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LIFT VIP news

BizOnDeck Case Study: Blushing Bluebird Essentials and #wearcloth

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Entrepreneurship is often born of a desire to fix something that’s broken. That’s the story behind Blushing Bluebird Essentials (aka Bluebird Pads), which soft-launched in November 2016 and went on to win the PitchFest2 grand prize in September 2017.

Blushing Bluebird Essentials produces organic cloth feminine pads and accessories. It is a family enterprise led by Danielle Farrant. The team includes husband Bern, her parents Leah and David Hope, sister Amie Webster, and Amie’s husband Jeff. Products can be purchased locally at Edible Island, Kradles Baby Boutique or online at www.bluebirdpads.com.

LIFT: What inspired this new product?

Danielle (DF): Allergies. Realizing that there are toxic materials in industrially-produced feminine products. Most women don’t know about healthier alternatives. We saw an opportunity.

LIFT: What was your “ask” at your BizOnDeck workshop?

DF: I had three asks. One, how can we successfully productize our business while maintaining our core values? Two, what are some ways we can help overcome the stigma associated with the use of cloth products? Three, We have received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback on our business – how do we turn positive talk into sales?

LIFT: What were the three biggest takeaways from your BizOnDeck?

DF: One, “locally handmade” can mean made in BC, wherever it is most efficient to do so. Two, the face of the business/personal connection is what will grow the business at this stage. Three, have fun with the advertising, whenever possible!

LIFT: How useful has Slack (an online team platform for LIFT members) been to keep the “growth” discussion going?

DF: Probably the most important use of Slack for us has been the channel created by Julian Rendell of Make it Zone exclusively for discussion about textile manufacturing. This has been very helpful. Brooke at Wags Doggy Bags and Julian – and others I hadn’t even thought of as resources for our business! – have been very helpful.

LIFT: Has putting your business “on deck” helped grow your business?

DF: Yes! Thanks to the BizOnDeck and the connections we made there, we were featured in a local magazine. We were also invited to pitch – and win! – at PitchFest2.

I would encourage anyone with a new business idea to pitch at a BizOnDeck. But I would also encourage them to prepare. You’ve got a room full of entrepreneurs who want to help you grow your business. Don’t waste their time. When you prepare your pitch you add value and takeaways for everyone involved. It’s a super experience!

 

Last word

DF: Exposure and regional connections are exactly what any business needs – LIFT provides these. We’re looking forward to pitching at a BizOnDeck in Nanaimo in 2018!

HPM
I did a short interview with Danielle several weeks after winning PitchFest2. We did this very short FB live teaser to let people know what we’re doing.

 

FMI about LIFT & BizOnDeck

LIFT helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and non-profits grow their businesses. To put your business or project “on deck” in the Comox Valley or Nanaimo please fill the blanks here. Or call HPM at 250-792-1408.

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BizOnDeck entrepreneur case study: Lil Worker Safety Gear and #vizyourkids

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LIFT’s BizOnDeck workshops enable entrepreneurs to help each other to grow new businesses, test new business ideas, and launch new products and services. In 2018 we’re expanding to include a Nanaimo BizOnDeck series.

One of the most exciting stories we’ve had the pleasure to be part of is that of Lil Worker Safety Gear.

Introduction: James Flawith, founder, Lil Worker Safety Gear

Recognized as one of Vancouver Island’s “Top 40 Under 40,” James Flawith owns and operates Precision Tree Services. He is married and has three young children. Already a very busy guy, James launched Lil Worker Safety Gear because he saw a need to bring the same safety standards to our families that we bring to our work crews.  

LIFT: What product or service do you sell?

JF: Real safety gear for kids

LIFT: Where can readers buy your products and/or services?

JF: Online at lilworkersafety.ca and at locally at ONO Work and Safety, and soon at the Lil Worker Safety Gear Store at Woodgrove Centre (Nanaimo) and at Midland Tools, Pilon Tool Rentals, Planet Kids, and at White’s of Lindsay in Ontario.

LIFT: When was your BizOnDeck and what was your “ask?”

JF: January 2016. I asked about where did people see these products being used, what age demographic should we be targeting, and about sale strategies: retail vs wholesale, online/small outlet(s), box store(s). I also asked about “exclusivity.”

