About Katherine Korakakis

Katherine has spent most of her life working alongside start-ups in various verticals. For 10 years, she was responsible for the development of entrepreneurial initiatives and projects under the auspices of the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, a Youth Secretariat program of the government of Quebec. She has authored and co-authored guidebooks on entrepreneurship education. Katherine first developed her passion for building businesses when she co-founded Glambiton. She was instrumental in the development of the first National Entrepreneurship Day for the province of Quebec. Katherine has served on the Boards of numerous non-profit organizations and currently sits on PMEMTL Centre-Ouest and EPCA. She sits on the investment committees of PME MTL Centre and PME MTL Centre-Ouest. These entities are the decision making bodies with regards to business financing with the city of Montreal. She currently is Manager of Entrepreneurship for ProMontreal Entrepreneurs (PME), an early stage VC fund and entrepreneurship program that invests in multiple verticals. The fund has a social business model and has been around for 20 yrs.Katherine has spent most of her life working alongside start-ups in various verticals. For 10 years, she was responsible for the development of entrepreneurial initiatives and projects under the auspices of the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, a Youth Secretariat program of the government of Quebec. She has authored and co-authored guidebooks on entrepreneurship education. Katherine first developed her passion for building businesses when she co-founded an entrepreneurial training event for girls called Glambition. She was instrumental in the development of the first National Entrepreneurship Day for the province of Quebec. Katherine has served on the Boards of numerous corporations and currently is the vice-president of PMEMTL Centre-Ouest and president of EPCA. She sits on the investment committees of PME MTL Centre and PME MTL Centre-Ouest. These entities are the decision making bodies with regards to business financing with the city of Montreal. Katherine is the Manager of Entrepreneurship at Ometz an early stage VC fund and entrepreneurship program that invests in multiple verticals. The fund has a social business model and has been around for 20 yrs.

7Nov
How to Find Investors for Your Business

investors, business, start-ups Finding the right investor for your business, let alone any investor, is a difficult task. You have to know where to look, who to network with, and the kind of resources your business needs. The last thing you want is an investor who can only provide financial support. You will likely speak to over a dozen of investors before finding the right one for you. It will be a tiring process, but meticulousness is necessary if compatibility is what you’re looking for. Here are 4 tips on how to find investors for your business when the time is right.

Get an introduction from a mutual acquaintance

Asking members of your professional and social networks if they know any investors should be your first step. Entrepreneurs will have an easier time to get a meeting with an investor when introduced by a mutual acquaintance that the investor trusts. It is important you network constantly and consistently. Networking, whether in a social or professional setting brings about many advantages. The more good relationships you build, the better your chances of being introduced to an investor that is willing to give you his time. Remember that when networking you are not just gaining exposure, you are building connections with the networks of others as well. If someone they know has a need that matches your business, or vice versa, and you’ve made a good impression, chances are you will get a referral.

Research where they’re going to be

If you have particular investors in mind, research where they are going to be. Many investors spend time at speaker series and conferences open to the public. In order to get the attention of your prospects make sure to attend these events, and have your elevator pitch ready. You might just have a small window of opportunity to speak to them, so make sure you provide them with just enough information to spark their interest, and provide them with your business card. Make sure to get permission to contact your prospect in order to continue the discussion further.

Understand your KPIs and market

Your KPIs and market will help you determine exactly what kind of investment your business needs. This is what will lead you to the finding the right investor for your business. Understanding your KPIs will showcase precisely where your business is lagging and where it is prospering. You will therefore be able to identify your selling points to your investor. Additionally, understanding your market will indicate the kind of experience you need your investor to have. Which companies have they invested in? What industries are they most interested in? how does their investment track record look? What do they provide the companies they invest in?

Research credible online communities

LinkedIn is a great online platform to find investors. It is, however, not the only one. There are many social networks that connect you directly with investors from other countries. These investors are usually interested in contributing to the global business environment. Such platforms include Crunchbase, AngelList, Xing, Plaxo, Startup Nation, and Meetup. While it will take much more work and precautions to assess compatibility with an investor you met this way, it should not prevent you from expanding your search to online resources.

Finding investors for your business will be a difficult task. Especially at the beginning stages of business development when your business hasn’t gained much traction yet. Just keep in mind that your relationship with your investor is worth more than a business transaction. Therefore, make sure you know exactly where you are looking and what you are looking for.

18Oct
What Your MVP Should Accomplish

MVP, start-up, business, Montreal Your business’s MVP is more than just your minimum viable product. Sport teams aren’t the only ones with a most valuable player. As an entrepreneur in the product development stage, your minimum viable product is without a doubt your most valuable player. A team’s most valuable player teaches, remains focused, sets reasonable goals, is a representation of security, and gets the job done. All of these are also embodiment of a quality minimum viable product. Saying that your minimum product is also your most valuable may sound like a contradiction. Here are a few reasons why they are not mutually exclusive and what your MVP should accomplish.

