Dreamer 2 Creator Business Magazine

12/05/2023

Dear Ontario Small Business Owner,

I am asking for your help in completing my doctoral study.
To start, Please take 5 minutes to complete the survey below.

As a graduate student in the School of Business at Liberty University, I am conducting research as part of the requirements for a doctoral degree. The purpose of my research is to understand why micro-businesses fail to use project management to achieve strategic goals and the effect this decision has on business failure, and I am writing to invite eligible participants to join my study.

Participants must be an entrepreneur who founded a small business in Ontario between 2013 and 2016, have less than five employees, was/are a decision-maker, and was responsible for the business' success. The business must be independently owned and operated; the business' goal is to make a profit and must be Canadian owned. Your business may or may not be currently operational. Your business should not have failed due to covid. Participants, if willing, will be asked to complete an online survey (15 minutes). Participants are also invited to do an interview individually (1 hour), participate as a member of a focus group (1 hour) and some will be asked to do a recorded follow-up phone calls (20 minutes) to validate previously collected information. Participants may also be asked to provide any business data such as archived financial and other business plan documents. Participants for follow-up calls will be chosen at random to ensure the study is not biased. Names and other identifying information will be requested as part of this study, but the information will remain confidential.

To participate, please click here to complete the survey. After you have completed the survey, if you are interested in participating in an interview and focus group, please contact me at [email protected] to schedule an interview and focus group.

A consent document for the survey will be the first page participants see after clicking the link. A consent document for the interview/focus group is attached to this email. The consent document contains additional information about my research. If you choose to participate in the survey, you will need to type your name and the date, then proceed to the survey. If you choose to do the interview and focus group, you will need to sign the consent document attached to this email and return it to me at the time of the interview or focus group.

Participants will be entered in a drawing to receive a $200 Visa card after they have completed the interview and/or focus group. Participants who just complete the survey will not be entered into the raffle.

Sincerely,

Karen Lowe, Doctoral Candidate
Liberty University
[email protected]

Survey for Dissertation: How Project Management Impacts Micro-Businesses in Achieving Strategic Goals

04/04/2023

Can you help me complete my doctorate please?

If you or anyone you know registered or started your business in Ontario between 2013 and 2016, please participate in my study. I am looking for businesses that are currently operational and those that have failed.
I am looking for entrepreneurs to interview and complete survey (see link).
Please contact me ([email protected]) to set up an interview and click the link in the bio to complete the survey.

25/03/2023

For the last year plus I have been struggling personally with one thing or another.
This week my sister, best friend, compass, advisor & 1/4 of this magazine suddenly passed away. Kimbley was the editor who made your stories amazing. I am struggling emotionally, mentally & physically as a result.💔💔💔💔

I am used to having multiple projects on the go and so I was previously able to push through the mental, emotional & physical struggles, working on a new business plan, new website, starting on the next issue, but this last setback has floored me.
As a result, I have decided to focus on just one project right now, completing my Doctorate this year. (You may see me asking for participants for my study, if you started your company between 2013 & 2016 (or know of anyone), I need your help.)
Dreamer 2 Creator Business  Magazine will be back stronger, if only for the memory of my sister who loved & believed in this magazine. The reason for the magazine is what I am studying right now. My excitement for the success of small businesses have not diminished, I just need some time to focus on my wellbeing.
Soon come back!! ❤💔❤

01/02/2023

Black History Month is February.
Thank you for being a part of our history!!

04/08/2022

We are always looking for writers for our magazine.

Want to promote your business while helping others in your community?
It is FREE to contribute.

Please message us if your are a Canadian business.

