Addella

Entrepreneur Spotlight: Beat Drop

2011-03-01T14:51:00.000-08:00

When Beat Drop Audio Production and DJ school opened its doors in 2010, it was the realization of a dream 15 years in the making. Back then, founder Mitch Lee dreamed of a school where students young and old could come and learn the art of music production and DJing, where the blinds could be pulled back on this somewhat elite and secretive industry and he could share with everyone his knowledge and love for it. However there were many difficult obstacles on the logistical road; equipment, a space big enough – these were things that forced him to put the idea on the back burner and focus on his career in audio and sound production. He became an award-winning composer, creating innovative music composition and sound design for the Film, TV and Video Game industries for some big names clients such as Warner Brothers, Nokia, Atari and Source Magazine. But he always kept that idea back in his head; a simple enough idea but something that nobody else in Calgary was doing.

Early in 2010, finally with enough studio space to hold classes, he decided the time had come to forge on with the dream. He called on Rick Cruz aka DJ C-Sik, a local DJ who he had collaborated on a past project with, to join the Beat Drop team teaching the DJ courses. With about 30 years combined musical and industry experience between them, these two aim to share their knowledge and passion for making music with other like-minded individuals, no matter what their skill level.

Long before the Internet was what it is today, long before you could go to YouTube and type in “dj tutorial” and get over 300 000 results, the arts of music production and DJing had to be cultivated and learned at a much more organic, individual level. Rick tells us of the years of late nights spent in his bedroom, playing on his first set of turntables, experimenting with scratching, beat juggling and mixing. There was no such thing as a tutorial video; any videos featuring DJs at all were hard to find. It was a painstaking process. Beat Drop gives students a head start, a foundation of skills built over a few classes that might otherwise take them a year to learn. Though there are some online resources, both instructors believe that there is nothing that compares to hands-on, face-to-face instruction with instant feedback from an industry professional, and all Beat Drop classes focus heavily on mentorship and collaboration. Besides the actual courses, Beat Drop also offers free workshops that showcase different local acts talking about their passion for DJing and music making, and offering tips and tricks to attendees.

Beat Drop’s goal is to cultivate a community of musicians, DJs, producers and enthusiasts of any and all genres who can meet and collectively enjoy making, creating and appreciating music. This new movement of education and inspiration is bringing a fresh, new dimension to our city’s small but growing music scene.

They just launched their spring series of courses that cover everything from Ableton Live to DJ Essentials to Music Foundations. More information on classes can be found on their Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/beatdr0p or their website http://www.beatdrop.ca

-Article by Josephine Cruz aka jayemkayem

Lesson 85: Angels In Your Evolution

2011-03-01T13:22:00.000-08:00

Excerpt from The Greatness Guide - Robin Sharma

An idea just came to me. You've heard it before, but the more we get exposed to a good idea, the more deeply we get to integrate it. Like reading a powerful book for a second and third time. Seems like a whole new book on every new reading. Did the book change? No. You did. Your capacity to understand got bigger. Your world-view got broader. Your ability to take in the insights grew. And so you discovered a whole new level of knowledge in that book. That was always there. You just didn't have the eyes to see it before.

The idea I feel so passionately about on this sunny afternoon can be stated in a simple phrase: Angels of Evolution. Nothing soft and irrelevant about this one. Just a way to look at life's challenges in a better light. As blessings rather than curses. Because they just might be. Angels of Evolution. Everyone who is causing you stress, struggle and challenge in your life just might be an angel of sorts. They just might be the very messengers carrying the lessons you most need to learn to get to your Next Level of Greatness.

The difficult teammate might be an angel of sorts, here to teach you understanding. The mean salesclerk might be an angel showing up to help you with compassion or communication or standing up for yourself. A business setback or professional disappointment might be an angel sent to build your resolve and commitment. A health issue might be an angelic wakeup call to get you to commit to a better diet, regular exercise, relaxation and meditation. Each encounter represents a defining moment that gets you to the excellence meant for you.

Angels of Evolution. The hardest stuff in your life is the ideal stuff to get you to where you've always dreamed of being. The people and events that irritate, anger and hurt you are the ideal educators to help you learn the lessons that will help you shine at work, at home and in life. So that you evolve. And grow.

