Marshall W. Driver
Cremation & Burial Service

I was told by a friend if you are starting a business, GoVenture is the program to take. That friend was right. The knowledge and support that you receive from Donna and the excellent guest speakers are invaluable.

You get a chance to network with a diverse group of wonderful people and a special bond seems to develop with a commitment to support each other. Thanks Donna for your ongoing support!!

Judy McKechnie
Residential & Commercial Sales Representative
Century 21 B.J. Roth Realty Ltd

Congratulations on yet another group of people that are making the right choice to join Go Venture. I am a believer; the sessions have really helped both my business and personal life...

It is incredible how many people I have met and done business with as a result of Go Venture. Whatever one needs, there is almost always a Go Venture member to get the job done. There have been very few times that it was necessary to go out of the Go Venture circle to get things accomplished whether the needs are business or personal. I will continue to use my contact sheets to pursue Go Venture members first and my hope is that eventually Go Venture will feel comfortable using me in return. Donna, your passion for life is an inspiration, I am blessed to have met you and will continue to highly recommend Go Venture to people I come into contact with.

Jean Bamford
A Smart Move

Go Venture was truly my first and best investment in my business! I thoroughly enjoyed each class, and highly recommend the program! I am very thankful to Donna for teaching me many important business skills, and giving

me the benefit of her extensive business, marketing and networking knowledge.She took me from someone who had a dream but no idea of what to do next, and brought me to the place of confidence in myself and my skills. The business contacts that she makes available to you are invaluable! Donna and the whole Go Venture group give such encouragement and support! My business is now well on its way to success! Keep up the good work, Donna!

Go Venture 8 Participants
Carious Business Owners

Go Venture 8 Participants recently completed their trainng. They were asked what Go Venture had given them. Here are just a few relies...

What did Go Venture GIVE you??

• The knowledge to go forth and pursue my dreams.
  Peggy Raymer
• Friendships, practice and a sense that I can make it all happen. If it is to be, it's up to me!
  Tina Hamilton
• Friendships, fun, and knowledge that I needed to add the spark and enthusiasm to my businbess venture.
  Nancy Potter

Dwayne & Ryan
Orillia Premier Truck & Trailer

I just wanted to say thank-you for your support. You really gave Dwayne the courage to get moving on this business. Your assistance and support is more appreciated then you will ever know.

Dwayne and Ryan were so excited yesterday, they registered a name already. Orillia Premier Truck & Trailer, it's official we are moving forward. (HURRAY)

Adam MacBain
A-GAME Athleticwear

Over the years I have taken many business classes, workshops and seminars, and I even have a special business diploma from the high school I attended.

However as a first time entrepreneur I can honestly say that the Go-Venture program has taught me more in the short time Ive been a member then all of the rest combined. It addresses many crucial aspects of any business such as bookkeeping, advertising, and time management, as well as many other valuable business tools that no successful business should go without. The Go Venture program also offers its members the opportunity to network in a friendly relaxed environment and to build valuable long lasting business to business contacts with in the community.

The Go venture program is easily the best investment I have made in my business to date. Its also worth noting that Donna Douglas herself is very warm and caring person, she really makes herself accessible to the program members. Aside from being a fountian of business knowledge she genuinely wants to see each and every business she is involved with not only succeed but reach its full potential. I wouldnt hesitate in recommending the Go Venture program to any business owner.

Barbara Stuhlemmer - President
Clear Comm Information Design

I really enjoyed our dance card the previous week. I still have many names that you gave me to contact, but I have to say, you are three for three for the things I asked for.

I told you I needed a contact to Resonance Ltd, you gave me Larry McLean. I told you I needed a Technical Writer and you had Maureen¹s contact information, and then I told you I needed a new car and you gave me Schmidt and Shaw.

