not asking for too much.

Q: If you were to advise anyone starting their own business, what advice would you give?

A: I would say start with creating a vision and leadership board for yourself. It doesn’t have to be massive, but something to remind you what you’re working toward.

I’m in the middle of building a visionary leadership board that includes a lawyer and financial advisor. It’s important to have someone to lean on who’s done these things before. In the beginning, it could be just one person so you have a circle to rely on. I’m looking at it from a lens to protect yourself and your family, and an outside party can help you make the right decisions.

Where to Find West Coast Wildflowers

Website

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

Where to Find RavenSong Soap

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Where to find Bear Essential Oils

Website

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

The post Alissa Assu, RavenSong Soap, Bear Essential Oils, and West Coast Wildflowers, Campbell River appeared first on WeBC.

Benefits of a Business Mentor: #1 The answers to your burning business questions

Your Mentor understands what it’s like to own and operate a business. If you’re entering a new stage in your business—like seeing your sales take off, or moving from a solopreneur to boss—you may have what seems like an endless list of questions. The two of you have been matched for 6 months, and you want to know everything…including what the future holds! 

With a Mentor, the two of you can start to prioritize which questions need to be answered NOW and which ones can wait. 

Chances are, she will explain how you should go about finding answers to your business questions. If you don’t know where to start, here are 5 questions to ask your Mentor. You may discover this research mindset serves you well long after your relationship has come to an end.

Inspiration and ideas can come from anywhere, and sometimes a fresh perspective can help you to expand your horizons. 

Benefits of a Business Mentor: #2 Experience on how-to-do

Your Mentor is not your Jedi Master. She is someone who has, through trial and error developed a few essential skills that may be applicable to your business. If you ask your Mentor to explain how she set up her business books, or created a marketing plan, you may be disappointed when she cannot transplant that knowledge directly into your head. 

Your Mentor will take some time to listen to your business story and may have some suggestions on what may help smooth the way. Your Mentor understands processes and business operations. She may be able to support you in developing the necessary skills you need to streamline your day-to-day operations. 

Her real-world experience of working ON your business, not IN your business, is a key to growing your business.

Benefits of a Business Mentor: #3 A different perspective

My background is in fashion design, clothing manufacturing, and retail. In design…clothing, interior, graphic, we are taught the benefit of expanding our creative horizons by looking at EVERYTHING outside our industry. Inspiration and ideas can come from anywhere, and sometimes a fresh perspective can help you to expand your horizons. 

Your Mentor might be able to offer you a long-view of your business and your product or service. Her perspective from outside your industry could enable you to think outside your box and come up with some ideas that expand your reach. 

Have you ever considered exporting? Did you know that we define exporting as into another province OR across the globe? Your Mentor’s experience is like a two-way mirror, where you can see yourself and your business future…just a little differently.

Practice makes perfect—daily practice with a little dash of Mentor experience will have you wearing your superhero cape with a deep sense of accomplishment.

Benefits of a Business Mentor: #4 Having a trusted advisor

It’s one thing to have started a business as I did, with my father and oldest brother running parts of our family business. If I got stuck on something or had a personal matter to discuss, they were only a phone call away. 

Your business Mentor is on your side. She can be trusted to keep conversations private. Discussions concerning staff, clients, and suppliers are all common ground. If you are a sole proprietor, she may be the ONLY person you can discuss sensitive issues with. It may be the first time a business matter of this kind has come up for you, but most likely, your business Mentor will have experience in similar matters that she is more than willing to share. 

Benefits of a Business Mentor: #5 Accelerating your growth

Every business is different; however, many business processes are transferable, no matter what type of business you’re running. Your Business Mentor can remember how difficult it was prior to honing key skills in her business. She can also remember how smoothly and efficiently her business ran when she mastered those skills!

Tapping into your Mentor’s insight on how to improve these business skills is like developing a superpower! One day you are dragging yourself into your brick and mortar location or down the hall to log onto your website, and then SHAZAM!!! You are transformed into a person who has mastered something that you never thought you would…all because your Mentor let you in on the secret. 

Practice makes perfect—daily practice with a little dash of Mentor experience will have you wearing your superhero cape with a deep sense of accomplishment.

Benefits of a Business Mentor: #6 Expanding your network

Busy business owners have to make time to expand their professional networks. Your business Mentor can open the door to her network. When I had my retail store, I was a member of our local Chamber of Commerce and a few other networking groups. But after working with clients all day—even though my clients were GREAT—it was too easy to postpone networking. 

When I am working with a Mentee, I often surprise myself with the number of resources I am able to suggest. Your Mentor is ahead of you in the years-of-experience department. She has worked with people in a variety of areas in her business and can often pass these names along to you. She has professional connections you can only dream of! Your Mentor’s experience makes it easy for her to recall a name or a business that may be exactly who you need.

Connecting people is one of the greatest compliments for both parties. And she’ll probably encourage you to get out there and enjoy those networking groups, too!

When you don’t know what you don’t know, a Mentor can save you some frustrations by sharing what they learned the hard way.

Benefits of a Business Mentor: #7 Getting constructive feedback

My husband and I were both in retail. I had one store for many years, and he was with a company with over eighty stores across Canada. We regularly talked about emerging trends, monthly sales, and marketing. 

On the flip side, many women don’t have an entrepreneur in their family or social circle, which can be isolating for a woman in business. There is only so much sharing about your business day you can do at the dinner table or at a social event before the ‘eye-rolling’ begins. 

Your Mentor understands and can relate to business. Business discussions with your Mentor can be productive and engaging. You may even be able to stop starting all your sentences with ‘just hear me out…’ 

Owning your own business is creative, exciting work, and it’s nice to be able to talk about business with someone who feels the same way.

