forum The
THE 2011 E-SERIES SPECIAL EDITION
Aon the toast to the FWE e-series occasion of the Women in Wine Gala
W
omen entrepreneurs looking to take their high growth businesses to the next level have been turning to the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) since 2002 for networking support and mentorship, access to valuable industry resources, leadership advice and professional training and programs. Of its many programs, the e-series program has become known as FWE’s signature program with over 120 women completing this comprehensive entrepreneurial training in the past 9 years. Each year, 15 women are selected to participate in the intensive 26-week program, which includes sessions with business leaders and
industry experts on topics ranging from marketing, sales, financing, public relations, human resources, legal and cross-border issues. As wine gets better with age, so do entrepreneurs with high-growth sustainable businesses. Many of the past graduates of the FWE e-series program have continued to grow their businesses, some selling or acquiring additional businesses, and others who have become successful serial entrepreneurs. One common trend among the FWE alumni is that they are grateful for the lessons and experiences gained through the e-series program and are now helping newcomers to the business community by
About FWE Forum for Women Entrepreneurs of British Columbia (FWE) celebrates all who are entrepreneurially-minded. Its mission is to provide tools, energy, education and support to all women, encouraging them to become wildly successful entrepreneurs. All of its eight (8) leading-edge professional programs aim to build long-term relationships and foster a strong bond between our members, advisors, speakers and high-caliber members of the business community. For more information, visit www.fwe.ca.
E-SERIES 2011 PROGRAM SPONSORS: GOLD SPONSORS:
FWE Speaker Zahra Mamdani (Owner, Wear Else), and Chair & Founder of FWE, Christina Anthony
providing mentorship and advice. A graduate from the inaugural e-series class in 2003, Cybele Negris is the co-founder and president of webnames.ca, one of the country’s leading Internet solutions companies and a multi-million dollar business. Cybele is grateful for the support she received as an e-series participant and in return she chaired the e-series program committee from 2007 – 2010. She continues to support women entrepreneurs as a member of the FWE Board of Directors and believes there are many opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses in British Columbia. Nicole Stefenelli is the founder of Urban Impact, a commercial recycling company that diverted 100,000 metric tonnes of materials to recycling facilities last year and expanded its operations to Calgary. In 2010, Nicole was recognized by Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the
Year Awards in the category of Cleantech. Nicole believes that her participation in the 2003 e-series class inspired her to raise her game and accelerate Urban Impact’s growth. In the past 2 years, she has acquired two businesses, one to expand her Mixed Container service line and customer base, and the second for expanding geographically into Alberta. After successfully launching and selling two previous businesses, e-series alumni, Alix Cameron and Cindy Ball are now focused on their latest venture, Eat Drink Be Local (eatdrinkbelocal. com), a free online guide that offers insider knowledge on BC food and drink directly to your email inbox. They credit the e-series program for giving them the confidence to sell one business and to start another and for giving them access to an amazing group of talented individuals who are always open to discussion. Caren McSherry is a cookbook author and owner
SILV ER SPONSORS:
of Gourmet Warehouse, a gourmet grocer and kitchen equipment store in east Vancouver that has experienced double-digit growth in the last three years. Caren took the e-series program in 2005 and recalls her classmates were a tremendous source of inspiration as their stories, successes and challenges made her want to build a better company. A graduate of the 2008 e-series program, Lisa Will is the owner of Stonz, a company who locally manufactures high quality outdoor gear for kids, and distributes her product worldwide. She believes that through the stories of others there is so much to be learned. And even more so from those that ended up unsuccessful in the end. From every guest speaker during the e-series program, she can remember a valuable takeaway that she has been able to apply to her business, to help grow it successfully. Building on the success
