Retreat
Do You Want to Work With an Online
Business Expert for Two Days in Ottawa?
Your Opportunity Has Arrived…
From the Desk of Erin Blaskie
Hello Fellow Virtual Assistant!
I’m so glad you’ve arrived here to my personal invitation page for my Mentorship & Retreat Program for entrepreneurs worldwide.
My name is Erin Blaskie and I’ve been an entrepreneur and online business owner since 2004. In the five years that I have been doing this virtually, I have accumulated a lot of experience, expertise and industry know-how that has helped catapult my solo practice of five figures to one with sixteen team members and six-figures.
This mentorship program however is NOT about me. I’ll share with you some of my own successes and how I have attained them (and when you work with me, you’ll get ALL of my secrets) but I want to reiterate that this is not about me.
It’s about you. You and your future.
Warning: Before You Go Any Further
If Reading About Success & How You Can
Become Uber-Successful Causes Fear or Anxiety
Do NOT Read Any Further
Fact: The survival rate for business start-ups is 66% in the first two years, 49.6% in the first four years and only 39.5% in the first six years. (Source: SBA, "Small Business by the Numbers")
–> 1/2 of all small businesses will not see their third anniversary.
Fact: On average, small-business owners work 52 hours per week. (Source: Wells Fargo / Gallup Small Business Index)
–> And this is primarily once you HAVE clients and do not need to spend extra hours marketing and finding your clients.
Fact: Home-based businesses generate over $14 million annually in the US alone. (Source: IDC, "US Home Office 2004-2008 Forecast")
–> There is unlimited earning potential here.
Improve Your Survivability by Advancing
Your Business to the Same Place as a
Fifth Year Business…
Imagine if you will that you’ve opened your business (or you’ve been running it for awhile) and it’s just not looking hopeful.
You’re working yourself into the ground, you don’t have good work / life balance, the clients come from time to time but it isn’t consistent, nothing is steady and you’re fearful that if it continues, you’ll be forced to get a J-O-B.
Then, you meet someone who has not only been in a small, home-based business for over five years but someone who has done exactly what you are doing today.
Now imagine that this person is offering to spend two days with you — getting you up to speed on all areas of your business so you don’t have to waffle or wade through the possibilities.
Well, that’s just what this opportunity is all about and why this invitation is being extended to you.
Skyrocketing Your Business to Success
Never Looked So Good or Was
Made So Simple
The Mentorship & Retreat Program is a way for you to work with someone who has industry know-how, someone who utilizes both right-brained and left-brained thinking and work with someone who GETS YOU.
I’m not just another coach launching another coaching program. I recognized that there is just not enough intimate resources available to entrepreneurs who take their businesses seriously.
Too many of the business products and services out there treat the entrepreneur as if they are only doing this as an alternative to a job… or worse, they are just trying to capitalize on an industry that is in dire need of information yet they are missing the mark on delivery.
The Retreat focuses on the following key areas:
- Reviewing where you’ve been and what you’ve learned thus far. (You can’t move forward without looking to the past first…)
- Analyzing where you want to go into the future and what your goals are. (Running a business without direction is like swimming without limbs.)
- Moving through all of your current systems to see if there are any holes or inefficiences and putting the proper corrections in place.
- Brainstorming your internet marketing strategy and your plan for the next year.
- Coming up with your USP - unique selling proposition and determing your niche.
- Discussing at length any area of your business that you foresee having issues and then coming up with strategies to avoid those issues.
- And so much more…
Having someone to help you do all of the above is something I didn’t have when I started my business. Although I had great mentors to look at and replicate, I didn’t have someone who was willing to work in MY business at a low rate (most people charge $5-12K per retreat session).
You can take an easier path than I did. Having a mentor is something that you NEED in your business to succeed. You can learn from the mistakes of others and you can replicate their success.
Strategic Visioning is Only One
of the Areas You’ll Receive
Business
Enlightenment In
This retreat is setup to be an amazing two days filled with tools and knowledge from many different areas and different schools of thought.
One of the tools we’ll use is a strategic visioning process that is adapted from The Grove Consultants. We’ll be using some of The Grove’s tools to do some Strategic Visioning with you!
This work is highly targeted and highly engaging. This is not two days of me spouting information AT you but rather us coming up with ideals, tactics and strategies that suit YOU.
