Explore every episode of the podcast Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs

What do you know about non-dilutive funding? How do you get it? Bhavik Chauhan has been involved in deploying over $400 million in funding and joined us to share his knowledge.   On the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, Bhavik breaks down non-dilutive funding, discusses SR&ED vs. government grants, describes where funding is available, and more.   A masterclass in government funding, don’t miss this episode with Bhavik.     

We all face big decisions when starting our career. What to do? Where to do it? And most importantly, how to get there. Our Serenity Sisters have covered a lot of ground over the past decades and have knowledge that can help any aspiring entrepreneur. On the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, our hosts are joined by special guests Melissa Gladue and Holly Atjecoutay from Futurepreneur. This chat shares stories of success, tips for a successful future, covers advice for the new generation looking to get into business, and more. An episode packed with many years of experience, this is a discussion you don’t want to miss.

Have you avoided a task that you didn’t think you were avoiding? Truth is we’ve all procrastinated at some point, but why do we do it? On the first episode of this new season at Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, the Serenity Sisters are joined by guest Juliet Miranda to discuss everything about procrastination. What it is, why we do it, and some strategies to avoid it. As we wrap up summer and get back into the swing of work, don’t let procrastination hold you back. Tune in to find out more.      

Freeing up your schedule is something we all think about, so how do we subtract from what we’re doing? It’s easier said than done so the Serenity Sisters break down the idea.   On the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, the sisters discuss how they’ve subtracted something to move their businesses forward, how overprocessing can hinder progress, the problem with meetings, and more.   Sometimes you need to add to your life before you subtract, find out more about this interesting topic by listening to this episode.    For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

How’s your mental health? An important question that slips through the cracks, have you thought about it? Entrepreneurs consistently deal with stress yet often overlook their overall mental health.   On the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, the Serenity Sisters discuss the difference between mental health and mental illness, describe some coping mechanisms that work for them, provide ideas on how to help your mental health, and more.   An important topic that deserves attention, this episode has an open discussion you don’t want to miss.   For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

“Fake it till you make it” are words often used for encouragement, but do they truly describe what you’re doing? Aren’t you learning along the way? Sandy Gunn of Better Workplace Humans would argue there are far better words to motivate you and she shared them on the podcast.   On the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs Sandy and the Serenity Sisters discuss what confidence is and how to change your mindset around it. From gaining perspective to hearing the right words, you have the ability to push through and grow. Sometimes your mistakes are a detour in your journey, so why not embrace them?   For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com  

The world is changing and so is entrepreneurship. Decisions are getting harder and the stakes seem to be getting higher. Should you start or buy a business? Is it time to sell your existing practice? How can anybody even afford to buy it?

 

The economic landscape is uncertain and businesses are stuck in the middle. On this episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs the Serenity Sisters discuss what’s happening in the business world and provide an outlook for entrepreneurs. From boomers looking to sell to immigrants and the younger generation looking to get in, there are many ways that businesses can be successful you just need to find out how. This episode is a good start.

 

Planning ahead in your business is as important as ever while financing gets tighter. If you have any upcoming decisions on the purchase or sale of your business, don’t miss this episode.

 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

What if we told you this podcast episode could rapidly accelerate the growth of your business, would it pique your interest? Ian Bergman shares that Alchemist Accelerator does just this as it supports young businesses with the skills and network to see massive growth. Is this right for you?

 

On the newest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, Ian discusses how an accelerator can help a business grow, shares what these groups look for in start-ups, talks about the characteristics successful businesses share and more.

 

If you’ve heard about accelerators but had questions, this is the episode for you. Listen to stories about the fast-moving tech world and what it takes to get funding, as well as some rapid-fire questions from our very own Serenity Sisters. Another great episode you don’t want to miss.

 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

 

Note: The trust regulations discussed in this podcast have changed slightly since this episode aired; click here for more information on the Government of Canada's website. 

Have you kept up with the latest trust regulations? Are you subjected to the new trust rules? There are consequences to not filing your taxes properly and Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs is here to help.

