The Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) hosted their 2012 business conference with the spotlight on successful aboriginal business people.
Caledonia Fred said a business conference is held every year and each usually has a theme based on what their clients ask for. In the past there have been conferences focusing on a variety of topics, such as taxation, business partnerships, joint ventures, green energy and tourism.
“This is the first general business conference we have held since 2009,” said Fred, adding that NEDC listens to their customers who have requested conferences as a way of building their business skills and networks.
The theme for this year’s conference was Building your Future and its target audience was Aboriginal small business owners on Vancouver Island and those aspiring to join their ranks.
“In addition to the local area, people came from Victoria, Vancouver, Lillooet, Gold River, Kingcome Inlet and Sooke,” Fred said. Planners hoped for 40 participants but were delighted when 50 people took part.
Founded in 1984, NEDC offers financial and advisory services to aboriginal people and nations to help them achieve economic and social independence. They have had many successes over the past 30 years.
Some of those success people were on hand to pay forward what they’ve learned as thriving business people.
Lewis George, Ahousaht Tyee Ha’wilth and owner of Himwitsa Enterprises, described to the audience how he and his wife Cathy started with a small gift shop and grew that into a gallery, guest house, restaurant and seafood shop.
He talked about the need to be flexible, to have the ability to adjust your business to change.
Brian Payer, an Anishinabe business consultant and owner of Brian Payer & Associates, talked about the importance of research in business planning. He said it is crucial to find out about all one needs to know about their business before sitting down to write their business plans. Your goal, he said, is to help the bankers believe that you are a good risk because they’re interested in being paid back. He suggested conducting a random survey to gain insight into the potential demand for your new business and to have data to present to the finance officers.
He also advised entrepreneurs to be mindful of the competition and think about what it is that they can offer to give them that special edge.
“It could be your décor, free internet service or great, friendly service,” he suggested.
Keith Hunter of the award winning First Nations Wildcrafters BC reiterated the importance of business planning. He and his wife C. Anne Robinson have tried several products in their wild crafting business and some were abandoned.
“In business, people talk about failures and we’ve had our share but I like to call them good lessons,” he chuckled.
We started out making essential oils. It was a good idea, but it wasn’t the time, he said. Hunter talked about how hard it was to let go of ideas that he was so passionate about.
“We had to let go of some of our favorite projects in order to allow our business to succeed,” he said.
In the wild crafting business one must be prepared with a plan B. Hunter said they were successful in the wild mushroom business but when the weather isn’t right, the mushrooms don’t grow.
“We need to have something else to go to in order to get those bills paid,” he said.
Michelle LaPointe, owner of the award-winning EM Salon & Spa, talked about staff development and how to help your staff help your business.
“You need to be clear about your expectations of them; praise them, teach them and reward them,” said Pointe. Let them know how important they are to the success of your business, she added.
Participants in the conference were offered presentations by business experts.
Mark Grey-Dreaper, Chartered Accountant, talked about what to consider when buying an existing business and Drew Leatham, business consultant for MNP Consulting Group, talked about the pros and cons of buying a franchise and when not to do it.
Participants in the conference were exposed to valuable business information over the two days. According to Fred, the information presented was done so at the request of NEDC clients and was designed to build capacity, to help business novices prepare themselves for business development, and to show them what resources are available to them.
“Most importantly, we hoped to inspire participants by having successful Aboriginal business owners share their stories, share in celebrating NEDC Business Award winners, and network amongst each other,” said Fred.
She called the conference a success saying they exceeded their registration goal and the participants left the conference feeling energized and inspired.
The NEDC will be back with more business conferences and they encourage people to bring ideas about what they need to the NEDC.
The NEDC would like to thank the participants, presenters, business owners and service providers for making this an amazing event!
