volunteer Archives - Canadian Small Business Women

Dec 07 2015

Just because I’m freelance doesn’t mean I’m free!

In debating about a suitable topic for my December blog I happened across various poems and ramblings that I keep in an online journal. I often “park” ideas that may prove useful at some future date in this journal and while most of them amount to nothing, occasionally I am inspired to explore one of these “parked” ideas further. Some of them end up posted in my blog “Random Rumblings from Suburbia.” Today, I share one here. The reason? This particular poem has to do with value. How do you value yourself, your business and your service to others?

I won’t bore you with the whole poem although I do think it was quite clever. The essence had to do with providing writing services for free and how others perceive the value of that service. As I wrote, it also became a reflection of how I let others determine my value. I choose to share this publicly today because I want you to know this more than anything else: Don’t ever let another person determine your value! The only person that should determine your value is you.

“I’m a freelance writer, self-employed but blue,

people think nothing of not paying you….

Create content they say, for the web or my blog

I can’t do it ‘cause my brains in a fog…..

Refrain….

Just because I’m freelance doesn’t mean I work for free

I have a mortgage and a family…..

But I’m busy they say, out hustling for money.

Finding customers to buy my organic buckwheat honey

and don’t have time to work on my website

Words are easy for you – you’ll do it right….

You do it at first because you want the exposure

But the only thing gained is a loss of composure

because your wallet is empty and bills need to be paid

and all you have for your labour is a jar of honey in trade…..”

You get the idea. Your intentions were well-meaning and definitely self-serving to some degree. You hoped doing various articles, blogs and website posts would earn you exposure and some “street cred.” After awhile though, you begin to realize that an expectation now exists that you will work for free. The value of your effort goes unnoticed and now you’re struggling to ascertain what that value should be. This leads to further turmoil when it comes to asking others to pay full value for the service you are providing. It becomes a vicious circle. Work for free, gain exposure but the exposure comes at a cost – you, undermining your true value.

In a long- drawn out way this is a reminder to all self-employed entrepreneurs, regardless of your product or service, to determine your value up front, own it, state it clearly to others at the start of any negotiation and then provide the best darn service you can – at a fair, openly stated and honestly earned price. Because let’s face it, when we get something at a discount we often think “well that’s all it was really worth to begin with. I’m just paying fair market value now.” Are you worth nothing? We all have value and don’t deserve to be discounted. If you are providing a service to others (and it isn’t a volunteer position) it shouldn’t be free, even if you’re a “free”lance writer!

As Owner and Principal partner of “Writing Right For You” Sheralyn is a Communications Strategist – working together with entrepreneurs to maximize profit through effective use of the written word. Looking for web content that works, blog articles that engage or communications strategies that help you get noticed? Contact Sheralyn today. Sheralyn is also the mother of two children now entering the “terrible and terrific teens” and spends her free time volunteering for several non-profit organizations.

Sheralyn Roman B.A., B.Ed.

Writing Right For You

Communications Strategies that help you GET TO THE POINT!

416-420-9415 Cell/Business

writingrightforyou@gmail.com

Apr 16 2015

10 tips to Cut costs, Increase sales, and Save time

For every small business, there will always be costs to be paid out. The trick is to receive more business than having to pay bills. Whether you are a small start-up company or a retail store, these tips you can do right now. Marketing and advertising doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. With a little planning and some time, you can achieve the results you want. Try all of these tips once and track the progress. If it works, great! Do it again. If it doesn’t, note why you think it didn’t and how you would do it over again.

Tip#1 Know your customer! A pet peeve of mine is when an entrepreneur will tell me that EVERYONE is their customer. Although it is true that we can take business from anyone, there will be a group of people that will be your primary customer. This is the “type” of customer that buys from you regularly. They say 80% of your business will come from 20% of your customers. Get to know your customers very well. Learn about their buying habits, their education, and lifestyle.

Tip#2 Following the previous tip, create a customer management system. This means a database where you place all your customers information including birthdays, anniversaries, spouse’s name and number (for gifts), and any other information that you can use to personalize the experience for your customer. These types of small gestures will bring a lot of business over time and a loyal clientele base.