 

In a discussion about the latest trust rules, you’ll find out if these changes apply to you and how you should go about them. Don’t get left behind because you didn’t know, listen to the Serenity Sisters and find out if you should start the process.

 

Another episode that can impact your life and business, you don’t want to miss it.

 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

 

 

 

50% of people are surprised to hear the valuation of their business when looking to sell. A lot of planning should happen beforehand, but where does one start? Arthur Klein, M&A Advisor and Principal at Smythe LLP, joined Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs to share his experiences.

 

In this episode, the Serenity Sisters and Arthur discuss the steps that somebody must consider when the thought of selling arises and discuss examples of what to expect. Selling can be a complicated process, don’t get caught off guard by hearing it first on Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs.

 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

Stats say that every business could benefit from a podcast, but how?

 

Podcasting is just getting started and it’s an available tool for any business. From marketing to relationships, a podcast can generate brand awareness and directly lead you to clients and partners. So where do you start?

 

This episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs gets expert advice from professional radio personality and podcaster Jennifer-Lee Gunson of J Pod Creations. It provides an introductory lesson on the benefits of podcasting with a guide on where to start.

 

If you’re looking to get ahead in your business, this is the episode for you. The Sisters bring you podcasting 101; don’t miss it.

 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

As industries and their systems evolve, have you ever considered a major change to stay ahead? Could you do things better? Change comes with pain, but most often the outcome is worth the journey. It may be time to rethink your practice.

 

On the latest episode of the Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, Digby Leigh, Managing Partner at Digby Leigh and Co., describes what it’s like to take on a major change that’s unique to an industry, why it’s important to stay proactive in your business, where vulnerability can help and more.

 

Serenity Sister Candace Nancke has also undergone major changes and shares her journey. An episode packed with real experiences. If change is on your mind, this is the episode for you. Don’t miss out.  

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

With so many trends affecting our businesses, it can be hard to keep up with information. Which trend will have the biggest impact this year? Where should you focus your attention in 2024? 

 

On the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, our Sisters discuss what factors are affecting their businesses now, share some predictions for 2024, and discuss hot topics such as AI, interest rates, inflation, and more.  

 

With uncertainty all around, don’t miss the expertise and experiences our Sisters share. Real information from real businesses.  

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

Instilling a no-profanity policy in an industry laced with it is no small feat. It was a battle that Nico Human was willing to work for and changed the company's trajectory: a better culture and an even better bottom line.  

 

As an immigrant needing a job, Nico was forced into entrepreneurship and excelled at it. In the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, Nico discusses the strategy behind applying his policy to the trucking business, his difficult beginning as an entrepreneur, the operating systems he’s successfully applied to business, and much more.  

 

As a system-oriented person, there’s something for everybody to learn from Nico. His explanation of when to push harder and when to pull back is something everybody including the Serenity Sisters can relate to. Don’t miss this episode.  

 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

Plan your exit before you enter. Advice that sounds intimidating yet can save your family and the business when they come together. Ken Falk of Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry has been part of a generational family business and sees the impact it can have at the dinner table.

 

On the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, Ken shares the toll a family business can take if not managed correctly, the importance of having shareholder and family agreements, why bringing in outside help is necessary, and much more.

 

Ken provides a list of twelve concepts for your family to consider, all learned through experience. This episode could elevate your family dynamic and business; don’t miss it.

 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

Are you feeling like your business is capable of more? Is it time to take the next giant step? 

Josephina Serra and Lauren Webb of Form Collective have been effectively growing their business since 2015 and they’re ready for more. To stay ahead in a competitive industry, these award-winning designers are seeking opportunities to expand their revenue further.  

On the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, our Serenity Sisters provide these entrepreneurs advice on how to discover and focus on their end goal, how to increase their profitable hours, where to find their next best strategy, and more.  

Your business will likely end up in their position, stay ahead by listening to this episode.  

