“My Futurpreneur Canada mentor helped me deal with the emotional stress of starting a business, something that was vital to overcome in order to get to where I am today”

“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.”

“My mentor Charlotte was able to give me points of view I did not always consider when faced with challenges. Her motivation in her own business inspired me.”

“Stephen, my Futurpreneur Canada mentor, has kept me accountable from the start. I was planning to invest a large sum of money into the development of a piece of software and Stephen encouraged me to test it thoroughly first. Through testing we realized it was not right for our business. Stephen saved what could have been a large cost for the business.”

“My biggest advice would be to deeply evaluate what you want to accomplish as an entrepreneur before starting. You’ll face many difficult times and that’s the only way to keep going. Be passionate about what you’re doing. Join different networks and talk about your idea with as many people as possible. You need to go outside yourself and challenge your idea! And most importantly, take your time. I feel that when you have money, you’ll go faster but then your idea does not have enough time to evolve.”

“Be cautious, but also be creative. Today there is number of enterprises that are doing things more ethically. What makes you different? Being socially conscious doesn’t always mean you have to give away a portion of your profits. Ask yourself how you can make the world a better place.”

“My mentor has been instrumental in helping me create a brand for my business. She has been a great sounding board as I build the image of my company, offering helpful and actionable advice when I’m working out marketing ideas. My business is a little difficult to describe and she helps me break it down into workable pieces”

“Seeking out support services like Futurpreneur or family and friends I believe is key. Having resources to assist you is probably the most important part of taking that first initial leap. Not only will you need help in the first stages ie. business planning, financial support, but having a support network to discuss ideas or get advice from is crucial. ”

“The number one thing I wish I would have known before launching our business was just how much support there is for entrepreneurs, especially in Manitoba. Business owners are always willing to offer guidance and advice when asked, and organizations such as Futurpreneur can connect you with the resources you need to succeed. - Andrew Parkes”