Trish Brown is proud of the history her business, 小蓝视频ions Call Centre, has in downtown Squamish.
Her mother opened the call centre 26 years ago with just a handful of clients, and now the operation has 20 employees serving numerous businesses, ranging from small home-based companies to large corporations.
But, even with years of experience, Brown still wasn鈥檛 completely comfortable with the sales portion when talking to potential new clients. 聽
This is where a business coach stepped in.
She hired The Business Sanctuary鈥檚 Conny Millard, a Squamish-based coach who specializes in helping female entrepreneurs. After looking at the challenges and needs of 小蓝视频ions Call Centre, Millard formed a detailed plan.
鈥淥nce I have the clients, they love us,鈥� said Brown. 鈥淐onny helped me build up my confidence and I was able to meet my sales targets.鈥�
Now when a potential client calls to learn more about 小蓝视频ion鈥檚 services, Brown can easily pitch her business and knows exactly which questions to ask.
鈥淥ften business owners are passionate about what they have to offer, but need help with sales and marketing,鈥� said Millard. 鈥淔or people just starting their businesses, we want to make them profitable as soon as possible, and I also help people who have plateaued and need help getting to that next step to grow.鈥�
A good business plan, said Millard, will include free time for other activities her clients enjoy, especially since Squamish residents are typically outside being active on their days off. 鈥淚 create a plan that aligns with personal and family commitments. There needs to be a good balance to be successful.鈥�
Rebranding photography
Vairdy Frail鈥檚 husband and young twin sons sparked her passion for documenting life鈥檚 milestones through photography.
From her home in Squamish, Frail runs Vairdy Photography, which specializes in maternity, newborn, family and wedding photography. Frail creates heirloom portraits her clients hang on the walls of their homes.
鈥淲hen I moved from Vancouver to Squamish, I wanted to get to know my specific target market,鈥� said Frail, who hired Squamish-based business coach Lisa Princic to assist her.
鈥淟isa helped me narrow down who my ideal customer is and how to attract them. I like the additional support and accountability.鈥�
Princic is also leading Frail through rebranding her business and website to be in line with her goals. 聽
鈥淚 help people gain confidence in the value of what they offer and show them how to position their business as a solution to their customers鈥� problems,鈥� said Princic. 鈥淚 create customized business strategies for attracting clients and increasing revenue.鈥�
Princic鈥檚 plans includes creating a structure for welcoming new clients who value the business鈥檚 work, making it easier to be profitable.
She shows her clients how to craft their messages to attract new interest.
Frail, a busy mother with young children, said a business plan that takes into account work-life balance is also important. 聽
鈥淭ime is so valuable being a mom. Lisa showed me the areas to focus on so I have time for life and family,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a saturated market, and it鈥檚 easy to get caught up comparing what others are doing, but I am focusing on my goals.鈥�
