H A L I FA X C H A M B E R O F CO M M E RC E | JA N UA RY 2 02 2 | VO LU M E 3 1 I S S U E 1
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BUSINESS AWARDS
Celebrating excellence in our community
2022
HALIFAX
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 22 HALIFAX
BUSI NESS AWARDS
TABLE OF CONTENTS: 03 President’s message 05 Chamber Events 06 New & Noted 11 Members in the news 16 2022 Halifax Business Awards Celebrating excellence in our community
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MEMBER PROFILE: Wise Cracks
30 Trends 32 Working for You 2
Board of Directors – Officers
Mark Sidebottom, Nova Scotia Power, Chair Faten Alshazly, WeUsThem, Vice-Chair Gavin MacDonald, Cox & Palmer, Past Chair Roger Boutilier, Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS Ann Divine, Ashanti Leadership Karim George, InTouch Communications
Directors
Michele Peveril, Halifax Port Authority Brad Proctor, McInnes Cooper Richard Butts Caroline Wolfe Stewart, Nova Scotia College of Nursing Andrew de Freitas, TMSI Ltd. Christopher Googoo, Ulnooweg Hon. Joanne Bernard, Easter Seals Nova Scotia David Rideout, MetroWorks Chris Cowper-Smith, Spring Loaded Technology Martha Casey, VOLTA Captain (N) A.S. Williams, CD, Maritime Forces Atlantic Kimberly Stephens, Acadian Seaplants Denise Allen, Food Processors of Canada Donna Harding, Engel & Völkers Paul Way, TD Private Wealth
Chamber Staff
Patrick Sullivan, President and CEO Becky Davison, Vice President, Marketing Kent Roberts, Vice President, Policy Sandra White, Director of Finance and Administration Emma Menchefski, Communications Manager Emily Bednarz, Communications Coordinator
JANUARY 2022
16 Volume 31 • Issue 3
Business Voice is published 11 times a year for members of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and Metro Halifax’s business community. Views expressed in Business Voice are those of the contributors and individual members, and are not necessarily endorsed by, or are a policy of, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur. Please address editorial enquiries and changes to information to: Halifax Chamber of Commerce 100-32 Akerley Boulevard Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B3B 1N1 Tel: 902-468-7111 Fax: 902-468-7333 info@halifaxchamber.com www.halifaxchamber.com Cover and table of contents photo credit: Blush Décor
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Celebrating community Congratulations to our 2022 Halifax Business Awards Finalists
@prezhfxchamber Discover Halifax
PATRICK SULLIVAN PRESIDENT & CEO
Entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy, and they have played an essential role in strengthening and expanding our community.
I
t is an incredibly special year for the Halifax Business Awards. First, it is a year to acknowledge astounding growth in our community. Our province recently crossed a momentous landmark, with over one million residents now calling Nova Scotia home. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy, and they have played an essential role in strengthening and expanding our community. It is our sincere pleasure to recognize their work at the Awards this year. Secondly, after two difficult years, it is more important than ever to celebrate our vibrant business community. Our finalists have not only persisted during these challenging times — they have flourished, thanks to their unfailing dedication and inspiring ingenuity. On behalf
of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, I want to offer the 2022 Halifax Business Awards Finalists an enthusiastic and well-deserved congratulations! It was also a year that garnered a record-breaking number of Awards submissions — we received more than 500 nominations! Thank you to the many extraordinary businesses who took the time to apply. Our judges, as always, had their work cut out for them. This year’s finalists are a selection of the remarkable businesses in Halifax, and we know there so many more still to highlight. Finally, we are delighted to BUSINESS VOICE
introduce you to our most diverse group of finalists in Awards history. For 2022, our team made a tremendous amount of effort to make our awards more inclusive. They represent a wide variety of business leaders in different industries, from all walks of life — including our youngest ever finalist! I want to thank our team for their outreach to the many communities that make Halifax home. We know the work is not over; we plan to expand these new connections and partnerships in years to come. We look forward to celebrating with you in 2022. ■ 3
HN AK NK YO U T HT A Y O U TO OUR
O OUR
2021 SPONSORS
021 SPONSORS 4
JANUARY 2022
EVENTS
CHAMBER EVENTS BUSINESS SUPPORT SERIES ONLINE
FREE ONLINE TRAINING
JANUARY 13
STARTING JANUARY 25 | Continuing every Tuesday for 12 weeks
ENTREPRENEURIAL OPERATING SYSTEM 10:00 - 11:00 AM
LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION
HUMAN RESOURCES 1:00 - 4:30 PM
STARTING JANUARY 27 | Continuing every Thursday for 12 weeks
USING E-COMMERCE TO REACH CHINESE CUSTOMERS
MARKETING FOR BUSINESS
CONTENT MARKETING
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
1:00 - 4:30 PM
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
2022 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS
JANUARY 13 Stay tuned for updates!