LIFT: Has putting your business “on deck” helped grow your business?

JF: The support and help I received by putting my business “on deck” was an important step. It inspired me to push forward.

I also gained experience pitching. In fact, my [winning] PitchFest pitch was just a boiled down version of the “On Deck” pitch, and those pitches are very similar to the one I made to the Dragons.

LIFT: What are you working on now?

JF: Aside from the full-time work of running Precision Tree Services I’m establishing more retail partnerships for Lil Worker Safety Gear. I’m constantly working to improve digital marketing. I have plans to set up a test kiosk slated for the last week of October in the Woodgrove Centre. I’m also actively exploring more opportunities to sell in person at events.

LIFT: How can LIFT help?

JF: Can you stop time so I can work more?

James and the Dragons

James went from pitching at a BizOnDeck and winning at PitchFest 2016, to pitching to CBC’s Dragons’ Den. That episode of Dragons’ Den aired at 8pm on October 12, 2017. LIFT organized a community viewing for that evening at The Creator Space where we cheered for James and Tweeted our support for Lil Worker Safety Gear and the #vizyourkids message to the world.

Did James win with the Dragons? Watch the video.

Follow the Lil Worker Safety Gear journey online via the #vizyourkids tag. 

Last word

JF: It all started with the “On Deck” experience I had with LIFT!

 

FMI about LIFT & BizOnDeck

LIFT helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and NGOs grow their businesses. To put your business or project “on deck” in the Comox Valley or Nanaimo please fill the blanks here. Or call HPM at 250-792-1408.

BizOnDeck entrepreneur case study: Wags Doggy Bags

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Over the course of a year LIFT hosts 16 BizOnDeck workshops. In two years that’s over 60 entrepreneurs and creatives, pitching their ideas for businesses and projects, and getting feedback and advice from other entrepreneurs. We believe in the power of these entrepreneurs to do amazing things for our community economy. The BizOnDeck case study series will help describe who they are, what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, and where they’re at on the entrepreneur roller-coaster.

Introduction: Brooke Ferguson, founder, Wags Doggy Bags

Brooke Ferguson (BF) and her family moved to the Comox Valley in July 2015 from Melbourne via Vancouver. The reasons for making this place their home have to do with what’s called “quality of life.” Instead of “commuting, congestion and cost” they are now skiing, hiking, biking and sailing. They were also attracted to a growing demographic in our region: professional couples with young children. All of this enabled Brooke to start her own business, something she’d been wanting to do for a number years. The Comox Valley became the opportunity for Brooke to launch what is now Wags Doggy Bags: a solution for pet-owners who also happen to have a vehicle or home that they’d like to keep clean.

LIFT: Where can readers buy your products and/or services?
BF: At Bosley’s here in Courtenay on Vancouver Island, and online at wagsdoggybags.ca

LIFT: When did you put Wags Doggy Bags “on deck?” What was your “ask?”
BF: I put Wags “on deck” in the Spring of 2016 to test the market appeal for a “wet and dirty dog solution.”

LIFT: What has/have been the most useful thing/s about putting your business “on deck?
BF: Building community, being brave and letting go of my idea and opening it up to scrutiny.

LIFT: Biggest takeaways from BizOnDeck?
BF: I was on the right track, people loved the idea, it’s all about relationships!

LIFT: What actions have you taken to follow up on these takeaways?
BF: I’ve kept plodding along, using these points to keep me going and guide my social media activity.

LIFT: Has putting your business “on deck” helped grow your business?
BF: For sure, the LIFT community knows about Wags and because they are social media savvy, they respond when I post.

LIFT: What are you working on now?
BF: I’m still working on launching – it’s like a game of snakes and ladders! I’ve just had a slide down a big snake and I’m back to figuring out the right fabric SO frustrating!

LIFT: How can LIFT help?
BF: Be there, cheer, celebrate, hold my hand when I need it, offer tissues and/or a drink when needed!

In the meantime…

Brooke’s work on Wags has become much more than a pet-owner/car-owner/home-owner solution. With several other prospective “textile entrepreneurs,” Brooke has been exploring the opportunity to create an ethical, community-based manufacturing industry here in the Comox Valley.