07/07/2022

“A lot of people start but, unfortunately, do not realize how hard this venture will be; you really need to have a passion for it.” ~

06/07/2022

“We often see finances being mismanaged; a lot of companies have great ideas and innovative concepts but are not optimizing their potential earnings.” ~

05/07/2022

“I realized that I was no longer jumping out of bed excited to go into work every day. I then knew that I needed to make a change.” ~

06/06/2022

“A micro-business is an amazing way to serve and leave an impact on the world you live in.”
If your business has 0-4 employees (Canada), you operate a micro-business. The rest of the world use 0-9 employees. 10 – 50 employees is a small business.
If you are a solo entrepreneur, you operate a micro-business, hence ‘0’ employees. I know, I know, you pay yourself as a solo entrepreneur, then you are ‘1’ employee.

03/06/2022

Have a great weekend all!!

02/06/2022

If you are a citizen in Ontario, do not forget to vote TODAY!!
Still wondering who to vote for?
Check out issues on small businesses and where the parties stand on them.

30/05/2022

It is a lot easier to keep up if you enter the information as soon as possible and balance monthly. I always struggled with this and would procrastinate prior to finding this easy to use program. Set aside time to enter it daily or weekly as this will alleviate the stress and anxiety of letting it pile up. The more you do it, the more comfortable and faster you will become. I always remembered to pay my bills but felt like I had no time to enter them into the system. The great thing about QB online is that you can actually link your bank account (yes, it is very secure), and it uploads all of your transactions so you can balance your books and not lose track of any payments. Another great feature is the ability to photograph a receipt from your smartphone the minute you get it and edit the information later on from your desktop.” ~ Sylvia Schultz, Tomahawk Chopshop

26/05/2022

You can thrive in times of uncertainty.

“Keeping your business afloat should be a top priority.
New directions based on what will happen when the current uncertainty ends. Is your current business equipped to handle the new type of market that will emerge? Many restaurants are being closed; when they reopen, they will have a smaller seating capacity, which may not allow for overhead costs to be met. What can you add to your existing services to meet the shortfall and increase customers? You may need to change your product offering or increase delivery methods.
Expand your business to survive past the current uncertainty. How can you expand into totally new markets to ensure new income stream/s without deviating from your passion or your motivation for starting the business? In the case of restaurants, you may need to become a caterer.” ~ Karen Lowe, Author of From Dreamer to Creator: Reframing Deterrents in Our Paths.

25/05/2022

Inflation is a current issue for everyone, more so for micro-businesses because of the limited bargaining power to negotiate based on the small quantities they buy compared to larger businesses. Unfortunately, the production costs for micro-businesses have increased and will continue to increase. What does this mean for you and your customers? Your prices MUST increase.
No one wants to pay higher prices, but prices must increase relative to the increased cost of raw materials to make a profit. Because inflation is expected to grow into 2023, you will have several price increases that will need to be passed on to customers. Find a balance where you limit the number of increases by using inflation estimates, which means your price may increase before or after the actual cost increase. Find a balance that does not leave you in the red or annoying customers with too many price increases.
1. Calculate and track your new costs (including future estimates)
2. Recalculate your prices and decide how many times you will be increasing and warn your customers ahead of time. Do not surprise them with increased costs.

25/05/2022

“I learned about the business world by trial and error. When I would try things that did not work, I would know not to do that again, or to find some way to adjust. Over time I learned a lot. There are government programs and free workshops available to entrepreneurs. Sometimes the local city hall offers high-level training that is equivalent to courses that you will take when obtaining your MBA in business. I applied myself to all those avenues.” ~ Daniel Lewis .ca

Daniel’s Chai Bar

08/05/2022

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing mother's out there!!!

05/05/2022

Each of our magazine issue comes with resources to help businesses navigate. This was our very first resource page. Check out the rest of them to learn more.

