“Being an entrepreneur means you have the power to do something no one has ever done before. You have the ability to improve the way things work and ultimately dream of a better tomorrow. Your actions can inspire others to make a difference. It’s an incredible feeling.”

“It is so rewarding to help someone succeed. If you have helped someone at work become a better employee, then you have mentored someone. It takes very little time and the knowledge you have is important to the protege.”

“For people thinking about becoming an entrepreneur – do it. Embrace your creativity, let go of fear, accept the uncertainty, realize failure is a means to learning and work on painting your own picture of the future.”

“Mentoring helps entrepreneurs learn about small business management, achieve personal and professional goals, and advance in their small business venture by offering incredible networking opportunities. ”

“I have benefited greatly from the support I received from my Futurpreneur Canada mentor John Craig. He has been an invaluable resource for my business and a sounding board for any ideas. I really feel that he understands my business and gives me great insight into the path to success.”

“Connect with the right group of people who will see entrepreneurship as a positive thing. Don’t second guess yourself. Most the time you know the answer, just afraid to act on it.”

“Know your market. A business plan isn’t just for the banks! A lot of time should be taken researching your business. Support is offered by many levels of government and private organizations to help you. Also, consider co-working. If you’re on your own and can join a community like HUB and CSI, the benefits are considerable. Get involved and meet fellow entrepreneurs and organizations big and small to share business ideas and find opportunities to help each other grow.”

“Don’t go into creating your own business alone when there are so many resources out there to help you. Also, be open to negative feedback, as this is the easiest way to fix a potential problem with your business that you may not have noticed before.”

“My mentor, Lise Malo, contributes to my personal and business development. She encourages me to think, leading me to make the right decisions for my business’ future, and to reach my short and long-term goals. It is motivating and reassuring to benefit from the advice of someone who has her expertise.”