The Grove tools and process is just one of the tools we will use during our time together. We’ll also spend a lot of time in a very practical manner – hovering over the computer and diving into everything you’ve got…
How This Entrepreneur Got Her Groove
& How She Continued Creating Success
Story After Success Story
(and How You Can Too!)
When I was sixteen years old, I had this idea to start a locally based business providing small administrative tasks to local businesses. My idea was simple, create some flyers stating what I was good at, pass them out and wait by the phone for orders.
I got distracted however (as most sixteen year olds do) by a job opportunity at the local ice cream shop where we could eat as much ice cream as we wanted and where all of the cute neighborhood guys hung out… Home office or cool hangout… You know what my sixteen year old brain chose.
A few years later, I was sitting at a coffee shop with my sister and a good friend. I pitched to them my idea that I had when I was sixteen… Only this time it didn’t involve flyers and there was no tempting ice cream job calling.
The girls thought it was awesome and sitting there at the table, we came up with a name and ideas for services and the website. I worked with another friend learning as much HTML as I could to put together my very first website. Within two weeks, Business Services ETC was launched.
The best part was… within six months my practice was entirely filled up and I was able to quit my job as a private college instructor and move into virtual assistant full-time.
The next few years in business moved effortlessly and I was amazed every single day at the success I was seeing come into my business and my life.
Some of the notables include:
- Appearing on ABC News
- Appearing in the Ottawa Citizen (our major newspaper)
- Being chosen as runner-up for Business Woman of the Year by Office Arrow.
- Purchasing my very first dream car – a BMW 128i Convertible.
- Providing information and expertise for three print books – "Becoming an Online Business Manager", "The AWE Guide to Emerging Trends in 2009" and "My So-Called Freelance Life".
- Being interviewed by Chatelaine magazine (major Canadian magazine)
- Provided guest expertise on teleseminars and tele-interviews with countless gurus in the industry.
- Being asked to speak at the Forum on Virtual Assistance and being invited back as a full-day session facilitator.
- Building and growing a six-figure business with sixteen team members.
- Being able to travel and work – doing a three-week European vacation.
- And so much more…
I’ve done all of this in less than five years with very little guidance. I’ve "cracked the code" so to speak and I want you to do the same.
My successes aren’t shared to say "Ooo, ooo, look at me" but rather to illustrate to you the potential that this kind of business and industry have. This is NOT an alternative to a job but rather an opportunity for you to grow something beyond your wildest dreams.
The Who’s, The What’s, The Where’s
This retreat takes place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The city is north of New York State and is our nation’s capital city.
The city is widely known for its government and high-tech sectors and features a classy, sophisticated feel amidst a city that is not too big and not too small…
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Here are some quick Ottawa facts for you:
- Population – 1 Million
- Languages – English & French
- Currency – The Canadian Dollar
- Temperatures – Record high of 37.8C (100F) and low of -38.9C (-38F)
- We have the world’s largest skating rink officially – The Rideau Canal
- Ottawa has the highest per capita concentration of engineers, scientists and residents with PhDs in Canada.
All retreat participants will have rooms booked for two nights at the glorious and world-renowned Fairmont Chateau Laurier which looks like a castle (this fact is still never lost on me regardless of how many times I drive by it!).
The rooms here are in an amazing location (right in the heart of downtown) and are easy to get to from the airport should renting a car be a preference of yours.
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Participants will receive as part of their retreat a Mentorship & Retreat Binder which will contain mini maps (strategic visioning) and lots of worksheets that are customized to their businesses.
You’ll also get to choose some of our custom training to include as part of your package. This will allow you to further your training in any areas that you need a little more "comfort" with.
You can also choose from one of these exciting evenings out (based on availability and season).
These events are designed to give you an Ottawa experience and a Canadian experience.
(Note: These evenings are optional so you don’t need to choose one but they are a part of your retreat package should you want to also spend one evening doing something fun and that the city has to offer!)
