Arlene Dickinson Enterprises Entry 1

Arlene Dickinson Enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

Arlene Dickinson launches enterprise to fund, promote entrepreneurs by Hollie Shaw of the Financial Post published on October 26, 2012.  This week, Arlene Dickinson, the head of Ventures Communication has announced her latest endeavour to fund and target Canada’s entrepreneurs, Arlene Dickinson Enterprises (ADE), through a new social network called
YouInc.Com as well as an upcoming magazine and television shows.  Even though, Ms. Dickinson had no marketing experience and only a high school diploma, the 31 year old divorced mother of four began a career at Venture Communications and within a decade she became the owner and CEO of Venture Communications.  Arlene Dickinson’s success and net-worth of $80 million has driven her to inspire other self-starting entrepreneurs, because she can attest to how entrepreneurs have changed the marketplace where it has never been easier to start your own business or easier to sell products globally through the internet and to manufacture offshore than it is now.  Arlene Dickinson Enterprises has partnered with Kirchner Private Captital Group to provide seed capital to entrepreneurial companies and has made a deal with Metroland Media Group to commercialize and distribute ADE products globally.  Ms. Dickinson tells Hollie Shaw how she is fascinated by the dismissal of small to mid-size businesses in our economy and how the main focus is on the big companies when  about 80-90 % of all companies in Canada are small-medium sized businesses with less than 500 employees.  Arlene Dickinson does not measure the success of a business by the amount of money it has made, for it to be considered a successful business it does not have to be a $ 200 million company; that it can be a company that she has taken from a zero to $10-25 million dollars.  YouInc.com, the new social component of ADE gives a peek into the type of content that Ms. Dickinson visions as fertile territory for the upcoming YouInc.com Magazine which will differ from other business magazines and TV shows which tend to talk about the business side of entrepreneurship; it will explore lifestyles of entrepreneurs creating a lifestyle brand around lifestyles.  YouInc.com will act as a support link for potential entrepreneurs as well as existing entrepreneurs through a number of sources such as blog postings on related business topics by Ms. Dickinson and other business owners, an open discussion page for its members, its own videos, relevant TED talks and business how-to videos.  YouInc.com will feature entrepreneurs who have deals with ADE by showing how they are helping them gain credibility, media attention, brand recognition and build a platform in the marketplace as well as offering tips and advice.  Ms. Dickinson has the support of Dan Kelly, president and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business who believes that Ms. Dickinson’s timing is opportune and that by blending entrepreneurial lifestyles with a social media aspect has some serious potential because that is where there is a trend towards; the entrepreneurial economy- social media.

Opinions

Exciting news happened in the media this week with the launch of Arlene Dickinson Enterprises (ADE) as a new social network YouInc.com, with an upcoming magazine and TV shows for entrepreneurs.  Ms. Dickinson is an inspiring role model for women and for all people in general as she is a great example of how you can start at the bottom in the business world and work your way to the top, regardless of your level of education or circumstances as long as you have the desire to succeed. The fact that Ms. Dickinson started at Venture Communications with no education or experience in the business world and within just 10 years she worked her way to the top to become owner and CEO of the company is a fine example of self-determination.  Arlene Dickinson’s success and knowledge in the business world has motivated her to assist other entrepreneurs to succeed in the business world. Ms. Dickinson has made a wise business decision by partnering with Kirchner Private Capital Group and striking a deal with Metroland Media Group as it will give her the support base she needs to succeed.  It is disappointing, that the main focus in Canada is on big businesses when small and medium sized businesses with less than 500 employees make up 80-90% of Canada’s economy. We believe, that any business that turns a profit year after year is a successful business especially during the first few years, as the business tries to establish itself in Canada’s marketplace. YouInc.com appears to be a unique and intriguing new way of inquiring and becoming educated about the lifestyles of the entrepreneurial lifestyle through discussion boards, blog postings and the magazine itself as well as through the other resources it has to offer.  We feel that YouInc.com is going to be a great support link for entrepreneurs and for those exploring the option of becoming an entrepreneur.  We think ,it is going to be very beneficial for entrepreneurs to become members of Arlene Dickinson Enterprises because of all of the resources and supports it has to offer; it is a great way to gain publicity, recognition and credibility in the business world just by being associate with such a powerful icon in the business world in itself has to be beneficial. We agree with Dan Kelly, president and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business for backing Arlene Dickinson Enterprises as he believes that Ms. Dickinson’s timing is opportune and that by blending entrepreneurial lifestyles with the social media aspect has serious potential because that is where the trend is, in the entrepreneurial economy- social media. Surely,  most of us have witnessed in recent years how products are being marketed and sold through social media. Each day, we receive emails from online companies trying to introduce us to their new product lines or services, and advertising their existing products and services in hopes we will buy or use their products and services.

Questions/ Feedback

1. What are your thoughts about the increasing entrepreneurial economy in Canada as a result of social media companies such as Arlene Dickinson Enterprises (ADE)?

2. Should Canadians be focusing on big business or small to medium sized businesses? Why?

References

Shaw, H. (2012). Arlene Dickinson Launches Enterprise to Fund, Promote Entrepreneurs. The National Post. Retrieved from: http://thefinancialpost.com
Photograph and Logo retrieved from the National Post.
Video link retrieved from:

http://globalnews.ca/video/1035096/arlene-dickinson