Midtown Wednesdays

Accelerating Growth for Women Entrepreneurs

Here's an article about women and business from Canada:

Winnipeg business workshop will showcase success stories and provide women entrepreneurs with business growth resources

WINNIPEG, May 10 /CNW Telbec/ - BDC, RBC Financial Group and the Women's Enterprise Center of Manitoba are presenting Accelerating Growth for Women Entrepreneurs workshops this afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at the Fairmont in Winnipeg. The session will provide participants with a forum to share their experiences and to hear from experts about how to successfully implement business growth strategies. Today's event is part of a series of similar workshops held across Canada.

"Canadian women entrepreneurs represent an increasing economic force," said Joy Playford, Regional Director, Special markets at BDC. "But, according to Industry Canada, over half of businesses run by women entrepreneurs are in
a slow-growth stage of development."

Women entrepreneurs today own one-third of all Canadian companies, paying the salaries of nearly 2 million people. The top 100 women entrepreneurs in Canada generate over $2 billion in revenue annually. What's more, women now own increasing numbers of small companies outside of traditional service sectors, such as biotechnology, robotics and manufacturing. Last year, women represented 64% of new business creation. But women entrepreneurs face unique challenges when it comes to growing their business, as the majority of women-owned businesses tend to have fewer employees, export less and request
less financing.

Today's workshops will provide opportunities for women to leverage the successful experiences of other women entrepreneurs, to network with community resource people, and to learn about topics like financial growth, marketing,
exporting, and Human Resources planning.

As well, a reception to launch the 2006 RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards - the biggest and most prestigious honour for women business owners in Canada - will be held today at 5:00 p.m. at the Fairmont Winnipeg. The deadline for nominations for these awards is July 31, 2006; the winners will be announced November 21, 2006.

About BDC

BDC is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada. BDC plays a complementary role in delivering financial, investment and consulting services to Canadian small businesses, with a particular focus on the technology and export sectors of the economy. For more information, visit http://www.bdc.ca.

About Our Keynote Speakers:

Shelly Werner, Principal, smartfurniture for business inc.

Shelley Werner, B.I.D. is principal of smartfurniture for business inc. Shelley's background as interior designer on projects that include Red River College Downtown Campus and Ceridian Canada Ltd. underlines a keen sense of the elements necessary to create a successful work environment. Her company provides ergonomic office furniture at a variety of price ranges, and excels at installation and service. With significant expansion plans, Shelly is taking her business into new markets, and offering the latest in products and technology that support effectiveness and human interaction in all types of
work environments.

Heidi Reimer-Epp, General Manager, Botanical PaperWorks Inc.

Established in 1997, Botanical PaperWorks Inc. designs, manufactures and
markets handmade paper and stationery made from recycled fibers, flower
petals, herbs and spices and more. Its products are sold to retail customers
through its website, to the wholesale stationery market and contract
manufacturing clients such as the promotions industry. The majority of company
sales are from exports to the US. Today, over 90% of Botanical's sales are
into the U.S. market. Innovation is key, as Botanical develops new products
using various alternative fibers and adapts production techniques.

Polly Craik, President and CEO, Fineline Solutions

When she was 20, Polly Craik joined a small family-owned telephone
answering service, Fine Line Communications. But Polly knew she wanted to
start her own business. Twenty years later, Polly has morphed the small
company into Fineline Solutions, a highly successful international player in
the field of information management. Among Fineline's major clients are The
American Arthritis Foundation and the Canadian operations of The Salvation
Army. Fineline processes donations and manages donor profiles. Whether for
commercial, not for profit or government clients, banking funds and creating
highly detailed reporting are also key elements of its service. Polly was
named "Manitoba Entrepreneur of the Year" in 2005.


For further information: or to arrange an interview: Eva
Boucher-Hartling, Media Relations Manager, BDC, (514) 283-7929,
eva.boucher-hartling@bdc.ca

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posted by Unknown @ 5/11/2006