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VOL.XVII NO.4

APRIL 2006

WWW.EDMONTONIANS.COM

ALBERTA’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT PAGING COMPANY

FREE Teresa Spinelli Top 100 Woman Entrepreneurs

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Connie Kennedy Realtor of the year

Emma Scott Woman of Vision

Let’s hear it for

THE GIRLS!

Mary Cameron Woman Build

Carissa Reiniger Women Entrepreneurs of Canada

Foreign workers/Wegmann-Sanchez • Al-Jazeera TV/Hogle • Why Edmonton?/Banister

pompous & unfair FUNNY

Health report

By Muggsy Forbes

Going the distance...and winning

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person was her commitment to family and friends. I was lucky enough to be a friend. Her children—Sandy, Caralee and Jamie—gave the eulogies at the service. Jamie imparted a brilliant and funny portrait of his mom; a refreshing way to relieve the tension and fit the personality.

ne day not long ago, I crossed

paths with friends who had recently faced health challenges and all are recovering nicely. Here’s an update on these well known Edmontonians.

Bob Gouin, the black sheep of the Gouin dynasty, had a heart attack in January and is almost fully recovered. I saw him while having my Saturday lunch at the Flying Club and he looked fine. No, he wasn’t flying… but he was just as talkative as usual.

While having dinner before a movie that evening, we met Ed Kilbride and his wife Sharon. Ed became ill shortly after he opened The Board Room men’s spa in Commerce Place. It turns out he had cancer of the throat, more specifically in his tonsils. He sounded a little hoarse, but Dr. Ollie thought it was kinda sexy.

Anyway, he looked darn good to me.

Later, as we were coming out of the theatre, there was Father Mike McCaffery. I Ed Kilbride was taken aback: February 2005 cover His face looked like it had been used as an ashtray... little burn-like spots all over. He explained that he had had some treatments to prevent skin cancer and it seemed to be working. I think I know how he feels. I get a face peel once a month to prevent the same problem—something about too much skiing at high altitudes with not enough sunscreen.

Just so you know: I wouldn’t have written about these three if they all hadn’t said they were well. We know who’s looking after Father Mike. Bob and Ed should thank their higher powers and, at the very least, be thankful we live in Edmonton where we have some of the finest medical facilities anywhere. And I hope Ralph doesn’t mess that up with his Third Way—whatever that is.

Not everyone is as lucky. Virginia Lee Kidd—

©2004, 2005 Scott Kay, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All images and logos are trademarks of Scott Kay, Inc.

known far and wide as Ginny—died of cancer in midMarch. She was the widow of George who passed away of a heart attack 22 years ago. He was one of the originals at CFRN Television. Ginny was one of the great hostesses whose New Year’s day parties were legend. She was a tireless community worker, but what made her such a great

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Because Dr. Ollie runs and teaches marathoners, I’ve developed a great interest in people who run marathons. Sandra McCallum has set a course for herself that’s incredible. I scooped the following excerpts from a news release.

As if running a normal marathon wasn’t difficult enough, local Edmonton athlete Sandra McCallum goes one step further. Nicknamed the “Desert Queen,” McCallum runs ultra marathons… in the desert. Sandra, to keep her self busy is running six Ultra’s around the world. All in deserts.

No male or female athlete has ever done this before: to break a world record in hostile deserts.

The total distance for these six races is 950 miles. Her 2006 race schedule reads like a travel book, with races taking her to Africa, China, South America and the Antarctic Desert No athlete in the world has ever attempted all six races in the same year, and each race varies greatly in conditions and degree of difficulty… McCallum will also be the first and only North American to race the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert in Morocco a record seven times!

She’s been featured in a number of documentaries and McCallum, a former TV journalist, is also a well-known and accomplished public motivational speaker… And Sandra McCallum’s goal of setting a world record by running six desert marathons in 2006 is nothing short of amazing To find out more about McCallum and sponsorship opportunities for The Desert Grand Slam, please visit saharaodyssey.com or e-mail jacquie@silverlining.ws.

Concordia University College of Alberta has appointed Patricia Warmington the vice-president of advancement. What’s advancement, you ask. It’s the job of creating awareness that Concordia is now a full university, but with smaller classes, and one-on-ones with some of the very dedicated professors.

Patricia has been around the fund-raising-fordevelopment business for some time. She was with the University of Alberta medical faculty, Ketchum Canada, the University of Saskatchewan, and Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Foundation. The job she remembers fondly is her time as an on-air personality with CBC Edmonton.

By the way, Harry and Muriel Hole have donated a large sum of money to start the new Hole Academic Centre. Part of Patricia’s job will be to attract other educationally-minded people and corporations to fund

future expansions. If anyone can do the job Patricia will be the one. She has a strong upbeat personality with a great sense of humour.

When Mork Agencies calls and says, “You didn’t get the big part, but you did get a smaller part of the patient,” you should ask more questions. I auditioned for a commercial for a client which I’m sworn not to mention. I was a guy having a heart attack and the shot was the ambulance backing up, doors flying open, two paramedics exploding out, whipping me out strapped on a gurney, racing up an incline to the emergency room. It took about 30 takes and the two paramedics—real ones—were exhausted by the time we hit midnight.

One of the paramedics was a very attractive young lady by the name of Tammy Rideout and the guy was a very bald Layne McIntosh. Both work for Alberta Paramedical Services Ltd., a company that doesn’t go on emergency calls but contracts out for large events or corporations that need a standby ambulance crew. Based in St. Albert, it also arranges those emergency flights from the U.S. back to Canada for the less expensive medical care.

I have to admire both of the paramedics because lugging my 190 pounds of flesh for five hours is a test no one should have to endure.

The last movie I was in I was killed with an axe. This time I’m a heart attack victim. I’ve got to get a part where I stand up and don’t die. I hope I’m not getting type cast as a corpse.

I was delighted to see a friend of mine win the VenturePrize at the Edmonton Economic Development Corp. Chris LaBossiere and Don Riep of ProExams won the $80,000 prize, something that will come in handy for a new company. I served on the board of the Edmonton Flying Club with Chris; In fact that’s where Chris and Don met. The original idea was to develop an online program for flight exams—a small market.

Thankfully they switched to online examinations in various fields. A wise choice, because the aviation thing wasn’t going to go any where in my humble opinion.

The VenturePrize has been a boon to many smaller companies. Remember the trucks with big signs that said 1-800-GOT-JUNK in big print? That was Don. Going from trash disposal to doing business on-line has to be a nice change. It’s nice to see a couple of young guys start something that I’ll be able to say “I knew them when they had nothing—and that was financed.” Great luck to you both. ✔ Call Muggsy Forbes at 780.482.4545 or e-mail mforbes@edmontonians.com

Scott Kay Vintage Platinum Collection EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2006

Proof___2_______PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________

Poll

CELEBRATING

17

STATION

YEARS

With Linda Banister

H

aving a sense of community is akin to having a sense of security and belonging.

However, as a community grows, as Edmonton has over the past 10 years, the social ties that bind begin to strain and become increasingly challenging. For a recent example, one need only look at the incident involving four Edmonton youth fatally beating a man on a city bus. In the days and weeks that followed, Edmontonians were forced to take a step back and re-evaluate the state of their community.

The public outcry and demand for positive change are a testament to the good nature and will of the people of this city. For this month’s Poll Station, respondents were asked what makes Edmonton such a good place to live in and what they feel creates a sense of community.

Vol. XVII

APRIL 2006

No. 4

SHARON MacLEAN Publisher and Advertising Director Telephone: 780.482.7000 Fax: 780.488.9317 e-mail: info@edmontonians.com edmontonians.com

INSIDE FUNNY, POMPOUS AND UNFAIR Health report/Forbes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 POLL STATION Why Edmonton?/Banister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED HERE AND WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST?

INSIDE TORONTO Private clubs/Reiniger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS Foreign workers/Wegmann-Sanchez . . . . . . . . . . .5

72% Percentage

FEATURE Networking/McHugh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Women Build/Finley & Deters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Women of Vison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Top 100/Edmondson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Leading lady/Deters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

16% 13%

MAKING MONEY ETF Land/Hiebert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 BIZINTEL Science and Tech/Croucher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Media Minute/Hogle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 BizIT/Michetti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Civic Buzz/Norwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 LIVELY LIFESTYLES Menu Magic/Berry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Absolute Bodo/Bodo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 BARB DETERS Editor

editor@edmontonians.com COLUMNISTS Linda Banister Linda Bodo Cheryl Croucher Muggsy Forbes Ron Hiebert Bruce Hogle Greg Michetti W. Daniel Mothersill David Norwood Carissa Reiniger Nizar J. Somji Jessica Wegmann-Sanchez FEATURE WRITERS Murray Donaldson Janet Edmondson Kellie Finley Peter Drake McHugh Michael O’Toole Marg. Pullishy Peter Roccia PHOTOGRAPHERS Linda Bodo Terry Bourque Cheryl Croucher Barb Deters Fred Katz GRAPHIC PRODUCTION Rage Studios Inc. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Michetti Information Solutions Inc.

THIS MONTH’S COVER

Indicated that they lived in the city of Edmonton for over 10 years.

Indicated that they lived in the city of Edmonton 5 to 10 years.

Indicated that they lived in the city of Edmonton for less than 5 years.

To begin, respondents were asked how long they have lived in the City of Edmonton. The majority (72 percent) indicated they had lived here for over 10 years, while 16 percent had been here for five to 10 years, and 13 percent for five years or less. Next, they were asked their overall satisfaction with living in the City. Almost all respondents (92 percent) were either very (58 percent) or somewhat (34 percent) satisfied with living in Edmonton, while three percent were neutral, and five percent were dissatisfied overall.

Respondents were asked what they liked most about living in the City of Edmonton.

The strong economy and availability of employment (29 percent), strong sense of community (28 percent), and closeness to family (25 percent) were the most frequent responses. Other positive aspects included the proximity to recreational activities (22 percent), arts and culture (17 percent), and the size of the community (six percent).

WHAT CREATES A SENSE OF COMMUNITY? When asked what creates a sense of community almost half of all respondents (44 percent) said their neighbourhood and the people that live within it. Family (36 percent), friends (34 percent), and volunteerism (27 percent) were also defining factors. Other mentions included the abundance of recreational opportunities (14 percent), people

pulling in the same direction (five percent), arts and culture (four percent), and a sense of safety (three percent).

