Award-Winning Entrepreneur and Dragons' Den Contestant Joins Mentorship Panel at the 2015 Vancouver Small Business Information Expo

VANCOUVER, Jan. 30, 2015 /CNW/ - Lisa von Sturmer, a CBC Dragons' Den Slayer and Founder of Growing City, will discuss the value of business mentorship on February 3 at the 2015 Vancouver Small Business Information Expo in Vancouver hosted by the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises and Small Business BC.

"Entrepreneurship can be an emotionally challenging process," says von Sturmer. "It's important to have someone who's already experienced the highs and lows and can help you see that when you're in a dip that things will get better. Mentors also remind you to stay focused on the goal when you're riding high."

The Vancouver business maven gained popularity after her appearance on CBC's popular television series Dragons' Den, where she accepted a $100,000 boost from Jim Treliving in exchange for a 25 per cent equity stake in her business - North America's first and only premium office composting service.

The Dragons' Den contestant is an alumni of a formal mentorship program and now a proud mentor herself.

Joined by representatives from Futurpreneur, MentorshipBC and Women's Enterprise Centre – non-profit organizations with mentorship services –  von Sturmer and the panel will discuss:

The Importance of Finding a Mentor for Your Small Business Journey

• Differentiating between formal and non-formal mentorship programs
• Learning how formal mentorship organizations work
• Ensuring a good fit between the mentor and mentee to foster a strong connection
• Setting expectations to manage boundaries and outcomes
• Capitalizing on the benefits of a successful mentor/mentee relationship

"Mentorship is a key element of success for small business owners," says one of the panelists, Jill Earthy, ‎Director, BC & Yukon at Futurpreneur. "The role of a mentor is to ask the tough questions and to share experiences and examples. By offering a fresh perspective, mentors propel business owners forward, often on a more direct and successful path."

The mentorship panel is intended to dispel some of the common misconceptions about business mentorship and help entrepreneurs get the tools and know-how to find the right mentorship program for their professional and business goals.

The public is encouraged to join the panel discussion by attending the free Vancouver Small Business Information Expo this Tuesday, where Futurpreneur, MentorshipBC, Women's Enterprise Centre and Lisa von Sturmer will be answering questions during the discussion from 1:00pm to 1:45pm.

About MentorshipBC
MentorshipBC is an online search tool and resource for BC's small business owners to find mentorship programs and learn about the benefits of mentorship. It was launched in November 2013 in response to the BC Small Business Accord. MentorshipBC gratefully acknowledges the support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training.

About the 2015 Vancouver Small Business Information Expo
The 2015 Vancouver Small Business Information Expo is a free tradeshow that brings together various government departments and non-profit organizations that support small business in BC. The Expo also gives attendees the chance to attend educational panels and the opportunity to meet face-to-face with experts who provide valuable programs and resources to small businesses.

SOURCE MentorshipBC

For further information: Media Contact: Aisha Tejani, Program Manager, MentorshipBC, Direct: 604-637-1010, [email protected]