Fix the basic problem you are trying to solve:

This is your testing stage. It is the first step you must take in order to validate consumer need. What do your customers want? How will your product satisfy consumer needs before you decide to invest a significant amount of capital into your product development? Here is where you must balance your product efficiency and usability. At this stage you must aim to identify the core problem your product is going to solve. Products can have a varied set of interesting features, however, if you are unable to prioritize and rank your features based on importance you should probably take a few steps back and re-evaluate your strategy. Your MVP is supposed to be the most basic version of your final product. This will allow you to make the necessary modifications, if need be, based on the responses you will get. An MVP is about learning from your potential customers, not about impressing them. The goal here is to learn about your product and your customers’ expectations in order to prevent spending on unnecessary costs in following stages.

Identify your Early Adopters

Your early adopters are your trend setters. Identifying the wants and needs of your early adopters during this testing stage is key. First of all, this will help you define your marketing strategy and sales process in the upcoming stages. Because early adopters are very knowledgeable on the industry you intend on entering, they are known to be credible sources of information to members of their network. By identifying who your early adopters are and how you will be able to satisfy their needs, you are bettering your chances at word-of-mouth advertising. Secondly, from the perspective of feedback, they are your most honest critic. They know of most products out there and are not interested in the popularity of your brand or impressing those in their surroundings by purchasing your brand. Early adopters want quality. Early adopters live for new and cutting-edge products. Learning about their expectations will allow to create a quality product and a compatible marketing plan.

Figure the amount people are willing to pay for your product

Finding out the price customers are willing to pay for your product during the MVP stage will give you further indication on the positioning of your product in the market versus other competitors. This will also give you a better idea for your pricing strategy moving forward. If you are met with feedback that indicates a higher willingness to pay for your MVP, you can explore the possibilities of a more expensive pricing strategy for example. Of course, such a decision also depends on how much it costs to make your MVP.

Inform yourself on the positioning of your product

Simply put, positioning symbolizes the place your product holds in the mind of the consumer. If you intend to enter a market where you will be competing against numerous other similar products, it is crucial you occupy a unique and easily identifiable place in the consumer’s mind. Because your MVP is such a basic version of your final product, there is much flexibility with the route you can choose for branding. The goal here is to start developing your brand persona and identity based on the feedback you get from your testers. Of course, this in addition to marketing research will lay the foundation for your marketing strategy moving forward. For instance, based on the feedback you will be getting on your MVP, you will be able to identify your main product differentiators, your strengths, weaknesses, and base some of your market research on these components.

Map out your following stages toward market

Learning from your MVP, means setting up metrics and different forms of measurement prior to testing. Your MVP findings will be your foundation in mapping out the following stages of your business activity. What you need to do is find tangible ways to record and monitor your feedback and research findings. There are some Pre-MVP considerations you should establish prior to testing. You can create a grading scale for answering each of the questions listed below. For instance, a low response would mean 0 points, medium; 5 points, and high level; 10 points. Lower points for questions would require further investigation justifying the unfavorable responses.

Whether the problem you are trying to solve is really important to users
Whether users are actively trying to solve this issue now with other services or self-made solutions
Are they active during the interview
Do they agree to come and discuss the solution with you when it’s ready
Do they agree to refer other people to you
Are they ready to pay for the solution right away

There are also many available online programs and application that will not only help you with the planning process of creating an MVP, but also provide you with useful KPI tools.

Your MVP is your most valuable player. Think about it. A general manager of a sport`s team first secures his star player, his MVP. The team’s MVP is the reliable player that can be counted on to lead the team, deliver the needed results, and perform. At this point the general manager starts to form the team around his MVP. Hence, your added product features. Without your MVP your product loses almost all of its value to its customers. Would you have bought tickets to a Chicago Bulls game if you knew Michael Jordan wasn`t playing? Probably not. At this stage, the goal is to learn. Sometimes this can mean going back to the drawing board. But, what this always means is that you are saving yourself time and money moving forward.

28Sep
4 Reasons Small Business Owners Must Blog

If you’re a small business owner that has contemplated starting a blog, stop contemplating and start writing. No more excuses! “I’m not a good writer” “I don’t have any original ideas” or “I don’t have time” are not good enough reasons, especially when the benefits of having a blog far outweigh the weaknesses. In fact, considering the fact that by 2020 customers will manage 85% of their relationships without talking to a human, and that blogs have been rated as the 5th most trusted source for accurate information online, the only thing blogging is really costing you is time.

If you are part of the minority that hasn’t jumped on to the blogging bandwagon yet, here are 4 reasons why we believe you shouldn’t wait much longer:

1. It’s Inexpensive
Firstly, blogs can be very inexpensive to create and maintain. They can be embedded into your already-existing website or be launched independently. It is a low cost marketing channel that is available to you as an entrepreneur. There are also numerous cheap and reliable WordPress hosting companies available for you to choose from.

2. Drives traffic to your website
In addition, Adding a blog to your website can drastically increase the amount of highly targeted traffic your website receives. Research has shown that companies who blog receive 97% more links to their website. Producing compelling and insightful news for your blog, while also strategically using keywords, making sure your blog is SEO friendly, and being timely with your publications will help you with building a loyal following.

