Women entrepreneurs are making great strides in a very competitive business world by bringing innovation and creativity to the forefront. Although there are many difficulties and opportunities surrounding women in business, one of the most important areas that needs focus is cash flow management. For the purpose of this blog, I’d like to discuss special issues and tools of empowerment for women in small businesses.
Nurturing personal relationships, leveraging professional connections, and embracing online communities can provide you with the invaluable support and guidance you need to navigate the challenges and thrive in the competitive world of entrepreneurship.
Alberta's technology industry is on the rise, with Calgary and Edmonton emerging as key tech hubs in the province. As an entrepreneur, you can tap into a large and diverse talent pool, benefit from a supportive startup ecosystem, and enjoy government support for innovation. However, like any growing tech scene, there are also challenges to be aware of, including competition for talent and access to capital. In this blog, we explore the opportunities and challenges facing entrepreneurs in Alberta's tech scene, and how you can navigate them to build a successful business. Click to read more and discover the potential of Alberta's tech sector for entrepreneurs.
Over the past two weeks, AWE had the exciting opportunity to accompany a few of our most driven entrepreneurs on a dual-city trade mission, led by the Business Women in International Trade (BWIT) Program at Global Affairs Canada. The mission included stops to Atlanta, Georgia for the Women in Business: North America Summit, followed by a stop in Orlando, Florida for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) National Conference and Business Fair.
CSR…that’s when large corporations donate huge sums of money to social causes, right? Well, not exactly. Corporate social responsibility is a deceptive term, as it includes that scary ‘C’ word, but essentially it means a business is operating ethically and responsibly across the triple bottom line (socially, environmentally, and financially). It is also something that is absolutely achievable for your business…without the overwhelming price tag associated with this type of strategy. In fact, entrepreneurs are some of the most powerful people to implement socially responsible strategies. This is because as passionate people, entrepreneurs rarely start a business with the sole purpose of making a lot of money, but rather they are usually committed to fulfilling some kind of social need, making them of the mindset to limit social grievances.
This week I sat down with Lori Thexton, wife and mother of two, cross-fit enthusiast, and expert loan portfolio manager with Alberta Women Entrepreneurs. Lori came to AWE from the credit industry, having previously worked for Ford Credit Canada Ltd., and has now been with us for 3 years, lending money to women who are helping to build the Albertan economy. I asked Lori a few questions about our loan program to give entrepreneurs considering taking out a business loan a better picture of how we can help them at AWE.
Marketing is one of the most important operations of any business. Alberta Women Entrepreneurs understands that while you may have ambitious marketing objectives, your budget may not always permit you to do all of the marketing that you would like to do. Here’s 7 Ways to Leverage Your Tight Marketing Budget!
Social media for business owners can be an extremely daunting and overwhelming task. You already serve the role of accountant, payroll specialist, human resources, business development, and now social media manager. For many business owners’ social media can often be the task that is left behind in the day-to-day operations, but it shouldn’t be. Social media can have amazing effects on your business if done properly and consistently.
Things have really started taking off for your business. This new flurry of success is exciting, but it also probably means your meticulously planned strategy is being tested and strained in new ways, and the dynamic is changing rapidly within your organization. As your focus is challenged, how do you ensure you can grow while maintaining a company culture that results in not only your employees being excited to come to work every day, but also them being invested in playing an active role in fueling the successful growth of the business?
Do you hate the numbers aspect of your business? You are not alone! Financials can be a scary and intimidating word for business owners, but the worst thing you can do is avoid them. Understanding your financial statements can improve decision making, decrease risk, and better your company’s operations on a day to day basis.
