Name
Tanya May
Company name
Toronto Business Casual
tanya.may28@yahoo.ca
http://torontobusinesscasual.com
What does your business do?
Toronto Business Casual is an exciting new Toronto-based social club, geared to professionals in their mid to late 20s, 30s and 40s in the Greater Toronto Area. We provide opportunities for busy professionals to get out there and network with others for the purposes of friendship, to develop new relationships, to promote their business, to make new industry contacts, or simply for recreation.
We host regular social and cultural events to encourage relationship building among our members. Due to our partnerships with select sponsors in the Greater Toronto Area, we are able to offer unique events at low cost.
Members participate in a variety of group activities ranging from fine dining, wine tasting, live theatre and art appreciation to tennis lessons, golfing, vintage auto car driving and other diverse outdoor activities. Events are highly interactive, and we encourage members to socialize in a relaxed informal atmosphere.
Our target customers are between the ages of 25-49 years, university educated, with busy career jobs. Most of our clientelle have sought us out because we provide opportunities for them to connect socially with other similar types, due to the exacting demands of their careers.
In only 6 short months, we have over 1000 new members, and have acquired partners and sponsors such as Calvin Klein Euphoria, CK One and Vineyards Estate Wines! We have been extremely successful so far, in a very short period of time!
What makes your business different? What is that you do that makes your business unique?
A few things have made us so successful in a short period of time:
- Our events are based on group interaction-every event we have consists of either fun short questions, group exercises or group trivia. Great ice-breakers.
- We have screening measures in place that other social clubs may not have (i.e. age, education, interests, etc).
- We have found a trend that young, busy educated professionals want to be around other similar types (i.e. they are not interested in going out to the bars to meet new friends or relationships) – so our emphasis is on meeting “like-minded people”.
Why did you decide to start your own business?
After graduate school, my husband and I moved back to Toronto and found many of our friends had moved away or had children.
We looked for other social groups however the attendees were a mixed bag -we had difficulty finding an affordable, legitimate social club with like-minded people. We also have a strong interest in the arts and culture – also very difficult to find!
What’s the best part of being an entrepreneur?
Creativity!
Flexibility!
Meeting new people every day!
Learning to work in a team!
Flexible work schedule!
What’s the worst part of being and entrepreneur?
Nil so far!
How long have you been in business?
6 months
How did you raise the start-up cash?
Saving, saving, saving!
Identify and discuss a few lessons you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
- Never give up – nothing comes easily when starting a business. Perserverence is the key.
- Follow your passions – not what your family or friends thinks “sounds good” or is the “safest” route.
- Tap into your real skills – if you take a group of people and highlight each person’s talents, you have a truly winning team!
What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?
Do your market research. If you want to be successful, you have to offer a product that is innovative and creative. Re-invent the wheel as much as possible!
What are your goals and plans for the future?
- Expand our website with regards to functionality.
- Expand into different Canadian cities (a few are in the works already!)
- Create and develop new partnerships, sponsorships, etc.
- Define and investigate the needs and skills of our current members.
- Have members participate in event planning, show-casing their particular skills, etc.
To find out more about Tanya and Toronto Business Casual take a look at http://torontobusinesscasual.com
Find a BizLaunch Seminar near you at http://bizlaunch.ca
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
test
This is a fantastic social club. I just went to their fencing event last week. Great people, well organized. It's a nice balance between business and social – it would suit anyone who wants to be around similar people with a positive attitude. Plus their events are really creative and cultured. Looking forward the next one.
Joe
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