 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the way of the future, and it’s time to start paying attention. Lance Johnson, founder of Amplomedia, believes that if you don’t embrace it, you may not be in business very long. As a digital marketer, Lance is constantly looking for ways to optimize his business, and AI does just that. He shares why you should consider it as well.   On the latest episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, Lance discusses the significance of AI in business, the bigger impact it can have on the economy, how you can grow and gain market share by using it, plus so much more.   If you haven’t thought about AI’s impact on your business, don’t miss this episode.  

 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

   

Kristyn Carriere had an idea and was excited to get 7 Summits Snacks off the ground. As with any business, there were many moving parts and they needed extra support. Futurepreneur had the perfect person ready to help in Hussam Tungekar, and business doubled soon after.     On this episode of Serenity Now, the Serenity Sisters with Kristyn and Hussam discuss the importance of finding good support, which was in the form of futurpreneur, the challenges with capital and ideas on where to find it, the excitement and uncertainties of working with big retailers, and much more.     From idea to execution, there's so much to learn from 7 Summit Snacks in this episode; don't miss out.

Click here to learn more about futurpreneur. 

https://bit.ly/3ZnP56G

 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

Modern-day marketing is evolving quickly, and anybody can participate. As authenticity takes precedence, the real and unfiltered you could be what your marketing strategy needs. With over 33 years of food industry experience, Jay Ashton, Brand Activation Manager Sysco Canada has seen the evolution of branding and is part of the shift to more closely relating to his customers... by being himself. 

On the newest episode of Serenity Now Jay discusses the direction he sees marketing strategy heading, the kinds of content grabbing attention today, why we need to go back to playing and making mistakes, plus much more.  

With practical content you can instantly apply, this is a marketing masterclass you don’t want to miss.   

 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

Changes to CEBA have happened, and they impact many Canadian businesses. Serenity Sisters Rita and Candace break down the new details of CEBA loan repayment, current options for relief, and the implications of the newest government news.  

Loan for a loan? Listen to Serenity Now to discover why this is as tricky as it sounds.  

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

“It’s amazing what you can do when the chips are down.” Having lost his corporate sales job, ken Gee was in a position where he had to take a risk… so he started a moving and logistics business on Monday morning.

 

On this latest episode of Serenity Now, Ken discusses how his passions fueled his life, which led him to entrepreneurship, how he knew when it was time to exit his business, what led him to get his dream job, and more.

 

Listen in to hear a story about passion leading to a fulfilling life, something we can all strive for. 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

 

 

A company built with the purpose of creating social impact is easy to get behind, and Seth Stover and TideRise are doing just that… globally. With the idea to connect educated and ambitious people that lack opportunities with work, TideRise has changed the trajectory of countless people in Malawi while opening up the world to a whole new market.  

In this latest episode of Serenity Now, Seth discusses why he left his executive position and how it led to a life of social impact, how he grew a business that operates in Africa, the importance of having people on his team with the same values, and much more.  

Hear the Serenity Sisters talk to a leader creating positive social impact and learn how to find opportunities in any business.  

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

When the pandemic struck, many businesses had big decisions to make. Fold or pivot were the options Chae K., co-founder of Earthling-Foods, had to face. With adversity in front of her, she made the bold decision to try a new product and watched her trajectory change. 

On the latest episode of Serenity Now, hear the story of how Chae’s pivot got her product into big box stores, some of the relatable growing pains her business is enduring, and hear the advice our Serenity Sisters provide Chae on how to scale most effectively and even internationally.  

Adversity can get to all of us; Chae’s story demonstrates the growth that can come from it. 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

Are you looking to scale up and can’t find workers? Did you know that foreign workers may be your solution? 

Foreign workers are consistently looking for employment, and Canada is striving to increase the number of them by 500,000 in the next few years. On this episode of Serenity Now, Jae-Yeon Lim from Harris & Company LLP shares with us when it makes sense for your company to hire foreign workers, the best practices around hiring them, legal implications in the process (and costs), and much more.  

Foreign workers may be the solution to your labour shortage; get started by listening to this informative episode with an Immigration Lawyer.  