Tip#3 Hire a student. College and University students are looking for experience in their field. You can hire them for an hourly basis or per contract. For example, I had a business mentor that didn’t have time to punch in her receipts into her excel so she hired an accountant student to simply punch in her numbers. The student gets extra money and the business owner has more time to do what they love to do.

Tip#4 Do not go with a very elaborate website. Start with something small and simple then work your way up when your business grows.

Tip#5 Try a joint venture. During your travels as an entrepreneur you’ll find some great people in the same industry but are not your competition.(For example; a makeup artist and hairdresser) These two professions are not in competition but they do cater to same market. You can join together on marketing (IE one business gets one side of a postcard, and the other has the opposite. Together you can split the cost of printing and get your business out there twice as fast)

Tip#6 Know your competition. Do a SWOT analysis of your greatest competition. “S” stands for strengths. What does your competition do better than you? “W” stands for weakness. What does your competition lack? “O” stands for opportunity. How can you improve your business from your strengths and weaknesses? “T” stands for threats. Where can your competition really hurt your business?

Tip#7 Barter goods. When you make great connections with other businesses, you can sometimes barter for goods. This means providing a service for a service instead of using money. You may give a service of printing business cards to get your car detailed for instance. This is a win-win relationship.

Tip#8 Track your invoices, receipts, and bill payments. When you have a handle of your finances, you are able to see where you are making the most money and how. Keep a journal and calendar on when bills need to get paid and when invoices are being charged.

Tip #9 Conduct surveys regularly. The best way to improve your business is to find out directly from your customers. Give coupons or discounts to your customers for participating in the survey.

Tip #10 Give out useful information for free. Your brain is full of so much expertise. Create opportunities to showcase your talents. You can hold free webinars. Volunteer to speak at different engagements. Write articles for different newspapers.

These ten tips will increase your bottom line immediately and save you money. Not every business owner has thousands of dollars to hire an advertising agency. Become an expert in your own marketing.

For more information contact Jemi Echevarria, marketing campaign manager at

(647)785-5851 or jemiechevarria@gmail.com

Jun 30 2014

Vendor Events

Can you believe that half the year is over? I personally can’t. Time goes by really quickly when you are busy planning for all your events. In your planning, please keep the events below in mind. We have featured events from us at Canadian Small Business Women, as well as events from some of our supporters. We look forward to seeing you soon.

SMALL BUSINESS SEMINAR – AUGUST 2014

Join us for our 3^rd Small Business Seminar on August 9th , 2014 from 9am – 4pm at Sheraton Parkway North Toronto(Hwy 404 and 407). We are very excited to be hosting our Seminar on the Northeast end of the GTA. This gives us a chance to expand our network and showcase what our business has to offer. We are currently seeking 30 vendors/exhibitors for this show as well as a few workshop hosts. You can fill out our Vendor Agreement Form by clicking HERE. Advance tickets are now available for only $20 (a 33% discount) by clicking HERE.

PERKS: As an exhibitor, you will receive a 6ft table with table cloth, access to our workshops (please do not leave your table unattended), lunch, and 5 complimentary tickets! There will be great opportunities to not only sell your product, but to also network with fellow entrepreneurs. There is no limit to the great connections that will be made at this event.

Our Workshops

Secrets to Starting and Building Your Network Marketing Business with Susan Kirschling

Online Marketing Tips and Tricks for Small Business with Dwainia Grey

Your Fastest Path to Cash: What every business needs to know to make money now! With Susanne Hemmet

Social Media: Beyond The Basics with Kelly Farrell

5 Keys To Making Your Goals A Reality with Sandra Dawes

Free Online Tools to Get More Leads and Make More Money with Hanna Guerra

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FOOTBALL AND NETWORKING WITH THE TORONTO ARGOS

Last year, we were honored to host our first networking event with the Toronto Argos. It was a huge success!! We had a chance to not only listen to two fantastic speakers, but also enjoy the festivities that came with watching the Argos play and support such a needy cause. We also had the chance to network with The Argos front office and view their Grey Cup rings. Join us this year, as we host another spectacular event, brought to you in part by us at Canadian Small Business Women.