Respondents were asked to comment on Edmontonians’ sense of community.

Generally, they were positive as 21 percent said it was very strong, and 51 percent said it was somewhat strong. Twenty percent said it was neither strong nor weak, and six percent said it was very or somewhat weak. Those who identified a strong sense of community felt this way because people stick together and look after each other, there is a high number of volunteers in the City, and a high level of participation in community activities. Those that rated Edmonton’s sense of community lower pointed to people being unfriendly or rude, and to high levels of crime.

Percentage

FOUNDER DICK MacLEAN

44%

Indicated their neighbourhood creates a sense of community

36%

Indicated their family create a sense of community

34%

Executive Welcome Do you know of an executive who is new to Edmonton, recently joined a company or newly promoted? If so, let Cecile Lupul help them find their way around the city’s business community.

Call Cecile Lupul today: Phone/fax: 780.922.6413 E-mail: cglupul@hotmail.com

27%

27%

Indicated their Indicated Indicated other friends create volunteerism factors created a sense of creates a sense of a sense of community community community

“

Finally, respondents were asked what could be done to create a stronger sense of community in the City. The most frequent mentions were reducing crime (36 percent), more community gatherings (24 percent), less focus on material possessions (17 percent), more focus on family (14 percent), and less focus on work (13 percent).✔

”

Linda Banister is a certified management consultant and the owner of Banister Research and Consulting Inc., a full service provider of market research and program evaluation services.

If you have a question you would like included in the Edmontonians Poll, contact Linda at 780.451.4444 or e-mail at lbanister@edmontonians.com. For further information on the firm visit www.banister.ab.ca.

Women Entrepreneurs: Scott, Spinelli, Kennedy, Cameron and Reiniger Cover photo by Fred Katz Published by 399620 Alberta Ltd. on the first day of each month at 333, 10240 - 124 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5N 3W6. ©All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

Manuscripts: must be accompanied by a stamped, selfaddressed envelope. Edmontonians is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

All stories Copyright ©Edmontonians Publications Mail Agreement No. 40023292 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department 333, 10240 - 124 Street Edmonton, AB T5N 3W6 Email: info@edmontonians.com

EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2006 Proof____1_______________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________

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Inside Toronto with Carissa Reiniger

I

f you’re planning to spend a bit

of time in Toronto and need something more than a hotel room, but less than an office, maybe this column will help.

There are a number of private clubs in Toronto that are great bases for a traveling business person. They can provide an instant network, facilities for meetings or events, and exclusivity.

Each caters to different groups of people for different purposes; you are bound to rub elbows with some of the who’s who of Toronto.

THE NATIONAL CLUB 303 Bay Street www.thenationalclub.com The National Club is a veteran in high society networking—and that about sums it up. With many influential business leaders in Toronto holding corporate and private meetings at the club, this is definitely a centre for wheeling and dealing. Located in the heart of the financial district, The National Club is designated a historic site and is beautifully maintained. This one is definitely for those of you who appreciate the finer things in life.

VERITY 111 Queen Street East www.verity.ca Verity has quickly become an it place for women around Toronto. With decorated lounge area, gym, spa, pool, library and private meeting rooms, you’ll want to return

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to this haven again and again. Men are allowed, but only in certain areas. Guests are welcome as long as they attend with a member. I am a member, so if you are in the area, send me an e-mail and I can take you there.

ECONOMIC CLUB OF TORONTO Various venues www.ecot.ca This club does not have walls around it and offers great resources for exclusive networking with key leaders. In its own words, “The Economic Club of Toronto is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to bringing our members and guests face-to-face with the most important leaders of our time.” ECOT facilitates sessions with leading politicians and economists and gives its members list updates and information on upcoming events, preferred seating and event discounts.

ONTARIO CLUB 5th Floor, Commerce Court South 30 Wellington Street West www.ontarioclub.com Now in its 95th year, the Ontario Club is home to many professionals in the city including Toronto’s diplomatic community.

Dating back to Sir Wilfred Laurier, the club maintains a traditional atmosphere—but knows when to break the rules. It has long welcomed members of all races and religions.

Ladies, you will be pleased to hear that it was one of the first men’s clubs to admit and

encourage women members. Many organizations such as Women Entrepreneurs of Canada and Business Networking International hold their regular meetings at the Ontario Club.

CRAIGLEITH SKI CLUB R.R. #3, Collingwood www.craigleith.com If you are more of an outdoorsy person, you might find some of the private resorts in the Blue Mountain region appealing.

Although the ski hills are more like Snow Valley than Lake Louise, it was still great to be outdoors at the private resort in Craigleith. I spent a great day snowshoeing, met a lot of friendly people, ate really good food, and enjoyed the nice—but not extravagant—lodge. For upwards of $40,000 a year you can have full access to the ski hills, snowshoe and cross country trails, and the rest of the membership. Imagine how many business deals get done on those slopes. ✔ Do you have a Toronto question?

Contact: carissa@edmontonians.com Carissa Reiniger is the founder and president of Silver Lining Ltd—silverlining.ws—which helps small businesses identify business development plans and then uses communication strategies to ensure they reach their goals. She splits her time flying between the Silver Lining offices in Toronto and Edmonton.

EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2006

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skilled people to wait, and for us to wait to get them here.

Consensus at the forum was that Quebec has the right idea in speeding up and streamlining this process.

However, employers who have exhausted their job search within Canada can initiate a process to bring in workers much more quickly under two different programs.

The temporary foreign worker program may take as little as a month or two, and allows companies to bring in workers for up to three years. The provincial nominee program (PNP) takes nine to 12 months, and allows workers to stay permanently.

According to Alice Wong, Alberta Economic Development’s manager of economic immigration, “The temporary foreign worker program is basically a testing period. If you are happy with the worker, you can retain them under the PNP program.”

Still there are some pitfalls: identifying foreign workers with appropriate qualifications, ensuring their training meets Alberta standards, and retaining the workers in Edmonton long-term, to name just a few.

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there will be 400,000 jobs created in Alberta, of which only 300,000 will be filled.” These were the figures given by Dr. Lyle Oberg, speaking from his former post as Alberta’s minister in charge of immigration at the foreign workers’ readiness information seminar lunch. The seminar, put on by West Edmonton Business Association, Alberta Human Resources and Employment, and Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC), was sold out shortly after it was announced.

Oberg added that Albertans are having fewer children: “In the next five to 10 years, our school-age population will also drop by six to nine percent… What is the answer?” he asked. “Immigration.”

I think he’s hit the nail on the head. The labour shortage has government offices related to immigration, recruiters, lawyers, and skills training services hopping. My office is no exception, with companies urgently requesting Mexican labourers eager to come to Alberta, or alternately wanting to transfer a portion of their manufacturing to Mexico. Dealing directly with companies that are looking for solutions made me truly appreciate the practical nature of the foreign workers’ readiness seminar, and its step-by-step explanation of the application processes.

Speakers at the forum were from different government associations related to immigration and skills training. The seminar was geared toward employers that wanted to attract foreign workers, and included a useful information package with the forms necessary to apply for them.

How fast can you get them here?

It turns out that when an immigrant who qualifies applies for residency in Canada through the normal process, it takes from two to seven years. Wow! That’s a long time for

And no, they don’t take jobs from Canadians.

The seminar stressed that immigrants will not be taking Canadians’ jobs. It is much easier, quicker and cheaper for firms to hire Canadian residents, and the government has numerous skills training programs in place to bring even more Canadians to the workforce—specific programs target Aboriginals, youth, and retirees. Hiring foreign workers is a last resort for companies that have exhausted their job search in Canada. And the government ensures that companies pay their foreign employees the “average wage for workers in the sector in their particular geographic region,” so bringing in foreign workers is not a way to get cheap labour, contrary to the common perception.

Karen Link, EEDC manager in charge of labour market issues, has been swamped with calls from companies looking for staff shortage solutions. Of seminars like this one, she says, “We plan to run them every two months throughout the year.” So if you’re having problems finding workers, you might want to get on the waiting list.

MIND-BOGGLING STATS FROM THE GREATER EDMONTON AREA Labour shortage, recruitment, speeding up immigration, and retention of immigrants in the Edmonton area seem to be on everyone’s minds lately.

These were also concerns expressed by EEDC’s Lori Schmidt in her presentation Greater Edmonton’s Economic Outlook for 2006 at the Alberta’s International Region February partnership breakfast at the Executive Royal Inn, Leduc-Nisku. Alberta’s International Region is made up of seven municipalities clustered around Nisku Business Park and Edmonton International Airport. The breakfast was sponsored

by Trade Aid, a company which “serves as the international department for companies who don’t have one,” according to Derwin Herrera, executive VP. Schmidt presented a large number of interesting

statistics on the Greater Edmonton area that are newly available on the EEDC website. For instance, did you know that Edmonton’s GDP growth rate “exceeded Canadian growth in nine of the past 10 years” and “exceeded Alberta growth in seven of the past 10 years”?

Moreover, “the Edmonton-Calgary Corridor is the world’s largest industrial corridor with a GDP second only to Luxembourg… and is Canada’s strongest economy.”

Schmidt also pointed out two other primary industrial corridors: the energy value-added corridor, extending north from Edmonton to cover $85+ billion in oilsands projects; and another potential natural resource corridor, extending northwest from Edmonton to Grande Prairie and rich in coal, forestry and agriculture.

Her main point: “All three of these prime industrial corridors converge in the Greater Edmonton Region.”

This phenomenal industrial base heralds tremendous things for our future—if we can only solve our labour problem.

ATTRACTING NEW GROUPS OF TOURISTS EEDC has been making inroads to attracting new groups of tourists. Four tourism companies in Mexico have agreed to work together—a first for these rival agencies—with EEDC on a program to bring 900 Mexicans to the Edmonton area this summer. The Mexicans would occupy five charter flights, with 180 passengers per flight, estimated to bring in $1.8 million of revenue. If the travel packages are a success, the program would continue in subsequent years.

Ken Fiske, vice-president of tourism, events and motion pictures, is in charge of this program. He would also like to extend it to our winter months. It’s no surprise that winter has not traditionally been a great time for tourism revenue in Northern Alberta.

Edmonton—It’s Cooler Here Well, Fiske aims to change that. He launched the Edmonton—It’s Cooler Here campaign this winter. He points out that many Mexicans may not have seen snow, and tourists from other countries too may want to “experience a winter environment with activities that anyone can do, not like skiing.” He suggests dog sledding as an exotic alternative. “With skiing,” he points out, “one, you have to spend time learning how to do it and, two, you have to get the proper clothing and equipment.”