Benefits of a Business Mentor: #8 Building the confidence to make informed decisions

When I first started my manufacturing business, shortly after completing my apparel design program, I remember calling my brother to ask, ‘what do I do now’? My brother was running a neighbourhood pub in Esquimalt, and he said, ‘don’t worry, you’ll get busy, and you know…it all just starts to happen.’ 

It did get busy, and I found my flow, but the confidence piece took a bit longer. The fun part of having your own business is that you get to set the direction. The scary part of having your own business is that you are never quite sure if the direction you have chosen is the ‘right’ one. 

Your Mentor understands that ‘what-if’ feeling. 

What if I did X instead of Y? What if I misjudged my target market? What if I didn’t get a large enough loan? 

Your Mentor can help you analyze your decisions and validate or question your reasons for moving forward with a business decision. The two of you can work through a process to help you move forward with confidence. Your decisions, no matter what the outcome, are building your confidence-muscles. You can consider your business Mentor as your personal trainer—no ice-pack required!

Benefits of a Business Mentor: #9 Save time and money

I always tell my mentees that business start-up is the most costly part of the process. When you are excited to start your entrepreneurial journey and start to pay for everything up-front, you can easily overspend and find yourself short of operating capital in the first few years. 

Your business Mentor understands the start-up phase of business and may be able to support you to cut those unnecessary expenses or avoid some rookie mistakes. When you don’t know what you don’t know, a Mentor can save you some frustrations by sharing what they learned the hard way. 

Having someone go through the seemingly endless list of start-up expenses and brainstorm how to prioritize will save you time and money. Your Mentor’s experience with cash flow is invaluable when you are new to entrepreneurship. I always encourage my mentees to be as honest as they can when discussing a budget. You can trust your Mentor to provide support without judgment and keep you accountable through the process. 

The time savings involved in working with your Mentor to put a plan in place and then working through action steps on your own time prior to your next meeting can’t be overstated. Your Mentor has experience with business operations, cash flow, and financing. She is someone with experience you can trust.

Benefits of a Business Mentor: #10 Learn new skills

You became an entrepreneur for many reasons. Perhaps you wanted to use your skills to work for yourself instead of making money for a company you did not own. Or perhaps you are a creative person, and your skills are not in the business field. Or, you are a wonderfully resourceful person who learns-as-she-goes-along. 

In all three of these examples, business skills were not number one on your list. Your business Mentor can teach you how to learn what you need to know in order to move forward with your business. I am not saying that the role of your business Mentor is to teach you everything you need to know about business (we have Business Advisors for that). I said that she can teach you how to learn or research what you need to know. Here are some things to consider if you’re evaluating if your business mentor is right for you.

Let’s say you need a bookkeeper. Your Mentor won’t teach you how to use the latest accounting program; however, she may teach you where to look for a bookkeeper, and help you create a list of questions to ask when you meet them for an interview. Your Mentor may have a specialty in marketing; however, she would not teach you how to design your own website. She may suggest someone who you could meet with to discuss costs to add a shopping cart to your existing website. 

Most entrepreneurs work alone or with 1 to 5 employees. Your Mentor can help you develop the skills to find out what you need to know to run your business successfully.

The benefits to having a business Mentor are boundless when you find a business mentorship program that works for you! Your Mentor does not have a magic wand or a superpower, but her wealth of experience may make it feel that way.  

You and your Mentor have entered into a relationship as equals. You both have a business, and you both want to be successful. Like all relationships, the Mentor-Mentee pairing requires work, respect, and communication. In my time as a Mentor, I always say that I benefited from the enthusiasm and energy of my Mentee as much as or more than she benefited from my experience. Enjoy your time together!

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Ninety-five percent of our Mentees say they feel confident with their business skills, compared to 35% prior to participating in our mentorship program. And 81% say having a Mentor has improved their decision-making skills. 

There are many different types of mentorship programs. How do you know which one is a good fit for you?

If you search mentorship, women, BC, you will see a couple of programs that may pique your interest (of course I hope you choose to apply with WeBC!) 

If you’re wondering how to find a business mentorship program, here are a few factors to consider:

How much time do you have for the business mentorship program?

How many hours, realistically, can you spend in a business mentoring program each week or each month? 

Many programs require you to attend a monthly meeting; however, you’ll need to commit to some preparation pre-meeting, and follow-up after your meeting. 

In my experience as a Mentor, I can’t emphasize enough how preparation and follow up can benefit your mentoring relationship. Taking some time during your week to note any pain points in your operations or business planning. Taking those notes and formulating a few specific questions to ask your Mentor can make all the difference in the world. 

Solving a small problem before it becomes unmanageable is the type of proactive approach that leads to business success! Does the mentorship program you are considering have time built in for this kind of pre- and post-meeting discussion? 

How do you like to communicate with your mentor?

Many entrepreneurs don’t realize that mentors usually volunteer their time as Mentors. Does the mentorship program you are considering have a policy around when and how you can communicate with your Mentor? Do you communicate with the program head, rather than directly with your Mentor? 

Depending on the complexity of the issues you intend to work on with your mentor-as-guide, this may be a deciding factor for you. In my role as Mentor with WeBC we’re encouraged to establish guidelines around communication that respects both our time and the Mentee’s time in our first meeting together.  

Once those agreements were set, most of the communication outside the actual meeting time was handled by myself, as I made it clear to my mentees that I was available to talk, text or email should something come up. 

Communication style is a personal preference, so be sure you’re comfortable with the communication parameters prior to applying to the program.

Is the business mentorship program flexible?