Last word

BF: Every day, regardless of the ups and downs of business and family life, I’m aware of how fortunate I am to have moved here and started my business in the Comox Valley.

FMI about LIFT & BizOnDeck

LIFT helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, NGOs grow their businesses. To put your business or community project idea “on deck” please fill out the form at http://j.mp/BIZONDECK

FMI about LIFT see LIFT Startups, make a date to chat with HPM, or call him at 250-792-1408.

LIFT news: BizOnDeck sells out. More LIFT VIP benefits. #hustlethehelp

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This morning there was only one ticket left for this evening’s BizOnDeck workshop. That’s because BizOnDeck is the Island’s most dynamic business development workshop series. Wish you were with us? Join LIFT, then check this link and put yourself on the LIFT VIP-only wait list. Who knows? You may get to grow your business with us this evening if someone drops out.

No surprises. Entrepreneurs want to grow their businesses. That’s it.

I’m not surprised that we’re sold out this evening. Entrepreneurs love our workshops because they’re focused on one thing: helping businesses grow. And they get lots of opportunities to do that at a BizOnDeck.

Established businesses – like Investors Group, Presley & Partners, Finneron Hyundai, and more – like our workshops because they’re getting to work with growth-oriented young entrepreneurs. They’re meeting tomorrow’s business leaders today. That’s good for growth into the future.

This evening we’ve got two young entrepreneurs pitching for help to grow their startups. Kyrle Symons of Prisym Renewable Developments and Lauren Dean of New Leaf Marketing. They need to hear from you.

Can’t make it? We have other options to help you grow

Our events are energizing, focused – and fun. But it’s not possible for everyone to make every workshop we host. That’s why we built options to “hustle the help” online (“hustle the help” is an idea I borrowed from Canadian rockstar entrepreneur Dan Martell; see the short video below). LIFT VIPs (LIFT members) have access to our “hustle the help” Slack channel. It means you can network (and grow your business) even when you can’t make an event. Another one of the business-growth benefits of being a LIFT member.

Is your business generating online reviews? We will help!

Another member important way to grow your business is by getting online reviews and testimonials. Our BizOnDeck workshop on November 6 will feature Liz Wootton’s Human Nature Development on deck. We’ll also spend part of the workshop making a different kind of shift happen for LIFT VIPs: we’ll spend part of our time generating online testimonials and reviews for member businesses. For an example of what your business will get from the workshop, see LIFT reviews on Google maps and our Facebook page. Powerful online marketing stuff!

Thanks to LIFT VIPs Leif Jason of Mastermynde Strategy and Pieter Vorster of Pod Creative for suggesting we spend some time on this.

BizOnDeck is just the tip of the LIFT mountain of benefits

My job at LIFT is connecting your business with opportunities to grow. If you’re wanting to know more about the business benefits of being a LIFT VIP, give me a call at 250-792-1408, join us for a LIFT Power Lunch (every week in either the Nanaimo, P/QB, Campbell River, or the Comox Valley) – or visit our “Join us!” website. With over $4K in perks and business development benefits, we’ve got lots of cool stuff happening. I’ll be heading to San Francisco to see how we can connect our members with cool stuff happening there. Watch for it!

hpm

ps. If you like to have fun … there are only 4 “earliest bird” tickets left for Festive Cheer on November 24 (this is our entrepreneur “holiday party” and fundraiser for EDAS: Everybody Deserves A Smile). I strongly encourage you to get your ticket before they’re gone at weareyqqparty.ca

pps. Here’s the Dan Martell video clip I mentioned. Enjoy!

This summer, promote local business – and win with LIFT VIPs

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Imagine a photo treasure hunt that supports local business and wins cool prizes. That’s what we’re talking about with our #LIFTVIP shared selfie promotion. The simple version: Find LIFT VIPs. Post their pics with the #LIFTVIP tag. Win prizes. Easy. 
 
Here’s the long version.
 

Let’s support local

But more than a fun treasure hunt, it’s a way to show support for local and regional businesses.
 
The absolute best way to support local businesses is to buy their products and services.
But your love of local doesn’t have to stop there. Many of us have a smartphone. We can use this sometimes obnoxious device to help our friends and neighbours get a lift with their business.
 

