Country-Wide Crusade Challenges Perceptions of Women in Business
Coaching Coach begins journey across Canada to help at the grass roots level. This is not like a survey; this is first-hand information from women entrepreneurs.
Calgary, Canada, February 27, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Although small businesses are opening in record numbers – their failure rate continues to outstrip the momentous growth. Over 80 per cent of small businesses fail in the first five years. For one women entrepreneur, these statistics are unacceptable.
Roaring Women Ltd. founder, Mandie Crawford, is a former business newspaper columnist who has interviewed over 500 women entrepreneurs since 2004. Her understanding of the issues women face is prompting her to go on a crusade. She will journey to as many Canadian cities as possible to meet, encourage and educate women in business at no charge to participants. In partnership with Staples Business Depot, Crawford will travel and hold coaching sessions in the Roaring Women Coaching Coach; a 33-foot long bus; in the parking lots of select Staples Business Depot locations across the country.
The Coaching Coach Spring Tour will kick-off on March 8, 2008 on International Women’s Day at the Staples Business Depot in Victoria, B.C.
“This is the perfect day to begin to change women business owners’ attitudes towards growth, ” says Crawford. “I’m tired of hearing about failure rates, or women feeling unsupported and I’m going to do something about it.”
Crawford’s mission is backed up by current research. In particular, a recent paper authored by Dr. Barbara Orser at the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa: Canadian Women Entrepreneurs observes that women entrepreneurs continue to cite gender-specific concerns. Many of these concerns are underscored by a perceived concern about ‘being taken seriously’. Others feel unsupported by a spouse or partner and bias from lending firms (whether true of not).
“The problem lies in the women's own belief in her abilities. Many women project their feeling of inadequacy onto others,” adds Crawford. “The Coaching Coach sessions address their key concerns, give a reality check and addresses real issues such as marketing and business growth. They learn to quit whining about perceived issues and address real issues with solutions.”
The Coaching Coach will continue from Victoria, BC to other Staples Business Depot locations including:
Vancouver, BC - March 9, 10
Kelowna, BC - March 17
Edmonton, AB - March 19, 20
Fort McMurray, AB - March 25, 26
Calgary, AB, March 13, 14 and at the Business Women's Expo - March 29, 30
Cambrige, ON - April 8
Burlington, ON - April 10
Mississauga, ON - April 11
Brampton, ON - April 12
Barrie, ON - April 13
Toronto, ON - April 14-15
Winnipeg, MB - April 17, 18
The journey will be videotaped and chronicled on www.thecoachingcoach.com (available March 5). On this website, women entrepreneurs will also be able to sign up on the website for coaching sessions, read about other women and participate in forums. The Spring Tour will make a stop at Toronto LifeFest where Crawford is a keynote speaker.
“No one else is doing this,” states Crawford. “There are meetings, and grants and programs, but no one is going into the trenches to help at the grass roots level. This is not like a survey; this is first-hand information from women entrepreneurs. We are going to help teach them to ask for what they need. It's time to start addressing the fallacies women have about business and get on with the changes that will make them successful."
About Roaring Women Ltd.
Founded in Hamilton, Ontario in 2004, Roaring Women is Canada's premier national networking group for women in business. The company holds 19 meetings across Canada (and in Seattle, WA) to promote, education and connect entrepreneurs. Founder Mandie Crawford, travels and speaks to empower members to create success on their own terms. Roaring women is continually surveying and interviewing for the needs of women in business; seeking alliances and new technology to promote its members. Visit www.roaringwomen.com.
About Staples Business Depot
Founded in Toronto in 1991, The Business Depot Ltd. is Canada's largest supplier of office supplies, business machines, office furniture and business services for the small business and home office customer. The company is an everyday low price retailer. The chain operates stores in all provinces across Canada under the banners STAPLES® Business Depot™ and BUREAU EN GROS™. The company has over 13,500 employees serving customers through 300 office superstores, catalogue, and e-commerce. STAPLES® Business Depot™/BUREAU EN GROS™ is committed to making shopping easy by offering customers three ways to shop - online, by catalogue and in-store. For store hours, locations and to obtain more information, visit www.staples.ca.
