Lisa Canning

Lisa Canning is the CEO and Founder of Sales Maven LLC, a company dedicated to assisting small businesses with sales and marketing strategies. She began her entrepreneurial journey at the age of 17 while studying at Northwestern University, where she launched her first business from her dorm room. Over the past 40 years, she has combined her passions for the arts, creativity, and entrepreneurship to help others develop their ventures.

Career Highlights

• Entrepreneurial Background: Canning has a rich history in entrepreneurship, having started multiple ventures, including a clarinet shop that served as a foundation for Sales Maven. Her experience spans various sectors, particularly in the creative industries.
• Sales Maven: Founded in 2018, Sales Maven focuses on providing outsourced sales services to early-stage and small businesses with revenues between $1 million and $10 million. The company aims to create tailored marketing strategies that help these businesses achieve predictable growth.
• Innovative Education: Lisa developed a two-year entrepreneurship curriculum for the creative sector through her nonprofit organization, initially known as the Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship (IAE). This program received accolades for its innovative approach to entrepreneurship education.

Vision and Impact

Canning's vision centers on empowering small businesses by providing them with the necessary support to grow efficiently. She emphasizes the importance of having a dedicated team that integrates seamlessly into a company's culture. Her approach combines digital marketing with traditional sales support, allowing clients to leverage a wide range of services including SEO, content strategy, and sales management.

Recognition

Lisa has been recognized for her contributions to entrepreneurship and business education. Notably, she was selected as a delegate for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, and received the Business Owner of the Year award from the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Through Sales Maven, Lisa Canning continues to inspire and support small business owners in navigating their growth journeys while fostering an inclusive work environment that prioritizes creativity and collaboration.