055. Entrepreneurship, Embracing Challenges, and the Art of Creating Meaningful Impact with Arlene Dickinson

This week on Without Losing Your Cool, we have THE Arlene Dickinson. From breaking barriers as the sole woman CEO on Dragons Den to navigating parenthood while pursuing her dreams, Arlene's story is a testament to resilience and growth.

Explore Arlene's insights as she shares how setbacks were catalysts for growth, fueling her drive to overcome challenges. Discover the transformative power of redefining priorities, finding balance, and leaving a lasting legacy. 

In this episode, Arlene's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs shines as she outlines essential elements for a successful business launch. Uncover her strategies for turning concepts into reality, including the power of testing ideas through platforms like Kickstarter. 

Arlene Dickinson is the General Partner of District Ventures Capital, a venture capital fund focused on helping market, fund and grow entrepreneurs and their companies, in the food and health space.

She is a three-time best-selling author and accomplished public speaker. Dickinson is widely recognized for her role as a Dragon/Venture Capitalist for over 12 seasons on the multi-award-winning television series, Dragons Den.

We talk about:

• [0:55] Arlene's favourite pitch on Dragons Den
• [3:50] How it felt being the only woman CEO on Dragons Den
• [7:25] Raising her kids at a young age
• [9:50] Embracing failures and navigating feeling like she failed her family
• [10:35] How men and women experience life and business differently
• [13:20] Essentially elements to have in place when starting a business
• [15:50] Testing the market and your concept through Kickstarter
• [19:35] Moving our ideas into action and letting go of our limiting beliefs
• [20:50] Arlene's tips for creating a profitable business
• [27:30] Finding balance and creating more time as a busy entrepreneur
• [29:45] Refocusing your energy on how you want to leave your legacy
• [32:50] The consequence of entrepreneurialism
• [36:40] Shedding guilt for how we parented
• [46:00] Embracing putting yourself in a place of vulnerability to be disliked
• [46:30] Her decision to quit Twitter
• [54:05] Tips to navigate conflict
• [59:10] The privilege that comes with her skin colour

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CONNECT WITH ARLENE:

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/arlenedickinson/

PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reinvention/id1518357790

BOOK: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/reinvention-changing-your-life-your-career-your-future

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/

WEBSITE: https://www.districtventurescapital.com/