If you’re running a business, managing a family, and trying to have a life, you understand what I mean! Being accepted into a mentoring program a month or two in the future can require a bit of juggling should a staff or family member become sick, or your business experience an unexpected shock. 

Be sure to choose a mentoring program that allows you the flexibility to change your plans. Does the program allow you to miss a session, or change groups? What happens if you and your Mentorjust don’t quite ‘click’? Choose a program that allows you to speak to someone throughout the process in confidence. 

You’ve probably been waiting for a program to open for applications, or for a Mentor In your specific industry to become available. Once you have been accepted into a program, take some time to understand who your contact people are, and if need be, to clarify your commitment to your Mentor, and/or the other members of your group. 

If something happens and you are unable to participate be sure to understand the refund and exchange policy. 

Ask around

Many times a personal referral is what helps you to decide on a mentorship program. 

Did a fellow member of a networking group rave over a program? Did your accountant or bookkeeper mention a client who had a 5-star mentorship experience? Have you had a good or GREAT experience with an organization’s other programs such as Business Advising or Financing? (We hope so!) Have you read a few glowing testimonials on the organization’s website, or on Social Media? If so, your search for the perfect mentoring program may be over!

Finally, if you’re searching for a business mentoring program and can’t find a perfect fit, consider this: perhaps you don’t need a mentoring program at this stage of your business. 

Perhaps you would benefit by speaking with a Business Advisor instead. Consider registering for a session on marketing. Or business planning. If you aren’t sure what you need to move your business forward, perhaps we can help. And if you’re an experienced entrepreneur, maybe you’re ready to give back as a Mentor, like me!

The post How to Find a Business Mentorship Program that Works for You appeared first on WeBC.

Here are a few questions you can ask your business mentor:

1. How do I measure success?

Your Mentor’s super power is experience! She has been there, done that. Use her power to learn from her successes AND her failures. No business owner is sure of their business path to success every minute of every day. Business, like life, ebbs and flows. However, avoiding too much ‘drift’ in your business is a key to making progress towards your business goals. Your mentor can guide you through the process of selecting some success milestones that will keep you on a steady path to reaching your business goals.

“Being mentored by a woman who has grown her own business helped me believe it is very possible for me to do the same. I liked having set meeting times and goals to accomplish in between our meetings. Having a mentor helps very much with accountability to my goals.” – Past WeBC Mentee

2. How do I decide which areas of my business to focus on? 

When you open your physical doors, or go live with your business website, you may feel immediately overwhelmed with the importance of EVERY aspect of running your business. Whether it’s staff training, tax reporting, ordering merchandise, or serving clients, it can seem as if everything has a red exclamation mark next to the task! 

Your Business Mentor can support you to prioritize your seemingly endless list of daily, weekly or monthly To-Do’s so you can cut through the clutter and hone in on the most important areas that need your attention now, soon, and in the future. 

“My mentor helped me to succeed in my recent business goals such as networking more, creating a passive income, and my client inquiries became more consistent. With her guidance, I finally launched my online shop and I’m also now more motivated in completing daily/weekly tasks. In the last 6 months of the mentorship program, I would say that my time management has become better and staying focused on my business goals with a mentor really helped!” – Past WeBC Mentee

3. How do I attract more clients?

This is the million dollar question for any entrepreneur! Your mentor has experience in this area, and can help you avoid time-wasting marketing mistakes. The research you did on your client base is all in your Business Plan. Your mentor can help you to analyze your market research, and help you to decide where and how you should be spending those precious marketing dollars. 

“Bobbi’s kind, practical, and engaging approach has allowed us to fine tune our go to market strategy and been encouraged by her wisdom to revamp our marketing strategies, messaging, and ultimately investments to best attract consumers.” – Shiva Badiee, WiiBid, Past WeBC Mentee

4. How do I maintain a balance between work life and home life?

For many entrepreneurs, your work is your passion AND your life. This question, at its heart, is a very personal one, and every entrepreneur’s answer to this question is unique to them. 

Your mentor has experience, and perhaps a different perspective on this question. She may tell you a personal story from her own work and life. She may also suggest some strategies that worked in her situation. Balancing every aspect of life is an ongoing struggle, Your mentor may be able to offer insight into the very specific woman-entrepreneur experience, from someone who has lived it.

“We all have our own definition of success and for me that is happiness, running a self-sufficient, sustainable business, and the ability to work on a flexible schedule. As an entrepreneur you’re creating your own job, but it’s more than that. You have to take time to work on your business, not just work IN your business and draw a wage. Plans often go awry, and when it comes to business, you can’t learn everything from books, classes or YouTube. Experience is the greatest teacher. It was an absolute privilege to share time with my mentor.”  – Alice Ward Cameron, Alice’s Fresh Pasta, Powell River, Past WeBC Mentee

5. How do I decide when it’s time to sell or close my business?

When I started my business at age 22, I had been married for nearly a year, and had no children. When I decided to close my 2 stores at age 46, I had been married for nearly 24 years, my mother had recently passed away, and the country was in the grips of a financial downturn. 

When I meet an entrepreneur who tells me that she has a plan to build up her business over 10 years because she is interested in selling it, I think, ‘great planning!’ 

Your Business Mentor has been in business longer than you have, and has insight on the life cycle of a business. Thinking about your business as a timeline, with startup, growth, and wind-down phases, is a realistic way to consider your journey as an entrepreneur.  

You and your mentor can discuss the complete life cycle of your business as a planning tool, even if you have no intentions on winding up your business. Your mentor’s experience with her own business can be a rich area for discussing ‘what-if’ and or future planning.