As reported in last month’s column, the program was well launched with the two 747s which brought more than 600 Japanese tourists here on a sojourn to view the northern lights in Fort McMurray. Their trip was complemented by a day of shopping in Edmonton.

It’s encouraging to see a campaign that focuses on attracting this new wave of knowledge-hungry ecotourists. This approach beats apologizing for our winters.✔ Jessica Wegmann-Sanchez, Ph.D., is Director of Corporate Communications for BIDMEXICO International Inc., an Edmonton-based company specializing in foreign business development in Mexico. Email: jsanchez@edmontonians.com

EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2006 Proof_ 3_____PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________

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Walk a mile in her high heels Men don’t know what they don’t know– but women know

By P. Drake McHugh or heaven’s sake, let’s not rile the waters. It has been nearly 40 years since women’s liberation swept North America—long enough that most young women have no idea of the status they used to occupy in the crazy, male fun sort of Todd Bertuzzi world.

What’s the trouble with that?

F

SAME OLD, SAME OLD It has taken this long for the movement to meet the mainstream and begin moving from revolution to renaissance—a new reality. Much of the stridency is gone and this time some (confident) men seem quite at home with a sea change in how women are set to impact the Canadian economy over the next decade. It is nothing less than a quiet revolution made possible, in part, by the advent of technology. Still, many women realize that, after all this time, they are not fully accepted by their male counterparts—those who set the level of the glass ceiling and the rules for admission to the old boys’ club.

At worst, women say there is an unsettling hypocrisy abroad in the land that equates women’s values in life and the work place as small-pond values, a helpless under-class of those sometimes perceived as the victims of an unlucky break in the genetic sweepstake. Male chauvinism is a particularly attractive part of the Alberta landscape. Here in the buckle of the Bible belt, no Brokeback Mountain types, tree huggers or folks with an alternative opinion need apply.

Too harsh? Perhaps, but perhaps not… hmmmm.

that’s what I would do.”

And that’s the point a new generation of women is making. What society can afford to dismiss so easily the talents of half its population? Damn, the other half must be gods.

A well travelled female population with good educational standards has for too long inhabited the arcane groves of academia and the devastated landscape of public service.

Despite the sea change, the wealth of experience argues that women continue to be less valued than their male brethren.

All the social engineering and decades of governmental good intentions have amounted to a lot of dead trees with writing on them—but with not much recognition of the different roles that men and women play in society and the fact that they think differently. Any married man or woman will speak to this truth, evidently a harder sell in the tough masculine—though not always manly—world of business.

Now women think they have discovered a new path. A path that may accomplish what good intentions have failed to in the past. From Signal Hill to Tofino, women are rewriting the rules of work and increasingly becoming your boss. Surprisingly, the sky has not yet fallen. Economics are driving big change.

According to Alexandria Favret, owner of Taffy Productions Inc. in Edmonton, “Women are creating three times as many businesses as men, and there are over 821,000 women entrepreneurs in Canada, contributing over $18 billion to the economy.”

Those statistics reverberated with Alex. In February,

she launched the local chapter of eWomenNetwork, a wheat-roots organization of women business owners and professionals who are committed to supporting and transacting business with women. The obvious question follows.

“Good heavens, no. We are not male bashers. We are not against men. We love men and we appreciate what they add to living a full and happy life but,” she adds ominously, “we are women competing in a male dominated society, and the decision-making processes are different and we’re not interested in pretending to be men.” eWomenNetwork is different than a plethora of other such organizations in that each member is showcased and given the opportunity to ask for what she actually needs.

It is, if you like, the art of being. Being who you are before what you are. Men are often defined by their jobs; women not so much. This, psychologists agree, is not necessarily a bad thing.

ISO26000—SAY IT ISN’T SO

Favret explains, “I think most networks follow a traditional male model: He who collects the most business cards at an event wins. We don’t do that. Unless you actually have something you can do for someone, then we strongly suggest you don’t give out your business card… this is what makes us different too. It is not about what can these people do for me, but about what you can do for someone else.” Sound a little hokie?

Think about this.

WE UNDERSTAND The well-respected International Standards Even men trying to keep a low profile can be seen as Organization (ISO) in Geneva is working on a checklist having wilful incomprehension. Women feel they are for companies that want to measure and dialoguing with the deaf. These are demonstrate their adherence to virtue. the lads in the band who are often The new guidelines will be available in times their own best audience, deaf to a world that is changing—must In 2001, more than 1.5 million women—14 percent of the total female population aged 15 and 2008 as ISO26000 and sound suspiciously like what is already being change. The model of ‘at daggers over in Canada—were living alone, more than double the total in 1971. Seniors are by far the promoted by eWomenNetwork. drawn’ is helpful for no one. most likely women to live alone—half were aged 65 and over.

They may be the lucky half, The Standards are different from Particularly in Alberta, there is a huge having raised their children. Women with children are increasingly doing without men. There regulations but, over the past 20 years, problem. Not just the increase in ISO made its worldwide reputation family violence and child poverty, but were more than one million single moms in Canada in 2001.Twenty percent of all families with agreeing and publishing technical norms the skills demand that is outstripping children are headed by single moms, more of whom are working. In 2004, 65 percent of all for industrial processes and products.

Alberta’s and Canada’s ability to women with children under three were employed, more than double the figure in 1976.

This independent, nongovernmental cope. Compete or perish. There are According to a StatsCan study, Women in Canada, the number of households headed by single federation of national standards bodies not enough skilled people to run the moms should be of interest to policy makers and employers: 38 percent of such families fell (best known in Canada for its ISO 9000 economy, and more and more busy series on quality management) has been women are choosing family over a into the low-income category in 2003. Only 13 percent of families headed by single men were moving steadily toward the highermale employment model. Starting low income. In fact, women continue to earn about 70 percent of what men earn in the profile business of setting standards. their own businesses is offering workplace.

As a result, they are leaving it in droves for the greener pastures of control over Guidance for social responsibility may increased possibilities to have both. their lives and incomes… with the respect (and perhaps the envy) of their co-workers. seem a stretch for the organization, but Or, as one dejected female self-starter put it, “I just got tired of being treated Sure, there could be other reasons, but the wealth of what is being said argues on the side of it is reconciling them with businesses, governments and activist organizations like a second-class citizen. My career change and, tired of waiting, women are setting out on a distinct path. Don’t assume this is such as Amnesty International, is important but my family is my life compassion over business acumen—it is both. Men may have something to learn about Greenpeace and Transparency and they come first. I decided if I had International. to drop out to drop in with my family, decision making and life outside the known world of male bonding. ✔

The facts, ma’am—just the facts

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Photo by Terry Bourque Alex Favret of eWomenNetwork Edmonton

THE QUALITY OF LIFE MODEL Karen Hughes, associate professor of Women’s Studies at the U of A, has a balanced view of the here and now. She supports a group called Women Entrepreneurs of Canada, a non-profit that has enjoyed stellar growth. She’s slated to address the Toronto chapter at its April meeting.

“The big thing is that numbers have grown dramatically,” she says, “and the diversity is different. We have the traditional business set but, increasingly, there is another group who don’t necessarily want a big business. For them, the challenge is to balance family and work; quality of life issues are paramount.”

She sees generalities about anything as being dangerous and possibly inaccurate. “If you talk to men going into business for themselves, it is independence and a chance to make more money… that could be the case for some women too, but women say they want independence and the ability to balance family needs with business. In part, Hughes suspects that technology, the ability to work from home, and the increase in knowledge-based work may be driving the phenomenon. “Women want to make money but often that isn’t what drives them, they want to have a well balanced life that they can’t get with many employers.” However, she argues that 15 years ago there was much less cultural acceptance of women being in business for themselves. And she says Alberta is “a leader in the entrepreneurship trend.”

BUILDING BRIDGES Maybe, but Texas is no slouch either. Sandra Yancey knows whereof she speaks. With a young family and a record of major corporate accomplishment, she threw it all in because she wasn’t enjoying her work. Now she runs the international eWomens Network.

She’s the first to say she could never have begun the organization without her husband’s support and, when she learned that Canadian female entrepreneurs start business at three times the rate of men, she knew she was on to something. In the U.S., it is two-to-one women over men.

A CAUTIONARY TALE “A lot of what we are talking about,” Yancey says from her

hotel room in Edmonton, “is contacts, relationships—and this has nothing to do with counting the number of business cards you can collect. We, as women, must develop a network that works for us. Men have their way of networking and women have too. If you join our network and ask ‘What can they do for me?’ we’re probably not where you want to be. But if you believe that helping others is important, you can do very well with us.”

Evidently, Yancey is on to something. There are 90 chapters of her organization and about three new ones open each month. In her previous unsatisfactory career, she dealt 80 percent with males. So, she admits there is learning curve for her too. Yancey cannot be drawn into criticism of men, “I think they’re wonderful,” but she relates the story of faulty communication between the genders: “For years, I wanted flowers for Valentine’s Day and, for years, my husband gave me a lovely card and dinner out… nice, but I really wanted those flowers.

I talked to girlfriends who said I should tell him I wanted flowers, and I said, ‘It’s not the same if you have to ask for them.’

Then I realized how foolish I was.

Sandra Yancey of It may not be eWomenNetwork the same, but you will have the flowers. Most men will do anything for their wives. We tend to think they are mind readers. If you don’t share with them what is important to you, they will never know. I’ve had wonderful flowers wherever I am in the world ever since, and a very strong relationship. We all learn—some faster than others.”

website has 10,000 hits a month and we are a very credible resource. We’re very much thinking in terms of a Canadian network, a resource for members where they can one-stop shop and meet and know the people who have been in their situation. Why would you be trying to re-invent the horse… do all this on your own when there is a group of women who have been there/done that and want to share the knowledge?”

WORKING SMARTER, BEING HAPPIER “I think more than anything, this is about relationships,” explains Reiniger. “Women network and express themselves in different ways than we see in the male model. We are looking for a real connection rather than a ‘contact’ and I think that is a very female way of doing business and reaching out to people. If you understand that and understand costs involved in losing good people, then you go with the flow. For a lot of Albertans, making the big bucks is what life is about but for others quality of life really matters… You have to keep saying that until people stop chuckling and realize that you really believe this. For many women money is important, for many others there is much more to a quality life. They are willing to sacrifice to achieve that greater quality. Fortunately, a lot of men understand this concept too.”