THANK YOU TO OUR NOVEMBER & DECEMBER PARTNERS:
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
JANUARY 25
UNIVERSAL REALTY GROUP
For a full list of Chamber events, visit: halifaxchamber.com/events
Stay tuned for updates! Join us to celebrate Halifax's vibrant Business Community in 2022. The Halifax Chamber recognizes that the current restrictions and guidelines affect the ability to execute this event in person. The Chamber will be evaluating the situation and updated guidelines to ensure we can host this event in the safest and most fun way possible.
BUSINESS VOICE
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NEWSMAKERS
NEW & NOTED We welcome our new Chamber members BLK WOMEN IN EXCELLENCE Shantia Upshaw
Halifax, NS (902) 402-9158 blkwomeninexcellence@gmail.com BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES - Bus. Service Centres
BLUSH DECOR PARTY DESIGNS & GIFTS Blush Decor was founded in January 2020, with a goal to keep families connected through celebrating, even in a pandemic, because milestones are just not canceled. We offer two categories of service: Premium Balloon Styling (for birthday celebrations, corporate functions, seasonal decor, and weddings) and Gift Deliveries (personalized balloon bouquets, curated gift boxes, and signature florals). Our signature gift service boasts a click-anddrop same-day service right to your doorstep. We are proudly the 1st balloon Styling / Gift delivery company to open its doors in Halifax. Tanisha Asphall-Brown Halifax, NS (902) 580-7831 tasphallbrown@yahoo.com blushdecor.caii EVENTS - Event Decor/Party Supplies
BMI LTD. BMI Ltd. is based in Bridgewater, NS and provides the necessary services to our business partners that allow them to focus on their core operations. BMI Ltd. has a unique facet of divisions in Staffing Solutions, Recycling and Waste Management, Metal Fabrication and Repair, as well as Wood Pallet, Container and Crating Services.
Martin Balcome
Bridgewater, NS (902) 543-2446 martin.balcome@bmiltd.ca bmiltd.ca 6
INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING Manufacture/Process
BOXES FOR LESS
will ensure your experience is simple, seamless and worry free, no matter where you are in the world. Mark Thompson
Having owned a moving company for 10 years, we heard over and over about the expense and difficulty of finding good boxes at a reasonable price. So we decided to open a packing supply company that offers low price used boxes and new packing materials, and Boxes for Less was born! Lisa Poole
130 John Savage Ave Dartmouth, NS (902) 707-4460 mark@ims.brytor.ca brytor.ca TRANSPORTATION - Logistics
900 Windmill Rd Suite 111 Dartmouth, NS (782) 777-0088 boxesboxes2020@gmail.com SHOPPING & SPECIALTY RETAIL Retail (General)
Hammonds Plain, NS (902) 441-2385 rohit@cafmotel.com cafmotel.com COMPUTERS, IT & TECHNOLOGY Computer Software
BRIGHT LINE CPA INC.