Crabs in a Bucket

2011-02-07T15:28:00.000-08:00

Be careful who you surround yourself with.

We all know the dangers of getting caught up with the wrong crowd in High School but we seldom take the same precaution when we grow up and move into our professional lives. We can be affected by our peers just as bad and easily now as when we were teens. Your colleagues/co-workers & friends/family can be both a positive and/or negative influence on us and our successes everyday.

It's called the crab in a bucket theory. If you place a single crab in an empty bucket, you have to cover it up to avoid an escaping crab, but as soon as you place a second crab in that same bucket you never have to cover it again. The crabs will constantly pull each other down.

The same effect is true in our lives, be wise to the people who you surround yourself with most. Do they make you feel confident and encourage you to succeed? Or are they like the crabs in a bucket, pulling you down every time you reach for the sky...

Entrepreneur Spotlight: Privé Design

2010-11-16T13:42:00.000-08:00

When they first met as students at Mount Royal University, Stephanie Gottlieb and Mae-Lee Khoo could have never guessed they would one day launch a business together. In fact, they had no inclination they would even venture into the world of entrepreneurship until one fateful phone conversation in which they discussed their shared dread of the junior drafting jobs which they felt they were sure to start their careers in. They both agreed that drafting someone else’s designs would not be nearly as fun as designing their own, and with that epiphany Privé Design Group was born. It took a mere three weeks for them to get incorporated and get their first client, and the rest, they say, is history.

These ladies grew up with a love for all things artsy and creative, so it’s no surprise where their career paths have lead them. For Mae-Lee, design was something she knew she wanted to do ever since a first place finish in an 8^th grade interior design contest jumpstarted her interest in the profession. Stephanie always loved redecorating and rearranging her bedroom and family’s home, but it wasn’t until she started attending Mount Royal that she discovered that she could actually make a career out of her passion. While students of the Bachelor of Applied Interior Design program, these two built a strong working relationship while supporting and encouraging each other through the ups and downs of a program known for its intensity. Focused, hard working and trusting of each other’s abilities, they bring different strengths to their collective table. Above all, they are equally committed to developing Privé into a large, successful interior design company, and making their clients design dreams come true in the process.

Stephanie and Mae-Lee took time from their busy schedules to answer a few questions for us about what it is like to launch your own business, and where they want to take Privé in the near and distant future. Read what they have to say after the jump!

Q: When did you decide you wanted to go forward with starting Privé?

A: We both knew we loved the idea of going into business together as soon as we talked about it. The decision had as much to do with the business as it had to do with our lifestyles. Design is a passion for us both but we work to live, we don't live to work. Privé allows us the flexibility to travel, volunteer, and follow all of our other passions as well. We believe that a balanced lifestyle is the key to happiness and success.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced since opening your business?

A: Fear. We really had to summon the courage to commit to starting an Interior Design company on our own, even if it meant the risk of failure. Realistically, we picked the absolute worst economic time to launch a business offering luxury services, but in many ways it all worked to our favour. That's what being an Interior Designer is all about - resourcefulness, problem solving, and stepping outside of the box.

Q: What is your proudest moment so far as business owners?

A: Hands down, the best and proudest moments are our client reveals! Seeing our designs come to life and transforming a client's space into something they love is the ultimate reward.

Q: What would you say the best and worst thing about being your own boss is?

A: Definitely not the worst, but probably the most difficult part of being entrepreneurs is never being able to step away or outside the business. We are constantly planning, marketing and brainstorming about Privé Design Group. It's sort of like being parents, except our company is the infant, and even when we are away; it is always on our mind. The best thing about being entrepreneurs is our ability to open as many doors as we want for ourselves and to take our business in any direction we want. Privé had the opportunity to exhibit in the Calgary Home and Interior Design Show and is excited to be participating in the upcoming Women's Build for Habitat for Humanity. We love the creative freedom we have, not only in our design work, but also in Privé's involvement in a wide range of ventures and initiatives.

Q: What's next for Privé? And where do you see yourself in a year, 5 years, 10 years even!?