In 2004, two-thirds of employed women in Canada were involved in teaching and nursing or related health occupations—occupations that traditionally are somewhat flexible and employ a full complement of ‘people’ skills.

Final word goes to a working female colleague with a young family and a shared job in a forward-looking company that didn’t want to lose her skills. “If we still haven’t got the model for this after all these decades, how much are we wasting on not adapting the workplace for the retired who, along with women, have great skills?”

Evidently, the answer lies out there in the Alberta heartland somewhere past the next election and perhaps decades and a recession away. Meantime, you guys want to go for a beer? ✔

Carissa Reiniger of WEC

FEET IN TORONTO, HEART IN EDMONTON In Toronto, Carissa Reiniger echoes the observations. As the founder and owner of Silver Lining Ltd. in both cities, she lives her life on airplanes between Toronto and Edmonton. Her company works to help companies develop and execute marketing plans including aspects of PR, marketing, advertising and events. She tried the corporate world but, while she appreciated the lessons learned, decided it wasn’t her cup of tea.

“I just saw it as a lot of big companies spending millions to do exactly what their competitors were doing; where’s the challenge or the business sense in that?” She sits on the board of WEC and is Edmonton’s top promoter to Torontonians. On May 11th she’ll be in town to launch the newest WEC chapter. During the event, participants will be joined by a video feed from the Toronto WEC Conference titled “Think Big: Creating Sustainable Growth,” featuring guest speaker Carol Hyatt from New York.

Reiniger is adamant about the value of WEC. “Our

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Fred Katz Fine Art Photography

WOMEN BUILD

By Kellie Finley with Barb Deters

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Mary Cameron, co-chair Women Build

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t’s 8:00 AM on the morning after the biggest snowfall of the winter. The kitchen at Habitat for Humanity is full of women.

They had actually arrived early—anxious to begin construction on the first full day of Habitat for Humanity Edmonton’s Women Build.

“These women are doing something today that will change the way tomorrow will be for two low-income Edmonton families,” says Mary Cameron, a partner in Westfile Partners Inc. She and Susan Green are cochairs of Women Build and together, they assembled a board of directors for the project.

Habitat’s motto “a hand up, not a hand-out” means these homes are not given away. They are sold to the Partner Families— at no profit and financed with nointerest mortgages. However,

families are required to contribute 500 hours in the building of their house, another Habitat home, or working in Habitat’s ReStore.

“The response from volunteers and sponsors has been overwhelming. We need 20 people per day for 75 days… and we’ve got 90 percent of our workforce signed up. And, we managed to raise $185,000 from three corporate sponsors.

That amount includes $10,000 from Edmonton Glenora Rotary. This is an incredible community.” The major financial contributors are ATB Financial, Alberta Real Estate Investment Network (REIN), and Home Interiors & Gifts.

Other local businesses are contributing skilled labour, materials, and even lunches to feed volunteers.

When Cameron and Green met with PCL Construction Management Inc. executives, they negotiated not for a monetary contribution but for expertise.

PCL agreed to the secondment of Karla Horcicia, one of its project coordinators, for the eight-week duration of the duplex construction. Horcicia, a civil engineer, graduated from the UofA and will serve as construction site supervisor. “We are so grateful to PCL for this gift. While

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Volunteers Sister Jeannette Filthaut SP, Shelley Gernard, Joan Kristensen, Susan Tremblay, Lori Arndt who has been working weekly with Habitat for a year, and Jocelyn Weleschuk.

Project Manager Brenley Bennett with Leah Redmond, journeyman scaffolder and member of Local 1325 Carpenters Union.

Photos by Terrry Bourque quantifiable, the contribution Karla will make is immeasurable,” admits Cameron.

Since its establishment in 1991, Habitat for Humanity Edmonton has built over 60 houses in northeast and central Edmonton, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain and Leduc. Three houses were built in 2004, nine in 2005, and 16 are scheduled for 2006.

The Women Build program of Habitat for Humanity International was established to encourage the involvement of women in the construction of houses.

Women make up 50 percent of Habitat’s volunteer force, yet often due to lack of training or confidence in their own skills, their impact on the build site may not match their true potential. The program, through both pre-build training and a predominately female work environment, encourages women to more confidently

participate in Habitat’s projects.

Habitat for Humanity Canada has proudly embraced the Women Build program: Homes have already been completed in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta with four more builds planned for 2006. In 2002, an all-women crew built a duplex in Calgary. The Habitat Edmonton Women Build kicked off last September with a “Panda Build” involving the women’s athletic teams at the UofA. Designed to create awareness and foster involvement in the project, the teams built garden sheds in friendly competition, and sales of the sheds raised $2000 for Habitat.

Brenley Bennett, project manager of Women Build, felt “the event was a great way to begin promoting the Women Build. Since our kick off, we have had 550 women sign up for this build. These are volunteers who, we hope, will

develop a relationship with Habitat and continue to support us in future builds.”

Some of these new volunteers are executives and professionals… others are teachers, students, homemakers, skilled crafts and trades people. Overall, the volunteers will contribute more than 10,000 woman-hours on this project.

“Habitat is always looking for volunteers,” explains Cameron. “There are ways for people of all skill levels and abilities to participate. From serving lunches to serving on one of Habitat’s committees to doing modified duties on the build site—every one of our volunteers plays an important role.”

There are also international opportunities to volunteer with Habitat.

Cameron recently returned from building in South Africa. “The woman we were building the house for told me she had never had a permanent roof over her

head… she lived and slept exposed to the elements everyday,” recounts Cameron. “It’s a moving experience—to make such a difference in someone’s life.”

Green adds, “Building internationally—like building locally with Women Build—is about so much more than construction. It’s about families and communities working together to build hope for the future.” ✔ On April 11th, the Edmonton Women Build will kick off with the official ground breaking ceremony at 1201267 Street in the Montrose neighbourhood. For more information on Habitat for Humanity Edmonton’s projects—to volunteer or to sponsor—contact Brenley Bennett at 479-3566, extension 233, or e-mail her at bbennett@edmonton.hfh.org

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Women of Vision

Ewelina Lukaszewski and presenter Orlene Lacey

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Slimming Secret!

he Westin banquet room was bursting at the seams with patrons honouring the 2005-06 Women of Vision at the 11th annual awards luncheon. Bursaries and awards were presented to eight young women to further their studies. The Women of Vision, profiled each month on Global television, shared their inspirational stories.

Orlene Lacey presented her bursary to Ewelina Lukaszewski who is enrolled in the School of Business at the University of Alberta. Other bursaries to Young Women of Vision included RBC Financial Group to Christine Hyslop, studying finance at MacEwan; Canada Safeway to Qiuhong Han, food science at the UofA; Rexall to Haehyun Hong, pharmacy at the UofA; Mark’s Work Wearhouse to Stephanie Gonder, design and exhibit presentation at MacEwan; and TELUS to Linnea Lyons, education at Concordia University College. MacEwan College presented Alayna Ward with one year’s tuition, and a donation from the Women of Vision luncheon will send high school student Dani Trudgeon to the Canadian National Junior Achievement Conference.

Jelena Mrdjenovich—January ‘06 Boxer, World Featherweight Champion “My discipline comes from my passion.”

Lose Lose 4 4 to to 20 20 inches inches in in an an hour! hour!

A hot new detoxifying body wrap!

Emma Scott—April ‘05 Bridal fashion designer and owner Emma Scott Design “Fashion should empower, not dictate.”

There’s a secret buzzing all over Greater Edmonton that we can’t wait to tell you about… “ I was attending a special event and had borrowed a strapless black dress, but it was a little snug,” remembers Nadine Jolson.

“A friend suggested the wrap.”

The mineral soaked bandages “felt kind of like a corset,” says Nadine. But it was worth it.

“I rushed home to try on the dress and it was loose. I could wear it and actually breathe.”

Lesley MacDonald, the producer and host of Women of Vision, is shown here presenting to Bev Halisky— December ‘05, owner of Driving Miss Daisy, said, “The best classroom is at the foot of an elder…”

“You start by recording your before measurements,” says Linda Perras of Suddenly Slimmer. “We check jaw, neck, forearm, wrist, bust, waist, abdomen, hips, upper thighs, lower thighs, calves and ankles. Then comes the treatment itself.”

Why it works?

The wrap detoxifies the body.

The body can get overloaded with toxins because it cannot keep up with the filtration process. The more toxins in the body, the more lymphatic fluid increases to protect cells.

You force out toxins.

Once the toxins are gone, the lymphatic fluid decreases and you lose inches. It is not water loss—rather, an exchange of minerals for toxins.

Photos by Terry Bourque

1. The wrap. You are wrapped firmly with elastic bandages soaked in warm mineral solution.

2. Get your blood pumping.

Light physical activity revs up circulation.

3. Remoisten. Every 20 minutes, the mineral solution is applied. After 60 minutes, the wraps come off.

Cathy Roozen—November ‘05 Cathon Holdings “I sound more like my father…”

Shauna Seneca—September ‘05 Founder, Co-Executive Director Bent Arrow Healing Society “Elders were my teachers.”

Melissa Blake—March ‘06 Mayor, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo “..weight of the world is a mindset, not actual.”

Pierrette Requier—October ‘05 Author, poet, counselor “Europe never left my grandmother...”

Sharon MacLean—June ‘05 Publisher, Edmontonians “Know it’s a good thing to stick through hard times.”

Larissa Sembaliuk Cheladyn— May ‘05 Artist, Art by Larissa “My first canvas was an egg.”

That’s a Wrap!

Call Linda Perras at Suddenly Slimmer Day Spa

780.459.3444 pedicures. manicures. facials. aroma therapy message

www.suddenlyslimmerdayspa.com 10

Sandra Grenneis—February ‘06 Composer, Mary’s Veil “… surrounded by a community of faith”

Jan Henderson— August ‘05 Clowning, Fool Moon Productions “Secretly, everyone is a clown.”

Nicole Poirier—July ‘05 Sport Director, World Masters Games “…everyone can compete.”