04/05/2022

“Follow up. After that initial contact with your customer lead, two things can happen; You close the sale, or the lead falls through. At that point, you still have some work to do. Remember, many other businesses are offering similar services. You want your customer to see what makes you stand apart from the rest and that you are serious about acquiring new clients. Following up at the right time is a great way to make your presence known, and it gives you a second chance to close that pending sale.” ~ Mckie Rich

03/05/2022

"Failure Is Nothing More Than A Chance To Revise Your Strategy.” ~ Anonymous

02/05/2022

D2C: “What factors should a micro-business owner consider when building a strategic plan?”
Micheal Lambie: “Timing. Businesses should realistically estimate how long they need to reach their goals. It is common knowledge that most businesses fail within the first year. Therefore, a micro-business should develop plans for the first, third and fifth years. Profit margins are critical. How do owners know when a business is running at a sustainable level or if the company is profitable to provide income for the owner’s lifestyle? Understanding your business’s finances is imperative to its success, and too many new businesses do not understand its weight until years down the road.” ~

22/04/2022

Happy Earth Day!
As micro-businesses (small businesses), we have the greatest opportunity to impact the environment through our product and service offerings and communication with our customers because we are the largest group in a country's economic life cycle. Many small impacts become greater than the sum of its part. Let us do many small things at the back and front end of our business to change the world!

Earth Day was inspired by the California Oil spill and was first celebrated in1970, but Earth Day was first recognized worldwide in 1990.
In 1990, the creation of the organization in France and Canada went hand in hand with the internationalization of the Earth Day movement
Earth Day has its own flag. It features a picture of the Earth taken from the Apollo 17 spacecraft on its way to the Moon.

21/04/2022

Today is world creativity and innovation day as celebrated by the United Nations.
As business owners, creativity is a part of our make-up. So continue to change the world through your business!!

World Creativity and Innovation Day was founded in Toronto, Canada, by Canadian Marci Segal, on 25 May, 2001.
The idea for the day came from the headline ‘Canada in Creativity Crisis’ that appeared in the National Post newspaper.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution to celebrate this day on 27 April 2017.

SIGNIFICANCE:
The UN designated 21 April to celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day to raise awareness about the crucial role of creativity and innovation in different aspects of human development.
The global body believes that there is no universal understanding of creativity. The concept is open to different interpretations ranging from problem-solving in the context of social, economic, and sustainable development to artistic expression. The UN has stated that creativity and culture do not only create an economic value, but also add a non-monetary value to lives, which contributes to inclusive social development.

We know without creativity in our business, we cannot succeed. Congratulations to all micro-businesses (small businesses) for being a part of the solution.

15/04/2022

We hope you have a blessed Good Friday!!

12/04/2022

“Look out into the market or industry that you have a background in and are passionate about. Then find real problems that your target market is having. Your idea should be centred on solving those problems.” Stuart Browne, CEO at Pycap

12/04/2022

"Without a plan, you spend a lot more money than is required" ~Book Excerpt: From Dreamer To Creator: Reframing Deterrents In Our Paths

01/04/2022

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." ~Benjamin Franklin

31/03/2022

brings us back to 2019. Do you need another reason to subscribe to Dreamer 2 Creator Business Magazine? Always evergreen!!

According to Michelle Alexandra , some questions to ask when pricing your product:
“1. What does it cost to produce?
2. What does it cost to market?
3. How do you intend to run promotions?
4. Will anyone pay the price totalled above?
5. Compare with your competitors’ prices.
6. Don’t be afraid to change prices.”

29/03/2022

"Whom does this serve?
There is a reason that the advice I started this article with is so widely circulated. You have to think like a business person; you cannot avoid it. You have started your business to serve your demographic. If you are creating products that are not meeting needs, they are simply not products. If you are creative, you will understand the struggle of the million-idea-mind. The trick is sifting through those ideas to find ones that you will enjoy creating and will benefit your business. Because if you invest your time and resources into something that does not meet a need or your demographic will not buy, it will hurt your business financially, strain relationships with your following, and eventually, lead to disappointment and discouragement." ~ Sarah Olding

25/03/2022

I came across this interview with (published Jan 2018), and what is interesting is that the situation has not changed based on conversations I have been having with micro-entrepreneurs.

Micro-entrepreneurs (small businesses) still struggle with pricing!!😭😭

There are multiple articles written in our magazine on pricing over the last few years, so we know the information on how to do it correctly exists.
Research, research, research before you decide. With inflation on the rise, your product/service pricing will be more important than ever.