A: Where to begin... There are so many different avenues we want to take Privé Design Group down and so many possibilities to explore. Presently our focus is on signing larger scale renovation and design projects as well as venturing into commercial and hospitality design. We are taking part in the Habitat for Humanity Women's Build and would like to use our design skills to contribute to the community through charitable initiatives. In the near future you can expect to see Privé Design Group featured in home magazines, design articles and all other forms of media outlets. Privé's 5 and 10-year plans include international design projects, an exclusive Privé product line, and guest teaching at Mount Royal University. We hope to one day be an inspiration for other young designers hoping to venture into entrepreneurship. Privé plans to become one of the leading Interior Design companies across Canada with a continuous conviction to remaining humble, grounded, and focused always on the integrity of our designs.

Article by Josephine Cruz

To book a consultation with Privé design, visit their website http://www.privedesigngroup.ca/

Lesson 81: Whatever Happened to COMMITMENT?

2010-10-13T10:51:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from The Greatness Guide: Book 2 Robin Sharma

"We live in a world seduced by the easy. We want to look great and be spectacularly fit but we don't want to have to exercise to get there. We want to be successful in our careers but we wonder if there's a way to reach world class without having to work hard and be disciplined (every great executive is strikingly disciplined, as is every great company) We dream of living fearless, joy-filled lives, but we all too often avoid the very best practices (like getting up early, taking risks, setting goals and reading) that are certain to deliver us to our ideals. Nothing comes for free. There truly are no free lunches. The best things in life require sacrifice and devotion. Each of us, to get to our own unique forms of personal and professional greatness, must pay the price. And the more we pay, the more we'll receive.

Wanting to live your best life, at work and at home, without having to work at it and stay disciplined around our important To Do's is like wanting an amazing garden without having to plant anything. Or like hoping to be in superb physical condition without having to give up the daily chocolate bar. Or like praying to have a great business by swallowing some magic pill. Whatever happened to commitment? And dedication?

Great lives don't just occur out of the blue. They are crafted and built, like the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China, block by block, day by day. And superb businesses don't just appear. They are forged through continuous and never-ending improvement and effort. Let's not fall into believing that the best things in life come without effort. Give your best, and the best will come to you. Guaranteed."

Lesson 49: The Hidden Machinery

2010-09-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from THE GREATNESS GUIDE (Book 2) -Robin Sharma

I recently read a fascinating issue of TIME. All about the 100 Most Influential People in the World. Jobs is in there. So are Branson and Gore. Mittal makes the cut, as does Oprah. But one of the profiles that intrigues me most is the one on Leonardo DiCaprio. Because of a single turn of phrase used by filmmaker Martin Scorsese. He describes the first time he saw DiCaprio acting: "In his performance, I didn't see the machinery." I had to put down the magazine after I read those words.

Masters make everything look so simple. The most brilliant of the best do their craft with effortless ease and exceptional grace, or at least, make it look that way to you and me. We can't see the machinery. We don't see all the early morning and late nights spent working hard to be BIW (Best in the World) We don't observe the fierce determination that was invested to overcome impossible odds and make the dream come true. And we don't hear the laughing of the critics that needed to be ignored to get to the mountaintop. Remarkable performers- in entertainment, business, politics, education- all make it look easy. But it wasn't. It can take years to become an overnight sensation. Let's not forget that.

Addella Book Club

2010-09-08T12:42:00.000-07:00

During preliminary interviews, I ask people what they're looking to gain out of their next work experience. The number one answer is "I want to work with a company where I can grow and advance". Rightly so, the majority of individuals looking for a professional career never want to get trapped in an entry level role.However, what most people don't understand is that in order to achieve that level of success, there is one major component that is universal to EVERY business; personal development.

Education gets you considered as an applicant, personal development and experience is what will get you ahead.

At Addella, our growth has been fueled by a student mentality. There is a resounding culture of learning, initiative and the drive to continuously gain more information.The primary source of our learning comes from books that we read and share with others in the office.

The upcoming months' blogs are going refer to the current books we are reading:

Stay tuned and enjoy!

Someone has a case of the Mondays....