I read your articles and then made my calls. I had a wonderful meeting with Larry. He is so personable and passionate about his business. I¹m sure we will have some business together in the near future. I had a great meeting with Maureen. She is exactly what I need and we hit it off immediately. I went in to see Mike or Ted and ended up talking to Bill, who was the gentleman that sold your daughter her Echo. I sold my old car and got my new (used) Subaru. It was a great week all around. Your program opens minds and your name opens doors.

I feel that I am constantly saying this to you, but it must be said "Thank you again".

Rob Newman, CMA
Newman Accounting Solutions

I have found Go Venture to be very worthwhile both from a growth perspective and from a business perspective.

Essentially the program is twice a month, 30 people in

the room, and you do your infomercial and then there is a speaker. It is $600 for 10 months and you can pay over ten months which I have done. Every now and then you will have a joint session with the GV group before you and after you so you have a chance to meet 60 more people.

I have found that some of the sessions were very helpful, such as the one on equipment financing (that is where I found out where I could lease my computer) or disability insurance I had not thought about. The networking is great - everyone puts their card in a hat on the way in and then everyone gets to pull one out and you arrange to meet with the person whose card you have pulled (a dance card). I have met some terrific people this way.

Nathalie Picotte
RMT and Reiki Master
Manatherapie

I have learned a lot from Go Venture so far but the most beautiful about it is that I get to know other people in the same business situation as me. I don't feel alone anymore but supported and that always gives me new ideas and energy. That alone

would be enough, but Go Venture does a lot more. "AMAZING NETWORKING" And the result of that amazing networking is 6 new customers and more to come. Without forgetting how lucky I am to be able to meet amazing persons doing amazing work. Now I know where to find everything me or my family might need in a near future.

Go Venture is definitely a HUGE help for any type of business. I already recommended it to different business owners and I will continue to do so.

Lorna Nemeth
Assured Response CPR & First Aid Training
lorna@assuredresponse.com

Seven months ago I would not have believed that I would be in business for myself. I had no history in marketing, accounting, sales, government regulations, not to mention confidence in myself.

Go Venture and Donna have given me all the tools I need to turn an idea into a tremendous success. Go Venture informs, educates, supports and nurtures my business from the ground up. The quality and accessibility of all Go Venture speakers has been 1st rate. The amount of knowledge and confidence gained through Go Venture has been invaluable.

Not only do I have a new business but with the relationships I’ve built through Go Venture, I have a new extended family.

Susanne Hemet,
efx wizard
Good news! I got a message from a client in the U.S. to whom I had
submitted a huge Search Engine Optimization proposal. Out of 9 companies bidding, I got the contract! Apparently, my proposal was clear, concise, covered everything the client was interested in. I owe my

success to Go Venture and, especially in this case, the session on Quotes & Contracts.
Thanks, Donna!

Jacquelynn A. McNall R.M.T.
Tranquility Relaxation / Theraputic Massage AND A Mother's Touch
Before Go Venture, I was working full time behind a government counter.

Brandy Brass-Rafeek
Owner/Instructor Sweet Signs
Donna, I want to thank you for Go Venture! Since I began last Fall my business has grown to a whole new level. You taught me how important it was to make my business look as professional as I thought it was! I never realized the importance of simple things like a business line and a web site! You also taught me the importance of networking! What an invaluable resource that is!!

I learned something valuable in every single class.

Even if it wasn't from the speaker it was from being with all of the other business owners. I came away from every class with an idea how to make my business better!

You always made me feel good about my business. There are times when we all feel that we are crazy to do what we are doing but you have always encouraged me and believed in me! That has meant more to me than anything else! Thank you for everything and I hope we keep in touch!

Gail Clark
Independent Living Solutions Inc.
Donna, we have in you and Go Venture, ‘Oprah’ for the entrepreneur! Thank you for the wisdom, knowledge, practicality and pitfalls you’ve taught and shared with us. You tell it like it really is. You’ve nurtured our dreams and our spirit. Priceless!