3. Position your brand as a thought leader
On top of that, it has been proven Successful bloggers are brand builders. Blogging offers businesses a chance to discuss important issues relevant to their respective industries. Furthermore, it allows businesses to showcase to their consumers that they do more than just sell products or offer a service. The goal here is to utilize blog space in order to attract readers when they aren’t necessarily looking to purchase anything. Chances are that these readers will return in the future when they are, in fact, looking to buy.

These days consumers aren’t just investing in products, they invest in everything a business symbolizes. Blogging is the best way to show to your consumer that you represent the lifestyle they want to support.

4. Build relationships with your customers

Finally, blogs have a personal touch to them. This informality allows you to create a friendly and trusting bond with your audience. Adding a comments section, or an option for customers to reply to your posts can help with sparking interesting dialogue. Conveniently, the positive PR will enrich your brand image as a business that cares about its customers. If you continuously create content that is insightful to your target market, it will help establish you as a primary source of information them.

Blogging has helped numerous entrepreneurs carry their businesses from rags to riches. Great examples include Dooce, and Shoemoney. If these reasons aren’t enough to convince you that blogging is a must, ask yourself one simple question: What do I have to loose from starting one? That’s right. Nothing but time well spent. Give it a try.

28Sep
Debunking Myths About Introverts

Hillary Clinton once said that she is neither an extrovert nor an introvert. In her words she is an “extro-introvert.” Whatever that may mean, one thing is for sure: It seems as though identifying as one or the other comes with the fear of being judged. If you embrace being an extrovert you may be perceived as loud and obnoxious. On the other hand, if you declare that you are an introvert it is likely that you will be judged as a person who is shy and would rather be left alone. Unfortunately, such misconceptions can also be found in the business world and, most times, introverts get the short end of the stick.

In a world where entrepreneurs are constantly networking, speaking in front of large crowds, and looking to grow their businesses, it can seem as though entrepreneurship is made for extroverted people. In a poll conducted by USA Today, results showed that 65% of executives believed that introversion was a barrier to leadership. However, on that same token, some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs are self-proclaimed introverts. Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Warren Buffet are just a few names that come to mind. Often times the reasons why people may dub introverts as less competent is exactly the reason for their success.

Myth #1: Extroverts are better at public speaking
Malcolm Gladwell has a talent for making people reflect on their actions. He too, can captivate thousands on stage while remaining completely calm and collected at the dinner table. To him public speaking, also pitching, is not an act of extroversion; it is a storytelling technique. Furthermore, some of the things that introverts fear about public speaking and pitching are the exact same things feared by extroverts. The hostility of the crowd, remembering lines and general anxiety levels can be found with all people.

Myth #2: Extroverts are better at networking
It is common knowledge that introverts enjoy reflecting on their thoughts internally. However, you don’t have to be as outgoing and vocal as an extrovert in order to network successfully. This myth also assumes that all people present at networking events are extroverted, which is likely not the case. Adapting to different behaviours, and building relationships is what networking is all about. Introverts tend to dislike small talk and enjoy deeper one-on-one conversations. This can be a definite plus when present in a room full of people who are passionate about their start-ups and projects.

Myth #3: Extroverts are better business leaders
It’s not that extroverts are better business leaders, it’s that extroverts and introverts have different ways of running businesses. There is not one right or wrong way. Being analytical, and allowing others to do some of the talking while you listen, can allow for richer strategies to be put in place. Having great listening skills, empathy, and alone time, are characteristics that can positively contribute to leadership.

Whether you identify as an introvert, extrovert or “extro-introvert” your success as an entrepreneur is not dependent on this. Let us also not forget that great entrepreneurs remain true to themselves. They do not try to be someone they are not. More importantly, good entrepreneurs know their strengths in addition to their weaknesses. If you are smart enough as an entrepreneur, you can partner with someone who compliments the traits you lack. Unfortunately, there are many myths floating around making introverts feel like they must compete with extroverts when what matters most is adapting to different settings. Fortunately for us introverts, these myths are mistaken.

26Sep
The Costs and Rewards of Being an Entrepreneur

Dreams of launching a start-up are often times quite magical, inspiring, yet very misconstrued. The first investor you may approach might not fund you, and in turn the accelerated growth you may have hoped for, may take the backburner for a while. Truth is entrepreneurship is far from all flowers and rainbows. As a matter of fact, the top 3 reasons why most start-ups fail are (1) Your product or service does not meet a real need, (2) Running out of cash and (3) Not having the right team. Launching a start-up is always a challenging and draining experience that requires sacrifice, dedication, and hard-work well before you can dwell in the luxe life. Heading a start-up is full of brick walls, costs, and rewards, even when business is booming.