of the e-series program, FWE has developed additional programs to support female entrepreneurs. The a (advanced) series program provides a forum for women in the more advanced stages of business development who meet quarterly for an engaging discussion with a local high profile and successful entrepreneur. The recently launched k (knowledge) series program assists women in the first three years of business focused on building a platform for growth. The popular HSBC FWE Mentor program matches entrepreneurs for a one-onone mentoring experience with experienced men and women from the business community who volunteer their time to help these businesses thrive. FWE also encourages the sharing of ideas, opportunities and challenges through its Regular Member Forums (random groups of members) and Peer Advisory Circles (consistent groups of 8-10 women in a similar stage of business). Twice a year, FWE makes its popular Roundtable events available to the business community where entrepreneurs and business professionals delve into a specific and timely business topic creating a valuable educational and networking experience. Each year, an annual Gala (this year, February 21, 2011) brings together the local business community together to celebrate women entrepreneurs in a specific industry ◆ Article written in collaboration with FWE, Nicola Wasson & Natalie Brown
MEDIA SPONSOR:
20 THE 2011 E-SERIES SPECIAL EDITION
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Business in Vancouver February 15-21, 2011
PRESENTING THE E-SERIES CL ASS OF 2011
“The FWE is a wonderful organization that we are proud to support. They have created an environment where they are willing to devote their time and share knowledge to help shape the way in which women operate in business. Their positive energy is infectious and I am honoured to have been a part of their e-series classes over the years.” Don Mattrick – e-series presenter & President of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft
“The caliber of people FWE brought to us was incredible and we rely on many to this day. e-series gave us a chance to escape from our day to day business reality so we could actually think about the business and share current stories with other women entrepreneurs.” Lori Kliman, Co-owner of Cupcakes, and Co-Star of A Cupcake Reality Show: The Cupcake Girls
ANNE CARSON Company: Anne Carson Design www.annecarsondesign.com Founded: 2005
Anne Carson Design, creates statement jewellery from gems and freshwater pearls, interspersed with sterling beads and finished with signature toggles and closures. Un ique , ha nd made , elegant and timeless, they take you from your first latte to your last sip of champagne. Customer satisfaction and quality are the backbones of my company. I currently sell through home parties. My customers appreciate my pieces being rather exclusive; a little like a private club.
and smart control systems. We specialize in reducing our clients’ initial and operational costs by working with new lamp regulations and incentives such as BC Hydro Power Smart and Live Smart BC. With Professional Engineers, Lighting Certified, and LEED Accredited staff, Lumiere Concepts is currently the preferred lighting consultant of Green Table – the sustainability and carbon footprint certifier for restaurants.
“Learn from not only the positives but the negatives. Fear is the best motivator I know.” Caren McSherry, cookbook author and owner of Gourmet Warehouse – e-series grad class 2005
MAROUSA DUMARESQ Company: Diplomatic Immunity Clothing Inc. www.diplomatic-immunity.ca Founded: 2007
MANINDER DHALIWAL Company: Lumiere Concepts www.lumiereconcepts.com Founded: 2008
Lumiere Concepts provides lighting consulting, implementation and construction for retail and hospitality – both for new designs and upgrades to existing facilities. We specialize in reducing energy use and improving light quality. Our focus is to optimize the emotional impact of lighting with engineering knowledge of newer lamp offerings
A resort lifestyle clothing brand and multi brand retailer that is styling and inspiring men and women with cutting edge wearable fashion, effortless versatility and a unique style perspective. Designed and manufactured in Vancouver with a flagship retail location on south Granville, growth plans include opening new retail locations across Canada and abroad.
“Listen to your gut, enlist a panel of business advisors you can trust and if you have a business partner, draw up a shareholders agreement.” Alix Cameron and Cindy Ball,
LIZA HAGUSA Company: Mother Me home support www.motherme.ca Founded: 2004
Mother Me Home Support Offers new parents expert, trusted care for their precious newborn babies. Knowledgeable and experienced postnatal doulas specialize in providing infant care for twins and triplets as well as non-judgemental support when new families need it most to experience the joy of their newborn babies. With Mother Me home support, new parents become confident and competent in building a strong oneon-one relationship with their infant providing a priceless investment that lasts a lifetime. The current growth strategy is to increase geographically with new offices in BC and across Canada.
