Crowd Funding for small business

Big companies like Harley-Davidson use crowd sourcing for their commercial ideas and there are a ton of crowd funding opportunities for non profits and community based fundraisers, but there have not been many platforms for small business to gain extra funding, or exposure to people who might be able to help their small business grow.

Community Futures is where I got my funding for my business.
They offer a ton of mentoring and services that one can access even if you do not get funded by them.

They offer all sorts of services like business plan writing, grant writing and have courses you can take on marketing and other aspects of being in business.

Here in Grande Prairie we have a great team that is headed up by Holly Sorgen and their help and support not to mention the training and support they have provided to my business have been invaluable.

Recently I was sent an information packet on Alberta BoostR. It's a brand new Crow Funding platform for small business and it is a joint effort of the Chambers of Commerce of Alberta, Community Futures and Alberta Treasury Branch.

Since I would like to upgrade the video cameras I have to use for our upcoming TV show "Ride Like a Local" I decided to give the platform a try.

The team of gals running the AlbertaBoostr site offer great support to help you set up your campaign - they have an interview over the phone with you. They discuss your funding needs and write a "story" for you about what you are doing and why you would like support.

They help you decide what perks you are going to offer to the people who "Boost" your business with a donation and they provide you with tools to promote and generally just hold your hand through the process.

They also along with ATB Financial, the Chamber of Commerce and Community Futures tweet and Facebook about your campaign and do what they can to draw attention to your small business.

Even though it's brand new - the platform is already gaining some traction for 3 small business in Grande Prairie (we here in GP are the first city that AlbertaBoostR is being rolled out in.)

The platform has one limitation - if you do not raise ALL of the funds you are asking for - you don't get any of the funds. The people who pledge to donate do not get charged and you don't send out any perks.

That said, it is another wonderful way to get exposure for your small business - even if you end up not getting the funding you were hoping for.

I dove in head first - and with the help of Chett, Tina and Leah got my campaign decided on and built in about 2 and a half days from start to finish.

My campaign is for TV quality video cameras. I would like to get a new Sony - Journalist in a Backpack kit and 3 new Drift Ghost Cameras and the appropriate accessories for my bike.

We have a new TV series about Motorcycling in Canada starting later this summer on Eastlink TV.
It's community programming - there is no pay in it for me, but there will be phenomenal exposure for the the charities, the small businesses and yes, my business.

I currently have two Drift Stealths and one HD170 - as I said, they are decent quality but the technology available int he latest version is so superior.

Here is a link to my AlbertaBoostR Campaign.  I would appreciate you considering our small business for a boost - we have some great perks to offer you in return...and if you are a fellow small business owner and need some support - why not give AlbertaBoostR a try - what have you got to loose?
The platform is going to roll out across the province very soon.

BELT DRIVE BETTY'S ALBERTA BOOSTR CAMPAIGN

I appreciate your taking the time to look at my campaign and am looking forward to purchasing the cameras that will help my business tell the stories of the Canadian motorcycle riding community.

In other news...

We have a columnist from Nova Scotia named Medric "Cous" Cousineau.  He is also known as SeaDawg the Magic Man.

Medric has suffered from PTSD for over 25 years as a result of his service to our country.
He will be walking with his service dog Thai - from Eastern Passage NS to Ottawa raising funds for 50 dogs in 50 days for 50 veterans.

His message?  Service Dogs work better than drug therapy in the treatment of PTSD so why won't Ottawa consider funding them?  Why do veterans have to pay for their service dogs with no support from the government? Drugs are covered - why not service dogs?

Medric and his service dog Thai are being featured in a documentary called "Working Dogs" that will air on Eastlink TV on May 5th.

Visit Medric's site to find out more about his mission: www.pawsfurthought1.com

Join his Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paws-Fur-Thought/165464803600780 - to show him support and when the time comes - please consider opening your wallet to support his walk to Ottawa and or his mission of raising the funds for 50 dogs for 50 vets.

My National Conga called "Bikers United in Remembrance" will be donating 25% of the money we raise to support Medric and Thai in their quest - and there is a fundraiser called the Hillbilly Scavenger Hunt - held in to the Toronto area that will be supporting Medric and Thai in their quest to see other veterans get the supports they need to reclaim their lives.

There are two requests for support on this page - if you can only help out with one cause - then please
SUPPORT MEDRIC AND THAI...

