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PRINCE GEORGE – Being in business can be lonely sometimes.
Especially for home-based entrepreneurs, satellite workers, on-line sales people, or micro-businesses, it is possible to serve hundreds of customers and yet spend most of your day being physically alone. But as human beings, we need to be in touch with others, not just through technology, but face-to-face.
Deep level engagement and the sense of wholeness we feel being around other people, giving and receiving energy and ideas, and interacting emotionally in real time, contributes to innovative thinking and general well-being. Consequently, this can cause people to become more productive in business, especially when it comes to the synergy and awareness that develops through physical proximity to others.
The Chamber plays an important role in Prince George in providing opportunities for business people to congregate. We take pride in giving our members a plethora of choices when it comes to events, workshops, networking sessions, and celebrations. If you want to get out from behind your desk every once in a while, we’d love to be your excuse to do so.
One of the great events that occurred recently, on February 24, was Mentor-to-Mentor hosted by our Chamber, Innovation Central Society and Startup PG. Unlike traditional networking events, Mentor-to-Mentor (M2M) doesn’t involve having to start conversations with strangers on your own by ‘working the room’.
Participants are prompted and prepared to begin conversations in a fun and dynamic way with people from different generations so that they can learn from each other. The roles of mentor and mentee are interchangeable as the event is based on the premise that everyone, no matter what stage of life or in business, has something useful to share with others.
The Mentor-to-Mentor event was held in the NEW Hubspace Community at 1299 3rd Ave in Prince George. The introduction of Hubspace to our business community is another topic all on its own. Best described by the statement on the Hubspace website, “HUBSPACE is MORE than just a building – It’s about modeling the future we want to create.”
But the building, on its own, is impressive; Innovation Central has leased the former Homework building; 5500 sq. ft. on the corner of Third Ave and Quebec. It is a fresh, bright and open-concept space where people can co-work as monthly or permanent tenants or by renting a hot desk on a daily or weekly basis. They also have other larger meeting spaces for rent. Hubspace offers some innovative options for entrepreneurs who want to tap into the possibilities and benefits of shared co-working.
Between the Chamber and the Hubspace Community, there are many options for business people who don’t want to be so lonely in business in Prince George. Whether they join an event or rent a hot desk, the modern business person will enjoy being surrounded by the energy and support of other entrepreneurs and business people in the community.
– Christie Ray is the CEO of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at christie.ray@pgchamber.bc.ca.