On behalf of CBC’s hit television show DRAGONS’ DEN, the show’s producers will be holding open auditions looking for the next big ‘thing’  in Barrie on Saturday March 9, 2019

DRAGONS’ DEN gives aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel of wealthy Canadian business moguls – the Dragons. Successful pitchers will have a chance to earn real investment – from the Dragons’ own pockets!

This is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners to come down and pitch their business concept for the chance to appear on national television. We would love to see as many people audition as we can!

I’ve attached a flyer which has more details. Additionally, please visit our website for a complete list of cities and dates, http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/auditions. For more information on how to prepare for auditions, reference our Cheat Sheet, https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/blog/audition-cheat-sheet.In helping spread the word to the wide community of entrepreneurs, I’m hopeful you could post this on your website, or send it out to your mailing list to let all aspiring entrepreneurs know about the upcoming auditions and their chance to get a national audience and valuable investment! Feel free to use any of the material I’ve provided.

Please let me know if you are able to send out this information to your members and community.

Thank You,

Hi everyone

Note: Due to poor weather, we are holding the GV After 5 Networking meeting on Zoom (email patricia@growvantage.com for the Zoom link)

We’re talking about video at next Tuesday’s GV After 5 (and doing some interviews for the GV YouTube site/Facebook page about your business).

We are having our monthly GV After 5 at Suite Success (411 Huronia Road at Big Bay Point).

We’re hoping to have 2 of our experts there to talk to…. Ian McIntosh (GV35) who teaches the video class, and James Martin (GV46) Magic Cut Media & Promotion (who is currently doing the video profiles of the Women in Business Finalists).

We are also making an announcement that day about a new collaboration with another organization who is developing a communications channel for GVers!

I’d like to put out a media release to encourage media to attend (more possible exposure):

Please RSVP to patricia@growvantage.com – and also let me know if you are going to be there and if would like to schedule an interview!

Thanks!

Patricia Dent, Business Mentor

patricia@growvantage.com

Next Free Inspiration and Brainstorming Session: Thursday January 31st, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm at Suite Success**

Twice a month (except maybe in the summer!) we hold free Inspiration and Brainstorming sessions to connect people, share ideas and create solutions to challenges you may be feeling.

It’s open to everyone – and we’d love your contribution. Next event? Thursday January 31st from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at Suite Success!

Put the next GV Networking After 5 in your calendars: Tuesday February 12th from 5:00 – 6:30 pm at Suite Success.

Topic: Video!

** Suite Success is located at 411 Huronia Road at Big Bay Point

Presented by South Simcoe Community StartUp (sponsored by the Town of Innisfil)

Monday January 28, 2019

Free Tickets: Free Tickets Scaling Up Your Success

What can I do in my business to make 2019 the year that counts? What tools are out there to help me transform my business so that I can do more with the time and resources that I already have? How do I take my business to the next level in 2019 and get closer to achieving my long-term and short-term business goals and aspirations? If these questions are your questions, you won’t want to miss this event!

Event Schedule
6:00pm   Registration & Informal Networking
6:30pm   Introductions by Chris Holowatyj
6:35pm   Panel Discussion Moderated by Don Bourne
7:25pm   Q&A with Panelists
7:35pm   Informal Networking & Refreshments
9:00pm   You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here!

More information? https://southsimcoestartup.ca/events/scaling-up-your-success/

The groups will close on February 1st. Don’t miss out on your chance to grab success with both hands this year!

Set up a 20 minute consultation with Patricia to see what is right for you (email me at patricia@growvantage.com)

What if you were part of a small and powerful mastermind group? One that had your back and helped you to be accountable to a growth plan you develop for 2019? This could be the year you break through the growth ceiling to claim a new level of performance.

I am a lot like you. Great ideas and the will to get things done… then life happens. A day turns into a week. And that turns into a month. All of a sudden despite my best intentions time slips through my fingers…

Except when I’m part of a mastermind. It’s like a support partnership.

Why are Masterminds effective? They hold you accountable for your plans while you gain support, strengthen your business abilities and analyze your state of the nation on a hot seat. Through mastermind groups, you can build and maintain momentum in your business while you overcome hurdles.

• Set up goals and map out how you are going to achieve them
• Report in on how you are doing each month
• Hot seats to go in depth to a challenge
• Feedback… support and action.

Set up a 20 minute consultation with Patricia to see what is right for you (email me at patricia@growvantage.com)

Here is a brief descriptio of the two groups: (For more information go to: https://www.growvantage.com/about-grow-vantage/2019-mastermind-groups/)

Support and Accountability Mastermind

This group will meet once in person (or over zoom, if “life happens”)

Along with an optional hour-long virtual check-in a second time each month

Growth Accountability Mastermind

A Mastermind bootcamp. You’ve heard it said – if you are not growing, you are shrinking. Growing your business is the most important and demanding job you have as an entrepreneur – apart from starting your business in the first place.

We will focus on steps to create growth plans, set milestones and then execute your plan in the months to follow, with encouragement from your peers, and accountability for the steps you outline for your business expansion. That group will meet once in person and once in individual sessions each month (that will accommodate your schedule).

This is a focused group who will function as a brain trust for a limited number of members.

Accountability is the first in a series of articles about reaching the success you want.

As we prepare to launch the 2019 Mastermind groups, I’ve been thinking about what success means.

We have ideas. We wouldn’t be entrepreneurs if we weren’t (mostly) chalk full of ideas.

Now…getting it done can be another matter altogether.  Even with the best of intentions. Sometimes we just don’t feel like it!

Your personality strengths may help you out… say if your D*  is high, you may be very focused on getting the job done – no matter what. (*Look back at your Understanding Personalities class notes).

What if you just don’t feel like it?

What if as many entrepreneurs we often feel like we’re going it alone…

• Maybe our partners in life have never attempted an undertaking like starting or growing a business. They can’t imagine it – because well, they really can’t imagine it.
• Maybe our business partner doesn’t always pull their weight
• Maybe we’re working alone a lot …in our office…in the basement
• Or maybe we’re responsible for a team we may love – but they drive us a little crazy (…or maybe we don’t know quite yet how to let go).
• Going it on your own (even when you are surrounded by others is tough).

Between family, distractions and other stuff that has to get done… it can be tough.

So What Then? 

Here are a few strategies to help you get things done:

How good is your self talk?

Many of us have heard of (or subscribed to) Mel Robbins…5..4..3..2..1.. and that may work for some of you. But even the best self-talkers can run into an accountability brick wall !

It may have less to do with your self talk than it does with your commitment to get it done and your motivation.

Accountability partners or groups…

We’re stronger together has always been my guiding principal. It’s one reason why Grow Vantage groups are so important.

Peer mentoring is the other side of coaching.

Why does this help?

• Someone else to hold your feet to the fire,
• Or help you figure out where you’re stuck,
• Or work on a path through.

Accountability groups or partners are a huge factor in your ultimate success… but also in just getting it done week by week, especially when putting our brilliant ideas in place might mean taking 1,000 or 100 steps to get there.  (At least it seems like 1,000).

Find an accountability partner – or an accountability group (one reason that Masterminds work so very well if you are willing to receive help to achieve). Of course receiving is a whole other topic.

If you would like my outline for accountability groups… email me at patricia@growvantage.com… And read on about the Grow Vantage masterminds.