“As a solopreneur working from home, my business life and efforts have seemed like “shots in the dark” without any feedback until the shot has been made. The feedback was from clients or was simply silent; in other words, I missed my target. The program was critical to help me know that I’m not on some wild and meandering path and that others have had similar questions. I became more clear about what stage I was actually at in my business. With that in mind, as well as an idea of where I want to go, I was encouraged to niche market myself. This was an empowering move! The support was astounding.“ – Past WeBC Mentee

Trust, respect, and openness to another perspective is what makes a mentoring relationship invaluable. A business mentor is different from a friend. They are more like a respected colleague. Someone who you can discuss business-related topics with that a non-business owner would not understand. These questions are to get you to think about what a mentoring relationship can look like, but every relationship is different—that’s the joy of mentorship! 

What questions would you add?

The post 5 Key Questions to Ask Your Business Mentor appeared first on WeBC.

Sabrina focuses on projects that drive social impact by not shying away from the social conversations that matter—conversations that include race, class, sexuality and gender.

“I believe storytelling can transform humanity for the better.”

Sabrina is committed to using educational technology tools to reach a broad, diverse and multigenerational audience, and offers services in both English and French.

Wojack Productions has several projects in development at any one time; however, Sabrina emphasizes that her specialty is storytelling, branding and consulting. And this storytelling even includes video business cards!

Sabrina loves the freedom she experiences as an entrepreneur. She uses this freedom to create the future she imagines. She has some advice for others who are venturing down the same creative path:

“Do not fear mistakes, setbacks and sorrows; they are unavoidable. Do not resist, and in the process take responsibility, even if it feels unjust.”

Sabrina has participated in WeBC’s Mentoring program and workshops. She found the mentorship experience to be the most useful at this stage of her business growth. She believes in the power of building a personal and professional network, so as not to be alone on the business journey.

Sabrina says that, at Wojack Productions:

“We produce stories. We deliver smiles.” 

Where to find Wojack Productions

www.wojackproductions.biz

https://www.instagram.com/wojackproductions/

https://www.facebook.com/storytellingenterprise

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When it comes to entrepreneurial mindset, I’ve noticed that many early entrepreneurs fall into a continuum. On one end is the bold entrepreneur. This person signs a business lease before they have the money to pay the rent, shells out $50,000 to manufacture a prototype for a (hopefully) revolutionary product, and shouts about their product from the rooftops (even if it’s not quite ready…). This person is in business!

On the other side is the cautious entrepreneur. This person has a business idea, and they’ve spent countless hours working on their logo, crafting a perfect business plan, and researching the market. If they can do something sitting comfortably behind their desk, they’ve probably done it. They might tell a few friends about their idea, but they keep it pretty quiet in case it doesn’t work out. And, critically, they often struggle to execute their idea. 

Do either of these sound familiar? Maybe too familiar? The good news is, there’s no right way or wrong way to be an entrepreneur. With a bit of work, you can adjust your mindset to become a better entrepreneur. 

If you’re naturally cautious, how can you become more bold to drive your business forward? And if your boldness is becoming a liability, what tactics can help you become more cautious and balanced? 

As a Business Advisor, I’m also a Certified Entrepreneurial Mindset Profile® Practitioner. In this post, I will explore some of the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs (based on the EMP framework) and some tips on how to take action.

Balancing Your Entrepreneurial Mindset

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Risk Acceptance

Entrepreneurship involves risk—there’s no getting around that. Some people are scared to take any risks, and some people bet the farm to less-than-ideal results. But the good news is, anyone can shift their mindset to become more risk astute. Here are some actions you can take.

Tips for Becoming Bold:

• No risk, no business: Think about shifting your mindset to see risk as a necessary part of building a business. You know what they say—No risk, no reward! Many successful entrepreneurs will say that the real risk comes from missed opportunities. So instead of thinking of risk as a potential loss, think about it instead as a potential gain, and an unavoidable part of doing business.
• Be logical about your fears: An inability to take risks often comes from a place of fear. Next time you have to make a big decision, think through the worst case scenario. What is really the worst that could go wrong? How could that be mitigated?
• Practice risk and experimentation: Try taking small risks in your day-to-day life. Order something new at a restaurant, or (gasp!) let Netflix pick the TV show for you. Then apply this mindset to your business, and start small! Change the colour on your website or try a new promotion. You will see that risk-taking can be beneficial, and not as scary as you thought.

Tips for Becoming Cautious:

• Use a Risk Matrix: If you tend to take risks without always thinking it through, then maybe you need some tools in your toolbox. One approach is to use a risk matrix. 
  
  To put together a risk matrix, write down all of the risks you could face when starting your business or embarking on a new project. Then, rate each risk based on 1) the probability of it happening, and 2) the level of harm it would result in (there are lots of examples online!). You will soon see that some risks are ‘riskier’ than others, which will guide your decision making.

• Learn about Risk Control: Risk control helps you to treat risk in certain ways to lessen their impact. You can use tactics to avoid the risk, transfer the risk to someone else, mitigate the impact of the risk by taking some pre-emptive action, or accept the risk and plan for contingency. Using risk control and a risk matrix together is a winning combination!

Be clear about what you need input on. Instead of asking, “What should we do?” try saying, “Here’s what I’d like to do, and here’s why.”

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Action Orientation

Entrepreneurs often have high Action Orientation, which means they like to take quick and decisive action. This is usually good, but not if you’re acting based on incomplete information. On the other hand, people with low Action Orientation are more likely to hold back on taking action, usually because they want more information before they make a decision. They may also be procrastinating—driven by perfectionism or a fear of failure. 

Tips for Becoming Bold:

• Map your decisions: If you’re an analytical person, it can be hard to make decisions. I call this “Analysis Paralysis.” But, you can also put those skills to good use to become more Action Oriented. When you’re getting stuck on a decision, take the time to map things out at a really high level. 
  
