The Women were up first.  Studeo Realty broke the ice with their company  bringing everything real estate all on one online platform.  Then Kira Talent braced the stage with her presentation explaining how they will in turn fix the broken process of recruitment. Finally there was Embrace, a design student and MBA focusing on the problem of womens’ support/athletic braces to make them stylish, sexy and functional.

After a short break, the Men hit the stage.  First presentation was from Unhaggle, a online platform aimed to making the car purchasing process a snip. Secondly was SkyPrep, a brother-run company providing training and testing too small to medium sized businesses.  The final presentation for the evening was Rayku;  an online platform letting students get tutoring over the world wide web.

The stress was over, the results were all in the hands of the judges and of course, the audience members.

..and finally the results were in; both Kira Talent and Unhaggle won $25,000 to put towards their start-up. It was a tough decision, all 6 finalist were incredibly talented, and will be looking forward to seeing big things from them all.

Congratulations to Kira Talent and Unhaggle; and we look forward in seeing the great business ideas next year! 

The Slaight Communications Business Plan Competition is run by StartMeUp every year to help kick start the business ventures of some of Ryerson’s most talented entrepreneurs by giving them necessary funding to get started. We are proud to say that several of our previous years’ winners have gone on to become successful; some of which are operating out of Ryerson’s Digital Media Zone, while others have been able to establish independent spaces and offices. Please come out and attend the final competition “pitch off” happening this Wednesday, March 27th at 6:00pm at Ted Rogers School of Management, Room 1-067.

You can register for your FREE ticket by clicking here.

For more information about the competing teams, the event and the judges attending: Click Here.

By: Alysha 

Over the course of a year, StartMeUp Ryerson works tirelessly to impact and improve lives globally through the positive power of business. Last weekend, all of their hard work and dedication was brought to light as Central Canada’s Enactus teams came together to test how well their impact coincided with the Enactus culture.

“A community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better and more sustainable world”. This is the nature of the Enactus initiative.

Through focussing programs on Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability and Financial Literacy, StartMeUp Ryerson looked to embody this culture.

Thinking differently? Well you should be! It's very important these days to think differently to help set yourself apart from the crowd. Whether it be yourself or your business, thinking differently is everything! You have to "think outside of the room the box is in" and then think some more. When you see the status quo, don't settle for it, ask why? Ask, what could we change? Ask, how can we make this better? Don't be afraid to try things as long as your risk isn't extremely high. Don't get me wrong, by no means am I 'super-successful' or even sane for that matter, but I definitely think outside of the room the box is in and it will help me in the future.

The other day I read a short PDF put together by the wonderful people at PWC about personal branding. It immediately triggered my inner-narcissist and I began building my online brand. I started with creating itsAynka.com - my personal website. I simultaneously redesigned my resume to show others that the plain resume is not the only option. As I was building my brand, I was constantly getting feedback from friends to make improvements. Towards the final product, fewer and fewer people had fewer things to say negatively about the website and resume. It then switched from friends giving me feedback to friends asking me to do the same for them.

From the start of the project I had an idea that once I built my brand people would want to do the same for themselves. Now, I'm in the process of building a web software that will allow regular folk that aren't so design/web savvy to create the same output. And obviously at a reasonable price. I haven't figured out the price point yet but I'm sure I'll get feedback from friends on this one too. I was thinking to charge around $240 per year - which works out to $20 a month. Just an idea right now but what do you think?

That was an example illustrating how thinking differently can be applied to your personal life. All of the greatest entrepreneurs all thought differently and embraced change. Many of you may have seen the Kellogg's Mini-Wheats Truck serving cereal on Victoria street, and may have just thought "Omg, free cereal!" Everything I just talked about is exactly how I thought about that marketing campaign. Why a blue truck? Why Ryerson? Why not use a different campaign? How do they know how many people actually purchased a box of cereal after? Could they have done something different? I just finished writing a blog post on it, check it out here. Kellogg's Mini-Wheats Hot Truck Blog Post

The point of this post is to get you to start thinking differently and in turn make you think critically. This is the way that I think you can best separate yourself from the herd and start thinking like an entrepreneur.

