Global Entrepreunership Week lunch and learn at Genesis Centre

 

Students were offered a chance to network and learn from experts in their field when the  St. Clair College Genesis Entrepreneurship Centre celebrated Global Entrepreneurship Week with a lunch and learn session. 

Students were welcome to watch four local entrepreneurs participate in an interactive panel discussion. 

On Thurs, Nov. 21, the panel talked about various topics including providing advice to someone interested in starting a business, how they balance work and life, their biggest product success and what made them become an entrepreneur.

“When I started my business I was starting a passion,” said Jordynne Ropat, founder and operator of Plant Joy, a fair trade, organic and vegan doughnut shop. “It started with my own needs (and attend) to a need for other customers.”

Many entrepreneurs cater to the needs of their customers by providing a product or offering a service. Some small business owners or entrepreneurs require a primary income while trying to follow their passion.

“It’s still early but I have a lot of early successes,” said Jonny Bauer, who has worked in the tech field for 10 years. He recently started his own business as a programmer and web developer. “Every time I help a client with a small problem, it’s a good feeling.” 

For many entrepreneurs, success is measured by going out and doing whatever needs to be done. But there must also be a work/life balance.

“If you want a home/work life, you have to give up control,” said David Haas, owner of Tree House Bar and Restaurant. He recently started a coaching business for entrepreneurs. “I know how to do it all but I need to step back and give the staff some responsibility.”

The panelists who have employees agree they should be valued and aligned with the same goals of the business. As their businesses grow, some entrepreneurs would like to hire more people. However, some partners who are in business together may not be flexible with their time or the idea of hiring new employees.

“You have to use your resources wisely,” said Derrick Salden, who is in partnership with Eric Dolgos at Arbalist Networks Computer Networking. His advice to someone interested in starting their own business: “One foot forward, step by step and don’t worry about the long-term goals.”

Salden calls it “failing upward,” which means trying to do better when you go out and look for your next client/customer.