The networking opportunity Go Venture provides is fantastic. You give us the necessary tools to succeed. There’s not a book on the market that can give what Go Venture gives to the entrepreneur. It’s incredible what I didn’t know but thought I did! Ignorance is not bliss in business, only an expensive business blunder.
Since taking Go Venture I have seen my dream of owing my own business come to life. You have empowered me with information that allows me to make intelligent business choices and decisions. Go Venture truly has been my ‘best first business investment’. Thank you Donna!

I now have the confidence in myself to go out and promote my business in a professional manner. Another benefit of Go Venture was meeting many fellow entrepreneurs who were going through or had gone through some of the road blocks that I was experiencing, and that support system was very helpful along the way. Overall, it was an excellent business decision which will continue to work for me even after the classes are done!

Malinda P. Revie
STUDIO dpi
Go Venture was a wonderful experience for myself and developing my business. Its hard enough starting a small business and Go Venture provided not only great information and resources to help me manage and grow my business but also I made some great friends.

People that knew exactly what I was going through and could relate to my ups and downs.

The personal support and encouragement I’ve received from Donna Douglas has been wonderful. It feels so good to know that even on your worst days there is still someone out there that’s routing for your success. I have often told other people thinking of starting a small business in Barrie that ‘you can’t start a small business in Barrie if you don’t know Donna Douglas’ the information and resources she can provide are invaluable.

Jennifer James
Dabbler Design
I would like to express my gratitude for all that you have shown me over the past 11 months. Upon arriving at my first class, I was shy and uncertain of my potential to succeed in the world of self employment. All I really wanted to do was paint and create mosaic designs for people to enjoy.

Through the sessions, I have gained not only the confidence to go forward into self employment, but the knowledge of where to start in order to succeed. Thank you for compiling the information and resources as well as sharing your experiences and expertise regarding small business, networking and supporting each other to get to our goals. I am looking forward to painting, decorating and tiling my way into the future.

Dr. Angie Meyer
Cafe of Life Chiropractic Studio
Go Venture is a wonderful program. I appreciate the time, energy, heart and soul you put into the program and the participants. Thank you for the inspiration AND empowerment!

Fiona Rooney,
Psychotherapist
Go Venture has been the best investment I have made so far in my business. As a result of Go Venture, I have learned how to put together a 60 second introduction that works, how to build a trade show booth.

How to talk to people at a trade show, how to make the telephone work for me, how to create effective legal contracts, how to do pricing, basic bookkeeping and taxation and what types of insurance I needed. Another important aspect of Go Venture is that all of the people who present these topics are also entrepreneurs in their respective fields, so even though I may not remember, or understand, everything about bookkeeping, for example, I have a name, phone number and a previous meeting with someone who can help me whenever I feel stuck.

I also want to mention that the support of the group itself has been instrumental for me. The group itself is also a great source of referrals and I have the opportunity to meet with every person in my group to find out about their business and they too have the same opportunity to meet with me. This way we are able to refer for each other.

I would not be nearly as effective in running my business, without Go Venture.

Carolyn Adams Consulting Partner
People-fx

When I started Go Venture I was nervous and shy as well as lacking in knowledge in the many areas of business that are not my specialty.

J.K.Bond
Negative Impact Photography
I only started attending Go Venture a few weeks ago, and have yet to go to a class that I do not learn something new, relevent and helpful. And have already started doing business with other members of Go Venture that had just the services I needed, and vice-versa.

I am not only learning "Business" in the classroom, but am learning more about MY business after class from others in the program that are in the same line of business as me.

I am feeling much more confident about starting my business, and can only imagine how much confidence I will gain by the end of the program.

Kory Hopkins
Decent Exposure Media
I have the privilege of knowing Donna Douglas as a business mentor, a coworker, a client and as a good friend. When Donna delivered the

federal government's self employment program, (through which I launched my business in 1996) she did so with an eye to bringing the entrepreneurs together, sharing their success, inspiring and motivating one another. For me, being a part of that "family" was the most effective, important part of the program.

