不良研究所

Businesses start in many ways, and Andrea Courey didn鈥檛 know that she was going to have a business of her own. In 1997, Andrea lost her job and was raising three children as a single mother. In the face of this adversity Andrea asked herself how she was going to provide for her family 鈥� what was she 鈥済ood at and what did she know how to do?鈥�

Before 1997, she had worked in nine different jobs 鈥� jobs that gave her experience in a lot of different things 鈥� working in cafeterias, at a bank, and even as a flight attendant. Without knowing at that time, the skills learned in these jobs would contribute to her eventual business success. 鈥淚 was desperate. I needed to raise my children; I needed to do something,鈥� Courey said, and what she knew best was to make delicious granola 鈥� the family recipe handed down from Grandmother Emily.

A series of events in late 1997 lead her to donate homemade granola to a fund-raising event at a five-star Montreal hotel. Participants loved the product and wanted to buy it.聽 It took two weeks to muster-up the courage to call the chef at the hotel to talk about her product and the excitement it created amongst the guests. Surprisingly, the chef said, 鈥淚 hated it; come and see me tomorrow at 6:30 AM.鈥�

Courey did meet with the chef who challenged her to bring back a product that was uniquely 鈥楥anadian.鈥� One week later, after perfecting the recipe in her home kitchen, she did go back 鈥� the hotel placed a substantial order and Grandma Emily鈥檚 Granola was born.

At the Faculty鈥檚 Entrepreneurial Leadership Speaker Series event in January, Courey spoke to a captivated audience of aspiring student entrepreneurs (and a few want-to-be staff entrepreneurs) about her business experience and the lessons learned at the helm of her company. In a Jeopardy-like scenario, participants at the event were prompted to pose questions based on 18 lessons (one for each year in business) that Courey promises will one day form the basis of a book she is going to write.

In 鈥渨hy not how鈥� audience participants were encouraged to think about why they are creating a business.聽 鈥淭he how鈥檚 will bombard you and take up most of your time but what will keep you moving forward is the why. You need to know why you are becoming an entrepreneur and focus on the purpose that is going to drive you day-in and day-out. The 鈥榳hy鈥� has to be carved in stone in your heart and serve as your true North.鈥�

Some of the other lessons Courey shared included 鈥淎t the Gym 鈥� running a business is reliance training, the 3B鈥檚 鈥� bargain, barter and believe in yourself and Risky Business, can you live with the worst thing that can happen?鈥�

With years of experience being a judge at 不良研究所鈥檚 Dobson Cup Entrepreneurship Competition, Courey shared insight to help students considering entering the competition this year. 鈥淲hat you are selling more than anything else is yourself.鈥� Show that your idea has legs, and that your team is behind your business. Investors want to know that you have more than just an idea 鈥� that you are invested in your idea so demonstrate that by showcasing your product at a tradeshow or selling some product.

Definitely food for thought.