Female duo come together to create exciting new venture

Kelowna Capital News

Published: June 02, 2009 10:00 PM

Last week, I shared with you some commentary about the creation of entrepreneurial “teams” in the new venture creation process and why such concept has become so attractive and realistic in the world of entrepreneurship and small business.

That insight was a prelude to the story of two young female entrepreneurs who built their venture dream through team-building, perhaps one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of exercising the entrepreneurial spirit.

With almost half of all startups created by teams of two or more people, entrepreneurship no longer resembles the old model of the “solo” entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurship today is very much a social process, building effective relationships between people with complementary skills.

Our featured guests this week fit that mold perfectly.

Katrina Glen, of British background, completed her studies in media and film communication in the U.K., and with an older brother and two sisters, decided to seek adventure and fortune in Canada.

On a holiday junket to Vancouver in 1999, Katrina met the man whom would become shortly thereafter the love of her life, who quickly followed her back to the U.K. to meet her family and return to Canada in early 2000 for the couple to join in a marriage partnership.

Katrina and her husband journeyed in the early stage of their marriage to Vernon and Salmon Arm before settling in Kelowna where her husband worked.

In 2002, Katrina, after having begun enlarging their family with the children, began to visualize a personal dream of living her dream of becoming entrepreneurial.

Katrina told me that whenever she presented an idea for a business to her husband, he would consistently demonstrate a strong supportive reaction and tell her, “You can do it.”

While commencing some thought to decorate her daughter’s bedroom, Katrina began to compose in her mind the “Dare To Be” imagery which has formed the nucleus of her venture.

Meantime, the early aspects of entrepreneurial team composition had begun to form between Katrina and Chantelle Adams.

The two stay-at-home mothers had met and become acquainted through their association at their children’s schools, church activities and other youth organizations.

Both Katrina and Chantelle emphasized to me that individually they have been uniting and inspiring women for years to follow the roads they have personally travelled as they strived to be the “best that they could be” with their new venture.

Chantelle, born in Calgary, moved with her family to Kamloops to start school and quickly immersed herself in the arts, with piano and singing. Her sense of self-worth was reinforced by her parents and two older brothers and an older sister.

In 1997, Chantelle was recognized for her talents as Miss Kamloops and Miss Congeniality, a notable achievement by itself for any young woman.

She also added to her skill base after high school as a personal trainer and aerobic instructor.

Chantelle met her husband within her church circle in 1998 and married in August of ’99, moving to Peachland to operate a fitness centre and work as an education assistant in 2001 within School District 23. Adams’ family began with her son in 2002.

Chantelle told me that she has always been motivated to do research and during the birth period of her now three sons, she has worked hard to perfect her motivational speaking skills exercising such skills whenever and wherever she may—church, school, ladies groups, etc;

Most prescriptive models of entrepreneurial team formation emphasize the search for membership that brings unique and complementary skills to the new venture startup.

Ironically and if one believes in fate, Katrina and Chantelle saw in their association with each other, the potential for the realization of their entrepreneurial dream—as a team of two.

Katrina remarked that the brand and logo formation of Dare To Be—their innovative venture was first on their agenda as both women were already long committed to inviting tweens, teens and women to the road of self-discovery of who they are and to live their lives with meaning, purpose and, above all—joy.

Dare To Be was created because Katrina and Chantelle truly believe there is unlimited potential within each of us if only we take the time to discover it.

They further believe when women of the world discover who they are, embrace a purpose in their life, share that purpose and unite—they can change our world and that all children as individuals have the power within them to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of others when they are given the “tools” to discover who they are, dream big, live today for the choices of tomorrow and, very importantly and creatively, be the change.

In addition to their inspiring workshops and event creation, the ladies offer Dare To Be products with soy candles, bamboo and organic clothing, kids’ organic tees, sterling earrings, inspirational sterling jewelry and vinyl wall lettering and décor.

What does the future hold for these two amazing ladies? Enhancing their workshop series throughout the Okanagan, teaching workshops at Okanagan College, their eco-friendly products in Okanagan retailers where a percentage of their profit is donated to a charitable organization KIVA.org helping women in impoverished countries.

The roads Katrina and Chantelle have traveled prior to and since becoming entrepreneurs in our beloved Okanagan offer sound lessons of how each of us can realize our own dream team and change our lives forever.

Check out the DareToBe.ca site and discover who you are.