Envision a to-do list so full of work the font is illegible. Now, double the amount of tasks on that list. That is what awaits you. In your first year of business, you will have to deal with way more than you thought you ever would. Since you likely won’t have enough capital to hire employees at this stage to help with the workload, you will have to take on designing your website, writing blog posts, implementing marketing strategies, looking for investors, dealing with taxes, and so much more. Chances are that you might simply not know how to do most of these things, which will leave you doing hours’ worth of research about how to do tasks such as embedding social media links to your website. In such situations your best bet would be to find resources available to entrepreneurs for help. Luckily, countless such resources are available for entrepreneurs in Montreal.

At the early stages of business development what you will soon realize is that you won’t be able to master every aspect of your start-up at once. Yes, you will quickly become an expert juggler but beware not to get so caught up in your work that you lose sight of what matters for your business to remain afloat. The aforementioned top 3 reasons of why most start-ups fail can help keep you on track as well as having a clear vision of where your business is heading.

This last tip is probably most important. As an entrepreneur you may find yourself complaining that 24 hours in a day is just simply not enough. You will have so many things to do, yet so little time to do anything. 10-hour sleep nights will become a notion of the past, along with breakfast and two hour lunch breaks. Time management is key, as well as, being surrounded by a supportive network of peers, mentors and family members.
If this hasn’t scared you off from starting your own business, great. This post is not meant to discourage you from following your dreams of being an entrepreneur. To the contrary, it is meant to prepare you for what awaits. Being an entrepreneur is difficult due to the uncertainty of the future that lies ahead and the amount of risk you must be able to take on.

Hopefully, for many of you with great risk will come great reward. The financial, emotional, and personal gains of entrepreneurship are countless, and it is a very fulfilling experience when you realize that all your sacrifices and hard work have paid off. ProTip: don’t give up on your entrepreneurial dreams. Truth is, it will never get easier, but you will get better.

26Sep
Le coût et les bénéfices de devenir un entrepreneur

Rêver de lancer une nouvelle entreprise est souvent assez magique, inspirant, et vraiment truffé d’idées fausses. Le premier investisseur que vous approchez pourrait refuser de vous financer, et la croissance accélérée que vous espériez devrait alors être mise en attente pour un certain temps. En vérité, les fleurs et les arcs en ciel sont loin de caractériser l’entrepreneuriat. En fait, les 3 principales raisons pour lesquelles la plupart des entreprises en démarrage ne réussissent pas sont (1) le produit ou service ne répond pas à un besoin réel (2) être à court d’argent, et (3) ne pas avoir la bonne équipe. Démarrer une nouvelle entreprise est toujours une expérience stimulante et épuisante qui exige des sacrifices, du dévouement et un travail acharné, pendant longtemps avant de pouvoir connaître une vie de luxe. Diriger une nouvelle entreprise c’est faire face à des murs, des dépenses, et des récompenses, même quand les affaires sont prospères.

Imaginez une liste de choses à faire qui est si remplie que les caractères sont à peine lisibles. Maintenant, doubler la quantité de tâches à accomplir sur cette liste. Voilà ce qui vous attend. Dans votre première année d’activité, vous aurez à traiter avec beaucoup plus que vous n’auriez pu l’imaginer. Mais puisqu’à ce stade vous n’aurez probablement pas assez de capitaux pour embaucher des employés avec qui partager la charge de travail, vous devrez effectuer la conception de votre site Web, écrire des blogues, exécuter des stratégies de marketing, chercher des investisseurs, vous occuper des impôts, et beaucoup plus encore. Il est fort possible que vous ne possédiez tout simplement pas les connaissances pour accomplir la plupart de ces choses; il vous faudra donc investir plusieurs heures de recherches sur la façon de réaliser des tâches telles que l’intégration de liens de médias sociaux à votre site Web. Dans de telles situations, le meilleur choix serait de trouver des ressources qui sont créées pour aider les entrepreneurs. Heureusement, de telles ressources sont offertes en grand nombre pour les entrepreneurs de Montréal.

Dès les premiers stades du développement de l’entreprise, vous réaliserez rapidement que vous n’êtes pas en mesure de maîtriser en même temps tous les aspects de votre nouvelle entreprise. Bien sûr, vous excellerez bientôt à jongler avec tous ces éléments, mais méfiez-vous, il vaudrait mieux ne pas vous trouver tellement enchevêtré dans votre travail au point de perdre de vue ce qui est essentiel à la survie de votre entreprise. Les trois principales raisons, mentionnées ci-dessus, pour lesquelles la plupart des entreprises en démarrage ne réussissent pas peuvent vous aider à rester sur la bonne voie tout en maintenant une vision claire de la direction de votre entreprise.

Ce dernier conseil est probablement le plus important. En tant qu’entrepreneur, vous vous plaindrez peut-être que 24 heures dans une journée ne sont tout simplement pas suffisantes. Vous aurez tellement de choses à faire, et pourtant, si peu de temps pour faire quoi que ce soit. Des nuits de sommeil de 10 heures ne seront plus qu’un concept oublié, de même qu’un petit déjeuner et des pauses déjeuner de deux heures. La gestion du temps est essentielle, autant que de vous entourer d’un réseau de soutien composé de pairs, de mentors et de membres de la famille. Si la lecture de cet article ne vous a pas fait renoncer à démarrer votre propre entreprise, fantastique! Son objectif n’est pas de vous décourager à poursuivre vos rêves d’entrepreneur. Au contraire, il est destiné à vous préparer à ce qui vous attend. En raison de l’incertitude concernant l’avenir et du nombre de risques que vous devez prendre, il est difficile d’être entrepreneur.