  What is the decision you need to make? What is your deadline to make the decision? What information do you need before you can make the decision? 
  
  This map can serve as a touchpoint when you find yourself going down rabbit holes (It’s funny what you will spend your time on when avoiding making a decision!)

• Practice taking action: Much like risk taking, it takes practice to develop action orientation. Try breaking down a task into small pieces and set timelines for each piece (e.g. take four hours to price production costs or research potential suppliers). 
  
  Allow yourself that set amount of time for the task, then walk away and take a break. Then, revisit your decision map. What does your gut tell you based on your analysis? Still need more information? That’s ok, but limit the time, and always check back on your map.

• Change your mindset: Entrepreneurs must move quickly to adapt to changes in the market—that’s just the way it is. Try treating this as a core competency or value that you can work on, rather than a shortcoming. For example, you could name this in your business strategy as part of your mission or values—“We make thoughtful, expedient decisions to stay ahead of trends and maximize profit.” 

Tips for Becoming Cautious:

• Build  a circle of advisors: Action-oriented people tend to make decisions independently but, as they say, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” 
  
  So set up a structure that works for you to consult with people you trust, but don’t get bogged down in consensus building or bureaucracy. Be clear about what you need input on. Instead of asking, “What should we do?” try saying, “Here’s what I’d like to do, and here’s why.”

• Back up your gut feelings: You don’t want to get analysis paralysis, but you need more than your gut to make decisions. Use the mapping exercise outlined above under “Becoming Bold,” Allow yourself the time to dig into your question, and don’t be afraid to delegate the research if it’s not your skill set—just be sure to listen once you get the results!

Engage with other entrepreneurs to learn about their challenges and successes. You will quickly see that no one knows everything, and even the most successful entrepreneurs question their abilities sometimes. 

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Self-Confidence

Finally, let’s discuss self-confidence. Many entrepreneurs have high self-confidence—they believe they have the skills and talents needed to reach their goals. This can help them get others to rally behind their mission, but also can come across as arrogant. 

What if you lack confidence? Well, this can make it hard to gain trust, and second-guessing yourself is sure to slow down decision-making. 

Tips for Becoming Bold:

• Remind yourself of your awesomeness: It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and like you don’t have what it takes. No one knows everything about everything. 
  
  Write down a few things that you recently succeeded at doing. When you’re lacking confidence, look at this list to remind yourself you’re capable of success.

• Act as if: Sometimes it helps to “act as if” you are already a successful business person, even if you feel like you’re pretending. Ask yourself what a successful business person would do, and then do it! Confidence breeds confidence. 
  
• Connect with a community: Engage with other entrepreneurs to learn about their challenges and successes. You will quickly see that no one knows everything, and even the most successful entrepreneurs question their abilities sometimes. 
  
• Be the best: Want to build your confidence? Offer the best product or service you can. Build your skills and knowledge by taking courses, joining industry associations, and keeping up with the latest developments. When your business is successful, your confidence will grow. 

Tips for Becoming Cautious:

• Look at the source: Sometimes high self-confidence is actually low self-esteem in disguise. Do you find yourself constantly trying to prove yourself? You might want to adopt the mantra “Show, don’t tell.” Let your actions and results speak for themselves.
  
• Ask questions: Here’s another saying: “You have two ears and one mouth for a reason.” If you’re prone to talking a lot, make an active effort to listen more and speak less. When you do speak, try asking more questions.

Wherever you sit on the bold-cautious continuum, I hope these tips give you some tangible ideas for how to adjust your entrepreneurial mindset and get your business to the next level!

The post How to Develop Entrepreneurial Mindset: Be Cautiously Bold appeared first on WeBC.

Your enthusiasm is inspiring and just a tad flattering. Yet, in my role as both One-to-One Mentor, and Peer Mentoring Group facilitator, I can tell you that mentors are real people who have won and lost at business…and once upon a time, they were probably just like you! 

In many mentoring programs, including at WeBC, Mentor matches are made by considering a variety of factors. Experience, compatible industry, location (urban/rural) and area of expertise. 

If you were fortunate to have been matched with a Mentor, there is still more to consider. 

How do you know if your business Mentor is a good match?

Mentoring is a relationship, first and foremost, so you have to be able to work with this person to solve a business challenge, or capitalize on a business opportunity. If, after one or two meetings, you find yourself questioning the relationship for any reason, you may want to reach out to the mentorship organization to discuss your concerns.

But, before you do that, you may want to ask yourself a few questions…and follow up with a conversation with your mentor.

3 questions to ask yourself

1. What are your expectations for this mentoring relationship?

Did you need an answer to a specific problem, and now that you have one, are you unsure what to talk about for the next few months? 

Setting your expectations together can build a solid foundation for your mentoring relationship. Try to think of the big picture: are you asking her to focus on the symptoms (e.g. drowning in paperwork) when you need to solve the bigger problem (e.g. going from solopreneur to employer). As someone who is further down the path, she may have the benefit of hindsight to help you skip the interim steps to where she ended up on her journey. 

The company is growing fast, and I wanted to hear how other women were able to make the transition. What worked for them, what didn’t and why? I wanted to learn from others how to be able to make better, informed decisions moving forward.

Christine Grouhel, Fence ‘N More Supplies Ltd., Logan Lake

2. Are you stressed about the tasks your Mentor is asking you to complete?

Does she expect you to be more financially savvy than you feel you are? Does she ask too many hard business-related questions, and you feel you already have too much on your plate? 

Your Mentor can provide strong encouragement and guidance for your next steps, but she’s not the only person who can assist. Perhaps a Business Advisor can help you to complete your financials, or a short webinar can help you brush up on your SEO so your time with your Mentor can be better spent receiving guidance and a boost of confidence. 

