Entrepreneurial Ideation:

We hear it over and over, entrepreneurial ideas are everywhere. If there are so many ideas, then why isn't everybody an entrepreneur and why isn't every entrepreneur successful? The October OVES Town Hall hosts a panel of local successful entrepreneurs that will explore the topic of "Entrepreneurial Ideation." Our panelists provided sage wisdom and advise on how to take your business idea from conception to your first successful sale and how to build your existing business using Ideation.

Some of the subjects we explored included:

• Where do innovative ideas come from?
• How can you assess your business idea pre-start?
• How do I determine whether I am capable of starting a business?
• If I am not planning to apply for a loan, why do I need a business plan?
• How can I use Entrepreneurial Ideation to generate more revenue, create new markets, develop product or service add-ons or expand my current business?

Our panelists:

Paul Maarschalk
Paul is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Business Valuator. Paul focuses on corporate financial planning and has worked with most levels of business, from start ups to medium sized publicly traded corporations. He has worked in a variety of industries, including high tech, financial services, manufacturing, value added agriculture, mining, mineral exploration and banking. Paul is the CFO for two independent companies in the Okanagan and consults in the fields of business valuations and business planning. Paul is active in the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and OSTEC and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Economic Development Commission of the Central Okanagan.

Peter Comrie
Peter Comrie, it is often said, knows everyone. And, that is likely true. As an advocate for personal sovereignty, this witty Scottish native has turned his scholarly interests toward such diverse studies as personal development and medieval history. Peter is the co-founder of The Wealthy Attitude Inc. This vibrant organization is dedicated to “teaching” principals that show people how to successfully operate a sustainable house-based business and learn how to “Resolve The Money Question”. He is currently President and Principal Coach of Glasshammer Communications Group, specializing in local-based social entrepreneurship, and the development of human potential and contribution.

Dave Beeson
Dave was born into a family of savvy business entrepreneurs with his family owning the Moxies restaurant chain and then developing the Cheesecake Cafe restaurant chain currently with outlets across Canada. He got the entrepreneurial bug early in life and ventured away from the family business into his own company. In 2001, Dave developed the internationally known "Men's Show" – a lifestyle trade show and weekend event for men, which to this day holds acclaim for setting the bar in lifestyle trade show events in Canada. In 2005, he created and developed the Homefire Grill Restaurant Franchise in Edmonton, Alberta and in 2006, he ventured to the Cayman Islands where he developed the overall business plan and re-launch of “Cayman Grand Harbour” a massive commercial and residential development with retail, restaurant and entertainment facilities. David moved to the Okanagan in 2007 to explore the one area of his business life that held great interest to him that had been left unchartered – Real Estate. Dave is now a successful Realtor in the Kelowna area, and still hold interest in several business ventures within the Hospitality and Real Estate Development industries. 

Moderator: Rae Stonehouse OVES Society - Vice Chair of Education

Rae is a Registered Nurse/Entrepreneur who has worked in the healthcare field for over thirty years. Very active within the Toastmasters organization Rae has taken on increasingly challenging leadership roles and is currently involved in developing entrepreneurial educational and mentoring programs. His passion is helping others to succeed. His business, Live For Excellence Productions, provides meeting, seminar, workshop & event planning for the Okanagan Valley. Rae Stonehouse Speaker Services provides emcee services and speech coaching in the Okanagan Valley.

Providing meeting, seminar, workshop, conference & event planning for the Okanagan Valley

To Contact Us:

                            Phone: 250-451-6564

                            E-mail: info@liveforexcellence.com