Networking and Football – in support of CFL’s Pink Day to raise Cancer Awareness

This will be an afternoon of networking, speakers, prizes and football.

We welcome you to take advantage of our special rate for this event.

This event will include:
*A guest speaker
*Networking Opportunities
*On Field Tour before the game
*Meet and greet with the Argos Cheerleaders
*Prizes
*Networking with the Argos players after the game at Shoeless Joe’s (King Street location)

**Pre-game networking will be held o the 200 level patio (or the Bacardi Lounge weather depending).

Ticket prices: $35 + HST for Bronze Level Tickets
Get your tickets HERE
YOUR ADMISSION TICKET WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU ONE MONTH BEFORE THE EVENT ONCE PURCHASE IS MADE VIA THE EVENTBRITE SITE

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IMMIGRANT WOMEN’S SMALL BUSINESS EXPO

This year, we are hosting two large feature events that are FREE of cost to our guests. We will be hosting our Immigrant Women’s Small Business Expo in Ottawa and in Toronto. Our Ottawa event will be held at the elegant Canadian Museum of Nature on October 4^th, 2014 from 9am -5pm. This event will feature businesses from around the Ottawa area that offer services or business opportunities for our guests. We are expecting over 1000 guests to attend this one of a kind event. We will be inviting members of the Canadian Government, speakers from across Ontario and prominent members of the Ottawa Immigrant Community. We are currently seeking Exhibitors from business sectors such as education, legal, consulting, Immigrant Services, Real Estate, and more. Please view our event WEBSITE for further details. To redeem your FREE ticket to our event, click on the following LINK.

Our Toronto Edition of the Immigrant Women’s Small Business Expo will be held at the iconicToronto Metro Hall on November 9^th, 2014. This event will be the premiere Immigrant Small Business event of the GTA. Our guest list will be similar to that of our Ottawa event. To redeem yourFREE tickets for this event, click the following LINK.

We are also seeking volunteers for both events. Our volunteer hours are split in two shifts: 6am – 12pm and 12pm to 6pm. We require volunteers in the areas of check-in, set-up, greeting, workshop organization and tear down. If interested, please email us at info@canadiansmallbusinesswomen.caor canadiansmallbusinesswomen@gmail.com and provide us with your name, age, event of interest, volunteer experience, contact information (including phone number) and hours of availability.

We are also seeking VOLUNTEERS for both our events. We are seeking 50 volunteers for each of our Expos. We welcome students, community groups and corporate groups as well. Volunteer areas available are: Exhibitor Check-In, Guest Entrance, Guest Check-In, Media Check-In/Escort, Direction Assistant, Workshop Assistant, Dignitary Check-In/Escort, and Event Check-Out. Please view our Website for our Volunteer application.

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MONARCH GIRLS EVENT

All proceeds from the event will go to funding our after-school high school empowerment program starting in the fall. “Authentic Me” is a 32-week program for girls grades 9-12. It will cover empowerment workshops, career counseling, leadership training, financial education and more.

Mission: To empower young women through self-discovery, self-healing, self-respect and self-development.

Event: The Monarch Girls Day objective is to develop community awareness, raise funds to support our Empowerment Program while providing a networking opportunity.

For more information: Contact Dwainia Grey at 647-799-1090 or at dgrey@awesomebizonline.com or visit their Facebook page HERE

May 25 2014

VENDOR EVENTS

Last year has been quite a ride for us here at Canadian Small Business Women. With one year under our belt, we have made some important connections in the business world to help us host valuable events for our business community. We invite you to be a guest, exhibitor or a partner at some of our upcoming events. I hope to meet you all very soon.

IMMIGRANT WOMEN’S SMALL BUSINESS EXPO

SMALL BUSINESS SEMINAR – AUGUST 2014

Join us for our 3^rd Small Business Seminar on August 9th , 2014 from 9am – 4pm at Sheraton Parkway North Toronto(Hwy 404 and 407). We are very excited to be hosting our Seminar on the Northeast end of the GTA. This gives us a chance to expand our network and showcase what our business has to offer. We are currently seeking 30 vendors/exhibitors for this show as well as a few workshop hosts. You can fill out our Vendor Agreement Form by clicking HERE. Early bird tickets are now available for only $10 (a 66% discount) by clicking HERE.

Social Media Marketing: Beyond the Essentials

June 25, 2014. Microsoft Store, Square One

Our guest speaker for this heavily sought after topic is Kelly Farrell from Teach Me Social. Kelly Farrell has been a teacher for more than 10 years and has experience teaching children and adults of all ages. Her experience with Social Media dates back to the days when call waiting first appeared! She has always been a bit of a techy and early adopter of new and exciting technologies and networks.

Social Media can help you expand your business reach, draw traffic back to your website and grow your brand online. It goes beyond having a Facebook page. Using Social Media effectively as part of your marketing strategy includes expanding your reach to all of the most popular sites, including Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram and Google+, thus reaching a far wider audience of potential customers. Through this workshop, Teach Me Social can show you how to manage your time to gain the most benefit from having a presence across all Social Media platforms.

Early bird tickets are now available for only $10 (a 50% discount) by clicking HERE. No tickets will be sold at the door for this event. Event seating is limited.

Apr 21 2014

Vendor Events and Event Discounts!

IMMIGRANT WOMEN’S SMALL BUSINESS EXPO

Our Toronto Edition of the Immigrant Women’s Small Business Expo will be held at the iconic Toronto Metro Hall on November 9^th, 2014. This event will be the premiere Immigrant Small Business event of the GTA. Our guest list will be similar to that of our Ottawa event. To redeem your FREE tickets for this event, click the following LINK.

We are also seeking volunteers for both events. Our volunteer hours are split in two shifts: 6am – 12pm and 12pm to 6pm. We require volunteers in the areas of check-in, set-up, greeting, workshop organization and tear down. If interested, please email us at info@canadiansmallbusinesswomen.ca or canadiansmallbusinesswomen@gmail.com and provide us with your name, age, event of interest, volunteer experience, contact information (including phone number) and hours of availability.

SMALL BUSINESS SEMINAR – AUGUST 2014

Join us for our 3^rd Small Business Seminar on August 9th , 2014 from 9am – 4pm at Sheraton Parkway North Toronto(Hwy 404 and 407). We are very excited to be hosting our Seminar on the Northeast end of the GTA. This gives us a chance to expand our network and showcase what our business has to offer. We are currently seeking 30 vendors/exhibitors for this show as well as a few workshop hosts. You can fill out our Vendor Agreement Form by clicking HERE. Early bird tickets are now available for only $10 (a 66% discount) by clicking HERE.

THE ART OF LEADERSHIP FOR WOMEN

The Art of Production will be back in Toronto this May with The Art of Leadership for Women. This event will feature Martha Stewart, Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist Hayley Wickenheiser, New York Times bestselling author Erica Ariel Fox, BBC World News Lead Anchor Katty Kay, New York Times Best Selling Author Liane Davey, and Award Winning Broadcast Journalist from CBC Wendy Mesley. I had the pleasure of attending The Art of Small Business last year during Small Business Week and it was definitely worth it. It is a great opportunity to connect with business leaders from companies that are held in high esteem internationally. Canadian Small Business Women is delighted to offer up to $100 off your admission ticket to this May 29^th event being held at The Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Use the promo code SMALLBIZWOMEN32 when you click HERE to register. See you there!

BECOME A PR PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP

SATURDAY, JUNE 14 2014

Can’t afford a P.R. Agency or Publicist?Now you don’t have to….Veteran Broadcaster and Producer Teresa Kruze (CTV, City-TV, 680News, TSN, Chatelaine Magazine and Metro News) has worked in the media for over twenty-five years appearing on television, radio, and writing for magazines and newspapers. As a reporter, she has worked beside some of the best Assignment Editors in the business and observed on a daily basis what stories made it to air and what press releases ended up in the garbage bin or deleted file. Now she is going to share her knowledge to help small and medium business owners professionally promote their company or events in this informative workshop, you will learn the following:

Who are the key players in a news-room
How to write a proper press release that will get you and your company noticed
How to find your Media Hook
The right time to send a press release and the worst time to call a newsroom
Insider Tricks and Secrets to get past the Gatekeepers

This event is being held at The Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre from 9am – 1pm. There are only 20 seats available. This workshop is being offered for a special price of $350 to all of our affiliated entrepreneurs. This workshop is normally priced at $797, which is a saving of over 50%. Get your tickets by clicking HERE.

Snacks will be provided.

5 Ways to Lead and Succeed as A Fempreneur on Your Terms with Less Effort and More Profit

May 21, 2014. Microsoft Store, Yorkdale Mall

Our guest speaker is the one and only Janette Burke from I’m Every Woman TV. Before Janette Burke, Your Marketing Magnet, FEMPRENEUR Marketing/Mindset Mentor, Speaker, Author and Host/Creator of I’m Every Woman! TV became an advocate of Women Rights & Issues and champion to Women in Business she spent 17 years behind the camera as the Founding Publicist of Prime Time PR and Former Editor of PRtalk – Canada’s only online PR magazine.

Today Janette’s mission is to awaken WOMEN’S DIVINE FEMININE POWER and provide them with the muster, support and tools they need to ignite their passions, stay on track and create a business & life they love – which she delivers through her I’m Every Woman! TV Show, Magnetic Women in Business Blog, Marketing/Mindset Mentoring, Dynamic Speeches and Columns.

Thinking of taking the entrepreneurial plunge or already there?

In this talk you will …

Break through the # 1 barrier to Women’s Success
Make the ONE simple change to be more productive in business that leads to more profit
Get the ONE essential element every FEMPRENEUR needs in her business to gain momentum and achieve success day after day, month after month and year after year
Duplicate my Marketing Recipe comprised of my ‘guaranteed-to-attract more clients & make more money’ on and offline strategies – which will have you clearing defining and conveying your compelling marketing message – so your ideal client sings your praises
Understand the differences between the Male and Female Success Models and go forward creating a Divinely Feminine business and life you love
And become an impressive role model for future generations of Women to follow as a result

Early bird tickets are now available for only $10 (a 50% discount) by clicking HERE. No tickets will be sold at the door for this event. Event seating is limited.

Social Media Marketing: Beyond the Essentials

June 25, 2014. Microsoft Store, Square One

Early bird tickets are now available for only $10 (a 50% discount) by clicking HERE. No tickets will be sold at the door for this event. Event seating is limited.

Woman on Fire Gala

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Canadian Small Business Women is proud to be a media sponsors of the upcoming Woman on Fire Gala being hosted by Allison Harvey, of The Networking Diva Group. WOMAN ON FIRE will be an epic evening of inspirations; passionate connections, laughter, tears, entertainment and so much more we invite you to become a sponsor or a guest.

Speakers:

Jilian Saweczko, Mother, Wife, Entrepreneur, Politician
Suzette Dallas, Mother, Wife, Entrepreneur – Suzy Mari Health & Fitness Studio
Natalia Popovich, Entrepreneur – Nat & Home
Natasha Morris, Entrepreneur – Gift’d
Tamara Sylvan, Mother, Wife, Female Firefighter & Entrepreneur – BeCPR Smart

The “Woman on Fire” is creating a blazing path, creating success for not only herself, but for those behind her. She boldly shares her journey on this road with others so they too can appreciate her challenges, witnessing her tears, but most of all…the smiles of accomplishment. While on the road full of pot holes and blind spots, the “Woman on Fire” seeks mentorship and support through the hills and valleys of business. She is not afraid to fail because she knows that in her failure lie her lessons for success that will bring her from the darkness and into the light. “Women on Fire” are known for listening to that small voice in the depths of their inner being, choosing to believe in themselves when no one else does.

For further information, please click HERE.

Our event blog post is contributed by Dwania Peele, Executive Director and Owner of Canadian Small Business Women. Please connect with her @DwaniaPeele , or at @CanadianSmallBusinessWomen on Facebook or @CdnSmallBizWmn on Twiter.

Feb 07 2014

Adding Value

Growing up my nickname was SherSher. My younger brother couldn’t quite say my name and “shersher” was the result. Somehow it stuck and even today, I have a phonetic variation of this moniker as my license plate. The problem is, often people assume the plates mean “sure, sure” and there’s a reason for that. I tend to say “sure” or “yes” to just about anything. I am the “go to” person when it comes to volunteering and getting the job done for others but at what cost?

The self-employed face unique challenges when it comes to placing a value on our time. This questioning of our worth comes both from within, (that niggly little devil on the shoulder who voices all our doubts and insecurities) and occasionally from external sources as well – your mother in law perhaps, who thinks you should get a “real” job. Often we feel pushed or pulled in different directions and as a result, may end up directionless. Combined with the dueling forces of the excitement and passion for whatever our small business is vs. the guilt (whether mommy guilt or the good old female guilt we all seem to be born with) it’s a wonder we get anything done! As an entrepreneur you may have a flexible schedule and equate this flexibility with more “free” time to do something that a “9 to 5er” just couldn’t do. If you’re also a mom this translates into convincing yourself you “should” do more. Organize that fundraiser, bake those peanut free cookies or volunteer for the reading program at school. Just because you can however, doesn’t always mean you should. When you commit to something other than your business, what you are really doing is undermining its value and robbing your business of its primary investment – you.

Faced with multiple priorities and struggling under the load of guilt we all shoulder, how do you determine your value and how do you measure your success? When you are self-employed you need to be VERY clear about these questions. First, you must have an overall goal. Corporations call them Mission Statements or Value Statements, even Visions. Be clear about what your Goal is. Then, you need to determine your monetary desires. It might help to think of your work as being paid by the hour, even if that is not how you define your contracts with clients. How many hours should a project take? Have you included research time, sourcing, travel expenses to meet with clients or other costs like advertising? When we work from home we don’t tend to think about some of these overhead costs in the same way that “big business” would. Try considering this: treat your business as if you were renting office space and you had to pay for that space by the hour. Would you still take time away from your “office” if you factored in that cost? Would you volunteer for the cookie baking or take time away from your desk to throw a load of laundry in the machine if you knew the financial implications? If you keep getting bogged down in the “daily details” your business gets bogged down too.

Get up, get dressed and get over the guilt. I know people who say they love the flexibility of working from home because they can stay in their pajamas if they want to. This too undervalues the importance of what you do and your commitment to yourself and your business. Have a scheduled start time. Don’t deviate from your plan, no matter who calls you or asks could you “do me a quick favour.” Schedule your calls, emails and client meetings just as you would in the “real world” and then the world (perhaps even your mother in law!) will come to respect that what you are doing is of real value.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t ever want to be the “sorry I’m too busy to help” person. Everyone is busy and it’s important to me to make time for others and to volunteer where I can. But I don’t have to do it all and neither do you. After all, “many hand make light work” as the saying goes. Just be “sure-sure.” That is, be sure to prioritize your schedule, attaching an appropriate value to ALL that you do. Respect your time commitment to yourself and your business and others will come to respect it as well.

WRiting Right For You
“At a loss for words? I can help you find them!”
Sheralyn Roman B.A., B.Ed.

Business: 416-420-9415
Email: writingrightforyou@gmail.com
Website:http://writingrightforyou.weebly.com

facebook @ : writing right for you

LinkedIn @: Sheralyn Roman

Nov 22 2013

The Mentor

Several years ago I needed a mentor to continue in my educational path, so I approached a woman that I knew to be very skilled with many years of experience in my chosen career. She looked me over very shrewdly as she drank a cup of tea and then asked a piercing question, “Do you know what you are asking for dear?” She asked me to describe to her what I thought mentoring was and then she told me what mentoring meant for her. She laid out the ground rules and they were a standard that I have since come to live by. I knew from her instruction what a mentor was and how to follow a chosen mentor. I also learned how to become a mentor that would make a difference in the life of many.

What Is A Mentor?

A mentor is someone who has gone before you and who is willing to share insights on how to overcome during your own personal journey. A mentor is a friend that you trust and one whose advice you value. They are someone who you would follow. They are in life where you want to be and you can see that a relationship with them would help you get closer to your goals and save you from many pitfalls that you would certainly fall into on your own.

Selecting A Mentor

When you select a mentor you should be careful to pick someone who has similar values, so when they ask you to do something you are not continually questioning them. Often the mentor does not have a lot of spare time, and the act of mentoring implies that the one being mentored is there of their own free will having already made the decision to follow. A good mentor realizes that you have free will but as busy, successful people they may not be able to continually over-explain and sometimes one just needs to trust that the mentor has a deeper understanding of the situation and take their advisement.

The mentor that you select should be someone that you respect and admire. It should be someone that you want to listen to and that you aspire to be like. They are not going to be perfect people. Nobody is perfect. In time, you may discover weaknesses in their humanity and you will need to ask yourself if those weaknesses matter to your end goal. Are they things that you can live with? Are they irrelevant to their area of expertise? Or are they something that your own morals won’t allow you to overlook? If a mentoring relationship needs to be severed or adjusted it should be done so with the upmost of care. This is someone who took the time to sow into your life so you want to be honoring to them even if one must eventually take a different road.

How To Receive Mentorship

Successful people may be willing to sow into your life but not if they have to chase you. They are successful because they already know how to value their time. So they will usually require you to go where they go, and to do what they do so you can get a few minutes at a time with them before and after events. Volunteering to be part of their team can gain you the entrance that you need to get their time. Don’t take advantage of your mentor’s time. Respect that they are a professional in their field and that they are therefore in high demand. Others may pay them a lot of money for their counsel so if you are getting any of their time for free or for a small fee realize that this is a privilege. Be on time when you meet them and try to fit your need for their time into their existing schedule as much as possible.

Don’t ask to borrow money or do anything that would affect the mutual trust that you have for each other. This is the last person you should ask to assist you in your drama. Your relationship should not be putting them into a position where they need to rescue you from your own bad management. A mentor is an advisor.

Value their advice and do what they tell you to do. In our democratic society many will take exception to this tidbit but here is the kicker, “Why do you want a mentor if you have no intention of listening to them?” Don’t waste their time with rebellion. If they are not worthy of being followed, then don’t ask them to mentor you in the first place. The whole idea is to accept the guidance of someone who can lead you to success faster than finding the way on your own. A mentor will save you time and money is mistakes that you will make. Learn from them and as you learn to follow you will also become a leader who is worthy of being followed. Someday you will be the mentor and you will be glad for the mentoring that you enjoyed along the way.

Kerry George is the owner of the Canadian Imperial Business Network which is currently the largest business network in Alberta and rapidly expanding across the country. She is a serial entrepreneur/author and speaker with a zest for life and a passion to help others succeed in increasing their potential and their bottom line. Kerry has several publications and blogs that you can follow and welcomes most interaction online.

Twitter

@createloyalty2U

@CIBNtweets

@yycbiznetwork

Blogs

http://loyal2u.blogspot.ca/

http://calgarybiz.net/blog-3/

http://kidsincowtown.wordpress.com/

http://loyal2u.ca/category/social-media-2/linkedin/

Nov 01 2013

Gabriella Mammone – Canadian Small Business Woman of the Month of October 2013

“One of the greatest goals I ever achieved was learning how to make myself cry of laughter”, says Gabriella Mammone. Gabriella has faced that awkward moment of laughing hysterically and unable to control her authentic sobbing.

Gabriella is a devoted wife, a loving mother, a serial event planner, a public speaker, a motivational ambassador and an active volunteer. She has a zest for life and appreciates the small things that life has to offer – hot apple cider, an orange gerbera daisy and a warm blanket.

Gabriella lives daily with multiple sclerosis. She experiences extreme lethargy, cognitive issues, numbness, loss of balance, weakness and extensive itching/tingling. She has over 16 lesions in her brain and 2 in her spinal cord. Despite her innumerable daily challenges, she attacks each day with a smile and successfully reached her goal of inspiring others.

As an active volunteer with the MS Society, Gabriella helps with the MS Walks, golf tournaments and other fundraising initiatives. She is also an Ambassador with the MS Society of Canada, advocating on behalf of people living with MS. Annually she visits Queen’s Park to raise awareness with decision makers about select priority issues for people living with chronic conditions and disabilities.

Gabriella is a serial philanthropist and event planner. She is the Event Director of Family Jingle & Mingle, a shared Christmas celebration for companies and families in support of The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. www.jingleandmingle.ca

An entrepreneur, Gabriella is the Passionate Owner and Gift Guru of Occasion Giftware, www.occasiongiftware.com, an online gift store catering to weddings, showers, and religious events including baptisms, first holy communions and confirmations.

Gabriella is also the Managing Partner at Senso 3C, www.senso3c.com, an organization that helps companies source, develop and retain their people. Gabriella actively develops their business resources division assisting companies with training, development and the planning of their corporate events. She also provides operational support to the talent division that assists companies find staff for their organizations.

She was featured on CBC’s hit TV show, Dragons’ Den and although she didn’t expect the unfavourable outcome, she quickly bounced back and has become an excellent guest speaker.

Talk about an inspiring woman! Gabriella continues to motivate people and is truly an inspirational presenter and keynote speaker. She believes that volunteering adds to her life. In 2013, she earned a Community Civic Award, presented by Mayor Hazel McCallion and members of council for her positive contributions to the City of Mississauga, ON.

Is she a busy gal? Yes she is. Gabriella’s passion is built on her personal experience of living with MS and finding the humour in her ‘interesting’ life. She is enthusiastic and relentless in her message that success if available to anyone, even for those that have an illness or disease. We will encounter many defeats in our lives, but Gabriella strives to never be defeated. She encourages you to find the humour in your situations and sends you this message: “make yourself cry of laughter”.

Our Q & A with Gabriella Mammone

What inspires you?

There is nothing like positive thinking to get me psyched! I am inspired by my son’s mind – he’s only 5 and yet he is completely logical in his own passions and interests. I am inspired by the progression of people – I very much enjoy spending time with colleagues and seeing them grow as their confidence increases. I am inspired by driven and passionate people – seeing others achieve their goals empowers me. I am inspired by people that have strong ethics and go out of their way to make a positive impact in the lives of others. I am inspired by volunteers that selflessly donate their time and exemplify the spirit of giving back. I respect and honour my inspiration for I am grateful that I am able to make changes, not excuses. Here’s to inspiration!

As a small business owner, what achievements make you most proud?

I remain strong in the face of adversity. I am not afraid of a challenge and have an uncanny ability to bounce back after a setback. I was on the television show Dragon’s Den, for example, and truly felt humiliated by one of the Dragons. Looking back at the video, I felt that I handled the situation with grace and professionalism and didn’t let the comments bring me down. I was grateful for the opportunity and thankful that it opened new doors for me…new doors that I created. I am most proud of the leadership that I provide to the MS Society of Canada and those affected by illnesses.

What advice would you give to other aspiring small business owners?

Make an action plan to achieve your goals. In business, we make action plans for marketing campaigns and projects. Why not create a detailed step-by-step plan for achieving your own personal goals? The steps that you take will help you keep focused on achieving your goals. ‘Action planning’ your goals will help you focus on your ideas and decide what steps you need to take to achieve your milestones. Each step you take is a journey and will create new priorities and keep you organized. As you achieve your personal goals, the passion and success will translate into your business and objectives.

What new things can we look forward to from your business in the upcoming year?

Family Jingle & Mingle 2013 will have an awesome silent auction and fun surprises in store. Next year we will work with another charity to help them raise valuable funds. I personally plan to do more public speaking and motivate those faced with adversity. I am working on a book and am excited to learn more about the publishing process.

Contact Gabriella (aka Gaby) at:

www.gabriellamammone.com

www.jingleandmingle.ca

www.senso3c.com

www.occasiongiftware.com

twitter.com/gabymammone

YouTube: Gabriella Mammone

LinkedIn: Gabriella Mammone