Joel Young is an entrepreneurship coach, educator and consultant and the founder of Okanagan Valley Entrepreneurs Society.

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http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/kelownacapitalnews/business/46774767.html
 

Kelowna Capital News

Flying solo not always best course in business world

By Joel Young - Kelowna Capital News
Published: May 26, 2009 10:00 PM

"This week I would like to offer you a preamble to a wonderful joyous story of how two women, each mothers of three, have come together out of a singular but unified purpose—to make a difference and contribute to the lives of many.
Through their journey, they became an “entrepreneurial team,” a phenomena I will talk about now before I relate the story behind our two entrepreneurial women."

This 'preamble' is about us, Katrina and Chantelle and we are honored to have inspired Mr. Joel Young, a great entrepeneur himself. 

To read the full article follow the link below:

http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/kelownacapitalnews/business/46139152.html

Dare To Be's Kids Organic Tees are featured in the May issue of Mompreneur Magazine. (page 55)

C6 capital news Sunday, May 10, 2009 www.kelownacapnews.com

WESTSIDE ▼ DARE TO BE

Pair of local entrepeneurs

dare to start their own

businessLORI WELBOURNE/CAPITAL NEWS

Do you want to discover who you are? Dream big? Live in the moment? Be the change?Katrina Glen and Chantelle Adams dare you to.  With a shared dream of providing the worldwith their optimism, these local moms are fulfilling their own dreams with a new business that caters to women and children.  Offering products that deliver a positive message, their newfound business is called Dare to Be.  Located in West Kelowna, they carry a line of goods that include clothing, jewellery, candles, home décor and the works of local artisans.With a love of beautiful words and creative quotes, their studio is ripe with inspiration fromtheir product display to their walls to the shirts on their backs.  “It feels wonderful to wear a positive message that reminds us to live our best life,” said Glen.  “And providing ecofriendlyand fair trade products makes our world a healthier and happier place too.”But that’s just part of what they do. Through events and home parties designed to empower and motivate, Adams and Glen feel a deep connection with ’tweens, teens and women. “We don’t just sell shirts,” said Adams. “We sell a lifestyle.” A certified education assistant, Adams works with special needs kids in schools and has many years of motivational speaking experience. Recent engagements were at the annual Parenting with Pizzaz seminar, as well as a full-day workshop overcoming bullying in a small Native community close to the Alaskan border.  As a member of a family that instilled a strong sense of self, Adams grew up with a positive outlook and a confident demeanor. So it was no surprise to those who knew her when she won the Miss Kamloops title as a teenager. She was also named Miss Congeniality.  In contrast, Glen lacked confidence as a child and through different relationships and life experiences, has learned a new way of seeing herself and looking at life.  Her previous work as a Stampin’ It Up demonstrator realized her passion for working with women in a group setting.  “There’s such a sisterhood between women that’s truly special,” said Glen.  “It’s such a gift to connect with women who are discovering who they are, dreaming big and living in the moment.”  Believing that we all have the ability to find more joy and meaning in our lives, the duo aims to share their message with as many people as they can.  Now reaching out beyond their community with the help of their website, they are excited to hear from women around the world.Six short months ago, this was all just a dream for the two busy mothers, who both hadtheir hands full raising three young children each. Against the advice of many who saidthe economy was too rough, they decided, with the support of their husbands, to pursue their vision and launched their company last November.“Our message is a message of hope,” said Adams. “Now, more than ever, people need to hearthat.”Through their website they are now reaching out with weekly dares, including an inspiredquote, a dare to be pledge statement and ideas on how to apply the pledge to everyday life.“One lady we heard back from said these weekly dares give her a push,” said Glen. “She was talking the talk, but we’re now helping her walk the walk.”Finding joy in giving back, the pair also donate a portion of their proceeds to Kiva.org, whichhelps women in impoverished countries. “We’re blessed to live the lives we live,” said Adams. “Most women in our world are far less fortunate.”  But there’s hope for everyone. To quote straight off their business cards—Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.Dare to be a butterly.For information go to daretobe.ca This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dare To Be was also noted as the Keynote Address for the Kelowna Women's Art Festival.  There is a great picture of Katrina and her daughter Jemima sporting matching Dare To Be fair trade t-shirts.

http://www.snapokanagan.com/index.php?option=com_sngevents&id%5B%5D=88487om