“The e-series program provides support, education, inspiration and great exposure to some of Canada’s most successful people and companies. Your peers will become great friends, supporters, mentors, clients and your most vocal advocates.” Cybele Negris, co-founder and president of webnames.ca – e-series grad class 2003
founders of Eat Drink Be Local (eatdrinkbelocal.com) – e-series grad class 2006
ELLA JOTIE & MICHELE MURGEL Company: Barre Fitness www.barrefitness.com Founded:January 2010
Barre Fitness is an exceptional one-hour regime of ballet, pilates, strength and flexibility training using a ballet barre…guaranteed to transform and sculpt your entire body. Currently 15% of the population is a member of some form of health/ fitness club. This is the first fitness club of its kind in Canada and the only Canadian owned and operated “barre” in Canada. Currently Ella and her partner Michele Murgel are working to develop a distribution (retail component) and marketing strategy, with the goal of creating a template for franchising.
JENNIFFER RANDHAWA AND KAREN MANHAS Company: Sundar Hair Inc. DBA Blo Blow Dry Bar www.blomedry.com Founded: June 2009
Blo Blow Dry Bar is North America’s only Blow Dry Bar. The concept is simple: wash, blo, go with no cutting or coloring. It is an affordable luxury at about $33 in about 30 minutes. Karen earned her diploma in Business Administration from Douglas College and worked extensively within the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for nearly a decade while Jenny graduated with a Master’s in Health Administration from UBC before moving on to management consulting for the next six years. With a diverse background in education and practical experience, it’s no wonder that these two have become a force to be reckoned with in the business world. They teamed up and decided to tackle new territory -- the beauty industry. When Blo Blow Dry Bar launched in 2007, Jenny and Karen were the first to be considered for a franchise partnership and have been with the company since day one, savoring the successes and learning and perfecting the ropes. The two have quickly gone from strength to strength since opening up Morgan Crossing’s first Blo Blow Dry Bar in April 2010. This past summer when opportunity arose to acquire all of Vancouver’s Blo bars (Yaletown, South Granville and Four Seasons Hotel) and the first right of refusal for all of British Columbia, they struck while the (curling) iron was hot! Complementing each other, Jenny and Karen truly understand that working cohesively as a team unit spells out success.
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February 15-21, 2011 Business in Vancouver
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THE 2011 E-SERIES SPECIAL EDITION 21
PRESENTING THE E-SERIES CL ASS OF 2011
RAVY MEHROKE Company: Bombay Brow Bar Inc www.bombaybrowbar.com Founded: 2010
Bombay Brow Bar is an Indian inspired eyebrow bar. At Bombay, we’re not a spa. We have a major brow obsession - it`s all we do. For 23 dollars, pick a sculpting technique and leave with perfectly sculpted brows in 15 minutes. No pain, no hassle. Just serious brow perfection. With the successful opening of their flagship location in Feb 2010 in Yaletown, Ravy and her sister Amy Minhas are actively looking to expand their business to 35+ locations across Canada and US through a strong corporate, franchise, and kiosk model.
SUJI MOON Company: Bow Wow Haus Dog Boutique www.bowwowhaus.ca Founded: 2007
Bow Wow Haus offers a great selection of cool gear for modern dogs…as well as a carefully chosen mix of the healthiest foods and treats. With a range of additional services, including a boutique small dog daycare, training classes, and social events, urban dog
owners will find everything they need to raise a happy, healthy & stylish dog! Bow Wow Haus currently has an existing network of 1500+ who regularly attend events and to whom it communicates special offers and helpful facts using social media. As the market for improved pet services grows, so does the competition. The plan is to secure Bow Wow Haus as a leader in this industry by developing a strong franchise model. The first Bow Wow Haus franchise opened in Kitsilano in October 2010, with a second scheduled for Spring 2011.
TINA THOMPSON Company: MUG Solutions www.mugsolutions.com Founded: 2006
MUG Solutions provides the only permanent solution for preventing biohazard’s contaminants (such as used syringes) and all other debris from entering through manhole covers. The MUG Flap saves workers lives, companies money and contractors time, and is therefore known as a win, win, win. Thompson and her company have garnered international recognition, receiving two Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Tina Thompson was also the proud recipient of the BC Achievement Foundation’s Outstanding Business Achievement at the 2010 BC Aboriginal Business Awards.
