Jean-Paul Yovanoff
May 17, 2018
What’s the elevator pitch for your company and why did you get into this business?
Sponsearch matches companies willing to offer sponsorship, be it financial, services, products and/or auction items with events (charity, golf tournaments, the arts, trade shows, etc.) that need sponsorship. We are kind of like a dating site for sponsorship. Like any dating site, if contacted, there is no commitment of any kind to say yes, we’ve just created an easier way to meet people with similar beliefs.
The reason I started Sponsearch was because I wanted to help people. I felt that I wasn’t doing enough. Yes, I was mentoring at the local college, and the company I was running was donating 2% of their profits to a charity and I was promoting businesses whenever I could, but I just felt like I was not giving enough back. Sponsearch helps me fulfill all of these needs.
What are the networking tips you would share with new entrepreneurs who are starting out in Ottawa?
I am brutally, painfully shy with social anxiety issues (people who know me don’t believe this but it’s true) but If I know if I wanted to succeed I had to overcome all of this. Push the fear away and soldier on.
How many hours do you currently put in as an entrepreneur and how do you feel about that?
Not enough and too many all at the same time. It is a long, hard, grind running your own business but the most important thing to do is step back once in a while and take time for yourself, your friends and your family.
How do you get the majority of your leads or clients now? Any tips you can share?
Word of mouth is the best way to find your clients. Talk to as many people as you can because you never know who may need what you are offering.
What is your favourite business-related quote and what does it mean to you?
“I don’t think outside the box. I created the box that the competition tries to think outside of.”
I came up with this because you can’t just stay one step ahead of the competition, you need to figure out ways to stay ten steps ahead. Never rest of your laurels. Plus I hate the saying, “Think outside the box.” What box? Who created this box? What is it made out of?
