Local woman to head new program

Angela Halvorsen is more than pleased with her recent appointment as Northern Ventures Officer for the Rainy River Future Development Corp. here.
The Northern Ventures Initiative is a new program funded by FedNor to help women, youth (age 30 and under), and aboriginal entrepreneurs overcome the unique difficulties they face raising equity to start a business.
“I found out officially on Dec. 1 that I had gotten the job,” Halvorsen said. “I had put my application in and when I found out I had gotten the position, I was very excited.”
With a background in culture and business negotiations, Halvorsen feels right at home in her new position.
“In my last position as a program co-ordinator, I got to do some work with youth and the business network,” she recalled. “So I do feel like I have had some experience in the position already.
“I am really very happy about this new position because I am getting the chance to expand. Now I get to work more closely with people, which is something I really like,” she enthused.
As the Northern Ventures Officer, Halvorsen will be responsible for assisting people with their business ideas–something she is looking forward to doing.
“Basically there are three steps that a person will go through,” she explained. “The first step would be to get the information they would need about starting up their own business.
“The second step would be to get some one-on-one assistance and guidance about what steps they will need to take,” she continued. “The final step is financing.
“We are capable of financing someone $125,000. So if someone comes in with a dream, there is a good chance they are going to be walking away with it,” Halvorsen said.
Although she has been specifically assigned to assist youth, women, and aboriginal entrepreneurs, Halvorsen made it clear she will not turn away others who may want to open a business but don’t fit the criteria.
“I am not going to shut the door on anyone,” she stressed. “If someone who is 31 comes in and tells me they want to start a business, I will do the best I can to help them.
“My goal is just to help people achieve the goal they have set for themselves.”
At 27, Halvorsen feels very fortunate to be in the position at such a young age–and to be able to help people achieve their dreams.
“I feel very lucky that I will be able to help people,” she remarked.
“There was a recent study done by FedNor that found women, youth, and aboriginal people had a very hard time overcoming some obstacles on their way to owning their own business,” Halvorsen said.
“Through this program, I will be able to help people get a business loan or equity so they can get their business up and running.”
And Halvorsen is very pleased with the response she’s gotten just two months into the job.
“Everything has been going really great so far,” she remarked. “I have really begun to feel more and more familiar with the job. I have had the chance to work with some clients and so far everything seems to be going well.”
Along with the excitement that comes with a new job, Halvorsen also is looking forward to some upcoming programs and services that will be offered through the Northern Ventures Initiative.
“We are going to offer a variety of different things to the public,” she noted. “One of the things will be focus groups for business owners. We take a group of local business people and they evaluate your business and tell you the things they like and dislike about it.
“It is not to pick you apart, it is just to help.”
The program also will be holding video lunches for clients, as well as franchise seminars.
“These services will be made available to our clients so that they can learn the ins and outs of opening their own business,” said Halvorsen. “They will be able to ask questions and get informative answers.
“I think that is the best way to help the client–by letting them speak to other business owners to see what is involved in starting up your own business.
“I am very glad that we are able to give people the opportunity to do that.”