3. Are you questioning the suitability of your mentor’s experience to your business challenges?

Does she use examples that you can’t relate to? Are you worried about your upcoming lease negotiation with your landlord, and you discover that your Mentor has always worked from home? At WeBC, we personally interview all Mentees to make sure we match them with a Mentor who has strengths in the areas they need. Even so, it may take some time to find the sweet spot where her expertise can fill in the gaps. Perhaps commercial leases aren’t her thing, but negotiation is! 

If you’re stressed with other aspects of your life, but need to keep your business on track, you may be projecting those feelings onto your Mentor. If you’re sensitive to questions around finances because money is one of your number one concerns, you may not react well to questions from a business Mentor who you have only spoken with twice.

Entrepreneurship can be a lonely place, it is vital to have community with other entrepreneurs who understand this world.  Find like-minded mentors who know and understand your passion and vision and also remind you of self-care once in a while!! Start where you are, there will never be ready or perfect and every mistake will lead you to your next level up.

Lianne Wessner, Lianne Wessner Coaching and Pukalily Aromatherapy , Vancouver

I guarantee you that your Mentor is familiar with situations where business and personal collide. It’s not as if the minute you turn your computer on in the morning, or unlock your store’s front door, you become ‘Woman Entrepreneur’ and leave yourself behind. 

Your Mentor has been there, remember? She will welcome a conversation about expectations, or mentoring-workload.

Signs of a great business mentor match

What does a productive, respectful, dynamic mentoring relationship look like? 

• When you and your Mentor are really talking. Not firing questions and answers back and forth…rather, you’re in dialogue with each other. 
• When you take the time to listen and answer, and ask questions that can’t be answered either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. 
• When you look at the clock and realize that the time has flown by; you feel relaxed, and energized at the same time. 
• Perhaps a challenge you had been thinking about suddenly seems like an opportunity…with a clear plan to move forward. 

That’s when you know that your Business Mentor is right for you!

The greatest lesson I learned was to get the perfectionism out of the way. I became more aware of the super high standards I had for myself. I would often put off doing things because I couldn’t do it ‘perfectly’ or needed to be more prepared. Perfectionism was actually just holding me back. Working with her illuminated how to let myself be more human and to continue to empower my purpose.

Jocelyn Gordon, The Way Forward Coaching Services, Kamloops

Try to recall why you wanted a mentor. Your Mentor is not a mind reader, or a miracle worker. She’s a woman just like you who has been where you’ve been. The mentor-mentee relationship may be unfamiliar at first. But with a little patience it may end up being exactly what you and your business needs. 

The post How to Evaluate if Your Business Mentor is Right for You appeared first on WeBC.

TAP is a 5-day program designed to help SMEs TAP into their full export potential. It has a proven track record helping participants get results.

With new trade agreements, a competitive Canadian dollar, and new business opportunities, now is the ideal time to extend your company’s reach through international expansion of goods and services.

Since 2017, World Trade Centre Vancouver has successfully delivered 27 TAP cohorts in B.C.

Just six months after graduating the program:

• On average, export revenue increased by 23%
• Participants forecast their export sales to grow 47% over the next 5 years

By enrolling in TAP you can:

• Navigate complexities of the global trade ecosystem
• Leverage Canada’s deep trade and investment resources
• Access tailored, face-to-face coaching and advice
• Learn about international best practices
• Accelerate export readiness
• Develop and implement a new market entry plan
• Expand your global trade footprint and increase revenue

The post Trade Accelerator Program: Women-Led Cohort appeared first on WeBC.

VIV Coaching is a Metro Vancouver-based executive coaching business that serves small to medium-sized businesses and helps them thrive in today’s ever-changing world. 

Prior to starting her business, Sara was a management executive and consultant for two decades. She worked across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and helped organizations develop global markets in both corporate and non-profit settings. She has worked in multiple fields from Oil & Gas, steel, real estate development, architecture, renewable energy, and sustainable development, to fashion, art, culture, and the Olympics. 

“I want to share my global experience and expertise to help others thrive.”

Sara saw a niche market and decided to devote her time, and energy, using her years of experience working all over the world, to change the way that leaders and entrepreneurs worked with coaches. 

Two years later, Sara has four staff members who work with executives and entrepreneurs who are frustrated or overwhelmed and who need guidance to manage change while also continuing to grow.

Client Q&A

Q: What’s the biggest lesson you have learned on your entrepreneurial journey?

You don’t have to get it perfect; you just have to get it going! There is no right or wrong. Take it as your learning journey. We make different choices and get different results or consequences. 

I replace the words “right” or “wrong” with “beneficial” or “non-beneficial”. Whether the result is beneficial or non-beneficial, there is always a lesson to learn, so we improve and move forward. 

After all, success is really about making baby steps, making a small achievement on top of a small achievement, on top of a small achievement. 

Q: How has your community played a role in your business’ success? 

I didn’t really have a sense of community before the pandemic started, as I was so overwhelmed with my work overseas and my constant travel. The pandemic caused me to focus on my local community and I even started watching local news!

I began to reach out to the community for support and to offer help to others. My community inspired me and made me feel less isolated during such a difficult time.

Q: How do you give back to your community? 

My mission is to build a kinder world where nature and our humanity thrive together. I like being involved in philanthropic projects particularly in building green cities, supporting children’s education, and promoting cultural inclusion through the arts. 

I worked on the “City of Tomorrow” Initiative in 2007, which promoted cultural inclusion through the 2008 Olympics, and the development of education for underprivileged and marginalized children in developing countries. 

Q: What do you feel is your greatest strength? 

