Camp Dynamo set for Dalvay
Women entrepreneurs to gather for networking camp
An Island chef, who changed the course of her business model after attending a camp last summer encourages, others to take part this year.
Sarah Bennetto O’Brien, owner of The Handpie Company in Gateway Village in Borden-Carleton, was one of 70 women who attended the P.E.I. Business Women’s Association’s Camp Dynamo last summer, and is looking forward to this year’s event.
The camp, which takes place at Dalvay by the Sea from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, began last year as a way to help women succeed in business by gathering a group of like-minded people, placing them in an inspiring environment and providing them with a curriculum that allows them to rediscover the idea that “anything is possible”.
Bennetto O’Brien said the camp gave her the opportunity to network with other women entrepreneurs, and gave her the chance to take a step back from her job as owner and chef of Scapes restaurant to take a look at how her business was doing.
As she went through the numbers, she realized one item on her menu was in high demand – her handpies.
“It gave me the chance to maybe start thinking about focusing just on that one menu item, and that’s what made me switch to becoming The Handpie Company,” she said, adding the camp put the wheels in motion to change her business, and she hasn’t looked back.
“We’ve been busier than ever,” she said. “It’s been exhausting, but fantastic.”
Bennetto O’Brien said Camp Dynamo is an important event because it gives those who attend the time to step back and look at the big picture.
“It’s just extremely easy to just throw yourself into your business and as you should, but if you don’t get time to reflect, then I don’t think you can really grow effectively,” she said. “I can’t tell you enough good things about this (camp).”
Shannon Pratt, program manager of the PEIBWA, said the Camp Dynamo event is designed for women to “discover their best selves” through personal development, something that isn’t a focus at typical business symposiums, which focus primarily on professional development.
“You can’t be a leader if you don’t take care of yourself, and if you’re not taking care of yourself, you’re not going to move forward,” she said.
“A lot of people miss out on the more personal development side of things where they take the time to breathe and take time to actually focus on other things.”
The camp will have a number of activities and workshops for women to take part in, including a wellness portion with a focus on mental health.
For more information, visit Campdynamo.ca.