Girl Geek Dinners Ottawa

Through Monday’s Girl Geek Dinner (GGD) Ottawa event, coordinated by the 2011 Algonquin College Public Relations (PR) students, the GGD Ottawa community helped raise $520 for ICAfrica. The event was organized as part of the PR students’ month long campaign to raise funds and awareness for this international charity supporting entrepreneurs in Africa.

ICAfrica supports women in Africa pursuing the dream of owning their own small business by offering micro-loans to help them get started. After two years in existence, ICAfrica has a 100 per cent rate of repayment, and most loans are repaid after only six months. Collected funds are then recycled to other entrepreneurs. The PR students organized eight events throughout the Ottawa area with the goal of raising both awareness and financial support for ICAfrica’s various grassroots programs.

Guest speakers, Katie and Regine, co-owners of Victoire Boutique

While raising funds for a great cause, the GGDOttawa event also provided attendees with insight into the entrepreneurial journey of two local small-business owners.

Co-owners of Victoire Boutique, Katie Frappier and Regine Paquette, shared the ups and downs of opening their first boutique on Dalhousie Street and how fours years of business partnership has led to the creation of a jewellery line, an online store and now a second boutique located in Westboro.

Some key points that Katie and Regine shared:

• The risk of owning a small business made them dedicated – they lived, breathed, dreamed their business to make it a success
• To build a successful clothing boutique – where others have failed – they identified their ideal customer and pursued mostly Canadian designers who would appeal to this audience (mostly young women who liked shopping at boutiques but without boutique prices)
• They credit their mentors for providing guidance and sharing real-world experiences that has helped them make smart decisions for their business
• Also built relationships with other small business owners – sharing best practices, lessons learned and collaborating at times
• They used social media as a way to connect with customers, designers and other boutiques
• They use media relations tactics e.g. monthly press releases to garner publicity and worked diligently to make these activities newsworthy i.e. what makes their store different
• Because of their age, Katie and Regine had a difficult time being taken seriously by banks even with a solid business plan; they persevered and built a banking relationship with Ottawa Women’s Credit Union, an institution they highly reccommend to other women looking to pursue an entrepreneurial goal

As two young women pursuing a dream to open their own small business, Katie and Regine’s entrepreneurial journey tied perfectly with the fundraising theme of this event.

The PR students who organized the April GGD Ottawa event, from l. to r.: Lacey, Meg and Kristine

On Wednesday, April 14, the PR students wrapped up their month-long campaign, raising more than $10,000 for the ICAfrica. Says Meg Murray, one of the PR students who helped organize the event,

“The money raised will help to create at least 250 jobs for women in Africa. However, since each women generally cares for a family of four, the money will impact the lives of at least a thousand people.”

How awesome is that?

For more information on this initiative, visit the campaign website at:  Micro-credit, Macro-change. Thanks to our sponsors and to everyone who came out and made this event such a success!

Door Prize Winners

Natasha (on right) accepts her NAC tickets door prize from co-organizer and PR student, Meg

Derek, winner of the wine box door prize courtesy of Indyadvisor.ca

Daniela (on left) accepts her door prize courtesy of Custom Family Photography from event co-organizer and PR student, Kristine

Michele accepts her door prize of Ottawa 67s tickets and autographed hockey stick from Kristine

Mary Lou accepts her Ottawa 67s tickets from Kristine

Nadine accepts her Ottawa 67s tickets from Kristine