OBJ.Social

OBJ.social OBJ.social is supported by the generous patronage of Mark Motors, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties and the National Arts Centre. STORIES AND PHOTOS BY CAROLINE PHILLIPS

Catherine Landry of Call Betty Marketing with Darpan Ahluwalia of Manotick Natural Market. PHOTO BY CAROLINE PHILLIPS

NETWORKING Ladies Who Lunch make their triumphant return

While lunch is often the most underappreciated meal of the day, it was not to be skipped for the dozens of Ottawa businesswomen who got together in late August to support each other and their community at the latest Ladies Who Lunch: The Reunion.

The networking event, organized by Call Betty Marketing CEO Catherine Landry, was held at OCCO Kitchen at its Orléans location. As many business owners slowly emerge from the pandemic, the powerhouse planner felt it was time for women to meet again in a manner that was safe and that followed COVID-19 regulations.

Landry kept the mood fun and breezy, giving prizes away throughout the event that had been donated by local businesswomen. She joined forces with OCCO co-owner Caroline Côté and well-known entrepreneur Catherine Priestman, president of CP Business Solutions. Her company is also in the city’s east end.

“I’m a raging extrovert, so this is fabulous for me,” said Priestman, whose expertise is in helping companies elevate their corporate image through marketing and branding.

Attendees included award-winning entrepreneur Terri Storey, CEO of OneHealth and a leader in the field of mental health, while helping out behind the scenes was Darpan Ahluwalia, owner of Manotick Natural Market.

The luncheon included a fundraising component for Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI), an Ottawa-based community organization for Inuit in Ontario, offering support in food and housing, employment, cultural education, counselling and healing, family wellbeing, and children and youth. It was represented by executive director Amanda Kilabuk and by Rhonda Huneault, manager of the food security program. “COVID highlighted the need for food security for our Inuit families in Ontario,” said Kilabuk, who said they were able to use gift cards to keep up with increased demands from all areas of the province.

Priestman chose the beneficiary based on her love of Northern Canada. She lived in Yellowknife during her high school years and does business in Nunavut.

“I have a real connection to the North, to the people and the land,” she said. “Once you feel it, it’s always with you.”

Canadian North Airlines stepped up to donate the grand prize of a pair of return flights to Iqaluit. The community of women at Ladies Who Lunch, and even supporters who weren’t there, generously bought tickets, raising a total of $3,420.

As the group of 75 women performed a mass drum roll with their fingers on their tables, Shelly De Caria, senior director of sales and community investments at Canadian North Airlines, drew the winning ticket for the flights.

The prize went to Sue Vye of Coldwell Banker Sarazen Realty. Unfortunately, she is in treatment for cancer and was not at the event.

The luncheon was, for many, an attempt to “get back out there” following months of pandemic isolation. For those who were still feeling anxious or uneasy, Priestman provided comfort, reassurance and a solid dose of humour, particularly as she shared some of her own challenges with COVID. “It’s been hard to live with a 15-year-old and 17-year-old and my husband — still my husband — for 18 months. The kids are pretty much nocturnal and borderline feral,” she joked.

She offered the women several tips to consider when marketing their businesses. She suggested they keep their information simple, and to be kind and sensitive.

“Instead of saying ‘No more than three people in the store’, say ‘We are pleased to welcome three people at a time’,” suggested Priestman. “It is the same message; it’s just received very differently, and it makes your location and the vibe of your company just so much more positive.”

As well, she said it’s important to remember and celebrate one’s team. “Wherever you are in your business right now, you probably didn’t do it by yourself. It takes a team, even if you’re a sole entrepreneur, even if you are a very, very small business, somebody helped you get to where you are today. It’s because of them as much as it is about your hustle.”

Suzanne Cyr, president of Cyrious Connections, has regularly supported the Ladies Who Lunch events over the years because of the networking opportunities.

“You never know who you’re going to meet,” she told OBJ.social. “We always have a tendency to stay in our own circle but Ladies Who Lunch has given us an opportunity to meet so many other people, and to help one another as women.”

OBJ.social OBJ.social is supported by the generous patronage of Mark Motors, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties and the National Arts Centre. STORIES AND PHOTOS BY CAROLINE PHILLIPS

FUNDRAISER Construction industry comes through for CHEO

The Ottawa construction industry knows how to dig deep.

It happily took part in the Construction Community Cares for CHEO celebration held on a cool mid-September morning outside the regional children’s hospital. The first-time event saw an imposing procession of big shiny trucks, some with flatbed trailers hauling excavating equipment and other machinery, make its way past CHEO.

Some young patients watched through the hospital windows, while other kids, both from CHEO and the greater community, gathered with their families along the route. Even CHEO’s mascot was behind the wheel of a construction machine that was being carried along.

CHEO Foundation president and CEO Kevin Keohane expressed his deep gratitude to the National Capital Heavy Construction Association (NCHCA) and Ottawa Construction Association (OCA) for their participation in the event while speaking at a ceremonial cheque presentation held just prior to the drive-by celebration.

“Both of you are involved in helping to build the infrastructure and better facilities that allow all of us to live a better life in this community,” said Keohane.

“But you do so much more. You take that other step further. That philanthropy and generosity that comes out of the construction industry in Ottawa is really, really something special, and something for which you don’t get enough credit.”

He thanked the associations for the joy they were bringing to the children at CHEO. Besides being sick, the young patients also have to deal with being indoors, away from their schools, families and, in many cases, friends.

“For you guys to take the time to rally together to raise money and to bring together something that’s really going to put smiles on the faces of kids … You should be really, really proud.”

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A million bucks for BGC Ottawa

Guess who woke up feeling like a million bucks? BGC Ottawa.

For the second year in a row, the nonprofit organization is believed to have reached its seven-figure fundraising goal, following its 12th annual breakfast held Sept. 10. The event was once again presented by Mark Motors Group but with a friendly new name, The Morning Social.

Business and community leaders roused themselves early to support a local charity that gives thousands of atrisk children and youth in our city a safe and supportive place to go after school, where they can have fun, be inspired, learn new skills and hang with friends. Audience listened to heartwarming stories about how BGC Ottawa has positively impacted, even transformed, the lives of its young members.

Said board chair Stephen Beckta, owner of Beckta, Play and Gezellig restaurants: “It’s game changing for the organization. Without this, we’d be in a huge deficit for the year. It allows us to keep our life-changing programs happening for our members now that we’re re-open again.”

100 Men Who Care

They’re 100 Men Who Care to actually meet in person again.

With more than Ottawa residents now more than 80 percent double vaccinated against COVID-19, members of the charitable social group felt comfortable enough to hold an outdoor get-together in September. Thespecial evening took place at TD Place in Lansdowne Park, on a spacious patio overlooking the westend zone of the stadium.

The fundraiser was in support of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) Foundation and its commitment to help local youth, particularly those from vulnerable communities, to reach their full potential. It featured recently retired RedBlacks star receiver and fan favourite Brad Sinopoli in a Q&A.

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