Want more on how I 'Think Differently'? Read more at SoHumble.com

Here is a link to read PWC's Personal Branding Book - It's Free!

Photography Credit: Aynka Satkunananthan via Instagram

Do you have an idea or own a startup, but you (a) need extra cash and (b) would like an extra $25,000? Go on, keep reading.

The Slaight Communications Business Plan Competition brought to you by StartMeUp Ryerson is THE competition to take your idea or business to the next level! There will be TWO grand prizes of $25,000, one for a male and one for a female finalist! Winners will not only have cash in their bank, but also consulting time with top business professionals, huge networking opportunities with investors and great media attention in Toronto’s startup community.

Entering is simple! Submit a 5-page summary of your business idea along with a 3-minute video pitch by Friday, March 8^th at 11:59pm.

For more information and resources, visit: http://startmeupryerson.com/bpc.

Follow us on Twitter: @SMU_Ryerson, #smuBPC13!

Get a $25,000 head start on your own business, now!

StartMeUp Ryerson helps entrepreneurs turn their IDEAS into REALITY.

Using his first-hand experience as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist, Professor Dave Vallerie goes into depth about what investors are seeking; common mistakes which prevent investors from sealing the deal, and the criteria for the Slaight Communications Business Plan Competition.

He begins with the notion: Investors are looking for a business plan that takes advantage of a great opportunity rather than a mere possibility. “Can I do it?” is insufficient. The relevant question: is “Is it worth doing?” Vallerie gives us the criteria on what makes a great opportunity:

• A lot of people with a problem – a serious, painful problem
• Those people have money to solve their problems
• YOU can solve their problems 10x better than anyone else!
• Make profit!

He proceeds to remind us what a business plan reflects upon its creators: “Investors are not just assessing your business plan, but you as an individual.” With this being said, your abilities and characteristics often show up on paper. Investors are often able to infer from your business plan certain qualities including: how well you can think, how intelligent you are and how diligent you appear to be.

As an artifact used to attract investors and employees, it is no wonder Vallerie refers to the Business Plan as “the most important sales document you will ever produce.”

So what makes investors say no? “I’m looking for the slightest excuse to throw it away,” says Vallerie, from an investor’s perspective. He reminds us of the careless mistakes which could lead to your business plan ending up thrown away in the garbage including: thumb prints, a lack of table of contents, or a spelling mistake. If an investor sees that you have made a mistake on paper, what reason do they have to believe that you will not make a mistake during actual operations?

As a contributor to the creation of the Business Plan Competition assessment criteria, Vallerie gives us the scoop on what the judges are looking for. These include: how good is the opportunity? How good is the plan? How likely is this business to survive? What will you do with the use of these proceeds? Have you done your homework – are you knowledgeable of the market?

Don’t Forget to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/startmeupryerson

@SMU_Ryerson

Entrepreneurs, this event is NOT to be missed! -  Especially if you would like to submit an entry for the 2013 Slaight Communications Business Plan Competition coming soon to Ryerson. Learn the essence and importance of a business plan, the key components that make up a successful outline, and discover what investors are looking for with this professor with many credentials to his name! 

Food and beverages will be provided!

When: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from 6:30pm – 9:00pm

Location: TRS 1-003 7th Floor, Ted Rogers School of Management, 55 Dundas St. W., Toronto 

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter @SMU_Ryerson

Your future will thank you!

Monday: Redefining Success with W. Brett Wilson 

Meet W. Brett Wilson, an investor on Dragon’s Den who recently released his new book, Redefining Success. 

“I spent 50 years making money, and now I want to spend the next 50 giving it all away.” Wilson told us all he had gained, he also spoke about the value of that which was lost – and in its personal nature, how the value of happiness was by far the greater. 

As an entrepreneur it is hard to make time and balance the work and the family, but according to Wilson, it is imperative to focus upon both. 

Tuesday: Driving Sales with Social Media for StartUps! 

Through conversation with Carolyn Van, Jon Speceley, and Lucas Muels we learned a number of important aspects regarding the correct utilization of social media.

 Key amongst these were two messages: 

 ”Network with people through Social Media the way you would at events”.

” Understand your audience, know the strength and weaknesses of other social media channels”.

