top of page
04_June_Header (2350 x 600 px).png

🌞 June Insight: Balancing Effort and Compensation for Sustainable Success 🌞

Welcome to the June edition of the IWEP Newsletter! This month, we tackle a crucial topic that many entrepreneurs face—overworking and underpaying ourselves. It's time to recognize the value of our time and efforts and learn how to balance hard work with appropriate compensation. Let's explore how we can create sustainable businesses without sacrificing our well-being.

🌟Breaking the Cycle: Overworking and Underpaying Ourselves

In this feature, we delve into the impact of overworking and underpaying on our health, productivity, and business growth. We discuss strategies to ensure fair compensation and effective time management, and provide insights on how to set boundaries and prioritize self-care. Hear from fellow IWEP members who have successfully navigated this challenge and achieved a healthier work-life balance.

 

🌱Meet Erika Cardenas, Founder of Butterfly Cleaning Services, and Erika Photography, Erika shares her journey of starting Butterfly Cleaning Services, a sustainable products company, and how she overcame the trap of overworking and underpaying herself. Learn about the strategies she employed to value her time and efforts, ensuring her business thrived without compromising her well-being. Let's delve into Erika's inspiring story.

 

"Shortly after moving to Vancouver, from Mexico, my mom became a single mom. She focused on taking care of my younger brother and me when I was in college, my mom decided to start changing our future, and she wanted to work for herself and start her cleaning service. I soon realized that my mom needed help and she couldn’t operate a cleaning service alone. I stepped aside from my passion for television production and into what I thought was going to be a short season of helping my mom, but two decades later I still run and work in my family's small cleaning service here in Vancouver.

My dream was to see my mom retire, and this dream came true last year. As she stepped into her retirement, I realized that it was my turn and finally my opportunity to return to my original passion for production and media. As, of last year, I started taking steps to start new too and I enrolled in school for Video Production, photography, and social media marketing. 

 

Having the experience of operating a small business here in Vancouver and understanding the demands and the changes that have happened with Media and our economy, I began looking for help, to update and refresh on starting and operating a small business from scratch.

The small business course here at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. has been an epic motivation for me as it has reminded me that I have a passion for being both a creative, resourceful, and an entrepreneur. It helped me remember that I must be organized, and creative with my business solutions. No two businesses are the same and yours will truly depend on these keys:

1, Knowing this season is the season of “Free Technology and Resources”, Templates and creative solutions are at our fingertips!

These free resources are pivotal for all of us who are starting from scratch and have limited budgets.

I encourage you as you step into wearing “all the hats” of operation and administration for your small business to use everything available online for Free.

2: Know your product better than the competition and know your client type –demographic better than your competition. Have the most reliable, accessible, responsible, and professional customer service.

3. And have a “plan” to follow and help you stay focused in each stage.
 

I hope that as you read my story you will be inspired to believe that no matter what our current limitations may be there are no limitations when you start with creativity and passion.

My name is Erika and this is the new beginning to my story." -- Erika Cardenas 

WHATSA~1.JPE

🚀Feeling inspired? We want to hear from you!

Share your stories of overcoming overworking and underpaying, and how it has impacted your business. Your experiences could be featured in our next newsletter. Submit your stories to your Business Advisors now!

Business Connection:  🌉"Business Bridge"🌉 

Connecting with experienced entrepreneurs and mentors at networking events offers invaluable guidance and support. These seasoned professionals can share insights and advice drawn from their own journeys, providing women entrepreneurs with practical strategies for overcoming challenges and navigating the complexities of running a business. Mentors can offer personalized advice on a range of topics, from strategic planning and financial management to leadership and work-life balance, helping to accelerate business growth and fostering a sense of confidence and resilience. Through these interactions, women entrepreneurs can gain a deeper understanding of industry best practices, avoid common pitfalls, and build a robust network of support that is crucial for long-term success.


Networking at events can also enhance your confidence in making new connections and public speaking, which are the essential skills for your business success. Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and advisors who can provide guidance, support, and valuable insights. Networking events, mastermind groups, and online communities can be excellent sources of support and collaboration. 

 

Join fellow women entrepreneurs at upcoming events, workshops, and networking opportunities.

June 2, 2024: Unlocking Potential Wealth for Business Owners in the Beauty Industry Tickets, Sun, 2 Jun 2024 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

June 4, 2024: Vancouver - Women In Business Networking Event Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

June 5, 2024: Mentor Walks Vancouver: Get guidance and grow your network Tickets, Wed, 5 Jun 2024 at 7:10 AM | Eventbrite

June 6, 2024: She Sparks Connections: A Circle for Professional Women Tickets, Thu, Jun 6, 2024 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

June 7, 2024: Free Coworking Day for Women and Non-Binary Entrepreneurs and Freelancers Registration, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

June 13, 2024: PCBUS (pcbusa.com)

June 15, 2024: Show & Tell - Entrepreneur Edition - 2024 - Surrey Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Conference Break Time
Lunch Buffet

☀️Quick tips to boost exposure for your small business: ☀️

June heralds the arrival of summer, bringing the warm embrace of the sun and the invigorating breeze of fresh summer winds. With sunny weather and a plethora of weekly local festivals and markets, small business owners have excellent opportunities to showcase their products, gain exposure, conduct market research, and engage in networking.

 

Brand Visibility:

Participating in farmers' markets, street festivals, craft fairs, and markets in different cities helps attract diverse audiences, providing an opportunity to increase brand visibility and reach new potential customers who may not have discovered your products through other channels.

 

Direct Customer Interaction: 

Setting up a booth at these festivals allows you to engage with customers face-to-face. This direct interaction not only demonstrates product features to potential customers but also offers you a chance to answer questions and receive immediate feedback from them. This personal touch can lead to stronger connections and higher customer satisfaction.

 

Test Marketing: 

Unlike running a brick-and-mortar store, festivals and markets offer a low-risk environment to test new products, gather data on consumer interest and demand, and assess pricing strategies before scaling up production or launching in larger markets, all without spending a fortune.

 

Networking Opportunities: 

Participating in these events enables networking with other vendors, industry professionals, and potential collaborators or partners, leading to new business opportunities, collaborations, and partnerships.

Smiling in a Food Truck
Food Fair
Girls Dancing at Street Party

🤗Thank you for being a part of the IWEP community.🤗

Let's continue to inspire and support each other by recognizing our worth and valuing our time. Together, we can create sustainable and successful businesses while maintaining our well-being.

Follow us on:

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
bottom of page