Go Venture first stop for entrepreneurs

Author: Michele Lawson

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Michele Lawson

Held regularly at Grove Park Home in Barrie, Go Venture classes provide information, networking and support for entrepreneurs just getting started or wanting to improve. The program founder, Donna Douglas is shown here (in front) with one of her many groups.

At Go Venture, experienced entrepreneurs show the ropes to those who have chosen self-employment as their new career path. “I think it’s important to be led by people who are walking the walk,” says program founder and long-time entrepreneur Donna Douglas, who has helped more than 1,000 business owners with their goals. “They’re totally in the same zone as the people they’re speaking to.” She sees value in connecting with others who understand the reality of what it’s like to lie awake at night wondering how the mortgage is going to get paid. An unrestricted professional development program that was established six years ago, Go Venture just began the process for its latest intake of business-minded individuals. Most are business start-ups, says Douglas, but the range spans to 11-year veterans looking for help in maximizing the potential of their existing business. The program, held at Grove Park Home in Barrie for three hours every Tuesday evening, brings in experts in their fields to present information and answer questions. Wanting her clients to pay attention to the presentations instead of their notebooks, Douglas herself documents the valuable material being shared and emails it to the group within a day or two of the meeting. After stumbling and “a lot of falling down” as the owner of her own national magazine during most of the ‘80s and into the ‘90s, she realized “businesses don’t close because people aren’t good at what they do, businesses close because people don’t know how to run them. That’s where the weak link is. “And that was really how Go Venture was born.” She knew from experience her client base doesn’t generally have a large supply of ready cash on hand, so instead of charging full tuition up front – like many other entrepreneurial courses do, she asked for monthly payments for each of the 10 months of the program. “Most of my clients say in the first month, they earned back the entire cost of the course,” says Douglas. The 23 training sessions are presented in order of relevance to a business during their start-up period, so GV businesses have the information when they need it. Insurance needs, registering the business and trademarking the name, for example, are all sessions that are offered early in the program. Details about graphic design, websites and media relations follow. “I want to see the lightbulb go off in their brains,” Douglas says. “I love what I do.” With networking time, joint training with other intake classes, and a shared database, small-business owners graduate the program with a much-expanded network as well as the know-how to run their business effectively. A unique feature has clients going through a costing exercise to determine price points that will allow businesses to survive and thrive. “I don’t know of anyone in town who puts people through the costing and analysis that we do,” she adds. About halfway through the program, a class divides into smaller groups to brainstorm, problem solve and commiserate. Donna says the road of an entrepreneur can be lonely, and this process allows everyone to gain support. Spouses, for example, often “don’t understand it’s not going to be instant money, and they don’t understand it’s going to be 24/7 – no matter how often you tell them,” she says. Having 35 other business owners to talk to regularly can be very beneficial in normalizing the process. Even after the sessions end, the support from the organization and the other participants continues indefinitely, says Douglas. For statistical purposes, Douglas tracks alumni to see where her clients are two years after they finish the formal program. “National statistics say only 20 per cent of businesses continue to operate two years later,” he says. “But Douglas’ program boasts an 82 per cent retention rate. Another 12 per cent is still running their business, but with a part-time job on the side for security and regular income.” The other six per cent either closes or disappear completely off Douglas’ radar. Those considering the self-employment route, but aren’t quite ready to commit to a long-term program, are welcome to attend Douglas’ Business Plan Workshop, which encourages research and analysis prior to adopting the lifestyle. “I think I’ve been able to create something unique and right for the entrepreneur,” says the 32-year entrepreneur. “I don’t think I could have done it if I hadn’t been one.” Go Venture starts new groups in October, February and May. They each continue for 10 months – with all three operating concurrently. For more information, visit www.donnadouglas.com.