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Roaring Women Ltd. founder, Mandie Crawford, is a former business newspaper columnist who has interviewed over 500 women entrepreneurs since 2004. Her understanding of the issues women face is prompting her to go on a crusade. She will journey to as many Canadian cities as possible to meet, encourage and educate women in business at no charge to participants. In partnership with Staples Business Depot, Crawford will travel and hold coaching sessions in the Roaring Women Coaching Coach; a 33-foot long bus; in the parking lots of select Staples Business Depot locations across the country.
The Coaching Coach Spring Tour will kick-off on March 8, 2008 on International Women’s Day at the Staples Business Depot in Victoria, B.C.
“This is the perfect day to begin to change women business owners’ attitudes towards growth, ” says Crawford. “I’m tired of hearing about failure rates, or women feeling unsupported and I’m going to do something about it.”
Crawford’s mission is backed up by current research. In particular, a recent paper authored by Dr. Barbara Orser at the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa: Canadian Women Entrepreneurs observes that women entrepreneurs continue to cite gender-specific concerns. Many of these concerns are underscored by a perceived concern about ‘being taken seriously’. Others feel unsupported by a spouse or partner and bias from lending firms (whether true of not).
“The problem lies in the women's own belief in her abilities. Many women project their feeling of inadequacy onto others,” adds Crawford. “The Coaching Coach sessions address their key concerns, give a reality check and addresses real issues such as marketing and business growth. They learn to quit whining about perceived issues and address real issues with solutions.”
The Coaching Coach will continue from Victoria, BC to other Staples Business Depot locations including:
Vancouver, BC - March 9, 10
Kelowna, BC - March 17
Edmonton, AB - March 19, 20
Fort McMurray, AB - March 25, 26
Calgary, AB, March 13, 14 and at the Business Women's Expo - March 29, 30
Cambrige, ON - April 8
Burlington, ON - April 10
Mississauga, ON - April 11
Brampton, ON - April 12
Barrie, ON - April 13
Toronto, ON - April 14-15
Winnipeg, MB - April 17, 18
The journey will be videotaped and chronicled on www.thecoachingcoach.com (available March 5). On this website, women entrepreneurs will also be able to sign up on the website for coaching sessions, read about other women and participate in forums. The Spring Tour will make a stop at Toronto LifeFest where Crawford is a keynote speaker.
“No one else is doing this,” states Crawford. “There are meetings, and grants and programs, but no one is going into the trenches to help at the grass roots level. This is not like a survey; this is first-hand information from women entrepreneurs. We are going to help teach them to ask for what they need. It's time to start addressing the fallacies women have about business and get on with the changes that will make them successful."
About Roaring Women Ltd.
Founded in Hamilton, Ontario in 2004, Roaring Women is Canada's premier national networking group for women in business. The company holds 19 meetings across Canada (and in Seattle, WA) to promote, education and connect entrepreneurs. Founder Mandie Crawford, travels and speaks to empower members to create success on their own terms. Roaring women is continually surveying and interviewing for the needs of women in business; seeking alliances and new technology to promote its members. Visit www.roaringwomen.com.
About Staples Business Depot
Founded in Toronto in 1991, The Business Depot Ltd. is Canada's largest supplier of office supplies, business machines, office furniture and business services for the small business and home office customer. The company is an everyday low price retailer. The chain operates stores in all provinces across Canada under the banners STAPLES® Business Depot™ and BUREAU EN GROS™. The company has over 13,500 employees serving customers through 300 office superstores, catalogue, and e-commerce. STAPLES® Business Depot™/BUREAU EN GROS™ is committed to making shopping easy by offering customers three ways to shop - online, by catalogue and in-store. For store hours, locations and to obtain more information, visit www.staples.ca.
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Contact
Roaring Women Ltd.
Susan Valeri
905-331-1155
www.roaringwomen.com
1-888-726-3361
Susan Valeri
905-331-1155
www.roaringwomen.com
1-888-726-3361
Contact
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