Business Bulletinn Saint John we certainly know a thing or two about winning streaks. GO, Sea Dogs, GO!! Over the past decade our economy has grown and diversi�ed. Today’s economy has a strong foundation in the sectors that are projected to

dominate in the coming decades. In March, the Saint John CMA’s unemployment rate fell to 6.4%, well below the provincial rate of 9.6% and the Canadian rate of 7.7%. It even outpaced Moncton’s 8.1% and Fredericton’s 6.8% (Stats Can March 2011).

Find out more about Saint John’s winning streak in this month’s issue of Progress Magazine.

Inspiring new investment

Business pitch competitionIn a Dragons’ Den style competition, 13 entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges: Michele Lodge, Enterprise Saint John, Kiera Fraser, Je Suis Prest, Peter Lewis, Ultimate Doors and Mags Schultz, Magzy’s Kettle Korn. They listened, questioned and evaluated; weighing how they would “invest” $1,000. In the end, Nawal Doucette danced away with $500 for her yoga and belly dancing business, Leanne Cochrane received $400 for her candy business and 15-year old Corey Petley received $100 for impressing the judges with his compelling pitch for an outdoor wilderness shop. Honourable mentions also went to Greg Lawrence, David Bentley and Joshua Hayward.

Grand Bay-West�eld Quispamsis Rothesay St. Martins Saint John

In March, Enterprise Saint John hosted 6 investment clients and traveled near and far to meet with others. Together, these clients have the potential to create over 800 jobs. We were joined by representatives from some of our partners including the Saint John Port Authority, Saint John Industrial Parks and Business New Brunswick to meet with an investment client in China. Closer to home, we also led an investment mission to Toronto with Mayor Ivan Court and supported by the Saint John Airport, Saint John Destination Market-ing Inc. and the Saint John Board of Trade.

March’s inspired entrepreneur:Nawal Doucette

The business development team at Enterprise Saint John �rst began working with Nawal Doucette in 2004. As a trained yoga instructor and accomplished belly dancer, her dream was to turn her passion in to a viable career path. Now, she is living her

dream, balancing teaching yoga and belly dancing at community centres and

at the Human Performance Centre Gym in Grand Bay- West�eld, with her personal life

and raising her young daughter. Nawal’s passion and clear vision also

resulted in her winning top prize in our 2011 Business Pitch Competition. Her future plans are to expand and we have no doubt that she will accomplish all that she sets out to do.

Inspiring immigrant mentorship & investmentCongratulations graduates, of Enterprise Saint John’s Business Immigrant Mentorship Program: Amir Ardekani, Elamin Sobair, Zahra Shari�an, Andy He, Hae-Sug Kim, James Chen, Kpazay Tarr and Leo Sung Ho. We’re Helping newcomers integrate into Saint John’s business community.

Trump, Giuliani & Williams coming to Saint John Oct 6 When Enterprise Saint John pitched Brad LeBlanc in October 2010 with the idea that Saint John would be perfect for Spark, his next big event, he was sceptical. But through our encouragement, guidance and connections, he was converted to all-out enthusiasm! Now, Brad is bringing Spark to Saint John featuring Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani and Danny Williams. A year in the making, the promotion for our region will be signi�cant.

Steve Carson, CEO, Enterprise Saint John speaks at Spark event launch announcement at Lexus of Saint John, with Brad LeBlanc (right)

“Enterprise Saint John has encouraged me all the way! For seven years, they have guided me and helped me network and learn from other entrepreneurs. During the business pitch competition I was nervous at �rst, but when I saw how nice everyone was, I was able to relax. I’m so thankful to have been selected; the money will go a long way in helping me spread the joy of yoga and belly dancing to more people.” Nawal Doucette, inspired instructor & entrepreneur

Newcomers participated in a speed networking event on March 30th aimed at breaking down barriers to accessing business support services. In addition to Enterprise Saint John, 32 immigrants were introduced to the Saint John Multicultural and Newcomers Resource Centre, the Saint John Board of Trade, Canada Business New Brunswick and the Saint John Community Loan Fund.

“Enterprise Saint John was instrumental in me choosing Saint John as the host for Spark and as home to our second o�ce in New Brunswick. Steve Carson is an incredible leader who has been so very supportive of our dreams, business, and ambitions. Steve consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty to make us feel welcome, meet the right community leaders and entrepreneurs, and ensure our longevity in Saint John.” Brad LeBlanc, Chief Entrepreneurial O�cer, The Momentum Group

Did you know?In March, Enterprise Saint John hosted 19 potential immigrant investors from China, Korea, Iran and Vietnam.

