New and aspiring entrepreneurs gathered Wednesday at a workshop hosted by Community Futures Westman in the Dome Building to hear insights from established business owners.
The event featured discussions and advice from experienced entrepreneurs, highlighting their journeys, lessons learned and recommendations for potential business owners.
Among the entrepreneurs who shared their experiences was Sam Mula, owner of ABC Auto Service.
Mr. Mula, a familiar face in the Brandon community, detailed his journey from Ethiopia to Brandon in 2001 and the founding of ABC Auto Service 10 years later. Reflecting on his own entrepreneurial journey, Mr. Mura cites his own experiences of failure due to insufficient industry knowledge and the importance of understanding a business thoroughly before diving into it. emphasized the importance of
“I started a sign shop, a granite countertop business, and a roofing and exterior business, but they all failed because I didn’t have a deep understanding of those industries and had to rely on others.” Moolah told The Sun. “My biggest advice is to fully understand the business you are working in.”
Emelio Brown, co-founder of IntriTech, advised participants to adopt a Lean Startup mindset to maximize resources and choose the right business partners wisely.
“I continued to work part-time jobs to finance the business and in the early days of the business reinvested the profits back into the business,” Mr Brown told The Sun. “While loans are an option, newcomers are encouraged to consider resources such as Community Futures Westman, Futurepreneur Canada, and banks for guidance on business plans and potential financing opportunities. I recommend it.”
Choosing the right business partner is similar to choosing a life partner, he said. “Finding people with aligned goals, complementary skills and mutual trust is essential,” he said.
At the event, Brandon University graduate student Sharlyn Kunaratnam shared preliminary findings on entrepreneurship among immigrant women in Brandon.
“Many immigrant women start businesses out of necessity, driven by challenges such as limited job opportunities, childcare responsibilities, and the need to juggle household chores while working multiple part-time jobs.” Kunaratnam told the participants.
“Immigrants often bring an entrepreneurial background with them, which contributes to their propensity toward entrepreneurship.”
Ms. Kunaratnam called for more effective outreach and support mechanisms tailored to the diverse needs of immigrant women entrepreneurs, especially in rural and grassroots communities.
Rand Tushman, director of Community Futures Westman, will address participants at Wednesday’s workshop. (Submitted)
“Government funding is available, but there is a lack of awareness and understanding of how to access these resources,” she said. “Effective services and support systems, coupled with increased awareness and accessibility, can greatly benefit immigrant women entrepreneurs.”
Rand Tushman, director of Community Futures Westman, said the event aims to provide valuable resources and support to aspiring entrepreneurs.
“Brandon is growing with a lot of new immigrants and newcomers to Canada,” Tushman told the Sun.
“The goal of this event was to not only focus on newcomers, but also highlight our partnerships with organizations such as Futurpreneur, BDO, BDC, and other financial institutions, and showcase the tools and resources available to help. , to help everyone recognize what Community Futures can offer: helping individuals start and grow their businesses,” she said.
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