Here’s the deal

At LIFT we’re inviting you to help us promote local with a photo treasure hunt. We’ve got 110+ LIFT VIP businesses. These are businesses who are working together to grow a grassroots, entrepreneur focused economy. And, we’re inviting you to help them grow – and for you to win prizes from other LIFT VIP businesses – like Atlas Café, Gladstone Brewing Co., The Waverley Hotel, and Toscano’s Mediterranean Grill.
 
You can make this happen by following three simple steps to success (yours and the local businesses you choose to support):
  1. The treasure hunt: find a LIFT VIP business. There are 110+ of them, mostly in the Comox Valley, but a few in Campbell River, and now also in Nanaimo (because I believe that our community economies thrive when they’re regionally connected). How to find them? We’ll be launching a map-based directory of LIFT VIPs this summer. In the meantime, ask your friends in business. Are they part of the LIFT movement to grow local business? If they are, proceed immediately to Step 2.
  2. Snap that shared selfie. Make sure your LIFT VIP business owner or their staff is prominently displayed and smiling. That’s right; it’s not just business owners who can win. Your friends who work for LIFT VIP businesses get to represent and be entered to win with your selfie. They way we see it at LIFT, the more we share, the more we win. Now the hard part…
  3. Post the pic to social media and MAKE SURE you include this tag so we can find the winning pic: #LIFTVIP. For extra impact for your new-found LIFT VIP friend’s business add #WeAreYQQ if you’re in the Comox Valley, #WeAreYBL if you’re in Campbell River, and #WeAreYCD if you’re in Nanaimo. 
That’s it. You’re in to win.
We’re doing random draws for $25 gift cards for The Waverley Hotel in May and Gladstone Brewing in June. In July, August, and September we’ll be doing weekly draw for 2x $25 gift cards for Atlas Café, Gladstone Brewing, The Waverley Hotel, and Toscano’s.
 

Where to find those LIFT VIP businesses?

That’s the challenge. That’s why it’s a treasure hunt. You’re looking for business people who value local, grassroots business and community economic development. For a “starter list” of these LIFT VIPs, get some selfies with LIFT Solution Sponsors and Community Partners. These are the people who’ve helped grow this LIFT initiative:
Sue Finneron, Leif Jason, Adil Amlani, Nazaneen Dizai, Chrissie Bowker, Allison Mandzuk, Lee-Ann Dixon-Phillips, Jabin Postal, Danny Zanbilowicz, Sandra Viney, Paul Hansen, Lisa Hansen, Bob Wells, Ron Pogue, Karen Milstein McKinnon, Daniel Sharratt, Leanne Zdebiak-Eni, Shane Philip. That’s 19. There are about 90 more out there. Plus all their staff. 
 
An easy way to find a whole lot more is to come to a #WeAreYQQ Party. Many will be wearing #LIFTVIP name tags. All of them are up for selfies that’ll win you prizes. See the WeAreYQQParty.ca link for the next event. Hint: May 31, September 28, and November 24 are already on our party calendar. Be there. Win some stuff. Support local.
Most of all, have fun!
 
hpm
Hans Peter Meyer
Founder of LIFT
@hanspetermeyer on Twitter and Instagram
#BCBuyLocal #WeAreYQQ #WeAreYBL #WeAreYCD #VancouverIsland

Launching our 14-day free trial LIFT VIP membership

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Congratulations to Olivia of Lavish Engagements, Mary of Mary’s, and Atlas Café! Three of the businesses that were winners in our April #LIFTVIP promotion. In May, your #LIFTVIP shared selfie could win you and a LIFT VIP friend each gift cards to The Waverley Hotel. But this post isn’t about our current promotion. It’s about why I want entrepreneurs to try our new 14-day free trial LIFT VIP membership.
It’s a treat to create contests and give away prizes. But promoting and growing local businesses is only part of what we do with LIFT. I started this project in 2015, as The #WeAreYQQ Project. My intention, to inspire a grassroots movement of entrepreneurs in my community because I saw a need. Bear with me while I tell some of that story.

The 3-Rs and how they’re not the solution

I grew up in Black Creek, just north of Courtenay in the Comox Valley. That was almost 58 years ago. Like many Vancouver Island communities, ours was a logging and fishing-based economy. Things changed dramatically in the 1980s. Local governments scrambled to respond. But really, what can government do? (More on that later.)