Have a great day everyone - I leave you with a few funnies, shared with me by friends on Facebook and via email...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

The tragedy of what some people do to themselves

I had a friend who knows Jeff go by JB's Custom Colors in Kamloops BC yesterday to see my tins up close and personal to see what had been done. Besides the one photo I had gotten of the fairing - I had no idea if any of the base paint had been done or what was going on.

I got the call from my buddy that Jeff was incoherent, ranting and raving like a lunatic and not making any sense. There didn't appear to be anyone working except one young man.

And sadly none of the work appears to have been done on my bike save the fairing.
If you read my previous post on this topic you'll know I was deeply disappointed by what I saw.

Apparently my friend Jeff does not exist anymore.

Apparently he looks like the walking dead with wild eyes and that can mean only a few things.
He's either become hooked on booze or drugs or both.

I am told he is super skinny and a babbling mess.

That my friends makes me sadder than my tins not being done and it explains a lot of the frustrations I have experienced with Jeff.

It all makes sense now.

Today my friend is going to the shop to get my tins and get them on a bus back to me.
Hopefully there are no challenges with that.
If he's unsuccessful, I will go down first part of the week, go to the cop shop and ask an officer to escort me to get them.

I am asking you to say a prayer for Jeff.

Something has a hold of him - not sure what - but the good man, the talented painter I once knew is buried somewhere under what ever has a hold on him.

I pray he gets some help before it is too late and we are reading an obituary.

Please say a small prayer for him. In spite of everything I have gone through with him I don't want to see him face down in the gutter - dead.

He's obviously lost and in a lot of pain.

In other news I have an Alberta BoostR campaign underway to raise some funds I need to buy a Sony Moto Journalist pack - it includes a Sony Video Camera and all of the accessories for the camera - all tucked into a nice little back pack. I also need some of the new Drift Ghost Cameras for my bike.

This equipment will be used for filming my TV Series on Eastlink TV called "Ride like a Local"

Alberta BoostR is a BRAND NEW ATB Financial, Chamber of Commerce and Community Futures initiative to provide crowd funding opportunities for small business.

Mine is one of two campaigns - that have already started and I am happy to say I already have two people who have boosted my business in return for some rewards!

Check out the campaign and if you can contribute, I'd appreciate it.  I'll be sending awesome perks out to those who Boost my business - the Boostr's get their rewards and I get the money I need BUT ONLY if I reach my goal!

Our web site is undergoing some enormous changes - there might be some hiccups over the next few days but I invite you to keep tabs on it over the next few days and then we would love your feedback - we want  the information and tools we offer to be easy to access and use - all suggestions and recommendations are deeply appreciated!

Once Ali flips the switch to the new version of the site - we'd appreciate it if you would let us know about any bugs or anomalies that you see....

For GP region riders - don't forget the Toys for Tots Dealer Show and Swap Meet is on at the TEC centre at Evergreen Park on Saturday from 10-4 pm...see you out there...we will be filming using Eastlinks' Video cameras...

And remember to check out our events calendars folks - there are well over 1,300 events in there - there's bound to be something that will interest you no matter where in Canada you live!

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via Email..

Thanks folks...and have a fabulous Thursday.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

A motorcycle video that touched my heart...

Graham Ritchie - a British Columbia rider who was well loved and respected and an active volunteer in the BC motorcycle community passed away last night.

The video below touched my heart as I thought of Graham.

When he speaks of looking over his shoulder and all of a sudden 30 years had passed...(30 years since it's been spring)

As the singer spoke of the King getting slower, and how he wanted to keep it going a little longer, that there was so much still to see and so little time...

We all feel that way at times, like life goes by too quickly - and it does and we loose our friends, our bodies start letting us down...

My wish for you as you watch this video is that you never pass up a chance to tell the people you love how much they mean to you, to embrace life, to be of service to your fellow man and make this life - this very short life - the richest and most rewarding it can be.

Rest in Peace Graham, your work here is done, you have earned your retirement ride.
We will remember you fondly and often, you will always ride with us...

Belt Drive Betty

Seven months of frustration and disappointment...ends today

In October of 2012 (October 10th to be exact) I took my bikes tins to JB's Custom Colors in Kamloops BC to be painted.

I wanted to be pro active and get them done early so that my bike would be ready for filming of my TV Show, "Ride Like a Local" on Eastlink TV and for the "Biker's United in Remembrance" Conga.

I gave Jeff Balmes my logo files in the right format - Adobe Illustrator & high resolution pdf.
He had my company's font.
He had my chopper chick and he had my maple leaf.  See the photo below.