Espérons que pour beaucoup d’entre vous, de grands risques soient accompagnés de grandes récompenses. Les bénéfices financiers, émotionnels et personnels qui découlent de l’entrepreneuriat sont innombrables, et l’expérience peut s’avérer très enrichissante quand vous réalisez que tous vos sacrifices et le travail acharné portent leurs fruits.

Conseil professionnel: ne renoncez pas à vos rêves d’entrepreneuriat. En vérité, ce ne sera jamais vraiment plus facile, mais en fait, vous deviendrez bien meilleur.

20Sep
Apprendre à connaître ses partenaires avant de signer

partenaires Trouver le bon cofondateur pour votre entreprise sera une des décisions les plus importantes que vous aurez à prendre en tant qu’entrepreneur. Faites-nous confiance, cette décision déterminera le sort de votre entreprise. Nous avons été témoins des meilleurs et des pires scénarios. Voici quelques conseils à considérer avant de prendre cette décision importante.

Apprendre à se connaître avant le mariage

En affaires, comme dans toute relation, vous devez apprendre à connaître votre partenaire et sa façon de travailler avant de vous passer la corde au cou. Rencontrer quelqu’un à un événement de réseautage n’est pas suffisant pour décider de signer une convention entre actionnaires quelques semaines plus tard. Une fois qu’un tel contrat est signé, il n’est pas facile de le révoquer. C’est un processus qui peut devenir fort désagréable et qui peut ruiner une entreprise; tout comme épouser quelqu’un sans bien connaître la personne ou ses intentions. Le divorce sera un processus long, déplaisant et pénible que vous auriez pu éviter. Les désaccords les plus communs entre les cofondateurs concernent la vision et l’orientation future de l’entreprise. De toute évidence, l’objectif est de développer l’entreprise, mais les façons de faire croître une entreprise sont limitées, et il y a tellement de directions dans lesquelles on peut orienter une entreprise, et qui peuvent toutes conduire à des résultats très différents. Avant de vous engager dans un partenariat, assurez-vous que vous et votre partenaire potentiel êtes sur la même longueur d’onde, surtout en ce qui concerne la vision et les valeurs en lesquelles vous croyez.

Choisissez quelqu’un qui vous complète

Établir un partenariat avec quelqu’un qui a exactement le même profil que vous n’est pas une bonne idée. Vous devez trouver une personne dont les compétences complètent les vôtres, afin de permettre à votre entreprise de croître et de prospérer. Lorsque vous considérez à quoi peuvent ressembler des compétences complémentaires, pensez surtout à l’avenir de l’entreprise. Les fonctions seront établies en fonction de ces compétences complémentaires. De cette façon, vous pouvez vous créer une émulation et bâtir une entreprise plus solide et de qualité. Alors que l’idée de vous discuter des mêmes choses peut être séduisante, vous voulez être avec quelqu’un qui possède des compétences différentes.

Si vous êtes programmeur, il devrait être agent de commercialisation.
Si vous êtes concepteur, il devrait être développeur.
Si vous êtes introverti, il devrait être extraverti.

Comprendre la convention d’actionnaire

Nous ne pourrons jamais assez souligner l’importance de ce point. Les conventions d’actionnaires garantissent qu’on a bien réfléchi aux responsabilités des actionnaires en fonction de ce qui est permis et de ce qui ne l’est pas, et sur la façon dont les décisions seront prises. Son objectif est de réduire les risques de conflit entre les actionnaires dès le départ. Cependant, des problèmes peuvent survenir lorsque vous ne comprenez pas entièrement le contrat avant de le signer. Il faut donc réfléchir très sérieusement à la propriété des actions. Qui possède combien d’actions (et quelle contribution en espèces? Propriété intellectuelle, etc.)? Et, comment ces actions sont-elles détenues?

Questions à vous poser avant de signer :

Suis-je satisfait de ma participation au capital? (Si je suis le principal fondateur, est-ce que je traite les autres équitablement?)
Puis-je quitter cette entreprise si je le veux? (Puis-je vendre des actions?)
Puis-je acheter plus d’actions si je le veux?
Est-ce que je m’engage à faire quelque chose que je ne pourrai pas respecter?
Est-ce que je pourrai exercer suffisamment d’influence pour protéger mon investissement?
Quels sont mon risque financier total et ma responsabilité juridique (présente et future) dans cet engagement?

Répartition des capitaux

Certains ont l’idée fausse que les capitaux doivent toujours être divisés en parts égales (50/50). Alors qu’une répartition égale du capital peut très bien fonctionner pour certaines entreprises, ce n’est pas la seule solution à considérer. Vous évitez peut-être une conversation gênante et difficile en répartissant les parts de façon égale maintenant, mais pensez aux répercussions que cela peut avoir sur l’avenir de votre entreprise. Vous devriez également considérer l’acquisition des droits. Cela pourra empêcher d’émettre des actions à des partenaires ou à des employés indignes.

