Meena Sandhu knows what it takes to make a business thrive. As a Regional Marketing and Sales Manager for ING Direct, she helps bring vital resources and information to women business-owners throughout Vancouver. We met her at the CRAVE 2010 Symposium and decided we needed to pick her brain just a little bit more. Here, we talk to Meena about her role providing assistance to entreprenesses and her tips for creating a business to CRAVE.
How does ING Direct support women entrepreneurs?
We’ve targeted individuals and small businesses. We do a lot of workshops and classes offered, for example budgeting and savings workshops and sometimes have special speakers. And we’ve found that women are much more receptive to our workshops. We get a lot of response from women and they are very much engaged. ING Direct used to have a partnership with Smart Cookies. They also rent out their boardrooms to different companies. All these workshops and classes are complimentary, no charge.
What did you enjoy most about being a part of the CRAVE Symposium 2010?
I just thought it was a great opportunity to meet all these women in various aspects of the business world. Saw a network forming that you just know was going to continue, very motivational and great for everybody. Sharing of knowledge was the most important part of the symposium I would say. It was very beneficial and really, a great thing.
What are the top 5 tips you have for women who own their own business?
1. Women need to let their brand represent their own personalities. If they are the brand they will be most successful.
2. Always great to write mission statement, vision and values. Although it’s in your head, it’s always good to have it as a reference point to keep your vision always close to you.
3. Use the resources that are available to them like Bizplan pro and Quickbooks. These are all low or no cost resources that make the administrative side of a business so much easier. Don’t need to do all the admin work themselves.
4. Always set a budget and make sure you always set aside at least 10% for miscellaneous. That’s one of the smartest things to do in regards to financial planning.
5. Have fun and share knowledge with others and inspire one another between various small businesses. It’s truly one of the greatest things about being a business owner.




Jennifer Trecartin knows the science behind what we put in our bodies – and has started her business making sure others can understand it too for their own health benefits. Our 