“Give even more than you receive, because you will receive a lot.” Lara Kozan, Co-founder of YYoga – e-series grad class 2008
JEETI POONI Company: To Desire www.todesire..com Founded: 2002
JANE SCALLON Company: iDance Studios www.idance-studios.com Founded: 2008
iDance is a drop-in dance and fitness studio for the dancer in all of us - no experience necessary! iDance offers a variety of open-level dance classes - from Ballet to Hip Hop and Bollywood to Zumba - as well as themed workshops, such as Burlesque (the movie) and Flashdance. They also offer a popular Dancer’s Body Bootcamp. What better way to get a dancer’s body than to dance? Simply put, the dance classes are fun and the bootcamps are fierce. iDance opened in Vancouver on September 8, 2008 and was voted one of “the top 3 dance studios in The Georgia Straight’s Best of Vancouver 2010”. iDance opened their 2nd location in Langley on January 1, 2011. iDance’s mission is to continue to breakdown the elitest barriers surrounding dance and open more iDance Studios - making dance available to everyone... everywhere. As part of the e-series program, Jane hopes to learn how to manage the studio’s growth and create a template for franchising.
To Desire provides decadent collections of luxury wraps, shawls and shrugs designed by Jeeti Pooni. To Desire wraps are locally made from luscious fabrics and laces imported from exotic locales such as Italy, France, and India. To Desire wraps offer versatility and can be worn in various ways – over a suit, elegant evening gowns, high end denim, or in the boudoir. The inception of To Desire began with custom made evening and wedding gowns, now the focus has shifted to the wholesale model and online sales of wraps. To Desire wraps, shawls and shrugs are available at select boutiques in Vancouver including The Velvet Room Boutique, Malary’s and Blushing Boutique.
LAURA PATRICK Company: Patrick Physiotherapist Corp. dba. Kids Physiotherapy www.kidsphysio.ca Founded: 2006
treatment techniques and specialized therapy equipment to help children improve at a wide variety of gross motor skills in a fun and inspiring environment. The only clinic of its kind in Vancouver, Kids Physiotherapy has established a strong community connection and online presence.
Nicole Stefenelli, founder of Urban Impact – e-series grad class 2003
LESEL RADAGE Company: Grooster Canada Inc. www.grooster.com Founded: February 2010
With online shopping on the rise, new online shopping experiences are popping up all over. Grooster provides an online shopping site based in Vancouver, where limited quantities of products from local retailers, designers and manufacturers are put up for sale every day at discounted prices (25-70% off). We sell products in the context of week long, first come-first serve flash sales. Our buyers visit local retailers to pick up their purchases. Grooster’s online marketplace supports premium local businesses with measurable and affordable promotions - raising awareness by promoting new products or clearing some inventory, while driving consumers in store.
K id s Phy siot her apy prov ides specia lized physiotherapy ser vices exclusively for children. Laura and t he Kids Physio team use
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“Take the time to research best practices in your business, find the person that is in the know and just call them. Most people in business genuinely want to help others.”
“Each year I am thrilled to speak to the dynamic women of the FWE e-series classes to share my perspective on being a serial entrepreneur.” John Seminerio, e-series presenter & Founding Partner, Magellan Angel Partners & Co-Founder Abatis Systems & OctigaBay
“Try and listen to every speaker with an open mind and take notes! You will likely be able to apply what they’ve shared at some point in your business’s life.” Lisa Will, Owner of Stonz - e-series grad class 2008
22 THE 2011 E-SERIES SPECIAL EDITION
Daily business news at www.biv.com
Business in Vancouver February 15-21, 2011
A Toast to Women in Wine W
annually from 150 acres of estate vines. Sandra established Tinhorn as Canada’s first carbon neutral winery and as Canada’s first winery to convert entirely to Stelvin screw caps.
omen entrepreneu rs a re t he owner-operators of British Columbia’s most successful wineries. Women have contributed their flair, innovation and business acumen in helping to grow the industry tenfold in the last 30 years, to almost 200 wineries last year. Whether starting on their own or as co-owners with spouses, and whether they entered the industry through family succession or a dramatic mid-life career change, women are making some of Canada’s finest wines. Some have taken their wineries full cycle, through a successful sale process, and with ‘wine in their veins’ have then gone on to start new wineries.
