PEI's "Spice Girl" Karen Murray met the original Canadian "Spice Girl," Donna Messer, at the Women in Business Symposium held in mid-October in Charlottetown. The second annual symposium was presented by PEI Business Development, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Development Program for Women and the PEI Businesswomen's Association.
Messer, the creator of Orange Crate, a company that makes blended spice products, was the symposium's keynote speaker. Her company went from a loan of $3,000 to sales of over a million dollars in just over a year. This was great news for Murray, who owns and operates Prince Edward Island Spice Merchants. Messer plans to work with Murray to help create international markets for her gourmet spice blends.
"The benefits of bringing entrepreneurs together to discuss their ideas and challenges are highlighted further when strategic contacts, such as this one, open the door to exciting new business opportunities," said Shawn Murphy, Member of Parliament for Hillsborough, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for ACOA. "ACOA was pleased to support PEI's symposium under the new Women in Business Initiative, which is designed to improve the growth and competitiveness of women-owned business in Atlantic Canada."
"It's great to witness the new relationships being formed at the recent Women in Business Symposium," said Michael F. Currie, Minister of Development and Technology. "Women in business contribute greatly to our provincial economy and it is opportunities such as these that allow women the chance to network with other women to discover new ideas that can help profit and enhance their business potential."
Messer started her spice business in a small Ontario town, and asked her neighbours to bring their expertise into the business for a share of the profits. The neighbours agreed and became contract workers for her company. The company flourished and everyone profited.
"I believe that ‘sell your strengths and buy your weaknesses' is a good piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs," said Messer, the founder of Connect Us Communications Canada, who shared her networking enthusiasm with the many Island businesswomen in attendance at the symposium. "When I started Orange Crate, I had a mentor, a man who knew all about the spice industry, and he shared that knowledge – I look forward to mentoring Karen and sharing what I have learned."
Murray appreciates the parallels between her spice company and the one founded by Messer. "The importance of networking and connecting with people who can help your company is vital to business success," says Murray, who relies on family support as well as other business organizations.
Murray is also the vice-president of the PEI Food & Beverage Processors Association, through which she has been able to network with other small business owners as well as with large multinational ones. "This helps a company appreciate what's involved in running a business, marketing, exporting and more," according to Murray.
The two "spice girls" plan to work together on identifying market opportunities and potential joint ventures with companies that are aligned with Prince Edward Island Spice Merchants.