Rappelez-vous que vous passerez probablement plus de temps avec votre cofondateur qu’avec votre propre famille. Le choix de cette personne déterminera l’avenir de votre entreprise. Une bonne alchimie et une bonne entente entre vous et votre partenaire sont essentielles. Vous voulez quelqu’un qui assume ses responsabilités et qui démontre la même passion et le même dynamisme que vous. Vous êtes sur le point de vous embarquer dans un voyage ambitieux et mémorable, assurez-vous d’avoir le bon compagnon de voyage!

11Sep
Dating Before Committing

co-founder, startup, founder Finding the right co-founder for your business will be one of the biggest decisions you will have to make as an entrepreneur. Trust us when we say that this decision will determine the fate of your business. We’ve seen some best and worst-case scenarios. Here are a few tips you will have to consider before making this big decision.

Date Them Before You Marry Them

As with any relationship, in business you must get to know your co-founder and the way they work before you tie the knot. It’s not enough to meet someone at a networking event and a couple of weeks later sign a shareholders agreement. Once that’s done, it’s not easily undone. The process can get nasty and can ruin a business, just like marrying someone without having known them or their intentions, the divorce will be a long, ugly, and tedious process you could have avoided. The most common disagreements that co-founders have is with regards to the future vision and direction for the business. Obviously, the goal is to grow the business but there are only so many ways a business can grow, and so many directions a business can take that can all lead to very different outcomes. Before you commit to a partnership, make sure you and your potential partner are on the same page as far as the vision of the company and the values you hold.

Choose someone that compliments you

Partnering with someone who has the same exact profile as you, is not a good idea. You must find someone with complementary skills that will allow your business to grow and flourish. Look to the future of the business when you consider complementary skills. Based on those complimentary skills, job positions are drafted. That way you can challenge each other and build a stronger and quality company. While it might be appealing to geek out together about the same things, you want someone who has a different skillset.

You’re a programmer, she should be a marketer.
If you’re a designer, he should be a developer.
If you’re an introvert, she should be an extrovert.

Understand your Shareholder’s Agreement

We cannot emphasize the importance of this enough. Shareholders agreements ensure that the responsibilities of the shareholders are well thought-out, what is to be permitted and what is not to be permitted, and how decisions are to be made. It should also include what do to when you cannot reach a commune decision, who gets the last word? It is meant to decrease potential for conflict between shareholders from the get-go. Problems arise, however, when you do not understand it fully before signing. Some very careful thought must be given to the share ownership. Who owns how many shares (and for what contribution cash? time? intellectual property, etc.)? And, how are these shares held?

Question to ask yourself before signing on the dotted line are:

Am I happy with my ownership stake? (If I’m the key founder, am I treating others fairly?)

2. Can I get out of this deal if I need to? (Can I sell the shares?)
3. Can I buy more shares if I’d like to?
4. Am I committing to something I cannot live up to?
5. Will I be able to exert sufficient influence to protect my investment?
6. What is my total financial exposure and legal liability (present and future) on this deal?

Splitting Equity

Some have the misconception that equity must always be split 50/50. While an equal equity split can work great for some businesses, it is not the only alternative on the table. You may be avoiding an awkward and tough conversation by opting to split equally now, but think about the repercussions this may have to your business’s future. You should also consider vesting. This can prevent you from issuing stocks to unworthy partners or employees.

Remember that you will likely be spending more time with your co-founder than with your own family. Choosing this person will determine the future of your business. Having good chemistry and getting along with your co-founder is a must. You want someone that will carry their weight and that has the same passion and drive as you. You are about to embark on a challenging and memorable journey, make sure it’s with the right person!

7Jul
Comment a-t-elle tracé son propre chemin? Sylvie Tendler

Succès,Sylvie La relation entre Sylvie Tendler et PME remonte à 2002. Maintenant membre du conseil d’administration de PME, elle est la première entrepreneure du programme à obtenir un siège à la table des investisseurs. À l’origine, le Groupe Tendler fournissait des études de marché pour les entreprises pharmaceutiques. En 2007, l’entreprise a été achetée par IntrinsiQ, LLC, de Waltham MA. Nous avons eu l’occasion de rencontrer cette entrepreneure accomplie pour lui parler de son entreprise et de ses expériences. Elle offre des conseils précieux au sujet d’être une femme entrepreneure, et nous parle des facteurs qui ont mené à la décision de vendre son entreprise.

Q: Qu’est-ce qui vous a poussé à démarrer le Groupe Tendler?

R: Le moment était bien choisi. J’ai vu que quelque chose manquait dans le marché. J’ai vu une occasion d’affaires, et il m’a semblé que je n’avais rien à perdre, parce que je me disais que si je perdais de l’argent, je pourrais tout simplement en gagner d’autre. Si ça ne fonctionnait pas, je pouvais toujours revenir au point de départ et me trouver un emploi. Pour moi, c’était une occasion de contrôler mon propre destin, une occasion de travailler avec mes clients comme je le voulais. Et en plus, de créer un environnement agréable pour moi et mes employés.