My ability to think strategically! I like to keep an open mind, be flexible and be curious of changes and uncertainty. I’m also extremely good at handling crises and unexpected situations. 

Q: What inspired you to volunteer your time as a mentor in the WeBC Mentoring program?

I think the pandemic left all of us feeling quite helpless. I saw many entrepreneurs who were worried and confused and struggling to survive. I wanted to use my experience to help in some way so I reached out to WeBC. 

I have been inspired by each of my mentees and would like to thank them all! Their progress and breakthroughs are the magic light that has me waking up each morning energized and excited to face a new day. 

I also worked with women in the IGNITE Program and have learned from so many amazing women who are making a powerful impact in our community and all over the world.

Q: How has a mentor provided guidance in your life or influenced your business?

Oh, that was a very long time ago when I worked in the oil industry. One of the senior advisors told me that the most important thing to remember was to do business responsibly and to always keep those in need close to your heart. 

That advice has been my North Star, guiding me through careers in oil & gas, renewable energy, and sustainable development, right up to the present day in my work as an entrepreneur coaching and supporting others in their impact-driven business journey!

Q: If you could give one piece of advice based on what you have learned/experienced, what would it be?  

Don’t hesitate to reach out for support! There are so many resources out there, you just need to reach out!

https://vivcoaching.ca/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/vivcoaching/

The post Sara Wang appeared first on WeBC.

I’ve volunteered as a One-to-One Mentor and I’ve led several Peer Mentoring Groups, and the experiences are completely different. So how do you choose the right one for you?

Here are some things to consider:

One-to-One Mentoring

What it looks like

In this type of Mentoring, a ‘seasoned’ entrepreneur is matched with an entrepreneur who has been in business for 1 to 5 years. 

The Mentor and Mentee meet via Zoom, telephone, or in person for an hour each month for six months. Each meeting has an agenda and a list of items to discuss. The meeting ends with a decision on the date and topic for next month’s meeting, and a list of to-do items.

The Mentee is responsible for setting the agenda, based on what she wants to talk about. Maybe she has a business challenge she has to manage or a business opportunity she wants to capitalize on. 

The Mentor is responsible to the Mentee to provide relevant information and resources, as well as providing a bird’s eye view of each challenge or opportunity. 

Why it works

A woman who has been in business for a year or more is BUSY! She’s following her business plan, working on her marketing plan, hiring staff, purchasing product, manufacturing, and/or providing a service multiple times a day. The Mentee may feel that every single thing on her to-do list is priority number one.

On the flipside, the Mentor has been there. 

She uses her experience to provide insight into what actions may be taken, and how the decision may impact the business, based on her own experience. The relationship is a two-way exchange of ideas and information as the Mentor answers questions, provides resources and acts as a sounding board. 

How you can benefit

One-to-One Mentoring can fast-track your business growth by helping you avoid the common mistakes that new business owners make. Your Mentor has the benefit of hindsight, so she can share the lessons she learned the hard way so you don’t have to. Many Mentors and Mentees stay in touch long after the program is complete, and are long-term Champions for each others’ success!

“I learned to stay focused on your numbers. Learn your messaging and how to target your market. I also learned to always prepare for meetings with your mentor, to stay organized, and really understand your numbers.”

Angela Saxena, Lav and Kush, Vancouver

Peer Mentoring Groups

What it looks like

A group of 6 to 8 women who have been in business from 1 to 5 years (Mentees) meet with a Peer Mentor Facilitator (the Mentor) who guides them through a structured process. 

The group meets regularly (weekly, bi-weekly or monthly) for two hours for six to eight sessions. Each month one woman is chosen to be ‘the Situation Owner’ and shares with the group some background on their business, as well as a specific business challenge or business opportunity that she would like the group to help her solve, and/or capitalize on. 

Why it works

These groups are all about the ‘Hive-Mind’. 

As the Peer Mentoring Facilitator, I share resources, and provide insights; however, it is the entire group that gives the individual Mentee their complete attention each month.

In my experience, the group acts as a collective, adding to the discussion by sharing their experience, and providing insights from a variety of industries. The groups are structured so that the six Mentees are non-competing. So if you own a hair salon, the other five Mentees may own a coffee shop, or manufacture fencing material, or specialize in destination weddings. 

The benefits of metaphorically walking in another woman’s stilettos or work-boots, cannot be overstated. Each participant has written a Business Plan, created a Cash Flow, and has a marketing strategy. Some Mentees may be leasing a commercial space, or may be running an online business. Your business opportunity or challenge may reflect another Mentee’s future opportunity or challenge. 

You may be strong with financial management and weak with social media marketing, while another woman may run a communications business and be weak in the financial side of her business. You can fill each others’ gaps with your areas of expertise, and gain a circle of support in the process. 

How you can benefit

In the groups I facilitated through the darkest days of the pandemic, the number of ‘light-bulb’ moments were staggering. Never underestimate the power of six women talking about business for an entire two hours smack dab in the middle of a crisis! The support and insight was incredible. 

I owned and operated a retail ladies clothing store for nearly 20 years. During that time, my husband was working for a large retail chain. We talked about business and retail all the time! The reality for most women in business, is that they don’t know many other women who own and operate a business.

The benefits of a Peer Mentoring Group is that you get two dedicated hours a month to work on your business with women who understand and with a facilitator who has perspective on opportunities and challenges, because she has experienced them.

“The women in our peer group were such a huge, huge help to us – I loved that time, I really did. I’ve learned so much I didn’t think I would.  It was great to see other women in business who were like us trying to learn, tying to make things better, trying to grow, it was awesome.”