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Hockey Night in Canada Depending on the season, we can go and see our local NHL hockey team – the Ottawa Senators – in action. The thrill of seeing a hockey game in Canada is unlike seeing it in other parts of the world… Trust me! |
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A Night at the Arts Center The National Arts Center of Canada features amazing ballets, musicals and other theatre-type events. We also have concerts that play here in a very intimate venue. Depending what’s on, we can choose an event! |
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Ice Skating on the Rideau Canal This is truly an Ottawa experience (and a Canadian one!) The Rideau Canal is the world’s LARGEST ice skating rink and we can go and spend some time on it! We’ll grab hot chocolate, Beaver Tails and get bundled up! |
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An Evening at the National Arts Gallery of Canada Our national arts gallery features amazing art in many different categories. The architecture of the building alone is enough to be admired. |
As you can see, this is not just a "come and learn everything you can" type of event… This entire experience is setup for you to FEEL what it feels like to own a business that is setup for success and for you to BUILD the confidence you need to take that big business out into the world.
This is an investment in yourself. One that also doubles as a business expense for tax write-offs… Believe me, this is one perk you SHOULD take advantage of!
But… But… But… The Recession!
Recession schmasession… Ok, I’m not that naive to the fact that the economy is experience a little downtime (it’s burnt out and resting is all – it’ll be back with a vengeance) HOWEVER this is actually the BEST time you can do this.
Why?!?
Well… think about this. While the economy is having a nap, you can build your business, get publicity, do all of the groundwork AND bring on clients who are not affected so that by the time this recession is over, you are READY and ABLE to service all of those clients who need immediate help.
The recession has not affected my business due to a few different things I’ve put in place in my business… which I will share with you when you come to Ottawa.
Frequently Asked Questions About
the Mentorship Retreat
How do I know if I am a perfect fit for this retreat?
If you are serious about your business (and not just doing it as a hobby) and you want to improve what you have and are willing to be flexible and open to change, then you are a good fit.
You also should own or are launching an online business as that is our primary focus.
When does it take place and how can I check timing?
The retreat is done at a time that is convenient to you granted we have availability during that time. To check availability, please send an e-mail to info@bsetc.ca.
If your travel dates are flexible, time will be arranged once you purchase your package.
Where is Ottawa and what are the travel requirements?
Ottawa is based in Ontario, Canada.
You will need a valid passport to travel to Canada but otherwise, no other travel documents are required from the US (please check with your own country to verify individual country needs).
As with all business travel, when you come to Ottawa, you simply tell border officials that you are coming to attend a conference or workshop and not coming to provide a service or earn money in this country.
What will the retreat cover?
The two day retreat is focused entirely on YOUR business. We will work through a guided map and we will also incorporate some strategic visioning strategies using training and tools from The Grove.
This retreat is for people who are serious about improving their business or working hard on their vision, their dream and defining goals.
Yes, Yes, Yes! I Want to Come to Ottawa
& Participate in Two Amazing Days of
Mentorship with Erin BlaskieGreat! Excellent! Fabulous! (I get excited when passionate people meet convinction… Beautiful things happen!)
The retreat can be purchased using the links below – be sure to read both options as one might just be the option you are looking for!
Option One – 1 Person Retreat, 2 Days
The cost of this retreat is $1,997 and includes:
- Two-day business retreat (eight hours each day) with Erin
- Two nights booked at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier
- Evening out on first full day together (dinner, activities, etc. included)
- Lunches are included for both days
- Full binder of resources including material from some of our custom training programs!
- Free entry for one year into the Build & Grow Your Mentorship program
Option Two – 2 Person Retreat, 2 Days
(Buddy up with another entrepreneur and save!)The cost of this retreat is $2,997 total ($1498.50 each) and includes:
- Two-day business retreat (eight hours each day) with Erin and your guest
- Two nights booked at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier (shared accomodations)
- Evening out on first full day together (dinner, activities, etc. included)
- Lunches are included for both days
- Two full binders of resourcesincluding material from some of our custom training programs!
- Two free entries for one year into the Build & Grow Your Mentorship program
I hope to see your request come through and for us to begin the planning phase of you visiting Ottawa. I want nothing more than to be able to spread the knowledge that I have and share the wealth. I hope we can do that together.
If you have any questions, please e-mail me at erin@bsetc.ca and I’d be happy to setup a time to chat by phone with you about the retreat.
To your online business success,
Erin Blaskie
http://www.ErinBlaskie.comP.S. — Wondering about payment plans? We have them … just drop us an e-mail to erin@bsetc.ca and we’ll send you details!