“Please note that the immigration legal information conveyed in the recording may be outdated subject to changes in the immigration law and policy.”

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

 

Does your organization align with your values? Have you considered what your company’s purpose really is? Donna Chang found that working with value-driven organizations fulfilled her need to stay aligned with her own values and have a purpose in her work.  

On this episode of Serenity Now, the sisters and Donna discuss what a B Corp looks like, what values and alignment can mean to your business, the platinum rule, and much more.  

Going to work can be rewarding, but having a true purpose can take it to the next level. Listen in to find out how Donna transitioned her business to meet her desire for impact and hasn’t looked back since.  

33% of all business failures or bankruptcies are due to theft and/or fraud. With over 36 years at TD Bank, Mary Vellani has seen it all and shares eye-opening fraud information and prevention with the Serenity Now Sisters.  

On this latest episode of Serenity Now, Mary discusses why the use of cheques should be re-considered, the safest ways to transfer funds of all amounts, the importance of having access to a commercial accounting platform (while avoiding internal fraud), and much more. If account reconciliation isn’t part of your daily routine, this episode is for you! 

 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

Are you aware of all the ways an accountant can help your business?

Do you maximize the services your accountant provides?

 

In this episode of Serenity Now, the sisters discuss how an accountant can provide guidance in ways you may of not have considered, when you should be contacting an accountant (or when it’s too late), how to choose the right accountant, and so much more. 

 

This episode will get you dialling your accountant….or rapidly searching for one. Don’t miss it. 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 Have you ever had difficulty collecting money owed for your work? Perhaps your client has forgotten to pay you… or worse, chosen not to? 

This happens way too often and our panel has seen it all. On the latest episode of Serenity Now, the sisters share stories from their experiences with overdue receivables and discuss how they’ve proactively avoided poor payment practices.  

Listen in to learn preventative measures to stop you from getting forgotten on payment day, tactics to support timely payment, the power that relationships hold at invoice time, and much more.  

An episode that may save you a lot of stress… and a whole lot of money. Don’t miss this one. 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

Operating a service business can be very rewarding, but is it for you? From daily functions to the many intricate details, service businesses have countless moving parts. Where should you start? 

On this episode of Serenity Now, the sisters share their many years of service-based experience to discuss the most important questions for anybody considering this journey. From skillset to scaling, our experts have seen it all. Tune in to find out how your big ‘why’ can have a significant impact on your success, where the most important areas to invest time and money are, which hats you’ll need to wear in your business, and much more. A must-listen for anybody considering a service business, don’t miss this latest episode! 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

 

Starting a business sounds like a great idea…  You open up with an idea only to find out that you’ve just scratched the surface of operating a business. Vickie Boughen found this out quickly when she opened a school and took on roles she’d never expected, a lot of them.

On this episode of Serenity Now, the sisters break down the importance of building a business foundation, discuss how to get a real business education, lay out the best ways to set your business up for early success, and much more. Hear the panel humorously relate business to childbirth and raising a baby... on an episode, you don’t want to miss.

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

 

Decisions made in the early stages of your business are vital to its success. With a limited budget, how do you know what’s most important? What should you do first to ensure safe forward progress?  

The panel of experts on Serenity Now has seen the good, bad, and regrets of start-ups many times over. In this episode, they discuss the important steps a new business should consider first, how to prevent bigger costs in the future, and how to protect a business legally and financially from unnecessary stress. An episode that every budding entrepreneur will benefit from.  

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

Has your negative self-talk ever improved your performance? Consider that for a moment. Since failure is inevitable, have you actually faced your failures? Mental fitness coach and Olympian Shawnee has been under the highest pressure and come out stronger as a result of failure.  

On this episode of Serenity Now, Shawnee discusses three “f” words that have a significant impact on your growth and outcomes. Learn how risk will help you get to the top of your podium, why you should embrace failure and face it quickly, how to overcome your fears and much more. Shawnee's words will leave you searching for all your failures.  