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Top100 Ten who made it Teresa Spinelli

By Janet Edmondson

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Fred Katz Fine Art Photography

ach year, PROFIT magazine publishes its ranking of Canada’s top 100 women entrepreneurs. Edmontonians reviewed the 2000 through 2005 lists, and focused on Alberta business woman headquartered from Red Deer north. Ten were identified—many of them achieving the PROFIT W100 designation more than once... ranking from eight through to 100... and reporting annual revenues ranging from $1.52 million to $15.2 million. PROFIT reports that “over the past three years, the W100 have seen their annual revenues rise and average of 85 percent.”

Their backgrounds are as varied as their business endeavours. Their commonality is their drive, determination and dedication. They are innovative and creative. More importanty, these women are representative of countless others who successfully manage their businesses and lives in cities and towns throughout Alberta.

TERESA SPINELLI, PRESIDENT Italian Centre Shop Ltd., Edmonton #26 in 2005 PROFIT ranking $15,201,897 revenue in 2004 The Italian Centre Shop, located in the heart of Edmonton’s “Little Italy”, carries a wide selection of foods imported from Europe and around the world.

Spinelli grew up in the store, opened in 1955 by her parents, Italian immigrants who began their business importing food and newspapers for homesick countrymen. As a baby, she sat on the counter, as a girl, she worked behind it and, now, at 44, she is president of the grocery retail and wholesale business. Since implementing a profit sharing plan with her employees two years ago, Spinelli has found a big difference in the attitude of her staff—“Everyone feels like the owner.”

Fulfilling a long held ambition, Spinelli is opening a second Italian Centre Shop on 51st Avenue and 104thA Street on July 1st. The 13,000 square-foot store will have a pastry shop and a coffee shop.

EVELINE CHARLES, PRESIDENT & CEO EvelineCharles Salons & Spas, Edmonton #36 in 2005, #48 in 2004 PROFIT ranking $10,368,224 revenue in 2004 Growing from a one woman “cut-and-colour” hairstyling service in rural Alberta to a vibrant chain of full service havens offering hair fashion services, esthetics, massage, hydrotherapy and branded skin- and hair-care product lines, Eveline Charles has established herself as a an innovator in the salon and day spa industry. Living her motto “Think Big, Grow Big” Charles now employs over 250 people in locations in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. She recently opened the EvelineCharles Cosmetology and Esthetics Academy in Edmonton.

JACQUELINE SHAN, PRESIDENT, CEO & CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER CV Technologies Inc., Edmonton #57 in 2005 PROFIT ranking: $6,416,732 revenue in 2004 Jacqueline Shan has combined traditional Chinese medicine with modern scientific research to make CV Technology’s COLD-fX a welcome addition to Canadian medicine cabinets. Addressing consumers’ uncertainties about the effectiveness and consistency of natural health products, Shan and her team developed and patented ChemBioPrint technology, which ensures that each batch of the herbal remedy is consistent and provides the benefits it should.

Clinical trials have shown COLD-fX to be effective in both preventing and treating colds and flu infections.

When Shan assumed the role of president and CEO in 2003, her mandate was to commercialize the product, resulting in a significant growth in sales of COLD-fX and its sister products REMEMBER-fX for memory enhancement and mental alertness, AD-fX to enhance focus and attention, MENTA-fX to normalize mood, CELL-fX for bone and joint pain, and PRESSURE-fX to normalize blood pressure.

PATRICIA BOERSMA, PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER Tridon Communications, Fort McMurray #85 in 1999, #83 in 2000, 66 in 2001, #55 in 2002, #49 in 2003 PROFIT rankings $9,149,147 revenue in 2002 Tridon Communications has supplied communication equipment and services to Northeastern Alberta since 1981. With over 50 staff in Fort McMurray and Athabasca, Tridon is a full line Motorola dealer and an authorized TELUS Mobility dealer and customer care centre. It provides a range of services from path studies, RF engineering, tower maintenance, evacuation alarm systems, mine truck dispatch systems, AVL/GPS, wireless LAN, surveillance camera systems and remote site access, to satellite telephony and wireless data solutions.

Having put a buyout plan in place, Boersma sold Tridon in 2005, and has moved to St. Albert. The idea of retirement isn’t sitting well with her, so she’s considering various avenues of interest, including involvement with not-for-profit foundations and employment support groups.

BARB PIERSON, PRESIDENT Barb’s RV Place, Lacombe #73 in 2003 PROFIT ranking $5,826,816 revenue in 2002 Barb Pierson was a waitress and a hair stylist before embarking on a career in RV sales. Working her way up from cleaning trailers for her father at Wolf Creek RV to selling them at Lacombe RV, she opened her own full sales and service facility in 1999. Four years later, Pierson made PROFIT’s list. Located on seven acres in Lacombe, Barb’s RV sells everything from tent trailers to full size motor homes. Her family based business is equipped with full service bays, storage facilities, a large parts department, and RVs—lots of RVs. ISABEL BERNETE, MANAGING DIRECTOR PC Corp., Edmonton #31 in 1999, #52 in 2000, #50 in 2001 and #30 in 2002 PROFIT rankings $13,268,000 revenue in 2001 Every business woman needs state of the art information technology and gorgeous shoes. Isabel Bernete delivers both. Bernete is co-owner of the PC Corp Group of Companies, providers of IT solutions focusing on government, education and small to medium business with stores in both Edmonton and Calgary. As such, she was included in PROFIT’s rankings for four years in a row. Revenues reportedly exceeded $30 million in 2005.

Last year, Bernete—originally from the Spanish Canary Islands—took a giant step in a new direction, opening enPrivado, a shoe company that favours “high-touch, highly social and emotional shoe shopping.” Bernete has taken shoe shopping out of the mall and introduced shoe showings and warehouse outings in her stylish downtown loft location, private home or office viewings, and online shopping—service and luxury appreciated by Edmonton’s “well-heeled” women.

DEBI DEBELSER, PRESIDENT NWP Inc., Blackfalds # 8 in 1999, #23 in 2000 and #19 in 2001 PROFIT rankings $21,600,000 revenue in 2000 The only woman in northern Alberta to make the PROFIT Top 20—twice—in the last seven years, Debi DeBelser excels in a traditionally male field. The NWP group of companies, started by her father Mike Chwelos, manufactures and refurbishes oilfield production equipment, and transports pipe and equipment to the oil patch. DeBelser started as a parttime sales person in 1979, opened and managed the company’s first expansion branch in North Battleford in 1981, and became president of NWP in 1993. Her strategies of superior customer service provided by long-term employees, and diversification for growth— from sharing her expertise with interesting start-ups to acquiring small operating companies—have helped keep NWP Inc. viable in a cyclical business.

LINDA ELLITHORPE, CEO & GENERAL MANAGER AllSports Replay Ltd., Red Deer #100 in 2001 PROFIT ranking $2,818,000 revenue in 2000 Like many new businesses, AllSports Replay was conceived in frustration. When Linda and Roy Ellithorpe were unable to find good used cross country ski equipment for their young family, they opened their own new and used sporting goods store in the old bus depot in downtown Red Deer. Once they got the ball rolling, outlets in Edmonton and Lethbridge were soon to follow, and the product line was expanded to include new fitness equipment sales and rentals. While the original Red Deer store has been sold, the company continues to offer affordable gear to athletes of all ages.

Ellithorpe now lives in Lethbridge.

ELIZABETH PRZYSIEZNY, PRESIDENT Cando Oilfield Supplies & Rentals Ltd., Nisku #27 in 1999 and #27 in 2000 PROFIT rankings $15,288,000 revenue in 1999 In September 2003, Commercial Solutions Inc. purchased Cando. Edmontonians was unable to contact Przysienzny.

CLAIRE CONGDON, PRESIDENT Congdon’s Aids to Daily Living Ltd., Edmonton #98 in 2000 PROFIT ranking $2,322,000 revenue in 1999 Claire Congdon started the Ostomy Care Centre in 1970, to provide products and support to people after ostomy surgery. The company, now known as Congdon’s Aids to Daily Living, grew over the years to meet the needs of customers facing a variety of medical challenges. Offering equipment sales and rental to clients ranging from weekend warriors with sprained ankles to people facing long term physical challenges, Congdon’s has remained a leader in home health care supplies. The company is run by Karen, but her mother Claire, now in her 70s, comes to the store daily.

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money MAKING

What’s new in ETF Land?

By Ron Hiebert

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xchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are powerful investment products that give the individual investor some of the same sophisticated tools that institutions have been using for years. The first few ETFs mimicked popular indices like the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the Nikkei and the S&P 500 but, in the past couple of years, they have spread their reach far and wide into many niche areas of the investment world. Now you can own ETFs that give you exposure to bonds, commodities and even emerging markets.

Finally, retail investors can build diversification into their portfolios in a way that is both easy and inexpensive.

Leading Lady “Hi. It’s Connie.”

By Barb Deters

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s there ever a time you tire of being at the top of your game? “Never.”

How many firsts can you achieve in your career before it becomes passé? “I don’t know… I’m not done yet,” laughs the entrepreneur.

You just know Connie Kennedy has no plans for slowing down. After 38 years of unprecedented commitment to and success in the condominium market, she has become an icon in the real estate industry.

Earlier this year, Kennedy was named the 2005 REALTOR® of the Year at the (coincidentally) 38th Annual Edmonton Realtors Ball. From among the 17 nominees, she received an overwhelming endorsement by the selection committee for her outstanding service to the industry and to the community. No surprise to her colleagues. That it took so long… well, that was a surprise.

In late March, Kennedy was again fêted—this time by more than 70 coworkers from Re/Max Real Estate Central, family and friends. Bill Briggs, owner of the brokerage, described Kennedy as the “industry expert in the province. She’s been writing and re-writing condominium legislation for more than 30 years. Connie is an exemplary broker-owner who gives generously to local charities.” A portion of each of her sales is donated to the Edmonton Realtors’ Charitable Foundation and to the Children’s Miracle Network through the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, and she is a strong supporter of the School Hot Lunch Program and the outreach program and Robertson-Wesley United Church.

Briggs also alluded to her legendary reputation—particularly the stories from the days when she headed the first, and probably only, all female real estate company—but told no tales. Another colleague beamed, “She’s a fabulous person,” and joined five others in singing Condo Selling Queen to the tune of Doris Day’s What Will Be, Will Be. Dressed in her signature power red, Kennedy admitted, “I’m ecstatic. Being named Edmonton’s REALTOR® of the Year is the pinnacle of all the awards I have received... because it is given by my colleagues, my peers. That’s what makes it so special.