2010-07-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

You wake up depressed because you are at the farthest point from the weekend. You're a weekend warrior, you live for Friday and you dread Monday.

The average person works 40 hours a week, for 45 years of their life. That's over 90,000 hours wishing you were doing something else. It's not uncommon to switch careers a few times in between, but once the 'newness' wears off, you're back to where you started - demotivated and uninspired. If you change programs at school, hop from job to job or career to career and still find yourself in the same situation, the only thing left to change is you.

THE FIX

Get great at what you do. Everyone loves when they're winning; when they're good at something and are recognized for their efforts. If you're not winning, and you're not recognized for your hard work and your job doesn't seem to matter, then why should Mondays?

So be GREAT and put in a WINNING effort at work. Come prepared, get excited and show some commitment. The worst thing that can happen is that your increased effort is going to produce increased results. These increased results will lead to increased recognition, opportunities, rewards, confidence and success. All of a sudden your Mondays start to feel like Fridays, and so do your Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Addella: More than Sales & Marketing

2010-07-08T12:59:00.000-07:00

“Unlike many other companies, at Addella you will find constant, unwavering support from a group of people who are striving to do their best and are eager to help others reach their full potential as well. Every single day you will be motivated, educated and inspired. It is the ultimate team-oriented organization that not only tries to build business professionals but also focuses on personal development”

Laura Cote
Bachelor of Commerce/Marketing
University of Memphis

“Addella Marketing is more than just a company, it’s an incubator for personal growth. Working here has induced a sense of self-reliance while at the same time fostering a team mentality, which are the essential qualities of a competitive job applicant in the present job market.”

Addella Marketing epitomizes a company on the cutting edge of the direct-sales industry combining a dynamic workplace with a knowledge-driven training program”

Benjamin Meadow
Bachelor of Arts/Political Science
McGill University

"The fairest compensation is payment based upon contribution. At Addella, this idea is not limited to what a team member contributes in the field, with our customers; it applies equally to the contribution one makes to their colleagues and the office as a whole. The rewards are greater for all involved when one helps others to hit their goals - whether personal or professional - rather than focusing solely on oneself. Addella encourages us to work together; to celebrate the successes of others; and partner together for opportunities for learning and growth."

Malcolm MacIntyre
Bachelor of Arts/Political Science
St.Francis Xavier University

One Red Paperclip

2010-04-08T12:04:00.000-07:00

In 2005, a man named Kyle decided to post a picture of a red paper clip on his blog and asked if anybody wanted to trade it for something bigger and better. Within a year, he ended up with a house in the town of Kipling, SK. Along the way he came across a recording contract, an onstage appearance with Alice Cooper and a movie role. Read his blog for the inspiring story oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com

A few weeks ago, we decided to give everybody in the office a paper clip and after explaining the story, challenged them to trade their paper clip and see what they ended up with at the end of the day. In 6 hours, the reps returned these items to the office:

VCR

massage tool

electric white board cleaner

an unassembled kid's bike

This is a great example of how you can create something out of nothing. Who knew that something as irrelevant as a paper clip could be traded into something as substantial as a house! Kyle had an idea that he was dedicated to, and the dream came to reality. Too often people assume that big ideas are bigger than the people themselves, in other words, incredible things are out of reach. There are no guidelines when it comes to achieving great things, because a single idea can be as powerful as the person that creates it.

MARKETING: Passive vs Direct

2010-03-22T20:30:00.001-07:00

People often confuse Marketing with Ad Writing, Graphic Design and Statistical Analysis. Truth be told, Marketing does indeed involve Advertising as a part of its “mix” (Product, Price, Promotion, and Distribution) but when it comes to applying marketing principals to a business, how does it break down?

Passive Marketing is what most people are familiar with, commercials, billboards, ad campaigns, radio ads. The main purpose of this type of marketing is to impulse potential customers to purchase in the future. For example, if you are driving your car and see a billboard on the side of the road promoting carpet and flooring, you wouldn’t necessarily drive to the nearest location and buy a roll of carpet. The intention is to impulse the buyer during the time of purchase. So when you are in a position to buy new carpet, you think of that billboard you saw on the side of the street. There is no guarantee for each dollar spent to each dollar earned with passive marketing, however it reaches a wide audience and builds a company’s brand awareness.