Sandra Oldfield, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
Further south, on the ‘Golden Mile’, Sandra Oldfield of Tinhorn Creek Vineyards has shown tremendous insight into the potential of the Valley by building Tinhorn to a scale that reflects what the industry has become, increasing production to 35,000 cases
GALA SPONSORS: GOLD SPONSORS:
CHRIS MASON STEARNS
Women in wine – a history of success Building upon her family’s vineyard heritage, Trudy Heiss of Gray Monk is an early pioneer of the modern era, planting the first Alsace clone of Pinot Gris in the Okanagan. Jane Mavety and her husband, Ian established Blue Mountain Vineyards in 1971 and started their own winery in 1991. Today, with daughter Christie and son Matt they are pioneering high density stressed growing techniques.
Helping to put BC wines on the map and in the cellars A former teacher and retailer, Senka Tennant, a co-founder of Black Hills Estate Winery in 1999, put Nota Bene on wine lists as the first Bordeaux blend in the Okanagan to achieve cult status. By 2007, the winery was sold for around $11 million to a group of investors including Hollywood celebrity Jason Priestley. Instead of enjoying early retirement, Senka is on to her next vine venture, Terra Vista Vineyards. After building Red Rooster production to more than 16,000 cases annually, entrepreneur Prudence Mahrer sold the winery for $5 million to Andres (Peller Estates). But after a few years of retirement, Prudence convinced her husband Beat to do it again and opened Ruby Tuesday, modeled as a scaled replica of the Eagle’s Hotel California. In an effort to diversify, Prudence, is also selling designer shoes at the winery. After reinventing herself from a certified general accountant to a wine proprietor, Evelyn Campbell successf u l ly rebra nded Prpich Hills as Blasted Church with edgy labels that are currently on display in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and has built annual production to 18,000 cases. Ann Sperling left the family vineyard in 1984 to learn winemaking abroad and returned home in 2009 to make super-premium wines at Sperling Vineyards. She also continues to be a winemaker at Southbrook Vineyards in Ontario and owns a vineyard in Argentina with her husband.
Cynthia Enns & David, Laughing Stock Vinyards
Women who are behind some of our fabulous artisan wineries On the Naramata Bench, Cynthia Enns a nd her husband David coupled their experience in investment and finance with a passion for winemaking, and have built Laughing Stock Vineyards into one of the Valleys most successful boutique wineries. Down the road, Miranda Halladay and her husband Del established Elephant Island Orchard Wines on a fruit growing property purchased 40 years earlier by Miranda’s grandmother. All of the proceeds from the sale of their ‘Little King’ sparkling wine are donated to the education of pediatric nurses in memory of their son Rex who they lost shortly after childbirth. Right next door, Heidi Noble and Michael Dinn have just taken Joie Farm to the next level with the purchase of another 12.2 acres of orchard property on the Naramata Bench through the Holman Lang receivership sale. Also on the Naramata Bench right next to Terry David Mulligan’s studio from which he broadcasts “Tasting Room Radio”, Niva Martin and her husba nd Jef f have incorporated their family’s Australian wine making experience into producing the unique wins of La Frenz.