M A R C H 2 0 1 1 A C T I V I T Y U P D A T E Inspiring people, ideas & investment

RAISING $ WITH AN OFFERING MEMORANDUM ~ In partnership with the NBSC, this free seminar explains the O�ering Memorandum exemption under NB securities laws.

SALES & MARKETING TRAINING ~ Enterprise Saint John presents Gwen McKay for this free seminar for emerging entrepreneurs, Business Resource Centre.

THE 8TH CATCH THE WAVE TO EMPLOYMENT ~ Employers wishing to participate can contactgorourke@enterprisesj.com

Contact InformationEnterprise Saint John40 King StreetSaint John, NB E2L 1G3

phone 506-658-2877toll tree 1-800-561-2877e-mail info@enterprisesj.comwww.enterprisesj.comwww.saintjohnlifeonyourterms.ca

Join our distribution list info@enterprisesj.comJoin our HR e-letter list gorourke@enterprisesj.com

APR 28 8:30-11AM

JUN 1610-11:30AM

MAY 137:30-9PM

Upcoming Events

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Pitching the Dragons For the third year in a row, Enterprise Saint John hosted the CBC television Dragons' Den Auditions. We spread the word through radio, print, Facebook and Twitter, and on March 3rd a dozen entrepreneurs pitched their creative ideas to make the case for cash. In addition to the great learning experience, we put together “business bags” with business resources and promotional items so no one would walk away empty handed. Jim MacDonald and Rick Gowan, a pair of money-making savvy entrepreneurs have already been invited to the Den in Toronto for a chance to appear in front of the Dragons in Season VI.

clients beyond the initial meeting stage

High School students to entrepreneurship as a career path

Den auditions

Saint John, the KV and Grand Bay-West�eld

mySaintJohn.ca Urban Shoe Myth It’s YOUR Life magazine

facilitated by former client, Teri Woosnam of Diamond Ledgers Bookkeeping

“I am very appreciative for the proactive role that Enterprise Saint John and Contact NB played in facilitating the job fair which had participation from 31 competing companies! We have already hired some great talent and for many, it’s not even a hiccup in their employment. This has helped retain jobs here in our community, even before they began looking elsewhere.” Brian Sypher, Senior Manager, TD Insurance Saint John and President of Contact NB, the provincial association representing contact centres

Inspiring people, ideas & investmentM A R C H 2 0 1 1 A C T I V I T Y U P D A T E

Grand Bay-West�eld Quispamsis Rothesay St. Martins Saint John

“Having the Dragons’ Den auditions at Enterprise Saint John made everything easier and less intimidating. We really appreciate the continued support that Enterprise Saint John has o�ered us as aspiring entrepreneurs.” Dragons’ Den �nalists, Jim MacDonald and Rick Gowan – Rare Earth

Inspirations in information & communications technology (ICT)

What’s up doc?Enterprise Saint John routinely partners with Horizon Health Network in the important task of physician recruitment, introducing prospective physicians to the community and helping break down barriers to employment. Our community connections enable us to host lunches with people of similar interests, coordinate walking tours with volunteers and provide community welcome packages. In 2010 Enterprise Saint John helped attract 27 new

now nearly fully sta�ed which means improved care and reduced wait times.

After spending 10 years outside the province for training, my husband and I were very interested in relocating to my home province of New Brunswick. As a Gastroenterologist and PhD chemist, it was di�cult for us to �nd communities in New Brunswick or elsewhere with job opportunities for both of us. After my interview at the hospital, Enterprise Saint John met with my husband and helped identify potential employers as well as make initial contacts. My husband is now employed at Irving Oil and is in his second week on the job. We are very grateful to Lois Vincent and the rest of the team at Enterprise Saint John for their help. We have just bought a home in Millidgeville and are very pleased to be part of the community.” Lisa McKnight, MD, Division of Gastro-enterology, Saint John Regional Hospital

The March to inspire entrepreneurship

On March 2nd, Enterprise Saint John represented ICT employers at the Technology and Career Fair in Toronto,

week later, Ambir, one of the employers represented, received a whopping 170 resumes to a posting, attributed in large part to the community representation provided by Enterprise Saint John.

When it was announced in early February that 300 employees of the RCI Division of Wyndham Worldwide would be out of a job, Enterprise Saint John sprung into action. We quickly rallied our partner, Contact NB, to assist Wyndham in holding a highly successful job fair on March 17th. Our region contin-ues to have a vibrant contact centre industry, employing 4,200 and Wyndham alone employs over 400.