EXPERIENCES CANADA

Career Choices

What is an entrepreneur?

What is an entrepreneur?

• Someone who takes risks to invent or begin something new to generate profit
• An entrepreneur differs from an investor
• An inventor creates something new
• An entrepreneur creates something new and turns into a business
• It takes a lot of hard work to develop a new idea, and sometimes things do not go as planned!

Canadian entrepreneurs

Michelle Romanow

Lourdes Juan

Ice breaker

Can you be inventive?

• Entrepreneurs are known for coming up with creative ideas or new solutions to real world problems
• Is there a device, machine or item that you would like to invent to solve a problem or make a task easier?

OR

• Is there a new type of service or program you think could be provided to the public?

Creation of community fridges

Mini portable microwave

Service to meet with professionals and learn their profession

Skateboard that teaches you tricks

A walking backpack

Ice breaker

Can you be inventive?

• Entrepreneurs are known for coming up with creative ideas or new solutions to real world problems
• Is there a device, machine or item that you would like to invent to solve a problem or make a task easier?

OR

• Is there a new type of service or program you think could be provided to the public?

Entrepreneurial skills

• Leadership skills
• Attention to detail
• Organizational skills
• Resourcefulness
• Customer service skills

• Communication skills
• Active listening skills
• Risk-taking skills
• Time management
• Networking skills

so what next?

• Imagine the idea and think of as many fine details as possible
• What goal or outcome does your idea achieve?
• Write down new ideas or changes over time; your idea will evolve
• Think of who might benefit from your idea - who is your audience or customer? What type of people do you want as part of your team?
• Research to see if there are similar ideas already developed; if so, think about how you can improve or differentiate your ideas from others
• Get feedback from people you trust

entrepreneurship webinar highlights

neco was siting

• Recall the idea that you brainstormed during the ice breaker (or choose from the ideas provided)
• You will develop a business plan and prepare for an elevator pitch
• An elevator pitch is a quick explanation of your idea and why someone should be interested in it
• It should be short enough for someone to hear while meeting you in an elevator
• Imagine that you run into a famous investor in an elevator and you only have one minute to tell them about your amazing idea and why they should support you!
• Assume you already have built a prototype

Brainstorm

What does your idea do or achieve? What is its impact?

Where would people go to get your product or service? What is the price?

How would you market your idea to your target audience?

What resources do you need? (Funding, supplies, people, property, factory)

Who would use this idea (product or service) Target audience?

How to structure your pitch

• Start by introducing yourself
• “Hi my name is ________ and I’d like to tell you about my new idea, _____________”
• Catch their attention and pitch your idea right away
• Tell the investor what problem they have (“Are you tired of ….”)
• Tell them what your idea achieves or does (“I have a solution. This will…”)
• Tell them who this idea is intended for (target audience)
• Explain why someone would need this

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• Explain how you plan to market your idea and get the word out
• Social media, advertising, word of mouth
• Tell the investor what you need from them
• “I’d like to ask you to invest in my organization/idea/product…”
• “I am in need of funding to …. (open a manufacturing facility, open a store, market my product, etc)
• OR “I would like you to help get the word out about my idea”
• Thank them for their time
• “Thank you for listening to my pitch. Here is my business card if you wish to get in touch”

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