Q: On entend souvent dire que les femmes entrepreneures ont tendance à démontrer une aversion au risque plus élevée que les hommes. Que pensez-vous de cela?

R: Je pense que c’était peut-être le cas dans le passé, mais maintenant quand vous regardez à travers le monde, dans plusieurs grandes villes, il est beaucoup plus facile de démarrer une entreprise; vous n’avez pas besoin de briques et de mortier, ou d’une usine, et vous pouvez travailler à distance, à partir de n’importe où, tant que vous avez un courriel et un téléphone. Pour cette génération, c’est beaucoup plus facile que ce ne l’était auparavant, dans le sens qu’il y a une tonne d’occasions, et je trouve que beaucoup de femmes n’hésitent pas à se lancer. Je pense que la situation devient de plus en plus égale. Les femmes trouvent leur voix, elles se rendent compte qu’elles peuvent contrôler leur destin et leur avenir. Surtout une femme avec une famille. Lorsque vous êtes votre propre patron, vous pouvez être présente aux événements auxquels vos enfants participent, puis retourner au travail sans vous inquiéter de ce que votre patron va dire. Vous contrôlez votre propre horaire. Ça vous permet de trouver un équilibre entre la famille et le travail.

Je ne pense pas que l’aversion au risque aujourd’hui est spécifique au sexe. C’est quelque chose qui se résume au caractère et à la personne. C’est aussi une question de timing. Vous êtes plus averse aux risques lorsque vous soutenez une famille de 5 que si vous êtes une fille célibataire, et que vous vivez dans votre propre appartement et que vous n’avez qu’à prendre soin de vous-même, car si vous échouez, vous êtes seule à tomber. Lorsque vous avez des enfants et un mari, vous hésiterez plus à prendre des risques parce que vous ne voulez pas risquer le bien-être de toute votre famille. Je pense que c’est surtout relié au caractère d’une personne et à ce qui se passe dans sa vie qu’au sexe de la personne.

Q: En 2007, votre société a été achetée. De nombreux avantages et inconvénients se présentent lorsqu’il est question de vendre son entreprise. Quel a été le processus de décision qui vous a conduit à la vente?

R: Je sentais que je pourrais mener mon entreprise au prochain niveau beaucoup plus rapidement si je m’associais avec une autre société ou si l’entreprise était achetée, puisque je serais alors en mesure de tirer parti de leurs services et de leurs talents. C’était logique. Nous sommes devenus beaucoup plus forts ensemble que nous l’étions lorsque nous étions séparés. Initialement, j’ai conclu un partenariat avec une société où les acheteurs étaient très bons pour moi, ils m’ont intégrée dans leur entreprise, et la gestion se faisait avec beaucoup de latitude. Il y avait énormément de confiance et de respect, et leur entreprise des États-Unis profitait aussi de mon expertise. Ils n’ont pas interféré avec mes affaires au jour le jour, et ne se sont pas immiscés dans mes relations quotidiennes. Ça se résumait à un appel téléphonique mensuel pour discuter des chiffres et des ventes. C’était une très belle relation. Je n’ai pas simplement vendu l’entreprise à n’importe qui. Pour moi, il s’agissait aussi d’une très grande occasion d’apprentissage. Avant de vendre l’entreprise, il y avait peu de collègues vers qui je pouvais me tourner pour obtenir des conseils. Je ne pouvais pas passer ma tête dans la porte d’un bureau pour demander des suggestions. En fusionnant avec cette société, tout d’un coup, j’avais quelqu’un vers qui me tourner quand j’avais besoin d’aide. Ça s’est avéré être une très bonne décision.

Q: Comment avez-vous trouvé le bon acheteur pour le Groupe Tendler?

R: Eh bien, tout a commencé par un contrat de licence. J’essayais d’obtenir le contrat de licence d’un logiciel médical auprès de la compagnie qui a fini par acheter mon entreprise. Au cours des négociations pour le logiciel, nous avons développé une bonne relation. Ils m’aimaient tellement et je les aimais tellement qu’un jour ils m’ont appelée, et m’ont demandé si je considèrerais vendre mon entreprise. Voilà pourquoi je dis toujours à d’autres entrepreneurs que vous ne savez jamais ce qui peut sortir d’une transaction commerciale ou d’une relation. Vous pourriez être en train de négocier un contrat avec votre futur acheteur. Vous devez vous assurer d’être toujours professionnel. Nous avons surmonté toutes les questions qui posaient des problèmes et ils ont réalisé qu’ils devraient peut-être acheter cette entreprise au Canada; de cette façon, nous sommes devenus parmi les mieux placés dans notre secteur en Amérique du Nord.

