Business Grants Success Stories
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Offer personal customer service. Just because you have an online business doesn't mean you're going to be able to take the kids to the zoo and swimming lessons and soccer all day long, depositing your cheques in the evening. While you can build in many automated customer service tools, there are always times when your buyers are going to want to speak to a real person. Unless you farm this out, you need to be regularly available to answer or return calls.
Explore drop shipping. Stocking and shipping your product can be a massive chore – or you can simply act as the middle-mom for the wholesaler. Drop shipping allows you to take the order, forward it to the supplier, and have them ship it out with your business name on the package. You don't need to store or ship a thing.
Advertise. If you build it, they won't necessarily come. You're going to need to drum up interest in your business through such means as classified advertising, Internet advertising, trading or establishing links, and generating word of mouth through online articles and participation in forums, blogs and newsgroups related to your product.
Learn Search Engine Optimization. Learn the basics, and hire further help if you need it. But understand that your ranking on Google and other search engines will increase with regular updates, numerous relevant links to your site out there, and effective use of keywords within your site.
Financing for women entrepreneurs
Here are three programs available for women entrepreneurs in Canada. They're just the tip of the iceberg.
The Business Management Training Allowance
Offered through ACOA, the Business Management Training Allowance (BMTA) provides financial assistance to women business owners who wish to undertake business management training in such areas as:
• strategic planning
• marketing
• human resources
• business operations
• finance and accounting
• information management
• pursuing broader opportunities for business growth
The BMTA will finance up to 75% (to a maximum of $2,000) of approved training costs.
The Women Entrepreneurs' Fund
The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has created a $25 million fund targeted to women entrepreneurs. BDC has dedicated this amount to increase the availability of financing for fast-growing, women-owned firms in Canada. This fund will also serve to leverage additional private equity for the women-in-business market segment. Women entrepreneurs who want to expand on an existing business or seek new market opportunities outside of Canada may apply for this fund.
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