I gave him clear instructions as to what I wanted,  in fact I spent a morning showing him exactly what I wanted...

My chopper chick with the tribal maple leaf in flames for the fairing.

On my tanks were to be three flaming maple leafs each getting progressively smaller and the in military stencil - "Belt Drive Betty" in ghost flames.

On my saddlebags and tour pack were to be three flaming maple leafs all the same size with "www.beltdrivebetty.com" again in military stencil, in ghost flames running through the maple leafs.

I was clear, supplied good foundation art and I waited.
And I waited.

No basic drawings were sent to me as to the concept...
No photos were forth coming.
When I asked for photos or when the tins would be ready - I got told, oh you'll be happy.

In February I had a photo shoot arranged with me and my bike - I had to cancel that - why?
No tins back from the painter.

Then I had another photo shoot scheduled and it got cancelled because - again - I had no tins.

I got excuse after excuse as to why I couldn't have photos at least - always being told, "I am working on it." Hell I even got told once that they had been shipped DHL and another time that they had been sent with a friend of his.  But when they never showed up and I called, I got the run around and a hundred excuses.

Now one of the reasons I took the tins to Jeff to be painted is he is a master at true flame, but come to find out that not only did Jeff not do the work, he had a 23 year old do it.
Nothing against the young man or his talent, which I think - once he has some time on a gun - will be HUGE...But - that is not who was supposed to do the work.

I finally got this photo TODAY - keep in mind, we begin filming here in Grande Prairie on Saturday and I need my tins by Thursday so that I can ride my own bike...

I am so disappointed. What I see here is uneven lettering that is in no way shape or form military stencil.  The maple leaf is not representative of the maple leaf that comprises a good chunk of my logo and he had not even begun on the chopper or the chopper chick.

This is what it looked like at 2 pm TODAY. After 7 months, this is all that is done.

The tanks, saddlebags and tour pack are completely untouched other than for base black.
Now keep in mind that I never once changed my mind - I knew EXACTLY what I wanted and that has never changed since day 1.

This is not it.

This is not my logo, it is not representative of my business...it is nothing like what I wanted - nothing at all like I had explained to Jeff. Nothing at all like the artwork I supplied.

I have asked them to sand it down and paint it black, clear coat it and get the tins back to me.
I start filming THIS SATURDAY.  (Jeff has known all along about everyone of my deadlines.)

My husband needs at least a day to put it together and the clear needs some time to cure.

Jeff was going to be getting some prime advertising on my TV show, a feature in the paper and some other advertising in our phone book and newspaper. He had already benefited from some advertising I had done for him before...about $1,000 worth that we had agreed would go towards a future paint job - this paint job...

I am simply stunned that someone would do this to their own business - let's face it my bike is going to be a rolling billboard for over 26,000 KMS this summer as I go across this country riding with hundreds and hopefully thousands of other riders as we film for "Ride like a Local" and raise funds for the charities attached to my Conga - and the exposure value compared to the cost of the paint job - well -  a top end paint job will cost $10 grand and more from a guy like Blake at Cross-Eyed - one that is front to back, top to bottom, graphics.

This paint job was truly and well going to come in at about $3,000 - $5,000 tops.

My newspaper, web site and social media network reach upward of 150,000 people per month.  
Then there are the articles I write for the Northern Horizon and East Coat Biker - another 130,000 reached bi-monthly. I am not sure how far TV will extend my reach, but suffice it to say that over 11 years of hard work, I have built up a communications network of somewhere around 250,000 - 300,000 people. And his artwork would have been on my bike for a whole season, maybe two...and in a guaranteed 13 episodes on TV and in countless articles...

I estimate the value of that kind of advertising and publicity is well over $65,000.

Is this kind of marketing opportunity not one you would put every effort into?
Am I wrong in thinking that an artist would appreciate the chance to have their art promoted extensively?

This was supposed to be a win - win situation - Jeff and his business would get the advertising and exposure they needed and my bike would have had a new look.

Instead there is a 10 year friendship/working relationship up in flames.


Who does this to themselves?

Who puts someone like me in this position where I have to tell you why my poor bike...my girl - "Black Betty" did not get the 100,000 KM facelift she so richly deserves. The one I have been talking about for months.


I am stunned to say the least.

So today, I did some playing around with photoshop - below - now bear in mind that I am NOOOO artist but I am investigating having Speedpro Signs here in Grande Prairie wrap my bike and their layout artist and I have been talking about what I want.