Janelle Eftoda and Jessie Porter, Twisted Orchid Beauty Supply, Prince George 

The Difference Between a Mentor and Business Advisor

After reading this, you may be thinking ‘I just have a question, do I need to sign up for a whole program’? And the answer is ‘No.’ 

Sometimes you just need a referral to a government grant, or support to build your export plan, or a second set of eyes on your cash flow spreadsheet. In this case, a Business Advisor can assist with that.

At WeBC, our Advisory Services are free, and can be an easy option to get your business questions answered. You may even use both an Advisor and a Mentor!

In my opinion, you can never have too many sources of support—it takes a village to raise a business. So, One-to-One Mentoring or a Peer Mentoring group. Which one will you choose first?

The post Different Types of Mentoring Available for Women Business Owners appeared first on WeBC.

Laura moved from England to the resort town of Revelstoke, BC, and fell in love with the mountain lifestyle, deciding to make it home. Enjoying the autonomy of working her own hours and being her own boss, Laura built Revy Web Design around her passion for technology and her tight-knit community.  

Six years later, I’m “Revelstuck,” as they say, married to the best chef in Revelstoke and operating my business in a community that I love.

Laura’s business is a collective of professional creatives who help local businesses and individuals create polished custom websites, and is largely community-driven. She is dedicated to building up other invested professionals to help Revelstoke thrive.

Running my business is what really fuels me. I value the connections that I make with clients-turned-friends.

Looking for the opportunity to build out her network with like-minded individuals, Laura participated in Discovery Foundation’s Leadership (EM3) Program, presented by WeBC in 2021. As a mentoring program, it is designed to support women entrepreneurs to build and grow their tech-focused or tech-enabled businesses.

The program was an excellent opportunity for me to meet and network with individuals also in a similar industry to me. I have become more confident in how I present myself in terms of body language, my speech and the language that I use. This has helped me in both my professional and personal life. Especially in how I inspire and lead my team.

Q. What is one thing you learned that you were not expecting? 

Our mentor was excellent, and she inspired me in several ways. The program taught me how to look at myself and my business as others perceive it. 

My biggest takeaway from the program was that I have developed more confidence in speaking. In particular, how I speak about my business and speak with my team.

Q. How has the program helped you to form a plan of action for the future? 

Not specifically an action plan but it has made me more intentional. It has inspired me to take my work/life balance more seriously. 

I have become more consciously aware of how I present myself; how I speak in both my professional and personal life.

Q. Do you intend to stay connected with the other program participants? 

I will stay connected with one other participant as I can relate to her; she also operates a small business like mine. The other participants ran larger organizations, but I still found listening to them insightful.

Connect with Laura White and Revy Web Design:

revywebdesign.ca 

Facebook: @revywebdesign 

Instagram: @revywebdesign 

Phone: (250) 814-8685

The post Laura White, Revy Web Design, Revelstoke appeared first on WeBC.

One for the money

The money talk. It’s often overlooked, but it’s really important. 

I am not just talking about working with a financial advisor, your accountant or banker or lender to review your books (which is very important). I am talking about getting the skinny on industry standards.

Each industry has certain standards, average profit margins and some industry secrets. You need to know all these so that you can plan for growth. So seek experts, mentors, coaches and advisors with some industry knowledge on how certain things work. 

For example, when I work with a foodie client, I immediately team them up with an industry expert. Together, they can review their costing/pricing as the grocery industry has a system that is not like the regular retail markup. 

Two for the show

Having more than one mentor, coach or advisor on your resource team is so important.

Right off the bat, I help my clients look for a mentor in their area of expertise. You can always find someone with an attitude of a peer rather than a competitor who is open to sharing experiences and collaborating. For instance, they might be doing a similar business in a non-competing market. Or perhaps it’s someone in a different country. Like you, they had to build the business and, like you, they may have some insights to share that are priceless.

In addition to an industry mentor (whether that person is paid or not) having someone with a history of running a business with a similar business model would be a welcome advisor or mentor. So, if you wholesale your goods or export services, look for someone who has experience doing business those ways. 

These are just two examples of why having more than one mentor is important. But what you really need to do is think about all the areas of your business. Then, look for experts to help you see what you may not be seeing or are making assumptions about (marketing, financing, sales strategy, etc.).

You can also look at joining a peer mentoring group to receive support from other women entrepreneurs in your community. Learn more about upcoming Mentoring Opportunities at Women’s Enterprise Centre here >>

Three to get ready 

Visioning and strategic thinking is the key to staying on top of things in a changing world.

Strategic thinking is the kind of thinking that creates insights that are crucial to pivoting quickly in rapid moving times. For example, Innovation, new strategy and winning concepts all come from thinking strategically. This is the process of creative thinking and critical thinking. 

Every successful business has a next steps plan. Strategic thinking is the process of looking at all those moving parts, the process of exploring options, challenging perspective and gaining insight on how to move forward more strategically.  It’s taking a good hard look at reality, history, possibilities and making the valuable connections between what is currently happening and what is possible. In addition, this type of thinking is a team sport – each thought compounds, expands or leads to the next. So try this out with your mentor or business coach!

Four to go

This is all about action and traction. We all know that taking action is the key to success and it’s the goal in coaching. A mentor can help guide you through the process so that the actions you are about to take are the ones that will make the most impact right now in the life cycle of your business. 

Traction is also important. The key is choosing the right things to do at the right time so that you get quick wins and are on the path to the bigger vision. Because solopreneurs and entrepreneurs who work in small teams are often wearing too many hats, they can lose focus on doing the things that will get them the most traction. Working with your mentor, advisor or coach to identify those strategies that will bring you the most traction is key.

The post Four Good Reasons Why You Need a Mentor appeared first on WeBC.