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

Have you ever “choked” at something and followed it with an F word? According to @Shawnee Harle, you may be using the wrong F word. As an Olympic coach, she experienced failure at the highest level and searched to figure out why. Through evaluating fear and risk, she found that many f words play a factor in our actions and results.  

In this latest episode of @Serenity Now, Shawnee discusses the significant role that FOPO has on us, how we can use FBI to find clues, why we should all use paradoxical thinking when making big decisions, and which F words we should really be using in our business. If risk causes you uneasiness, this episode is for you. These acronyms will change your mindset. 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

What does unsexy growth look like? How do you know if it’s right for your business?  

Julieta Miranda is at a crossroads on the expansion of her business and seeks advice from the Serenity Now Sisters. Hear the angst, laughter, and sound expert opinions that could lead Kid Drop to the next level as they discuss how to take control of your own decisions. An episode full of actionable advice to fuel your own business growth. 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

 

How do you go from a little idea to a rapidly growing business? Julieta Miranda from Kid Drop did this by thoroughly understanding her pain point and solving it for the many families struggling to find safe transportation for their children.  

In this latest episode of Serenity Now, Julieta describes how she grew her business very quickly, implemented technology to advance her service, and used available community programs to accelerate growth. Listen to Julieta receive advice from the Serenity Sisters panel as she works towards clarifying her end goal before taking her next major step. An episode that will leave you pondering your own end goal.

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

In this episode, the Serenity Sisters are joined by Neil Belenkie, a serial entrepreneur who shares some of his key business insights he’s learned over the years.

Neil discusses some of the issues he has gone through as an entrepreneur and how he has recognized through trial and error (lots of error!) how some people have built-in spidey senses in business, and some don’t. However, just because you don’t have this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go into business. To mitigate risk and ensure success, you can adopt a more methodical process to identify red flags in people and companies.

Neil shares some examples of red flags he’s learned to watch out for when considering someone to add to a team. 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

 

 

Vik Khanna, an angel investor for 15 entrepreneurs (to date), sits down with the Serenity Sisters to talk about what is an angel investor? 

 

They discuss; 

• An angel investor will typically help entrepreneurs with a great idea by providing the money needed to make a Minimum Viable Product.
• Angel investors bet on the entrepreneur more than the basic idea, which is why it is a high risk but ultimately rewarding.
• Angel investors usually have smaller stakes, so their investment will not come with preferential shares or treatment.

In addition to finding angel investors, Vik and the Serenity Sisters explore other ways to get funding when you have a great business idea. 

•  Bootstrapping: getting money from your customers.
•  Friends & Family: reaching out for start-up cash from close connections
• Venture Capital: a more significant investment to help grow the business 

 

This insightful episode is full of helpful tips for entrepreneurs exploring funding options.

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

 

In this Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs episode, The Serenity Sisters sit down with Tatsuya ‘Tats’ Nakagawa, CEO at Castagra and host of the Roofer Reflections & Specified Growth Podcast.

 

We discuss what lessons Tats has learned from being a serial entrepreneur, including many ups and downs along the way.

 

Having built successful service and product-based businesses and fighting many challenges, Tats has a wealth of experiences to share with fellow entrepreneurs.

 

Tats also tells us about an excellent test he has used to evaluate business ideas. The Serenity Sisters were genuinely intrigued by this “3 am test,” but you’ll have to listen to the full episode for a full explanation!

 

This is a great episode for any aspiring or current entrepreneur to listen to for lessons learned on the path to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com    

Is The Great Resignation just about money? Following the pandemic, many people have left their jobs (or not returned after lay-offs), searching for a new career. What was their motivation, mental health, family commitments, higher salary, or flexibility in their life? Listen in as we unpack why so many employees leave for greener pastures during this mass resignation and what makes others stay, as well as answer the question of how we deal with this as entrepreneurs.

(Note: Some of the content in this episode may be outdated because it was recorded earlier in the year, but the advice is still timely) 

For this episode and information about Serenity Now For Entrepreneurs, visit our website. serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com

In today’s episode, the full sorority of Serenity Sisters connect to discuss what happens when things go wrong at work, or as we put it “Sh*t Hits the Fan”.

