Usually we hold New Heights in the spring, but this year we’ve decided to experiment with different timing because STC’s current president, Katherine (Kit) Brown-Hoekstra, is coming to Calgary! She will be presenting a half-day workshop for us. If you have started your own business, are thinking of starting a business, or just want to know what is involved, this workshop is for you!
Getting Your Small Business Started
Are you tired of working in a cube farm? Do you want to be your own boss? Or, maybe you just want to make a little money on the side? Have you been freelancing for a while and want to take things to the next level?
Having your own business can give you flexibility, increase your income, and improve your quality of life. But, it’s not for everyone. Join us for an interactive workshop where we will explore what it takes to start your own business, how to stay sane while being self-employed, and identify some common mistakes so that you can avoid them. The workshop includes discussions and exercises. The handouts include strategic questions to ask, a needs-analysis spreadsheet, and other useful tips from Kit.
Workshop Objectives:
At the end of this workshop, you will have the information you need to:
- decide if owning your own business is right for you
- know how to start your own business and which mistakes to avoid
- have a mission statement
- understand where to go from here
Katherine (Kit) Brown-Hoekstra
Kit is a small business owner with over 23 years of experience in technical communication. She is currently the Principal for Comgenesis, LLC, which provides consulting services and training to clients on internationalizing and improving the usability of their documentation, developing a coherent content strategy and content model, and more traditional technical writing and editing services.
Kit is a Fellow of the STC and the 2014-15 Society President. Her STC experience includes stints as ITC SIG manager, two-time chapter president, international publications competition manager, competitions judge at local and international levels, Nominating Committee at the local and society level, book reviewer, article peer reviewer for Technical Communication, guest editor for Intercom, and co-chair of the Global Strategies Task Force. In 2007, she coauthored (with Brenda Huettner and Char James-Tanny) Managing Virtual Teams: Getting the Most from Wikis, Blogs, and Other Collaborative Tools. In addition, she is the former editor of IEEE-PCS News, a contributor to Multilingual, TC World, and Intercom. Kit holds an M.Sc. in Technical Communication and a B.Sc. in Biology, both from Colorado State University.
Workshop Details
- Date: Saturday, November 1, 2014
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Meals: Coffee break, and lunch after the workshop. Note: breakfast is not included. If you have any dietary restrictions, please email Jeanne Gonnason before October 29.
- Location: Innovate Calgary (formerly CTI), 3553 – 31 Street NW, Calgary (Alastair Ross Technology Centre) Plenty of free parking is available and the building is located near Brentwood LRT station (map).
Registration Rates
$150* for STC and affiliate members; $300 for non-members
* If you are a student in a communication program, you MUST present your student ID at the workshop to receive a $50 rebate.
* If you live more than 50 km from Calgary, please pay the full fee and email the Treasurer for $50 reimbursement.
Remember, if you have your own business, or are starting your own business this year, the cost of this workshop is tax deductible.
Questions?
Contact Jeanne Gonnason, New Heights Manager.
