FIERCE Entrepreneurs: The ultimate online community JUST for you!

Photo swiped from the Financial Post

I don't know if YOU have noticed but networking groups have saturated the market and it's tough to find the right one to join.

Actually when I launched FIERCE it was with the intention of it becoming a networking group but it evolved into a community that inspires, elevates and celebrates women through our content and our signature event, the FIERCE Women of the Year awards. I'm glad we didn't become a networking group because FIERCE isn't strictly for entrepreneurs, it's for every woman and THAT is what sets us apart.

However I need a place to connect with other entrepreneurs and have found the PERFECT place thanks to the bad ass Arlene Dickinson (she's a Dragon, CEO of Venture Communications, mom and grandma in case you were in the don't know). Did I ever tell you about the time she was being recognized at the AWE Awards and I was the first person who got to ask her a question so I asked, "Do you ever feel like you are the token female on the Dragons' Den?" The look she gave me made me cringe and I'm not easily intimidated but holy hell I felt stupid. Her response was a very clear, "No." However I felt much better when the last question was, "If you were a car what car would you be?" SMH. 

Anyway, Arlene launched YouInc.com and I am really excited to have a place to visit where I can connect with other entrepreneurs in a mutually-empowering environment. And you KNOW that if Arlene is behind this it will attract the kind of people you want to be around.

"I've had a front row seat to the rise of the entrepreneurial movement in the world, which is why I created this online community for entrepreneurs to come together, collaborate, and embrace the entrepreneurial lifestyle. 

Because it is a lifestyle. There's so much more to entrepreneurship than owning your own business. It’s a part of who you are. This site is about all aspects of the entrepreneur’s life, both at work and at home. 

You could be looking for backing for your next great idea. You could just want to connect with other people who see the world the way you do. Whatever your reason, this site is for you." 

~ Arlene Dickinson

 If you're an entrepreneur and looking for a place to learn, connect, share and empower, this is the place for you. Check it out, sign up and enjoy!!

Return to You Are FIERCE

Tips from the Dragon's Den

Dianne Buckner via
National Speakers Bureau  

Last week, I was invited to attend a speaking engagement featuring Dianne Buckner, host of the CBC hit show Dragon's Den. I actually didn't realize Dianne has been a  journalist for the last 25 years and even hosted Venture (girlfriend has some street cred, that's for sure!).

She offered up her Top 10 Business Tips to the audience, interspersing them with clips from the Den. Overall it was an interesting presentation but there wasn't a lot of overly insightful tips that made me go, "WOW I totally have to do that!" For the most part, it was basic entrepreneurial tips for people who are thinking of starting a business but still a good refresher for those who have businesses.

#10 Make sure there's a market for your product or service
It's like Rodney Copperbottom said in Robots "See a need, fill a need." Don't sell Uggs to Kim Kardashian, you know? Just like you wouldn't sell string bikinis in Alaska. Look around, see what people need and fill that market need.

#9 Be resourceful when it comes to financing
Not every bank will lend you money so be as creative as you can be when looking for investors. Dianne spoke of the Clodhopper guys who were actually on the Dragon's Den, and said Grandma was tapped out for resources and the dad wasn't returning their calls. Sometimes, your family can only help so much.

#8 Know how to get people to say YES. What's in it for them? 
When you want someone to invest with you, pitch it so that you're addressing WHY it's beneficial for them to invest. What is their return? Why will it work for them? How will it make them money? Make them see the potential of your concept or business and show them all the reasons it makes sense for them to support it.

#7 Be reasonable & open to ideas/suggestions
If you can be flexible with your business and be open to tweaking or advice from a potential investor, you should be! We all have our own ideas of what works, what doesn't and what we envision but sometimes having an investor on board means being open to their suggestions without taking it personally. Maybe their idea sucks and you want no part of it. That's OK too but try not to be confrontational, defensive or negative. That will only reflect poorly on you.

#6 Rock the art of self promotion with a touch of grace
There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and being humble and being full of shit. Find a balance that works for you. SimpLee Serene founder and speaker Lee Horbachewski once said, "It's about standing on top of your success rather than hiding behind it."

As long as you can do that without dismissing praise like a hostess who tells her guests, "Oh it was nothing," knowing damn well how much work she put into making her event a success but needing the praise and sunshine blown up her ass to feel good about herself and what she did, you'll be fine.

#5 Be brief

David Beckham via H&M Ad Campaign 

Hehehe You're welcome :D 

#4 Be on top of the trends
Know what's hot right now and UTILIZE it. Join Twitter (seriously, if you're not on Twitter, you're missing out), use Social Media, get an App, HAVE A WEBSITE, get on Pinterest.

#3 Promote yourself. Advertise, become a "media" expert.
Being a media whore isn't such a bad thing. If you can position yourself as a go-to expert in your field and get face time with the media, you're promoting yourself and your business. Advertise your products! Word of mouth is great but real brands know that to maintain longevity, their brand needs to constantly be in the minds of the consumers. Print, radio, TV, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, banner ads on select websites, the options are endless. Just Do It!

#2 Be prepared to work hard. Being an entrepreneur is not easy.
Wait, what? It isn't??

Brett Wilson via The Star 

#1 Don't work too hard. "Don't pay too big of a price" a la Brett Wilson
If you became an entrepreneur to have more time with your family, make sure you remember that reason when your kid demands that you watch Sponge Bob with her or your spouse writes "Date Night" on the calendar. Your family, health, and LIFE is more important than the bottom line. Former Dragon Brett Wilson candidly discusses the tricky art of finding balance too late in life; his marriage ended in divorce and he is a cancer survivor so he chooses to live life as fully and completely as possible now. Learn from Brett. He's a wise and sexy one! I'm totally adding him to my list of TV boyfriends :D

Return to You Are FIERCE

Fabulous Krista wows the Dragons

Krista Castellerin is fabulously fabulous in so many fabulous ways. I initially featured her in MOM Magazine after being WOWed by her story and charmed by her eccentric and flamboyant persona.

Fast forward almost four years since our initial meeting and she has gone on to not only charm the Dragon's Den investors but secure one helluva FIERCE business deal.

Fabulous Furballs is an upscale pet grooming shop that Krista launched four years ago after complaining to her husband that there was nowhere to buy her precious pup a cashmere sweater (not gonna lie that seems extravagant and odd to me but what the hell do I know?).

She opened up FF in Sherwood Park and evolved it into a Grooming Academy, franchised into Edmonton, St. Albert and Calgary, made some saavy business decisions and kicked some serious ass. Not surprising, the girl came from a high-powered financial management firm in Las Vegas before moving here to be with her husband.

Read more at the EdmontonJournal.com about how Krista did something in Dragon's Den history that no one else has ever done.

Did I mention she was on an Animal Grooming Reality show on Animal Planet? All while wearing feather boas and Stilletos.

Oh and she started her own reality show based on her store.