There is no time left to go to another air brusher, not if I am going to make it to all of the events that I am supposed to be filming at in May and June and then the Conga beginning June 18th.

It won't be everything I wanted, but at least the art will be far more representative of my brand - my logo...my business. I wanted the flames licking off the ends of the leaf, but I don't know how to make that happen.

This is what the maple leaf would look like on black...

And who knows - "Black Betty" may have to stay gloss black for this season - we shall see.

I am a disappointed human being who has learned a valuable lesson - when something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't and I should have listened to my gut, months ago and drove to Kamloops and gotten my tins.  I should not have listened to the advice of others about dealing with artists and to have patience.

I should have done what I felt was right back in February and gone and gotten them.

So a little advice from me to you with love...follow your gut - ALWAYS and if something starts feeling like a jerk around, it probably is.

Don't ask me why Jeff has put me in this situation, one where in I have to tell you all, that this exciting paint job that I have been waiting on has turned out to be a flame out...and I get to share this disappointing news with all of you...

I am so sad and disappointed that there are no words to express the pain I feel.

I never imagined that I would be sharing anything but utter excitement and joy.

Oh well - that my friends is life...time to move on and shake it off.

This too shall pass.

Have a good evening everyone, I am going to borrow my husband's Road King and go for a brain clearer...cause, yeah, I have no bike of my own to ride now and who knows if I will even get my tins back - I have NO IDEA and tonight I am beyond caring.

Tomorrow I will deal with whether or not I get my tins back and what a plan B could be if he decides to make this more painful than it already is.

One way or another the Conga will go on, the charities I have chosen to support will not be let down by me - if I have to go get a loan to buy new skins and get her painted - I will...this situation has a solution and I will find it.  Just not tonight...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

belt drive betty | canadian bikers

Hellishly busy and I am loving it...

I just arrived home on Tuesday night after a great trip to Saskatoon. Cyclemania 2013 was a wonderful testing ground for my videoing skills as I was able to do a number of interviews as practise for my upcoming TV show on Eastlink TV called "Ride Like a Local" and the YouTube spin off called "Ride Like a Local II"

I spent some time yesterday doing volunteer work for our local Toys for Tots group - we have a trade show coming up on April 27th and we are attempting to fill the last few booths so if any one is interested in booking a booth give me a call at 780-402-8892 and we'll help you out!

While I was on the road I got word that Sturgis North has been cancelled and there are many in the riding community breathing a huge sigh of relief - I would be one of them.  I am very relieved that no more of the people I care about in this community are going to be hurt - at least for now, by the organizers of that event.

I have a hellish busy time for the next few weeks AND I am awaiting the arrival of my tins - 7 months after I dropped them off to be painted - I am jones'ing to ride and hubby has promised that when the weather is co-operative, if my bike isn't ready I can ride his. Thank you lord for this great man I married!

Our Biker's United in Remembrance Conga is almost completely organized - there have been some huge changes that I will address in the next week or so.

And last but not least our web site will be relaunched in the next 10-14 days and from what I have seen and tested so far - I AM STOKED.

For those who have the finances and need to get a fix of riding in - EagleRider Vancouver has some great specials like their Ride Vancouver Island offer.

There is a lot of stuff in the news feeds today that just might affect your day or life as a rider so visit www.beltdrivebetty.com to find out what's happening.

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via email:

Until Monday...
Have a great weekend.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Oshawa buckles to public pressure

Well folks we have seen governments back down to public pressure from the motorcycle community twice in the space of two months.

In Saskatchewan a group called R.A.G.E - Riders against Government Exploitation - formed after SGI announced a plan to increase motorcycle insurance rates in some cases by as much as 400%.  Through persistent public pressure; letter writing, phone calls and tying up man hours and resources R.A.G.E. was successful in getting the premier of their province to force SGI in re structuring the increases.

Now, through public pressure, the HHR's Lou DeVouono is feeling elated. Finally, Oshawa did what they should have done right from the beginning - they zeroed the bill.

Between the radio, tv and newspaper articles, the phone calls, emails and a show of solidarity at the Monday night council meeting, the city of Oshawa decided that they should do what they promised in the beginning.

You see folks, it is possible to get people to do the right thing when you have RIGHT on your side and a small persistent group of people driving the situation.