CARLOS JIMENEZ - SUN LIFE FINANCIAL - FINANCIAL SERVICES
Bright Line lays the foundation, you build the empire. Accountants are no longer just in the background of your organization crunching the numbers. Sure, number crunching is still a big part of the job, but our profession has evolved so that we are working closely with business owners to contextualize those numbers and use them to make impactful business decisions. Strategic thinking, building relationships, and business acumen are the pillars of the new CPA profession. Michael Brown Dartmouth, NS (902) 209-9278 michael@brightlinecpa.ca brightlinecpa.ca FINANCE & INSURANCE Accounting
BRYTOR INTERNATIONAL MOVING We are the global relocation specialists, backed by years of industry experience. Whether you are a company organizing an employee's transfer or an individual requiring relocation assistance for you and your family - our team of experts JANUARY 2022
CAFMOTEL TECHNOLOGIES INC. Rohit Wanchoo
It all starts with a conversation. Our team at Sun Life helps families, business owners, and professionals by providing solutions for tax minimization, investment management, and insurance protection with the objective of achieving complete financial peace of mind. Sun Life Financial in Atlantic Canada helps clients with solutions for those passionate about finance and mentoring ambitious individuals interested in building a career in wealth management. Carlos Jimenez Halifax, NS (647) 895-1891 carlos.jimenez@sunlife.com linkedin.com/in/carlosjimenez10/ FINANCE & INSURANCE - Financial/ Insurance Services
DARLENE POMROY - STUDENT MEMBER, NSCC Darlene Pomroy
Lower Sackville, NS darlenepomroy@hotmail.com OTHER - Student Member
NEWSMAKERS GEO'S RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA Geo's Pizzeria, a neighborhood restaurant that recently revealed its brand new Logo! Geo's menu features wide range of exceptional cuisine, including pizza, power bowls, Authentic Mediterranean dishes, and more. All prepared with utmost attention to quality, flavour, and presentation. Stop by for a bite, a drink, or try Geo's exceptional catering services. Suzana Toulany
202 Brownlow Ave 570 Dartmouth, NS (902) 404-0808 Suzana@geospizzeria.com geospizzeria.com RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE - Catering/Food/Drink
GINA MELANSON - RETIRED MEMBER Gina Melanson
Lower Sackville, NS (902) 497-4021 gina@ascendantBookkeeping.com OTHER - Retired Member
GOLOCALQUOTE Receive Local Quotes from consumers in your area. You are a skilled expert at what you do, but not necessarily an expert at marketing and generating client leads – let us help. Become a member of GoLocal Quote – create your business account in 2 steps. What does membership get you? Leads to new jobs in your community. We are looking for people with expertise and skills, as well as people who are friendly and professional. But don’t worry, you can set your schedule and still be your own boss, we are just matching you with local leads. Colin Sutherland Fall River, NS (416) 452-2166 cpsutherland@gmail.com GoLocalquote.com ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIA Advertising
GRAPHITE INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGIES INC
IRIS LINGUISTIC AGENCIES
GIT is a leading Canadian materials engineering firm focused on delivering disruptive uses for graphene technologies. GIT supplies the world's most sustainable marine coatings to the maritime transportation sector, helping ship operators to reduce fuel consumption and operational costs. Kyle Burton
Halifax, NS (902) 222-7772 learnjapanese.halifax@gmail.com yokosojapanese.com EDUCATION & PROF. DEVELOPMENT - Education/Schools
Bay#3, 1 Research Dr Dartmouth, NS (902) 817-1010 kburton@grapheneenterprise.ca grapheneenterprise.ca INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING Chemicals
HALIFAX BLOGGERS MEDIA Our flagship publication is Halifax Bloggers, an online magazine featuring local content from Nova Scotia bloggers and contributors, and promoting events of interest to our dedicated readers. We also publish the Local Wishlist, Nova Scotia’s annual buy-local gift guide, with hundreds of locally-made gifts from independent businesses across our province. Kate Kirkpatrick Halifax, NS localwishlist@halifaxbloggers.ca halifaxbloggers.ca
HAYDEN EHLER - STUDENT MEMBER, DAL Hayden Ehler
Yoko Irisawa
JAMES GAUDET DESIGNS James Gaudet is a freelance graphic designer / digital marketing specialist in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Specializing in branding, content creation & distribution (paid & organic social media management) and website design, James is able to help businesses effectively communicate and grow their digital presence through the use of modern techniques. Working with a small team of talented professionals allows JG to help take his clients further, be adventurous and challenge each other to think differently, dig deeper, take bigger chances and reap bigger rewards. Whether you’re an individual, a nonprofit organization, a small business or a large corporation, we approach each of our graphic design projects with the same amount of energy, commitment and expertise. James Gaudet Halifax, NS (902) 802-6729 hello@jgaudetdesigns.ca jgaudetdesigns.ca ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIA Graphic Design
Halifax, NS hayden.ehler@gmail.com hightidetech.ca OTHER - Student Member
JULIA CANN - STUDENT MEMBER, NSCC
IPLUME WRITING INC.