Who can help you when you’ve not encountered a specific problem before? What can be put in place to deal with a crisis situation such as Covid, supply chain issues and more?

Sometimes a business hits a barrier, but is it always bad? Can there be a silver lining?

Remember, entrepreneurship is a roller coaster and every business needs to learn how to take the hits as well as the pats on the back! 

Take a listen and know that you aren’t alone. The journey of entreprenurship is just that, a journey, but knowing where to turn and what to do things don’t go your way is important and could provide you with some Serenity Now.

 

Website: https://serenitynowforentrepreneurs.com/2022/04/22/when-sht-hits-the-fan/

 

 

 

In today’s episode, Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs speak about the most pressing topic when it comes to to business – MONEY. Whether we are talking about start up funds, expansion funds, sales or expenses, money is always on an entrepreneurs mind.

This podcast focuses on funding for businesses and shares expertise that many listeners seek including conversation about the following:

 

• Businesses start up funds
• Funding for capital expenditures or equipment
• How are Grants used and why are they important?
• What is Grants SRED
• What type of grants are available for startups?
• Loans for Business

 

Listen is as we discuss our personal experiences as well as best practices from an accounting standpoint.

Take a listen as we ‘Show you the Money”!

In this episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, we chat about something that many companies have considered doing, but aren’t doing….firing a client.

This can be a tough topic but we believe its something every company should discuss – especially service providers.

When do you consider taking this step? Is there a point in time you know this could be a challenging client to work with? Are you seeing red flags?

We discuss our personal experiences as entrepreneurs and what systems our companies have in place. Peggy discusses this being an annual ritual that involves the team. Rita discusses what red flags look like for her company. Candace discusses alignment and on going evaluation of clients.

It’s not a subjective exercise, by any means. We also discuss what happens when a decision has been made. How do you fire a client?

There are a lot of entrepreneurs out there that may feel stuck or don’t know how to move on from certain clients in their roster. Take a listen and learn how some business veterans have done it so that it can give you insight and perhaps some serenity now!

In this episode,  Serenity Sisters Rita Kim and Candace Nanke speak to Tess Menges  of  Procurement Assistance Canada now referred to as PAC and previously known as the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) . PAC helps businesses understand how the government buys goods and services, and how a business in Canada can navigate the process to find opportunities. The government buys everything from toilet paper to software so there are opportunities for companies that sell both products and services.

 

In this podcast, Tess introduces us to  Lee Brighton and Cydney Mar. We loved hearing the journey that each of these amazing entrepreneurs went through to win bids with the Government of Canada!

 

Tess explains some specific steps both Lee and Cydney took that helped them to win bids. Lee and Cyndey also explain their success stories and what their experience was like navigating through bids, opportunities and to finally winning a bid.

 

We hope this episode helps fellow entrepreneurs in becoming more familiar with the process of bidding, the resources available to help you through this and finally winning your own bids!

 

Please listen and also share this episode with fellow entrepreneurs as well.

In this episode of Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs, Serenity Sisters Rita Kim and Candace Nancke chat with Charlotte Ferreaux of Community Futures BC.

 

We discuss the mandate for this organization and how to they help business owners? Charlotte explains how Community Futures differ from other lending institutions? As lots of businesses recovering from the pandemic, Rita and Candace share their insights about the importance of resources like Community Futures.

 

We hope you enjoyed this episode where the Serenity Sisters chats Charlotte of Community Futures who discusses the programs available to entrepreneurs in rural areas in BC. As she mentions, there’s a lot of support available for business owners in large cities, but the economic development of rural businesses is also critical to the growth of the province.

 

If you are a rural business owner, or perhaps you know someone who could benefit from this podcast, we would love it for you to share it with your community as it could give an entrepreneur out there, some Serenity Now.

This episode is perfect for those wanting to explore entrepreneurship and those who are entrepreneurs already! Lots of laughs in this episode as we chat about what it means to us to be entrepreneurs, the perks, the challenges and the journey. Could you as a business owner go back and get a ‘job’? Hear what the Serenity Sisters say about that! 

 

What we find out is that the journey to becoming an entrepreneur and life as an entrepreneur is unique for everyone BUT you are not alone. So join us  - and listen to what part of our journey resonates with you!  Visit our website to valuable resources and to listen to other podcasts.

In today’s podcast, we are excited to introduce an incredibly valuable resource for Entrepreneurs.

Dugan Selkirk from Community Futures is the Business Advisor for the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program. Dugan has 20 years of experience launching and running start ups and consulting to those doing the same. Dugan is passionate about helping start up founders access capital to help their businesses grow.

The EDP Program assists eligible participants to maintain or grow their existing business. Dugan explains that this program is for any entrepreneur that fit the criteria below and that identify with a visible or invisible disability.

 

• You have a self-declared disability or have been assessed as having a disability.
• Your business is registered and generating revenue prior to February 1, 2020.
• You have the skills/training required to operate the business.
• You need training or coaching to maintain or grow the business.
• You have the resources or means to access capital to implement the strategies developed through coaching and/or training.

 

EDP – Participant Supports

• Business Coaching related to business strategy, business plan development and/or specific challenges impacting the businesses future.
• Business Training addressing skill gaps in business operation and management.

We are excited for you to listen to this podcast and share it with all entrepreneurs you know! View the episode and resource links by clicking here.

 

In today's podcast, we speak to Human Resources Consultant, Sofia Arisheh of Upskill Consulting. Sofia together with Serenity Sisters Candace Nancke and Stephanie Sang discuss HR in the New World. This podcast features a number of HR related topics such as remote working, returning to the office, company mandates vs provincial health orders, employer expectations, staff wants and more.

Sofia explains her approach and the opportunity we all have to reinvent work/play balance.

Listen in as we discuss current HR challenges, stories and possible solutions.

Please check our website for resources!

This podcast featuring Tess Menges, Manager of  Procurement Assistance Canada (previously Office of Small and Medium Enterprises) offers a master class in bidding for government contracts.  Tess leads the Serenity Sisters panel through  this master class (typically an online workshop)  where we were able to complete a short exercise which mirrors the basic competitive procurement process format used by the Federal Government to award contracts. The Serenity Sisters were split into teams and played the role of departmental officials with a requirement to purchase 25 dogs. In this class, three fictitious companies submitted bids to provide those dogs. Our task was to recommend one for contract award.

 

Join us in the mock exercise to better understand the process of applying for government bids. In utilizing a real life case study and acting as the evaluators, we were able to gain a greater understanding of the daunting federal procurement evaluation process. Along with gaining a true understanding of the process, the entire system is simplified as we learn some tips along the way to maximize your chances of success.

 

To read more about the podcast in details and view the supporting documents, please click on the here.

 

This podcast features a question from an entrepreneur about how to manage partnerships in business.  This is an excellent question and our group had a lot to say about partnerships  including some advice on:

• What should you look for in a partner.
• Questions you should you ask before you enter a partnership.
• How to manage partnerships.
• What happens when a partner wants to exit or you want them to exit.

If you are interested in hearing about navigating through identifying a potential partner, to setting up for success, avoiding pitfalls, managing partners and even creating an exit strategy from the start,  please tune in!

Join us as Serenity Sister Peggy Aulenback checks in with Katie and Claire of Friendly Composting.

 

Katie and Claire were the first entrepreneurs we had on the podcast.

 

These talented young ladies are the owners and founders of Friendly Composting, a weekly compost pick up and local product delivery located in beautiful, Kamloops BC!

 

They started their new company at the beginning of the initial COVID-19 shut down and when we first spoke to them, they had a lot of questions for all of us concerning financing, structure, growth, marketing, insurance, purchasing and more.

 

Peggy was excited to get an update from these passionate, intelligent, and driven entrepreneurs - and the whole team is delighted to share this podcast with all of you.

 

Enjoy and remember if you want to be featured on our podcast, simply fill out the form on own website!