While Passive Marketing provides customers later, Direct Marketing provides customers now. During an economic decline, typically the first departments to be downsized are advertising and sales because advertisements are expensive and internal sales teams are liabilities. How can a company gain new customers if they aren’t promoting their company? The answer is Outsourced Direct Sales. Outsourced Direct Sales provides companies with a low-risk strategy to pump up their bottom line. When every dollar counts, a company is looking for a way decrease their spending and increase their revenue. Going directly to the customer provides an advantage for the company to get an immediate sale, ideally a long-term qualified customer.

The comparison of the two is important for those who choose to pursue Marketing as a career. Oftentimes, post-secondary marketing graduates assume that a degree/diploma in the field will secure a job that involves creating ad campaigns, commercials or public relations. Typically, advertising executives have extensive sales experience as well as an expert skill set in design to better understand the psychology of the buyer.

Essentially, without the ability to sell the product directly how can one sell the product on a mass scale? A company can start their business by solely utilizing Direct Marketing; however they cannot use Passive Marketing on its own. Direct Sales generates the revenue that allows a company to advertise, but you cannot spend the money to advertise if you can’t pay the bill!

New Press Release

2010-03-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Jacile Peredo
Addella Marketing Inc.

ADDELLA CONTINUES TO GROW WITH 2 NEW LOCATIONS

Calgary, AB (March 17 ,2010) – Addella Marketing, the leader in the outsourced sales and marketing industry, is on track with its expansion goals and have opened an office in Kelowna, BC this past February and will be opening another in Hamilton, ON this April.

The rapid growth is a result of Addella’s ability to recruit and retain people with intangible qualities such as; strong leadership, a high level of social aptitude and an unyielding student mentality. In 2009, Addella opened its first two outside locations in Edmonton and Winnipeg. This created momentum for the office, shining light on the genuine opportunity for people to advance within the organization. With 4 new offices opened within a 9 month span, and another 2 expected for 2010, Addella is on pace to grow exponentially each year.

“When you have a team of young ambitious entrepreneurs, growth and expansion is inevitable.”

About Addella Marketing

Addella is owned by Luc Hebert and headquartered in Calgary, AB. The company specializes in direct marketing by bringing products and services directly to consumers/businesses. Addella prides itself on providing growth opportunities for their clients and advancement opportunities for their people.

Olympic Bronze Medalist Lascelles Brown Visits Addella

2010-03-09T12:09:00.000-08:00

We were fortunate enough to have Lascelles stop by the office with his Olympic hardware to congratulate him on his amazing performance at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games this past February.

Lascalles' dedication to the sport is apparant in his success over the years. With multiple world cups, world championships and now 2 olympic medals under his belt, Brown is a proven leader and dedicated team member.

New Press Release

2010-02-25T10:58:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jacile Peredo
Addella Marketing Inc.
LUC HEBERT RECIEVES TOP HONORS, “MILLION DOLLAR CLUB”

Calgary, AB (February 24,2010) – Addella Marketing, the leader in the outsourced sales and marketing industry, was recently honoured at Keys to Success, an annual networking event held in Dallas, Texas (January 29-31 2010)

This event took place at the Hyatt Regency DFW and included a full day dedicated to teaching new practices in recruiting to improve retention in the workplace. A new addition to this years’ event included a banquet dinner and awards ceremony to recognize the top performers in a variety of categories. The ‘Million Dollar Club’ nominees included all owners who generated over $1M in sales for 2009. Addella Marketing came close to doubling the achievement requirements, with $1.8M in gross revenue while providing 20,000 new customers and $20M in client profits. This ranks Addella as the highest performing ICL in North America.

“This was a group effort, and it feels fantastic knowing the quality of competition we were up against. I am very proud of our team, and expect this achievement to be a stepping stone in our continued success”

About Addella Marketing Addella is owned by Luc Hebert and headquartered in Calgary, AB. The company specializes in direct marketing by bringing products and services directly to consumers/businesses. Addella prides itself on providing growth opportunities for their clients and advancement opportunities for their people.