Mar
24
2014

Entrepreneur Of The Week: Susan Watkin

Meet The Founder Of Watkin Small Business Service

Entrepreneur Of The Week: Susan Watkin

Who: Susan Watkin, owner of Watkin Small Business Service. Susan is an accountant and business information professional, who works with clients to create sound business and financial strategies, maintain accurate financial records, and plan for future growth for their business.
 
In Business Since: 2012
 
Business Highlights: Helping several clients who have been more than two years behind in their bookkeeping and corporate tax submissions get caught up to date and avoid penalties.
 
Business Question: I would love to know the best way to get started in marketing my business seriously. I've been fortunate to work off of referrals for the most part, but I want to see growth and I know I need to spend time and money on advertising and social media. I would love to be pointed in the right direction to the best resources.
 
Spark’s Insights: We feel like we don’t go a week without someone asking us to recommend a good bookkeeper! Take it from us, there’s tons of demand—it’s just a matter of letting the right people know you’re out there.
 
Pick some key networks you want to infiltrate—business networking groups, neighbourhood business associations, etc.—and make a concentrated effort to become known in them. Once they know you, pick a few more networks to infiltrate. For you it’s going to be about getting out and meeting the right people and letting them know you can help. Why not offer to do a free webinar or write guest blog posts that will position you as an expert? We actually think advertising and social media may be lower payback strategies for youyou will want to get in front of very specific groups of people (small business owners), so a more targeted approach will likely work best.
 
Susan’s Advice to Other Entrepreneurs: Start with a business plan of some kind. It is great to be passionate, but don't forget to keep your perspective and be practical. You need a real understanding of the cost of doing business to see if it is viable, before you spend time and money on your business. Get help to get your books set up right, right from the start, don't get caught not knowing where your business stands, especially if you hope to grow it.
 
Do you get overwhelmed at networking events? Here's how you can network with a purpose.
 
Before you get to the networking event, make sure you've honed your elevator pitch.
 
Mar
18
2014

Entrepreneur Of The Week: Melissa Dimock

Meet The Founder Of Bytown Beanery

Entrepreneur Of The Week: Melissa Dimock

Who: Melissa Dimock, owner of Bytown Beanery. Bytown Beanery is a coffee micro-roastery, operating on a roast-to-order basis, based in Ottawa, ON. The company’s promise to customers is to provide high quality, ethical beans, freshly roasted, at competitive prices. 
 
In Business Since: 2011
 
Business Highlights: We’ve grown our business on word-of-mouth recommendations, slowly and steadily, allowing us to expand our bean selection and improve our equipment. That we’ve done it on a debt-free basis is a big source of pride for me. 
 
Business Challenge: I've hit a point where I would like to expand my workspace (we are currently home-based and running short on storage space) and increase the size of my roaster to better streamline my business for both profit and time efficiency, but I want to do it without incurring debt. So, am making do with a smaller roaster and the resulting restrictions on what I am able to produce. 
 
Spark’s Insights: Ultimately, there will be a trade off between aversion to debt and growth. We suggest doing the math to see what the larger roaster and associated space would entail in terms of debt and debt-repayment. It may be that you could easily make the payments and then some, but you’ll never know until you’ve run the numbers out properly. If you really can’t accept some debt in the business (totally understandable), you will likely be unable to grow quickly. It is likely a matter of deciding which of those is more palatable to you.  
 
Melissa’s Advice to Other Entrepreneurs: Find what you love and figure out how to make it work for you. Don't be bullied into taking financial risks that make you uncomfortable, but also don't be afraid to have confidence in yourself and your talents. Listen to your gut. Ask other small business owners for advice—most are happy to share their experiences.
 
 
Trying to figure out what kind of financial risk to take with your business? Don't do this!
 
 
Mar
10
2014

Entrepreneur Of The Week: Sheree Wells

Meet The Founder Of Travelbug Baby Equipment Rentals

Entrepreneur Of The Week: Sheree Wells

Who: Sheree Wells, owner of Travelbug Baby Equipment Rentals. Travelbug Baby "goes the distance," so your family can explore Toronto in comfort and style with their baby rental equipment. They rent top brands with an extensive inventory that includes strollers, car seats, cribs, and even bottle sterilizers. Their service includes delivery, set-up, and pick-up, so that you can focus more on the adventure rather than the packing.

In Business Since: 2013

Business Highlights: "I have had many small victories and have garnered a strong social media following in 4.5 months (just broke 550 on Twitter). However, I still value and believe that developing a business plan has been one of my biggest accomplishments. It's often overlooked yet critical for success. It helps to keep me focused when there are so many daily distractions—and there are many including my three-year-old. More importantly, it gives me clarity on what I am providing, how I am doing it and how I am selling it."

Business Question: How mindful do you need to be about what your competition is doing and how much should it influence what you do?

Spark’s Insights: This is a great question. Here’s our take: You should absolutely be aware of what your competition is doing. We encourage every entrepreneur to look at the best practices of the competition—you’ll very likely learn something. The competition is in your exact space, and may have great ideas for products, markets, and processes. That being said, you can’t let the competition distract you from your own business. It’s essential that you understand why your business is unique and what you can deliver to customers. Most importantly, you have a set direction and plan to get you there, so keep your eyes on your own prize.

Sheree’s Advice to Other Entrepreneurs: My best tip is to listen to yourself and adjust your expectations. Your business will most likely evolve slower than you realize and depend on the age/stage of your little ones. On the days that you feel you are not being productive, make a to-do list that includes what you do for your children. Pat yourself on the back or surround yourself with people who will do it for you when you need it the most. But, the bottom line is: never give up or give in—you won’t regret it.

We have thought a lot about the subject of competition. You can read more here.

Want to be our Entrepreneur Of The Week? Check this out.