March 2016
Four entrepreneurs share their experiences in the Small Business Council
For small business owners, networking is among the greatest chal lenges of growing their business. Building relationships with other business owners creates a platform that facilitates the exchange of ideas as well as services based on trust and good faith.
As your network grows, so does your client base, as more individuals learn what your business is about and as an owner becomes more adept at managing, marketing and growing that business.
Business strategist Pauline O'Malley became a Member of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade 20 years ago when she volunteered to help increase membership among young people in business.
"From that task force of remarkable business and student members, the Leaders of Tomorrow mentorship program was born, and one of my proudest honours was to serve as its founding chair," she says.
More recently she joined the Board of Trade's Small Business Council. "I was able to foster a surprisingly fast and deep connection with its members," says O'Malley. "The synergy between them is quite amazing: sentences don't even need to be finished as members are nodding their heads in agreement. There's an openness to learn, listen and benefit from the insights of others."
Corin Gutteridge, owner of Formever, joined the Small Business Council hoping to network and potentially generate new leads.
"There's strength in the unity of voice and I was happy to get involved with an organization that represents the voice of small business," says Gutteridge. "One unexpected benefit was the feeling of community in the SBC. The SBC provides me with a group of peers with whom I can 'talk shop' and discuss business and related issues. This enriches my work life, shows me other ways to approach problems, sparks new ideas and provides me with new resources."
Chris Milton, co-founder of Tangle Creative, joined the Board of Trade in his final year of university with the goal of building his personal network. As a student, the experience had a tremendous impact on him, such that it made sense to stay on after he graduated.
"As a small business owner, having access to decision makers was our goal for joining the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, and it's been a great opportunity for business development," he said. "For example, in the last quarter we've gained four new clients. That makes the membership worthwhile, and makes it a profitable endeavor."
Dr. Grace Lee was invited to a Board of Trade lunch meeting prior to joining and recalls feeling energized by the people she met and the keynote address. Later, when a Board of Trade account executive called to inform her about the Company of Young Professionals program for those under 35, she joined immediately.
"I've always enjoyed business networking and as an entrepreneur I truly value the experience of interacting with the business community," says Lee.
Today she's in her third year as chair of the Small Business Council communications subcommittee and said she remains amazed by the talent and brill iance of new members she meets.
My experiences serving the Small Business Council program have contributed to my knowledge of local small business policies, and nurtured my passion to advocate for those who struggle in in this uncertain economy.
Want to learn more about the Small Business Council? Watch the video at boardoftrade.com/SBC.