“Real estate is my passion. I love every minute of it—except for the odd client.

It’s a wonderful career. To you young realtors just starting out, this will be a difficult year… dealing with multiple offers. Stay through this year, and you will stay forever. Leave and you will miss out on a rewarding profession.”

The list of Kennedy’s accomplishments, awards and accreditations fills close to two pages, single-spaced. “She has tremendous knowledge of the business,” said Darlene Strang, her exdaughter-in-law. They have been partners for 17 years, and both have been in the top 10 realtors in Canada for the past three years.

Since serving as a consultant on the first condominium project in Canada— Brentwood Village in Edmonton in 1969—Kennedy reckons she has sold thousands of units. “Some of them, two and three times.” ✔

ph: 780.454.2975 • fax: 780.482.2819 www.tbphoto.ca • tbphoto@shaw.ca

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USING ETFs TO PLAY THE COMMODITIES BOOM Donald Coxe and Jim Rogers are two of the smartest financial strategists on Wall Street. Both say that we are in a global commodity bull market that could last for 15 to 20 years. If they are right about the cycle beginning in 1998, there is still plenty of time to get in on the action.

To play, investors can either purchase shares in publicly traded resource companies or, with the help of some new financial products, invest directly in the underlying commodities themselves. With many resource companies trading at two or more times their net asset value, many analysts are saying that the stock route is getting expensive. The underlying resource —whether it be gold, oil or wheat—is currently the cheaper way to get exposure.

In the past few months, there have been a number of new Exchange Traded Funds created to give investors direct exposure to commodities. If investors want to own gold, they can buy streetTRACKS Gold Trust (GLD-N). The trust is backed by gold bullion that is literally segregated and held in the vaults of a financial institution by a trustee. Each share is backed by 1/10 of an ounce of gold.

In early February 2006, Deutsche Bank launched the DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC-A). The fund’s base commodity weightings are 35 percent light sweet crude oil, 20 percent heating oil, 12.5 percent aluminum, 11.25 percent corn, 11.25 percent wheat, and 10 percent gold.

On the TSX, Uranium Participation Units (U-T) are now trading. Units are made up of physical uranium oxide concentrate that is stockpiled by Denison Mines.

In the next few quarters, we should see additional ETFs trading that are backed by silver bullion and crude oil.

DIVERSIFYING THE DANGER ZONE The pharmaceutical sector has drawn a lot of attention from value investors, because stocks in this group have seen their share prices drop 50 to 75 percent. Most of the companies are fabulously profitable, have AA and AAA credit ratings and are benefiting from the huge demand for their products that is being created by aging baby boomers. The problem with owning any one stock is litigation risk. Merck saw its share price cut in half when it announced that Vioxx caused an increased incidence of heart attack and stroke among its users. Within weeks, billions of dollars worth of class action suits were initiated.

Instead of risking being burned by a single stock, ETFs allow you to diversify your risk by owning the entire group. A pure pharmaceutical play is the Pharmaceutical Holders (PPH-A). PPH represents an index of 21 of the biggest names in the drug industry.

Income trusts have outperformed the TSX Composite by a wide margin over the past five years. Yet, in spite of their overall

success, an increasing number of individual issues torpedo in price when they cut their cash distributions.

Accounting and financial reporting standards are less rigorous for trusts than for their stock brethren. It has been harder for investors to identify those trust units that are getting close to the financial danger zone because of this. ETFs allow an investor to make a bet on the entire sector rather than an individual security. Income Trust Sector iUnits (XTR-T) are an excellent proxy.

Emerging markets are another area where you are better off owning a broad cross-section of these markets rather than making individual security or even country bets. Political instability, tenuous economic policies, debt crisis and religious disruption are just a few of the problems that can quickly turn a promising investment into a financial black hole. The MSCI Emerging Market ETF (EEM-A) offers a broad mandate in one simple investment.

INVESTING BY STYLE Academics have left us with a rather impressive body of research on the success rate of various investment strategies. Their conclusions are that over the past 50 years, value stocks outperformed growth stocks, high dividend paying stocks outperformed low dividend stocks, and small cap stocks— especially small cap value stocks— outperformed larger ones.

Knowing which styles are the most profitable makes it easy to build a portfolio that focuses on the best outcomes. In Canada, an investor can buy ETFs like the iUnits Dividend Index (XDV-T) and the TD Select Canadian Value (TAG-T). Since there currently is no small cap ETF, the S&P/TSX MidCap iUnits (XMD-T) would be a reasonable proxy. Here, stocks tend to be much smaller in size than typical companies in the U.S. so our mid–cap stocks are quite comparable to their small cap ones. In the U.S., the Vanguard Small Cap Value Vipers (VBR-A), the Dow Jones Select Dividend Fund (DVY-A) and the S&P 500 Barra Value Index (IVE-A) are ETFs that encapsulate the three strategies with the highest probability of providing long-term returns.

INVESTING FOR INCOME Bonds can be a difficult asset class to add to the individual investor’s portfolios.

Except in rare circumstances, bonds don’t trade on public markets, so it’s difficult to get accurate information. ETFs allow the investor who doesn’t have access to a good bond trading desk the ability to play in the same leagues as pension funds and insurance companies, the major buyers of bonds. In Canada, iUnits offer ETFs that represent inflation-linked or Real Return Bonds (XRB-T), short term bonds (XSB-T), and a broad bond market index (XBB-T).

ETFs AS PORTFOLIO ENHANCEMENT Exchange traded funds give the individual a way to reduce risk and place money into areas previously unavailable. As more ETFs come to market, average Joes will have even more enhanced tools from which to profit. ✔ Ron Hiebert, a director at ScotiaMcLeod, teaches investment classes at Grant MacEwan College. The author of Wealth Building can be heard weekdays at 7:34 am, on CFCW radio (790 AM).

Contact him at 780.497.3215 or rhiebert@edmontonians.com EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2006

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BizINTEL

Science&Tech

Edmonton is becoming known as a hotbed for biotechnology R&D. And one area where the expertise here really shines is in the field of improved diagnostics for disease. Two companies on the rise are Picomole Instruments and Chenomx Inc. Picomole hopes to cash in on your bad breath and Chemomx has its eye on your metabolites.

I was first introduced to John Cormier, the man behind Picomole Instruments, at a VenturePrize

John Cormier

reception at the Alberta Research Council. It was only during our chat about setting up an interview that we realized we both had offices on the same floor in the same building. John had just moved into the Research Transition Facility on the U of A campus which

Media Minute with Bruce Hogle The Arab Al-Jazeera TV satellite network is launching a 24-hour Englishlanguage news channel, thus enabling North Americans and other Westerners to judge whether it’s a legitimate news organization. Or whether Al-Jazeera combines news and propaganda as a front for Osama bin Laden, Taliban members and Al-Qaeda terrorists who regularly murder children and women, torture and decapitate individuals, kidnap peacemakers, destroy religious institutions and intimidate the masses.

Al-Jazeera has about 45-million viewers of its Arabic satellite network, but skepticism about its journalistic attributes explains why the CRTC rejected its application for a Canadian license.

Al-Jazeera could demonstrate the authenticity they seek with a series of documentaries on life for Muslims in other lands, beginning with Canada. The kickoff for Al-Jazeera would be showing Arabic viewers that spectacular CBC hour-long documentary done for Alberta’s 100th birthday.

Produced by Jim MacQuarrie, and

explained why we hadn’t run into each other before.

And what does Picomole Instruments do? Well, it measures picomoles.

“Picomole is a scientific term,” says John. “A picomole is one trillionth of a mole. I just thought the name sounded really cool. And it’s a way of setting our ambition right in our name... our goal at Picomole Instruments is developing instrumentation that can detect a picomole of a given analyte in an exhaled air sample.”

In other words, John is talking about technology that can measure trace gases at less than parts per billion. Hence his tag line: your eyes to the world unseen.

What’s unique about John’s approach is that he’s developing an instrument that could be used in a doctor’s office to assess a patient’s health or out in the field to detect environmental pollutants.

You might think of it as a sophisticated breathalyzer unit. You blow into it, and the physician can tell from the analytes in your breath what is making you sick.

“We’re tentatively calling the instrument Life Sense. It reflects the fact that the technology will allow us to investigate many different areas of medicine from oncology to diabetes. It could be deployed in a lot of ways ranging from research settings to hospital emergency rooms to doctors’ offices and clinics. We see it as having a lot of potential in pediatrics and geriatric care. Veterinary medicine is another area where we can make a big impact with this technology.”

John sees applications in toxicology, occupational health and safety and environmental monitoring using the same platform technology.

The idea for the Life Sense instrument evolved out of John’s post doctoral work at the National Institute of Standards

and Technology in the U.S. “My background is in atmospheric science and we were interested in developing instrumentation that would help us with problems like global climate change and ozone depletion.

NIST was interested in developing stronger links with its sister organization across the road, the National Institutes of Health. And so, it suddenly seemed to me there might be something interesting in looking at exhaled air. I started digging around the scientific literature and, sure enough, some very smart people were working on the problem. But the technologies they had been using were mostly based on gas chromatography spectrometry, which just didn’t lend itself to being commercialized for routine use in a doctor’s office or other convenient location.”

What John has done to advance this field is to develop an extraordinarily sensitive technique for quantifying analytes in a breath sample. Despite the advanced technology involved, the instrument itself is so simple it does not require much technical skill on the part of the end user. And it’s affordable, allowing it to be used in ways that couldn’t be done with more cumbersome technologies.

So when is this wonder machine going to hit the market? That is still down the road. “We have a working concept and what we’re looking for now is the money to actually build this instrument,” says John.

Picomole has gotten to this stage with financing from friends and family. Now the call is out for bigger investors to carry the company to next level of prototype development and beyond.

Among it’s advisors is Dr. David Wishart, a well respected researcher and

shot by Kent Martens and Jason Kokot—all with CBC Edmonton—the documentary dealt with two young Lebanese Muslim peddlers from the same valley in Lebanon who arrived in Alberta at the turn of the last century.

Ali Hamdon brought his 16-year-old bride Hilwie to Fort Chipewyan.

Saleem Shaben brought his 13-year-old son to a small Southern Alberta community at about the same time.

They didn’t know each other but Canada’s first mosque played a role in bringing them to Edmonton, eventually joining their families in marriage and business through the highly successful Shaben and Hamdon enterprise.