Wednesday: Hiring Strategies for StartUps

Hesham Shafie is a member of CMA and Brand Momentum who took the time to speak to us on matters of marketing, the future, and our path towards it. 

Shafie talked about how for every person there is a different path, and that the future is in the hands of the person who walks this path. Your passions, your background, your interests, your choices, all play a role in where you end up in the future.

Hesham Shafie moved from speaking of his own journey, to the uniqueness of each person, and shifted to a more clinical look at understanding experimental marketing and its popular place in the world today. 

Thursday: Enactus  (SIFE) Ryerson Documentary Premiere StartUp Kids

ENACTUS (SIFE) preimiered a documentary which ran through the success stories of young entrepreneurs; their trials, their failures, their adversity, and how they came back bigger, better and stronger. 

StartUp Kids had one basic but crucial message: You can be an entrepreneur if you put your mind and your heart to it.

Friday: Building an Energy Business, Are you an Energy Entrepreneur?

After a brief lecture regarding the energy industry by CUE’s Executive Director, Dr. Dan McGillivray, participants spent time in this three hour bootcamp in teams attempting to develop and design their very own energy business.

Teams were then allowed a two or three minute pitch to a panel of judges where the top ideas were then invited to present the idea to the selection committee of the Innovation Centre for Urban Energy. At the i-CUE, those selected ideas were thereafter given resources and lab space in which to form their business.

Saturday: Urban Revolution

This year, ENACTUS (SIFE) Ryerson collaborated with the Ryerson University School of Fashion to create the Urban Revolution. The focus of this, to merge green methods, business, and fashion design into an unstoppable force comprised of 16 amazing designers. 

With Dylan Uscher from Dylanium Knits, Sarah Kear from Fashion Takes Action, the founders of Mejeuri, Hairriah, Sean Snyder from Trend Trunk, representatives from ICICI Bank, and mentors from the Start Me Up program showing up to support this revolutionary show, the combined school within Ryerson brought us all into a new age of advancement and cooperation. 

Don’y forget to follow us on Twitter: SMU_Ryerson & to like our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/startmeupryerson 

“Eat the frog first.” Professor David Schlanger tells us during the first Training Track: ‘Goal Setting’. What Professor Schlanger means by is; get the dirty work out of the way! If there are any difficult or time-consuming tasks that need to be done in the midst of starting your business, complete those first. In using this tactic, the goal by large can be achieved in the cleanest possible manner. With the burdensome tasks set aside, one is able to allocate the most productive aspects of the day towards the purposes of creativity and completion. 

During the Training Track, ‘Building Your Brand,’ Mark Elliot shares his secrets on how to get your business’ name familiar in the eyes of the public. Elliot focuses on several marketing tips and tools, such as the prevalent concepts of preparing a “Value Proposition” and “Elevator Pitch.”

“Imagine you are stuck in an elevator with a prospective customer or business partner. You should be prepared to explain in 30 seconds the essence of your business, the offerings and benefits  as well as where you have been successful.”  Imagine if the perfect opportunity came knocking – or rather – riding down the elevator, yet you were not prepared to take advantage of the situation. Through having prepared an elevator pitch, you can avoid this problem.

In spite of the seminar title, “Driving Sales with Social Media,” Carolyn Van begins with the following; “Social Media is not a sales tool, it’s a relationship tool.” Through this, it is learned that its primary use should not be to sell, but rather to build a valuable connection between business and customer.

Also emphasized was the need to keep in mind the limitations of digital communication. Due to the nature of this methodology, a truly holistic relationship is often not established. For example, although a person or business may garner a large number of followers via Twitter, this is not completely representative of their consumer popularity - specifically  not all of these followers are necessarily their customers. As a result, although social media may be the first step, it should certainly not be their only manner of engaging customers. Businesses must look beyond the initial contact towards a way in which to build upward upon this relationship outside of social media.

Goal Setting, Building your Brand, and Driving Sales with Social Media are only the first in a series of seminars designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their dreams into a reality.

Come and attend our next Training Track and learn from experts the skills to help YOU become successful in YOUR business!

Don’t forget to like our page on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter @SMU_Ryerson

Your future will thank you!