Masterminds and Teddy Bears: Inspiring Small Businesses in Riga

On one of the first spring days, March 6th, the participants of the project from two countries gathered at the Tallink Hotel Riga for their next meeting. This time, the Latvian partner launched an introduction to mastermind groups titled “Strengths Combat Weaknesses.”

The event kicked off with an exploration of business structure, focusing on identifying the five key persons in a business. The speaker introduced the areas of responsibility for each of them, then humorously described their duties while the young women guessed which position they belonged to. Prizes, laughter, and emotions made for an excellent start to the event. A key topic of discussion was small businesses and the combination of responsibilities in a so-called one-man band.

Next, Jelena Sterhova, the project’s content expert, presented a session titled “One-Man Band or Team: How Does a Business Function?” Step by step, she demonstrated the nine team roles defined by Belbin’s theory, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses, and provided concrete examples that sparked discussion among the participants.

Olga Pushnyakova, the creator behind the OPUS Ateliers and OPUS Teddy brands, was an invited speaker at the seminar. The designer of the exquisite Teddy bears, which attract collectors from all over the world, shared her creative journey. She emphasized the role of crises in her life as catalysts for further development and explained the current approach to selling her products.

After the introduction to the mastermind groups, participants worked in teams to develop strategies and techniques for attracting potential buyers for Olga’s many goods. It’s worth noting that some of these strategies surprised Olga and gave her a fresh perspective on her business. The passionate group discussion brought this wonderful spring event to a perfect close.