It's also the basis for Go Venture. Several times a month, Donna brings 25 entrepreneurs together..to learn, share, celebrate and to be motivated by each other's successes and challenges. There is no other program like it, and there's no other person who could deliver it as effectively.

Donna, you are one of a kind!!

In a nutshell, Go Venture has provided me with a wealth of new information about business, people, and also about myself as a person. The network of resources has been invaluable. It was impossible to leave a session and not acquire some new and important bit of information that has optimized my business skills and added to the overall success of my business.

Thank you Donna, for all that you have shared with us! As a member of Go Venture #1, it was great to be part of your first investment in your new business venture and you in mine! An adventurous beginning to a successful future!

If you are just starting a business, or if you are already in operation, Go Venture is definitely your best, first investment!

Susan Cronje
Director, EHSS Consultants Inc.
Go Venture has been a good business investment for EHSS Consultants Inc as it has enabled us to tackle the many issues of starting up a business with direction and guidance.

The program set out by Go Venture addressed the various concerns we had in our start-up year. The program provides an extensive curriculum on topics such as loans, leases; GST /PST; insurances; promotions; graphic design; accounting; time management; pricing, hiring; media coverage; trade show booths; quotes & contracts; avoiding bad debt; business plans; etc. Over the course of 40 weeks we have received advice from experts in these many areas enabling us assess our current situation and then apply this knowledge according to our own business needs.

In addition to obtaining expert advice EHSS Consultants Inc. has also had the benefit of meeting regularly with many small business owners sharing similar concerns. EHSS Consultants Inc. has utilized many of these small businesses to expand and/or improve upon our current business creating a win, win situation.

Go Venture is definitely worth the time and money as it continues to enhance our business daily. Donna Douglas, the person responsible for the development and delivery of this program brings a wealth of knowledge having been self-employed for many years herself. It is her understanding and wonderful personality that contributes to the success of Go Venture.

Darryl Culley
Emergency Management & Training
I have dreamed of being on my own for many years now. Twenty years ago I drew a diagram of an office that was my own. But it all seemed to be just to far out to ever come true.

Who would have guessed when I joined Go Venture 10 months ago that I would be giving up a secure, well paying J-O-B. Although I loved the work and loved the people I work with, it was still a JOB, working for someone else. I craved independence and freedom.

After 17 months of taking a business success course at $200 per session, you told me about this course you were running. I didn’t give it too much credit at $25 per session but I figured I didn’t have anything to loose. I was pretty sceptical and then the first thing to come up was “dance cards”. But I respected you and knew I had to give it a chance. Who knew that Go Venture, your advice and your support would help me to make one of the biggest decisions in my life. To quit my j-o-b.

It was a very emotional moment at Go Venture when I announced that I had quit and there was this tremendous cheer. I couldn’t have imagined the support and encouragement I have gained from this course. The friendships and contacts that have come about have been amazing.

Thank you. It almost sounds to simple, but the words are heart felt and sincere. Thank you. You have changed my life… for freedom, independence, and the opportunity to build something that is truly mine.

Linda Gibson,
M.Ed.
I started out with Go Venture in February 2004. I was a quiet shy person, but as time progressed, I was able to feel comfortable talking to a group of people about my business. Many thanks for encouraging me to do this, and I know you saw this in me right away.

I really enjoyed networking with all the individuals, and being with the group for so long puts a human spin to it. We grew to know each other well, and members of this group have shared their educational difficulties with me. It is nice to go about the community and run into a member of Go Venture.

You have provided us with information about the many facets to a business in your enthusiastic manner. We all know that we have each other and of course you as a resource when we are in the process of conducting our businesses. However, I think the most important thing you gave us, is the permission to dream. You enabled us to voice our dreams, and that is a big accomplishment!! Many thanks.