Just outside of Okanagan Falls, Janice Stevens and her husband Jak have launched the Meyer Family Vineyards and further south, Saeedeh Salem has built two boutique wineries Le Vieux Pin and LaStella to meet the demand of wine enthusiasts looking for a luxurious and ultimate wine experience. Nearby, Anna Manola and her husband Victor relied on their Romanian winemaking roots when they launched Silver Sage. Since Victor’s sudden passing in 2002, Anna has taken over all aspects of the winery business. O t her notable loc a l w inema kers have reinvented the classic grape such as Judie Barta who launched Meadow Vista Honey Wines, the first honey w iner y in t he Okanagan; Nicole Bullock, manager of Raven Ridge Cidery, who produces ice cider from the family’s apple orchards and Sara Harker of Rustic Roots who produces organic fruit wines. Women among the newcomers Nadine Allander, assistant winemaker at Poplar Grove, has just announced that she will follow the footsteps of her in-laws Kicki and Torsten Allander at Foxtrot Vineyards by launching Wapiti Cellars as her own label with the first vintage of Viognier coming
BRONZE SPONSORS:
out this summer. Christine Coletta, who helped put VQA wines on the map as head of the British Columbia Wine Institute, recently opened Haywire Winery and Jennifer Molgat recently developed The View Winery on her historic family farm in Kelowna. A tragic car accident inspired Judy Kingston, a pioneer in computer law, to retire from a prosperous 25-year law career and plant a vineyard near Naramata. This serendipitous moment also inspired the name of her winery, Serendipity Estate Winery, which opens in spring 2011.
These are only some of British Columbia’s prominent women in wine. Daenna Van Mulligen, as the Wine Diva, has established a huge internet presence; and Michele Bouffard and Michaela Morris at House Wines are similarly building a reputation in the wine consulting business. Throughout British Columbia’s numerous wine growing regions women are producing some of British Columbia’s finest wines. Keep up the good work ladies! ◆ Article written in collaboration with FWE and John Schreiner
¼ BC Women Entrepreneurs in Wine Company Black Widow Winery Blasted Church Blue Mountain Vineyards Camelot Vineyards Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Crowsnest Vineyards D’Angelo Estate Winery Dunham Froese Estate Winery 8th Generation Vineyard Elephant Island Orchard Wines Foxtrot Vineyards Ex Nihilo Vineyards Golden Beaver Estate Vineyard & Winery Gray Monk Estate Winery & Vineyards Haywire Winery Herder Winery & Vineyards Hillside Estate Winery House of Rose Winery Joie Wines La Frenz Winery Laughing Stock Vineyards Le Vieux Pin Winery & LaStella Winery Marichel Vineyards & Winery Hollywood & Wine Estate Vineyards Meadow Vista Honey Wines Merridale Ciderworks Meyer Family Estates Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery Oliver Twist Estate Winery Orofino Vineyards Pentage Winery Raven Ridge Cidery Road 13 Vineyards Robin Ridge Winery Ruby Tuesday Winery (founder of Red Rooster) Rustic Roots Winery Serendipity Wines Seven Stones Winery Silver Sage Winery Sonoran Estate Winery Sperling Vineyards Stag’s Hollow Winery Terravista Vineyards (founder of Black Hills) The View Winery The Young & Wyse Collection Thornhaven Estates Tinhorn Creek Winery Twisted Tree Vineyards & Winery Van Westen Vineyards Venturi Schulze Vineyards Wapiti Cellars Willow Hill Vineyards Working Horse Winery
Name Shona Lancaster Evelyn Campbell Jane & Christie Mavety Denise Young Midge Wyse Ann Heinecke Stephanie D’Angelo Crystal Froese & Shelly Covert Stefanie Schales Miranda Halladay Kicki Allander Decoa Harder Stella Schmidt Trudy Heiss Christine Coletta Sharon Herder Kathy Carpenter Aura Rose Heidi Noble Niva Martin Cynthia Enns Saeedeh Salem Elisabeth Roskell Betty Massey Judie Barta Janet Docherty Janice Stevens Leslie D’Andrea Denice Hagerman Virginia Weber Julie Rennie Nicole Bullock Pam Luckhurst Caroline Cottrill Prudence Mahrer Sara Harker Judy Kingston Vivianne Hanson Anna Manola Sarah Smits Ann Sperling Linda Pruegger Senka Tennant Jennifer Molgat Michelle Young Jan Fraser Sandra Oldfield Beata Tolley Tammi Foster Marilyn Schulze Nadine Allander Joy Venables Sara Norman
**This list represents some of the female (co)owners of wineries & vineyards in BC.