Both families would become leaders in their communities, plus fostering in their children a love of this land, and a deep commitment to make a difference—a commitment that has survived and blossomed with succeeding generations.

My next assignment for Al-Jazeera and its Arabic news channel would be a documentary on the 6,000 international students, including many Muslims, currently studying in Alberta universities and colleges, and who will soon be allowed to work off campus.

Many will return to their homelands as future democratic leaders. Others will not because of the terrorism which still, rules supreme at home, and where one’s very existence can be determined by religion and skin colour.

My third assignment for Al-Jazeera’s Arabic TV network would be a documentary on Edmonton’s Harry Ainlay High School where the 2,200 students staged a phenomenal cultural diversity week. Those students speak an incredible 75 languages at home. The entire week saw them work together in harmony, entertain in ethnic dress plus sell foods from their native lands— proceeds of which were given to charity.

There are no bombs planted in lockers, no knifings within the school and no students dying from bombs or rifles as they walk to or from school.

Al-Jazeera would also find the same peace and tranquility evident at our yearly Heritage Festival, where representatives of 50 to 60 countries pitch tents side-by-side to sell ethnic food and provide entertainment. It’s like a mini-UN but without the animosity which too often dominates those sessions.

Other ongoing stories that Al-Jazeera

developer of bioinformatics tools at the U of A. “Right from the first instance,” acknowledges John, “David was clearly aware of what the potential was for this technology to complement his own research.”

Given John’s enthusiasm and vision, it won’t be long before you can go for a blow on the old Picomole and know without a doubt what’s behind your aches and pains and other ailments.

Top marks for enthusiasm also go to Alex Cherniavsky, the global accounts manager for Chenomx Inc. Alex is new to his position but he’s on a mission to get the word out about Chenomx, another Edmonton company that’s changing the way disease is diagnosed.

Alex Cherniavsky

You might think there’s a vowel or two missing from Chenomx, but it’s drawn from the roots of chemical and genomics, which also gives you a clue to the correct pronunciation of the company name.

As Alex explains, Chenomx is a software company started in 2000 as a spinoff to commercialize technology developed at the University of Alberta.

The software is used to do metabolic profiling analysis based on metabolites found in samples of your urine or blood.

It’s a quick and inexpensive way to help in the diagnosis of hundreds of diseases.

Pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer are using the Chenomx software to test the safety and toxicological effects of drugs in clinical trials.

This is all part of the new field of

Continued on page 14 could show on both its existing 40million Arabic network, and the new forthcoming English-language news channel, would be on the Edmonton Muslim and Jewish Association headed by up Larry Shaben and Sol Rolingher; the love and marriage of Saul Katz (Jewish) and Genoa Chadi (Lebanese); and the public, private and religious schools where girls are allowed to attend.

So Al-Jazerra, if you’re truly a news organization wanting to be compared to the likes of CNN, CTV or CBC, let’s see what you’re prepared to do to rightfully earn that honour. Oh yes, one further thing: The 35,000 Muslims who live in Alberta will be happy to corroborate everything I’ve said—as well as promise to assist you in doing legitimate news stories of great value to your viewers. Providing, of course, that you’re the least bit interested. ✔

Bruce Hogle is the former news director at CFRN TV and recently retired head of the Alberta Press Council.

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metabolomics: the study of low molecular weight compounds and the analysis of spectra or signatures generated when the metabolites are exposed to the very strong magnetic impulse generated by a nuclear magnetic resonance machine.” Knowing the spectra allows you to trace the metabolites that are linked to particular states of health, disease or toxicity.

There are over 1300 known metabolites in the body. Chenomx has incorporated into its database over 200 so far for analyses as disease markers.

Previously, the analyses of the spectra took days and had to be done by hand.

Running them through the Chenomx software reduces that profiling time to minutes.

Says Alex, “Right now we’re focused on pharmaceutical companies and academic research, but getting this into doctors’ offices is certainly in the plans for the future.”

And while health is the main concern, the Chenomx software even caught the attention of Husky Oil. According to Alex, “You can even check the metabolites in wine or any other liquid sample.

So I would assume they’re using it for some kind of oil analysis.”

Currently Chenomx has a partnership with Varian Inc, one of the world’s leading suppliers of NMR spectrometers.

The software is updated every 6 months, and Alex says a new version is expected out in May. The best part is, no one else in the world offers what Chenomx does.

And finally, Scanimetrics. What is happening at Scanimetrics? A whole pile of new people have just been hired.

They’re moving into all the empty offices around me on the third floor of the RTF building. And there’s even a hint they might need to take over my office.

President Steve Slupsky is keeping his lips absolutely zippered, but even that doesn’t hide the big, big grin on his face these days. So what was that I heard at the VenturePrize celebration about raising $4 million in investments? ✔ Cheryl Croucher is an Edmonton broadcast journalist and host of Innovation Alberta. You can hear the program on CKUA Radio Tuesdays at 8pm or download it when you visit www.innovationalberta.com.

E-mail ccroucher@edmontonians.com

BizIT 101 WHAT’S’ NEW FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS OFFICE Like most small firms, your business IT department is probably a guy called Jerry.

Most often, it is you—the company owner—who must look out for new hardware, software and solutions... from personal computers to backup applications to colour printers. Here’s a little strength and direction to help you survive.

One new application clearly worth a look-see is Adobe Acrobat 3D, one of the new releases from Adobe. I had a chance to kick its software tires last week and I must say I am impressed.

While I believe most businesses could use it, the program is most applicable to design engineering and technical publishing. It is primarily aimed at creative professionals in manufacturing industries such as automotive, aerospace and industrial machinery, and those in the architecture, engineering and construction market. For starters, you can easily create a PDF file from several sources including Microsoft Word, Excel or WordPerfect documents. It even converts web pages to PDF. The strength 14

of this program is how it easily converts 3D models from the major computeraided design (CAD) formats and turns them into Adobe PDF files. You only require Adobe Reader to view them.

Every construction/engineering shop should have this application—if for no other reason than to help create “fillable” PDFs for distribution to customers, sub-contractors and vendors.

Adobe is beefing up its product line to help prepare for the upcoming scrap with Microsoft, which will release Adobe-style products later this year and in 2007. For example, Microsoft’s Expression family of competing tools includes Acrylic Graphic Designer which is described as a painting, illustration and effects tool; Sparkle Interactive Designer, a user-interface design tool; and Quartz Web Designer, a layout and deign tool for actual website creation.

returns quality of life dividends.

Edmonton has made great strides in planning for our infrastructure needs—we are leading the way with many of our efforts. The Canada West Foundation’s expertise and perspective will be very valuable as we work to secure our investments and plan for growth and maintenance over the next 30 years.”

The joint research project will investigate circumstances specific to Edmonton to determine available alternate strategies and support required to ensure that City Council’s adoption in January of the renewed Infrastructure Strategy is successful over the long-term. This would

and superior comfort for our customers in Edmonton.” As of May 1st, the airline is launching non-stop flight to Los Angeles using 75-seat Bombardier 705 aircraft.

New daily, year-round non-stop service between Edmonton and Montreal will use its sleek new 93-passenger Embraer E190 aircraft. Incidentally, both of these new aircraft offer executive and hospitality class seating, so business travelers will be happy.

As well, Air Canada is enhancing service on existing routes. Using the new Embraer 190, its non-stops to Ottawa will increase to two daily. Direct flights to Winnipeg increase to three daily, using the

Speaking of Microsoft, you may want to download the beta version of Internet Explorer 7.0 which will be released at the same time as Vista. The parental controls are impressive, the search view is nice and you will wonder how you made it without the multi-tab layout. From a business spending angle, Vista will include antivirus software, so your antivirus software costs should drop. However, watch for the Windows Defender AntiSpyware application to soon carry a price tag instead of the free download it is now.

The absolute hottest colour printer to buy right now is the HewlettPackard 2650n. This is an eight-page per minute colour unit that is good for companies that print 10,000 to 15,000 pages per month. It comes with a 250sheet paper tray, is networkable right out of the box (thus the “n” in 2650n). The $500 price tag makes it affordable.

Keep in mind that the “time-to-firstpage” is slow (20 seconds) but once it gets going, it’s fine.

Finally, Greg’s software tip o’ the month is also on colour, and how it relates to the organization of your Microsoft Outlook e-mail settings. We all use Inbox rules to re-direct our emails to one of our folders based on who it is from, the subject line and so on.

However, another good way of handling e-mails is by using colour.

To do this, simply highlight an email and from the menu bar, select Tools and then Organize. Your screen will display a box where you select Using Colours.

Pick a colour for the e-mail and, from then on, any e-mail from that sender will be highlighted in that colour.

For example, I use teal for all my enewsletters; red for personal e-mail and green for my key clients. Simple. ✔

Mayor Mandell enable the City to be very specific about the delivery of programs and services, and to meet its obligation to citizens to spend their tax dollars wisely.

Roger Gibbons, president and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, welcomed the opportunity to collaborate on this project, noting that “Edmonton has led the national municipal infrastructure debate, and it is great to work with a team that has been so influential in building innovative responses to the infrastructure challenge.”

Edmonton’s strategic approach to infrastructure asset management has resulted in international recognition as one of North America’s most progressive jurisdictions by such authorities as the Australia Institute of Public Works Engineering, the Federal Highway Administration, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and Canadian Public Works Association. The City has also been approached by municipalities across Canada, the U.S. and around the globe who wish to learn more about its innovative system. When the study is complete, the results will be shared with Alberta cities and towns, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Big City Mayors Caucus, the provincial and federal governments, as well as the general public.

The significant growth in passenger Gregory B. Michetti of the Alberta-based systems integration firm Michetti Information Solutions, Inc. can be reached via www.michetti.com or e-mail IT101@edmontonians.com.

Civic Buzz A welcome sign that the city of Edmonton is exerting its influence comes with the announcement that it is partnering with the Canada West Foundation to investigate new strategies to build, manage and maintain municipal infrastructure. The research is an integral part of its development of a 30-year sustainable infrastructure financial strategy which will address ongoing challenges in one of Canada’s fastest growing communities.

According to Mayor Stephen Mandel, “Infrastructure is an investment that

Photo by Terry Bourque

Continued from page 13

traffic through Edmonton International Airport in 2005 (10.4 percent over 2004, to 4.51 million passengers) seems to be continuing: January 2006 traffic increased by more than 11 percent over the same month last year. Reflecting growing demand, both WestJet and Air Canada have announced additions to existing schedules.

