March 8th marks International Women's Day 2017! International Women's Day is a time to celebrate women and #BeBoldForChange as we rise together toward a better working world. Women in British Columbia looking to rise to their own entrepreneurial potential can find support with the Women's Enterprise Centre (WEC). For International Women's Day 2017, we have invited the WEC to share their tips for success:
If you are an early stage women entrepreneur, you know well how steep the learning curve is in the first few years of business. It is easy for a new entrepreneur to lose the sense of direction.
Research shows that the best way for women to overcome their entrepreneurial barriers is to participate in a mentoring program. Knowledge gaps, lack of confidence, emotional roller coaster, work/life balance and the lack of a regular paycheck can prove to be very challenging. With support and inspiration from a mentor, you can achieve your goals and get on the track to business success.
Over the past few years we have been tracking the impressive results that women entrepreneurs experience when they have a mentor. These relationships provide a great opportunity for newer business owners to benefit from someone else's experience, while the seasoned business owner enjoys that feeling of "giving back" and sharing their knowledge.
A mentor is a
- sounding board
- guide
- role model
- supporter
- resource person
Below are 3 advantages of working with a Mentor:
Bridge the knowledge gap:
Launching your business is just the beginning of the story. You need proper business skills to succeed. A mentor can be that person who has ‘been there and done that’. She brings years of successfully operating a business and is a great resource for you to learn from.
Provide support:
There will be days when nothing seems to work in your business. Running a business is exciting and heart stopping. A mentor is your ally during those times and will help you keep on track.
Enhance confidence level:
Being an entrepreneur means getting out of your comfort zone. Uncertainty, self-doubt and low self-esteem are natural. A mentor knows the nuts and bolts of running a business and positively influences a mentee with her willingness to share her skills and knowledge.
Women’s Enterprise Centre (WEC) has carried out extensive research into mentoring programs and the needs of women who are new to self-employment. WEC offers one of the few programs available for early stage entrepreneurs.
Interested in growing your business by committing to a mentoring relationship? The second intake of our One-To-One Mentoring Program is March 6-10, 2017. For more information about One-to-One Mentoring, please visit our FAQ’s.
About the Women's Enterprise Centre
Fueling the success of BC women entrepreneurs since 1995, Women's Enterprise Centre is the leading business resource for BC women. Our services include; business loans up to $150K, business skills training, personalized business advice, mentoring, practical resources and a supportive community.
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PHOTO CREDIT: iStockphoto.com/monkeybusinessimages