CBC Dragon Discusses Tribulations of Entrepreneurship at Inaugural Local Leaders Event in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, March 4, 2015 /CNW/ - Restaurant magnate, celebrity chef and CBC Dragon, Vikram Vij will speak to over 200 BC entrepreneurs on April 2, 2015 at the first-ever Local Leaders monthly business mixer at Small Business BC in Vancouver.

The Local Leaders series, in partnership with the Province of British Columbia, runs from April to July, and encourages the growth and development of local businesses by giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to network with and gain inspiration from the top CEOs and business leaders in the community.

"Through the Small Business Accord, we're working to make B.C. the most small-business-friendly jurisdiction in Canada," said Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism. "Events like this support the goals of the Accord and inspire entrepreneurs by showcasing successful business owners."

As an immigrant entrepreneur and popular business mogul, Vij will share his journey on the road to success and the many ups and downs he faced. During his exclusive presentation, he will discuss:

Achieving Success Despite Adversity: The Trials and Tribulations of Entrepreneurship

• Developing a business plan around a personal mission statement
• Overcoming challenges and obstacles to generate success
• Best techniques to spread awareness of products and services to your target market
• Serving up unforgettable customer experiences

"It's always been my goal to bring great Indian food to Canada. Now I want to educate people on food and how to become successful entrepreneurs who can make a positive impact in their communities," says Vij. "At Local Leaders, I hope to inspire others with my experiences and personal lessons."

Between April and July, the series will include Vikram Vij, Owner of Vij's, Rangoli and My Shanti (April 2); Brian Scudamore, Founder and CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, You Move Me and Wow 1 Day Painting (May 7); Andrew Shepherd, Founder of Vancouver Island Salt Co. (June 4); and Kelsey Ramsden, President of Belvedere Place Development  (July 9). These presenters will cover important focus areas for small business owners, such as overcoming adversity, HR practices, scaling-up for international trade and work-life balance.

"Launching and growing a business takes a lot of hard work, a solid business plan and a strong community," says George Hunter, CEO of Small Business BC. "We're delighted to open our doors to help entrepreneurs learn from successful business owners and discover the tools and resources paramount to achieving long-term success."

The public and small business community is encouraged to join Vikram Vij on Thursday, April 2, 2015 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm for an evening of drinks, networking and interactive discussion. More information on Local Leaders with Vikram Vij can be found at http://sbbc.co/2015LL.

About Small Business BC
Small Business BC provides entrepreneurs with the information and guidance necessary to build a solid foundation for their business through a wide range of products, services, education and resources.

About Local Leaders
Local Leaders is a monthly mixer series hosted by Small Business BC and the Province of British Columbia, connecting small business owners with thought leaders and each other. This series fosters the growth and development of local businesses by giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to network with and gain inspiration from business leaders in the community. This series supports the goal of the Small Business Accord to help foster a progressive business culture and support current and future generations of small business owners across B.C.

SOURCE Small Business BC

Media Contact: Mark Blendheim, Communications Manager, Small Business BC, Direct: 604-775-5607, [email protected]