Il ne fait aucun doute que Sylvie est une femme d’affaires qui peut offrir des conseils solides. Ce qui a commencé comme un contrat de licence l’a amenée à prendre une des décisions les plus importantes pour l’avenir de son entreprise. Vous assurer d’avoir de bonnes relations avec tous vos partenaires d’affaires est essentiel. Sylvie travaille également comme mentor à PME. Elle conseille nos entrepreneurs à travers les différentes phases de développement de leurs entreprises.

Le programme ProMontréal Entrepreneurs espère aider les dirigeants d’entreprise à passer au niveau suivant en leur donnant accès à un bassin de mentors expérimentés. Nos mentors partagent une passion féroce pour aider les jeunes entreprises à réussir en leur offrant orientation et conseils. Incluant des conseils dans les procédures comptables, les options de sous-traitance, l’expansion des entreprises, s’investir dans une croissance durable, l’acquisition et la rétention des clients, ainsi que bricoler la croissance (growth hacking: ensemble de techniques de marketing permettant d’accélérer rapidement et significativement la croissance d’une entreprise en démarrage.)

7Jul
How She Paved Her Own Way: Sylvie Tendler

Sylvie Tendler’s relationship with PME dates back to 2002. Now a PME board member, she is the first PME Entrepreneur to get a seat at the investor’s table. The Tendler Group originally provided market research for Pharmaceutical companies. In 2007 her company was bought by IntrinsiQ, LLC of Waltham MA. We had a chance to catch up with this accomplished entrepreneur and talk about her company and her experiences. She offers valuable advice about being a woman entrepreneur, as well as the factors that led to the decision of selling her business.

Q: What made you want to start The Tendler Group?

A: The timing was right. I saw a void in the market. I saw there was an opportunity and I felt like I had nothing to lose because any money lost can always be earned back. If it didn’t work out I could always go back and get a job. For me it was an opportunity to control my own destiny, an opportunity to work with clients the way I wanted to. Also, to create a nice environment for myself and for my employees.

Q: Many say that women entrepreneurs tend to be more risk averse than men. What do you think about this?

A: I think that might have been the case in the past but now I think that when you look around the world at some of the major cities, it’s much easier to start a business, you don’t need brick-and- mortar, you don’t need a factory, and you can work remotely from anywhere as long as you have e-mail and a phone, things are much easier. This generation has it much easier in the sense that there is a ton of opportunity and I find a lot of women are getting into it. I think it’s started to equalize. They’re finding their voice, they’re realizing that they can control their destiny and future. Especially a woman with a family. When you’re your own boss you can attend children functions and then go back to work and not worry that your boss is going to say something. You control your own schedule. It allows you to keep that balance between family and work.

I don’t think risk aversion today is gender specific. It comes down to character and to the person. It comes down to timing. You’re more risk averse when you’re supporting a family of 5 than if you’re a single girl, living in your own apartment and taking care of yourself because if you fail you’re the only one that’s going to fall. You might not want to take a risk when you have children and a husband because you don’t want to take your whole family down with you. I think it has a lot to do with character and timing in a person’s life not gender.

Q: In 2007 your company was bought. There are many pros and cons to selling your company. What was the decision process that led you to selling?

A: I felt that I could bring my company to the next level much faster if I partnered or if I was bought by another company. Because I would be able to leverage their services and talent.

It made sense. We were much stronger together than separate. I initially partnered up with a company where the buyers were very good to me, they integrated me into their company, and managed me with a very long leash. There was a lot of trust, respect and they leveraged my expertise for their US business. They did not interfere with my day-to-day stuff, they did not interfere with my everyday relationships. It came down to a monthly phone call to talk about numbers and sales. It was a very nice relationship. I didn’t just sell the company to anyone. For me it was also a very big learning opportunity. Prior to selling the business, there were few colleagues I could turn to for advice. I couldn’t just pop my head into an office and ask for advice. By merging with this company all of a sudden I was able to reach out when I needed help. It turned out to be a very good move.

Q: How did you first find the right buyer for The Tendler Group?

A: Well it all stated off as a licensing agreement. I was going to in-license medical software from the company that ended up buying mine. During the negotiations for the software, a good rapport and relationship was established between them and myself. They liked me so much and I liked them so much that one day they called me and asked me if I’d be interested in selling my company.

That’s why I always tell other entrepreneurs you never know what can come from a business transaction or relationship. You might be negotiating a contract with your future buyer. You always want to keep things professional. We worked through all our issues and they realized maybe they should buy this company in Canada, this way we’d be the top in our market and North America.

Sylvie is definitely a business woman to take advice from. What started off as a licensing agreement led her to making one of the biggest decisions for the future of her business. Making sure you have a good relationship with all your business affiliates is key. Sylvie also works as a PME mentor, advising our entrepreneurs through the different phases of their business development.

PME can give entrepreneurs access to a pool of experienced mentors in the hopes of helping them get to the next level. Our mentors are united by the fierce passion to help start-ups succeed by offering guidance and advice. This includes advice in bookkeeping procedures, outsourcing options, business development, pursuing sustainable growth, customer retention and acquisition, as well as growth hacking.