I’ve watched as we’ve poured millions of taxpayer dollars into supporting the development of what I call a “3-Rs economy” of retirement, retail, and recreation services. All good stuff. But somehow missing the point of what my community is really about: talented people, passionate about this place.
And how are our 3-Rs doing, a generation after the decline of fishing and forestry as sources of jobs and wealth? Two years ago we lost 200 young families. To me that means the 3-Rs are failing to provide the incomes and opportunities we once enjoyed with our resource sector economy. 

I’m betting that talent, however, is the solution

I’ve been doing community economic development work on Vancouver Island off and on since 1994. During that time I’ve both ignored the problem, and complained about how our tax dollars are being spent. In late 2014, frustrated at what I saw as a failure of imagination in local agencies and government, I decided to stop complaining. I was going to do something about this economic problem.
That “something” was, and is, to focus on talent as the solution. I’d bring speakers in who inspired me. I’d invite entrepreneurs and creatives to come together to grow businesses and jobs. To celebrate the local talents that I think will grow our “next economy.”

Just getting started!

I’ve made it my job to generate visibility for the businesses I work with, the businesses that have become charter members of LIFT. I call them LIFT VIPs. They’re special, because in a region that is very lifestyle focused and old-school (even sleepy) when it comes to business, they’re growth oriented. Open to new ideas. Open to help each other make economic shift happen. One of my first initiatives was to launch the #WeAreYQQ tag as a “talent brand” for our region, for anyone to use. Ever since launching the #WeAreYQQ my focus has been on getting more attention for local business – locally, regionally, and beyond. It’s starting to pay off. 
Smart and talented people make LIFT shift happen. The list is long. We’ve now got over 100 entrepreneurs involved, mostly from the Comox Valley, but some from Campbell River. This Spring we’ve come up with a few new ideas. These will fuel changes. They will accelerate the marketing momentum we’ve generated – and help LIFT VIPs grow their businesses. We’re also going to be streamlining and restructuring our membership model. That means more great benefits for LIFT VIPs.  

This month: Free trial memberships

I want Comox Valley, Campbell River, and Qualicum businesses to benefit from what we’re doing. I’m focused on this region because I think we have a lot in common, including rapidly aging population, a need to attract and retain young families, and – paradoxically – a growing “talent” population. Entrepreneurs and creatives who aren’t afraid to do business in a new way.
I also want to touch every one of these young (and some, not so young) talents. I want them to try what we have to offer, and see if it helps them grow their businesses. To that end, I’m inviting any business in the region to enjoy a free 14-day trial LIFT membership. If you like the idea of being part of a dynamic, growth-oriented entrepreneur network, contact us via this form – or better yet, give me a call at 250-792-1408 and let’s make that shift happen for you today!

Grow your businesses. And vote

Back to my comment earlier, about what can we expect from government. Government is not entrepreneurial. But it can do things to help startups start and grow. Help small businesses become medium-sized businesses. Keep the big businesses from monopolising the marketplace. As entrepreneurs, perhaps the biggest thing government can do for us is support grassroots initiatives and experiments. As entrepreneurs, the best thing we can do for our governments is vote. I’m writing this on the eve of a provincial election. I urge every entrepreneur to get out and vote.
I won’t tell you how you should vote, or how I’m going to vote. But I will tell you that I think we need to see voting and the exercise of our democratic powers as one of the things we do to ensure the success of our businesses. Just like inventory or taxes. Not necessarily very exciting. But necessary.
Finally, LIFT is an experiment. A unique experiment in grassroots business and community economic development. I’m doing this because I believe talent in business, the arts, non-profits, and more are the solution to economic challenges in my community. The 100+ LIFT VIPs are doing this for a number of reasons, most of which are about growing their businesses and growing a supportive entrepreneur community. We’re making shift happen.
If you’ve got ideas about how we can make LIFT even better, better, please be in touch. If you’d like to become part of the LIFT VIP community, check out our events. If you’re ready to come on board as a LIFT VIP, please use this contact form – or call me at 250-792-1408. Let’s make this shift happen – now!
hpm
Hans Peter Meyer, Founder & CEO, LIFT.GROUP @LIFTstartups on Twitter and Instagram
ps. Coming up soon to LIFT your biz…