Congratulations to Lou DeVouono - congratulations to all who took up the letter writing and phoning campaigns, congratulations to those who accompanied Lou to the council meeting.

You had RIGHT on your side, you united and together were able to convince the city of Oshawa of the error of their ways.

In other news I want to express my condolences to the family of Margaret Thatcher - I for one loved the Iron Lady. I admired the woman for standing her ground and doing what she saw as the right thing.

I also want to express condolences to the family of Annette Funicello - the Mouseketeer so many of us grew up with.  She made us laugh and cry and feel...

There is a lot of news in the feeds this morning. Visit www.beltdrivebetty.com to find out what might affect your day, your week, your life as a rider.

I leave you with a couple of funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via email:

Have a great day everyone...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

For SHAME - the City of Oshawa sues the Heroes Highway Ride organizer.

In an article from the Durham Region News is a story that tells a tale of a mayor and council that is so out of touch with it's constituents that it leaves one shaking their heads.

Before I give you the link to read the article, I want to give you some background information gleaned by speaking with Lou DeVouono and from listening to him on radio yesterday.

The HHR is a free to the public event, one that is meant to offer Canadians the opportunity to say thank you to our troops and to celebrate the lives of those who have travelled the Highway of Heroes to the morgue in Toronto.

The City of Toronto did not charge the HHR to shut down the Don Valley Parkway last year.  They did not charge for the police escort, the road closures or the barricades.  The OPP has not charged the event either. In fact no community that has been involved in this event has charged for those services - why?

Because the event is free to the public, brings a ton of visitors into the community and because it is heavily supported and backed by the various military charities who get to fundraise at it - for free and it is supported by the military itself.

The city of Oshawa had given the event it's blessing and support and then once it was too late to change the posters and the marketing that had been done, they pulled their support but did not tell the organizer what it was going to cost.

Lou has tried to negotiate with them, all to no avail and so Lou finds himself on the short end of the political stick.

It is disgusting. It is morally wrong and I along with hundreds of others have begun a letter writing campaign.  There is much talk about boycotting Oshawa to get council's attention but in my personal humble opinion, a boycott hurts the wrong people.

The way to get this council to do the right thing and write the bill off to marketing and advertising - of which they got a lot more than $5,600 worth, hell they got a lot more publicity than $20K...write them, phone them, fax them - tie up their office staff, cripple their ability to get any other work done...

Here is the link to the article: http://www.durhamregion.com/news/article/1599785--oshawa-sues-highway-of-heroes-ride-organizer

Here is a copy of the letter I sent to all members of council including the Mayor - I urge everyone to do the same write them and hound them - because I for one believe that they need to be shamed into doing the right thing...

My Letter to Mayor Henry: 
Oshawa suing the Heroes Highway Ride

Dear Mayor Henry,

I was deeply saddened to read that your council has decided to charge for services like barricades, garbage and policing for a free event that is meant to show our troops that we love them, we haven't forgotten them. 

I attended the HHR the year it was held in Oshawa. The venue was ideal on so many levels and it was wonderful to get to meet the men and women who serve our country, to tell them face to face what it means to me to have them serving and protecting our country.

I also attended in Toronto, where they forgave the policing costs etc and in fact had shut down the Don Valley Parkway.

Both were expensive trips to make from Alberta, but they were worth every penny to see the looks on their faces.

I think sir, that you have made a huge political and media blunder.

People are already talking about boycotting your community, which is not the answer here.
You are, I feel, being wrong minded if you think that Canadians don't support their troops and take situations like these and view them as a slap in the face.

You are taking people's feel good emotions and bringing them to a boil.

The small business people of Oshawa do not deserve to get hurt. But some people mistakenly think that they can get your council to reason by boycotting your town.
Please don't let it come to that? Write off the bill as advertising and marketing.

You are coming across as people who don't support our troops, and I think a number of the troops are also your tax payers and voters.

Please write off the bill.

If you would like to join the letter writing campaign here are all of the email addresses of Oshawa's Council:

jhenry@oshawa.ca,

rbouma@oshawa.ca,

 ndiamond@oshawa.ca,

 tdmarimpietri@oshawa.ca,

 npidwerbecki@oshawa.ca,

 bwood@oshawa.ca,

 jaker@oshawa.ca,

 bchapman@oshawa.ca,

 aengland@oshawa.ca,

 jneal@oshawa.ca,

 dsanders@oshawa.ca

PLEASE people - let's flood their offices, let's make them see the error of their ways...

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider