Amid an unprecedented economic boom, Alberta women are launching small businesses like never before - but most are failing, warns a self-described guru of female entrepreneurs.
And Mandie Crawford wants to help.
"I'm watching them close their businesses as fast as they're opening them," Crawford told Sun Media.
"They're closing them within a year to 18 months. I have a real concern with that."
 Crawford, a former business columnist with the Hamilton Spectator who has interviewed more than 500 female entrepreneurs since 2004, is on a cross-country crusade to encourage and educate women in business - at no charge.
The founder of RoaringWomen.com, a networking website for women in business, will be in west Edmonton this week for a series of free coaching sessions.
Crawford will be parking her "Coaching Coach," a 10-metre-long RV, in the parking lot of Staples at 9580 170 St. on Wednesday and Thursday, and she's encouraging women to bring their business questions
"The Coaching Coach sessions address their key concerns, give a reality check and address real issues such as marketing and business growth," explained the married mother-of-four.
"They learn to quit whining about perceived issues and address real issues with solutions."
Crawford, who was in Calgary last week, said it comes as no surprise that the number one issue in Alberta is the continuing labour crunch.
LABOUR CRUNCH
"Alberta specifically has the issue of getting help," she said, offering to provide appropriate solutions for women in business.
In the case of someone who can't find an administrative assistant to answer phones and perform clerical duties, for example, it's as simple as learning to use an automated system, she noted.
Other problems include the inability to secure a bank loan due to an insufficient business plan and failing to keep in contact with past clients, Crawford explained.
"The key is followup - 80% of our profits come from 20% of our clients," she added. "I've seen businesses with no customer database."
The former Ontario cop and certified behaviour specialist said the most popular industry for budding female entrepreneurs in Alberta right now seems to be alternative health care - everything from hypnosis to chiropractic services.
ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE
Crawford cites three reasons for this apparent trend: an aging population that wants to stay healthy, dissatisfaction with current health-care modes and a broadening view of overall health.
"There's a lot of opportunity in Alberta," she said.
But when a woman finds her passion with a personal business, Crawford advised, she shouldn't expect to do it all herself.
And it doesn't hurt to seek some guidance along the way, she added. "Everybody needs to ask for help."
Log on to www.thecoachingcoach.com for a schedule of Crawford's upcoming sessions. Edminton SUn covers Stap |