On a seasonal basis (June 24 to October 28), WestJet will offer daily non-stop service between Edmonton and Halifax.

As well, it will increase daily non-stop frequencies on routes between Edmonton and Vancouver to seven, Victoria to three, and Winnipeg to three.

Meanwhile, Air Canada has upped its domestic and trans-border service. “We know our customers appreciate the choice and convenience of non-stop flights year round,” says Marc Rosenberg, vice president of sales and product distribution.

“The addition of new, state-of-the-art aircraft to Air Canada’s fleet allows us to deploy the right aircraft to meet travel demand, while offering more frequencies

smaller 50-seat Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft. Both Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie gain an additional daily flight, and some of these flights will feature the CRJ200 as well.

The future looks brighter with these additions to the already established newer routes to U.S. hubs (San Francisco, Salt Lake City) and existing ones (Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas, MinneapolisSt. Paul, Chicago). Let’s hope Air Canada will bring more of its new aircraft to Edmonton where demand exists— Edmonton-Houston, for example seems to be a natural fit for the regional jets.

In my view, the most significant improvement is yet to come: a scheduled year-round route to Europe—preferably to London and Frankfurt. I’ve dealt with this before, and I’m not sure how optimistic I can or should be. But given the expanded domestic and USA schedules, maybe airline executives are taking notice.

Congratulations to the University of Alberta School of Business, which has again finished in the top 100 in the prestigious and influential Financial Times of London 2006 Global MBA survey. The School ranked 98th overall, which may not seem that significant at first glance. But considering when one realizes that literally thousands of MBA programs around the world are eligible, the ranking means a great deal. Moreover, in the Times’ top 10 schools in each category, ranging from top salaries in industry to best in accountancy to best in finance, the UofA finished in the top 10 for best in economics, ranking alongside such other schools as the University of Chicago, MIT’s Sloan, Yale School of Management, and the number-one ranked business school overall: the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. With McGill, Toronto and York universities each garnering one placement, Alberta was the only other Canadian school to achieve a top-10 ranking.

In a competitive economy, the placement of a business school in elite ranks such as this is a global recognition of local excellence. And no other school in Alberta can say that. ✔ David Norwood is a freelance writer/editor.

Contact dnorwood@edmontonians.com EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2006

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lifestyles LIVELY

MenuMagic with Chef John Berry Photo by Al Gerard

with Linda Bodo

F

asten your seatbelt… it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

I have spent the last 30 years navigating a circuit of hairpin turns and straight-aways from the cockpit of my business, constantly redefining my role as an entrepreneur.

The daily rewards and challenges have taught me a great deal about people, honesty and trust. Not for the feint-hearted, it is indeed a challenging way to earn a living.

Just when you think you are going to win the race, a yellow flag comes out and cautions you to shift down and take a pit-stop.

What are the essential ingredients of building a successful company? An eager entrepreneur, unyielding passion, and a well researched business plan. What makes an entrepreneur successful? An unwavering belief in her vision for the company, her willingness to stick-with-it, and a disregard for minor obstacles such as divorce, litigation or a possible prison sentence.

CONNIE JACKSON ALTERITY INTERIORS www.alterityinteriors.com • 451-8848 Alterity: A state of being different. Connie has been driven by these words since she first started designing at eight years of age.

Today, her design firm offers imaginative solutions by creating interiors that reflect the spaces her clients deserve. She finds inspiration in her customers, claiming that

Connie Jackson there is nothing more magical or rewarding than witnessing a satisfied customer at the end of a project.

Frustrated with the lack of high quality traditional paints available in Edmonton, Connie secured a Farrow & Ball distributorship and expanded her business into the retail sector. But, working retail during the day and designing for clients evenings and weekends soon proved to be too much for Connie—she found herself

missing the freedom she had once enjoyed with her home-based business. Undaunted, she arranged to find a new retail venue for Farrow, began the process of closing-out her shop, and turned all of her energies to her true passion: interior design.

You can find Connie wheeling around town armed with a trunk load of samples and innovative ideas…ready to throttle the next project.

DEBBIE SLOAN DEL ADORA HOME 10344-134 Street • 989-5334 Two years ago, Debbie arrived at del Adora

Luxurious bedding and accessories

for a job interview and ended up buying the company. After spending 15 years as a stayat-home-mom, she offered to work for free for six months if the owners agreed to teach her the mechanics of running a store. Debbie observed and learned; recognizing where improvements could be implemented and how customer relations could be enhanced.

She then purchased del Adora, and went about the business of putting her plans into action.

With a keen sense for quality merchandise and impeccable presentation, Debbie has created a haven for customers seeking the finest in linens, bedding, bath products, robes and fragrances. Classical music gently drifts through her boutique.

Debbie appreciates the value of her loyal staff, giving her the freedom to go on buying trips (I tracked her down in Atlanta), and the luxury of spending quality time with her family.

This self-taught entrepreneur’s vision for the future? Gear up and corner the linen market in western Canada. ✔ Contact lbodo@edmontonians.com

W

hen we think of a diva of cooking in Edmonton, the name Gail Hall immediately comes to mind.

Her first venture was Gourmet Goodies, a popular catering firm that she parlayed into a $3-million a year business with 65 full-time staff and 35 part-time staff.

After the 9/11 tragedy, even the local catering scene took enough of a nosedive that Gail found herself re-inventing her career. But like a phoenix rising, she has emerged as strong as ever with Seasonal Solutions Loft Cooking Classes.

“One of my passions has been Gail Hall, Chef John, George Brendin cooking from the age of five. and his wife, Kerry Milligan.

It’s very nurturing, very 1 Tbs. onion powder therapeutic. A year-and-a-half after Gourmet Goodies, I still loved food… and 1 Tbs. garlic powder 4 cups romaine lettuce-diced the idea of cooking classes popped into 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper my head.”

1/2 cup remoulade dressing In today’s fast paced society, we have a In a heavy sauté pan, sauté the bacon until whole generation of young people relying cooked but not crisp. on fast food and take-out, instead of While the bacon is cooking, combine cooking at home with friends or loved cornmeal and seasoning in a mixing bowl. ones.

Dip each tomato slice in flour, then egg Gail, a big supporter of the slow food movement, says people need to rediscover wash and finally cornmeal blend.

Remove bacon from pan, and fry and take control over good, healthy meals tomato slices for 2 minutes each side over that ultimately affect our health. “People medium heat. Handle gently so as not to should know what they’re eating, what’s disturb the coating on each piece. going into their foods. We’re just Arrange lettuce in the centre of a salad beginning to have an influence there.” plate, and drizzle with dressing. Top with In addition to teaching brunch basics bacon bits and place tomato pieces on top. there are classes on soups and salads, Serve while tomato and bacon are dessert basics, and market fresh cooking— warm. Serves four. with a tour of the downtown Farmer’s Market to pick ingredients.

REMOULADE DRESSING But Gail doesn’t stop there. She does 1/4 cup red wine vinegar food consulting for the agriculture, food and hospitality sectors. She’s also working 1 cup olive oil 1/4 cup parsley chopped on an Alberta Industry Showcase at the 1/4 cup Creole mustard Smithsonian Institute in Washington from 1/4 cup celery, diced fine June 30th to July 11th.

1 Tbs. garlic, chopped If this isn’t enough, our kitchen diva is 1/2 cup green onions sliced thinly leading a culinary tour of New Zealand in February 2007. And to round out her busy 1 Tbs. paprika salt and pepper to taste schedule, Gail is working on a cookbook.

“I have enough recipes, I think it’s time. In a bowl, mix together the vinegar and mustard. Add the olive oil slowly, The challenge now is to find a focus. I whisking until the three ingredients are have some interesting catering stories— blended well. Add the rest of the people who shall remain nameless. It ingredients. would make a great tie-in.”

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Gail put me to work preparing a great salad that we shared with some friends.

For more information about Gail’s cooking classes, call: 437-0761. For CREOLE SALAD WITH information about the New Zealand R E M O U L A D E DRESSING Culinary Tour, call Vanessa Ward at 1/2 lb. bacon 2 tsp. salt 429-5960. ✔ 1 tsp. black pepper 1/4 cup flour 1/4 cup cornmeal 2 eggs, beaten Contact jberry@edmontonians.com 8 slices tomato 1/2” thick

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ACQUISITIONS, DIVESTITURES & CORPORATE FINANCE

Stephen W. Kent, CA (780) 448-9099

Management buy-outs approach with caution Management buy-outs (MBO) are becoming more widespread in light of our current market conditions. There is an abundance of available capital and plenty of private equity groups ready and willing to back management groups that can’t finance the buy-out on their own. MBOs provide managers with an opportunity to own their own business, but there are risks associated with this process and extreme caution should be exercised before embarking on this course. Once the process is started it is very difficult to stop and if you do change course you can easily alienate key employees.

When management groups do not have sufficient equity to finance the purchase through traditional means, they often expect the assistance of the owner in closing. Typically the vendor will carry part of the cost as a vendor take back, subordinated to all the third party financing. There is usually an expectation that the owner will discount the price to the employees in recognition of their hard work and dedication. There may also be an expectation that the owner pay extraordinary bonuses to the key employees, that they in turn can apply as equity in financing the purchase.

In our experience the best deal was an owner who asked for a million dollars for a business that was worth considerably more and told management to pay him at a rate of $100,000 per year for ten years. In another, the owner set a selling price far beyond the market value of the business. Although this precluded management from getting initial financing, they agreed to pay the price on the condition that closing be delayed and all distributions paid during this period be deducted from the price. Management was extremely successful in operating the company and consequently the distributions were significant. When the time came to close, the outstanding purchase price was modest compared to the company’s performance and the deal was easily financed. A win win for all. In another case, the employees were reluctant to close. After initial discussions with the owner and more involvement in the process, considerations such as debt, personal guarantees and nervous spouses put them off. This left them in a position of trying to tell the owner, without offending or seeming disloyal, that they did not want to continue.

MBOs provide many advantages including more confidentiality than a sale to an outside buyer, flexibility, good public relations in the marketplace, reduced competition and integration issues but there are many factors to be considered. If you are thinking of selling to your employees we would welcome the opportunity to share our experience and discuss the process with you. Please e-mail skent@foundationgroup.ca or call us to arrange a confidential meeting. For more information about Foundation Group, please visit our website at www.foundationgroup.ca.

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