Enterprise Facilitation « Build A New Life in Prince Edward County

With a Little Help from my Network

Contributed by Sandy Abbott, Enterprise Facilitator

Embarking on a career transition, Penny realized that she had a life long passion for food, cooking and people’s health in general. She decided to move to Prince Edward County and open a store selling quality bulk food and snacks. Since relocating to Picton, Penny has taken advantage of the Self Employment Benefit Program. She has developed a business plan and is now receiving monthly financial monitoring from Ian Armitage, SEB Co-ordinator. Penny’s Pantry will open mid May at 10 Elizabeth Street in Picton.

To make her business strong and viable, Penny wanted to develop a sound Trinity of Management. Through Enterprise Facilitation we looked at Product, Finance and Market and have identified strengths and areas needing additional resource build-up. Penny is an excellent example of how by using creativity and developing a network, a business idea can be made stronger.

Products and Set-up: Penny has been able to partner with several quality producers including Cherryvale Organics for buckwheat, rye and spelt flour. A friend customized the new gravity bins to fit her retail space, while another volunteered to help decorate. Look for an interesting collaboration this summer with Case Clothed!

Financial: Penny’s main concern was selecting the right cash system for her business. With feedback from a local business owner, she was able to purchase a point of sale system which will help her track inventory and analyze sales.

Marketing: A friend with a graphic arts background, volunteered to design her business card. Through Social Media Brown Bag lunches sponsored by the Economic Development Office, Penny gained the skills to set up a facebook page for her business and launch a blog using WordPress. Her rooftop sign and sandwich board were designed by Dave Strachan of Predco Signs in Picton. In a show of entrepreneurial support, Industrial Perk Cafe offered the use of a commercial kitchen to make maple trail mix snacks for her promotion at Maple in the County.

Well done Penny Morris! Welcome to the County.

If you would like help starting or growing your business, give me a call. 613-476-4240.

Tags: bulk food, Enterprise Facilitation, small business centre, social media brown bag lunches, wellness
Comments (0) | Posted over two years ago by Sandy Abbott

Signs of Spring are Everywhere as Small Business Gears up for Another Great Year

Contributed by Sandy Abbott, Enterprise Facilitator, Prince Edward County

Renewal is in the air as I visit small business owners through out the County in March. Each, in their own way, has used the winter months to regroup, assess business needs and make plans to strengthen key areas of their operation. My job is to help them find the resources to do just that.

Viola Michalska has been busy over the winter renovating a part of her home just north of Bloomfield. She plans to open her porcelain studio mid May. She already had a website but wanted to expand her presence by creating a facebook business page. I was able to link Viola with the staff of the Small Business Centre for no cost, individual help. Check out her facebook business page to see the array of functional and beautiful porcelain.

Big Tub Botanicals is gearing up for their second year of operation in Wellington. Over the winter Erin has taken advantage of the wealth of information available locally through the Social Media Brown Bag Lunches hosted by the EDO. As well, she networkd extensively at the Bridges to Better Business event put on by the Small Business Centre. She discussed her e commerce plans with several people before she was really clear about the kind of website her business needed. She is now working with Craig Smith and plans to have her new improved site up soon.

Penny Morris is putting the finishing touches on her new bulk store, Penny’s Pantry. With only 100 bins, she is taking great care to stock the items most in demand by people who value quality food and snacks. She surveyed the public at Maple in the County and spoke to many local health practitioners and foodies before selecting her products. Turns out Miss Lily’s is interested in several baking products they are unable to get in the County. Dr Maureen Horne Paul contributed a list of product she prescribes for her patients. Up until now they were available only in Kingston.

Fabulous soaps and lotions, beautiful porcelain and healthy snacks. Shopping in the County just gets better every Spring! If you would like help turning your dream into a business, give me a call. 613-476-4240

Tags: Economic Development in Prince Edward County, Enterprise Facilitation, Prince Edward County, shopping in the County, social media brown bag lunches
Comments (0) | Posted over two years ago by Sandy Abbott

Entrepreneurs Don’t Need to Go It Alone

Contributed by Sandy Abbott, County Business Network

county business networklogo

As an entrepreneur do you sometimes feel that you are alone when trying to solve your business problems? I was really excited to learn more about my new role as business coach in Prince Edward County when I spent a week with Linda McCowan, from the Sirolli Institute. Phrases like “Enterprise Facilitation” and “Trinity of Management” were in the air. Theoretical terms but an amazing strategy for helping people start or grow a small business.

In order to be successful in the long run, a business needs equally great product, marketing and financial management. As Enterprise Facilitator, I will be helping people identify where their skills and passions lie and helping them to add resources needed to complete their own Trinity of Management team.

I had a chance to see these concepts for real, when I took a tour of the County. I met several business owners experiencing challenges in running their business: someone thinking of hiring a production worker to free them up to do shop paperwork; a home sales person who hates marketing; a manufacturer of wooden products with no sales strategy; and a new entrepreneur with customers and credentials but no knowledge about what is involved in business start up.

Meeting these people, I could see how useful the Trinity of Management practice could be to their businesses. Each of these people needs help from others. Maybe it would be better to hire a bookkeeper than a production assistant? Why not get a friend to market your home parties? Who do you know who could help you with business start-up activities?

Complicated to explain in a few words but worth exploring! If you are thinking of starting a new venture or need help with an existing business, give me a call. Free and confidential help is yours. Contributed by Sandy Abbott. 613-476-4240

Tags: Enterprise Facilitation, Live and Work in Prince Edward County, Sandy Abbott, small business start-up, Trinity of management
Comments (1) | Posted over two years ago by Sandy Abbott