Halifax, NS julia.cann26@gmail.com OTHER - Student Member
Amanda Rogers
31 Morall Court Hammonds Plains, NS (902) 880-5107 iplumewriting@gmail.com iplumewriting.com BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Writing
BUSINESS VOICE
Julia Cann
LISA LACHANCE - HALIFAX CITADEL-SABLE ISLAND, MLA Lisa Lachance
5516 Spring Garden Rd Suite 304 Halifax, NS (902) 220-3021 lisalachancemla@gmail.com GOVERNMENT - Government
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NEWSMAKERS LOLA DOUCET BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR INC. lola doucet
647 Bedford Highway Suite 101 Bedford, NS (902) 832-5126 lola.doucet@ns.sympatico.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES - Law
LUCKY DOG GROOMING Jaime Campbell
Upper Tantallon, NS (902) 483-7396 jaibona@gmail.com PETS & VETERINARIAN - Animal Care/Veterinarian
MACGILLIVRAY INJURY AND INSURANCE LAW When you have been injured in an accident, or have been denied or cut-off from your insurance benefits, your world can feel like it is beginning to crumble. The lawyers at MacGillivray Injury and Insurance Law help those injured at the fault of another by fighting back against insurance companies when their clients cannot. With more than 25 years of experience, MacGillivray Law has helped clients receive fair compensation from insurance companies. From slip and fall injury claims to serious product defects, sexual abuse, fatal injuries, fire loss, motor vehicle accidents, Long Term Disability and Canada Pension Plan Disability denials, MacGillivray Law has fought for our clients’ right to fair compensation. Kenneth Ross 5777 West St Halifax, NS (902) 404-3239 kross@macgillivraylaw.com macgillivraylaw.com BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES - Law
MAPLE REINDERS CONSTRUCTORS LTD Maple Reinders is an innovative construction firm specializing in industrial, commercial, institutional and residential facilities, municipal infrastructure and environmental projects. With offices in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and now Nova Scotia, Maple Reinders provides end-to-end 8
services from design, construction, and management, to on-going maintenance and operations. Ken Smyth
37 Evergreen Place Granite Cove Drive Halifax, NS (902) 240-4107 kens@maple.ca maple.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Consulting (General)
MARA CONSULTING Trevor Cook
2000 Barrington St Suite 1304 Cogswell Tower Halifax, NS (902) 492-6894 trevorcook@maraconsulting.ca maraconsulting.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Management Consulting
NATURAL BUTTER BAR Butter Bar was created to help people learn how to use the finest all-natural ingredients to make their skin and hair look their best. With our assortment of products, you can give your skin and hair exactly what it’s been craving. Butter Bar has something for everyone. Tiffani Young Dartmouth, NS (902) 402-5214 tiffani@naturalbutterbar.com naturalbutterbar.com PERSONAL CARE & SERVICES Personal Care
NOVASPEC HOME INSPECTION SERVICES LTD. Alex Jacobsen
Bedford, NS (902) 802-9468 alex@novaspec.ca novaspec.ca REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION Inspection Services
ODOOTEC CANADA Hesham Elmahdy
Bedford, NS (902) 809-5507 hfm@odootec.ca odootec.ca COMPUTERS, IT & TECHNOLOGY Software Consulting JANUARY 2022
PERFECTPASS CONTROL SYSTEMS INC Gary Allen
14 Trider Cres Dartmouth, NS 902-468-2150 gkallen@eastlink.ca perfectpass.com INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING Industrial Sales
POPULAR DEMAND PICTURES, INC. Popular Demand Pictures, Inc. is a national award-winning film and television production company based in Halifax from founded by Jon Mann. With a focus on authentic, intimate storytelling, we bring local talent and brands to the national stage. Jon Mann
Halifax, NS (902) 329-0507 jon@populardemandpictures.ca ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT - Film/Television
PRECISION PILATES STUDIO Cara Hazelton
827 Bedford Highway Suite 101A Halifax, NS (902) 220-4091 office@frederictonpilates.com halifaxpilates.com SPORTS & RECREATION - Yoga
PUPPETBRUSH DIGITAL MARKETING SOLUTIONS Kazi Masum
Halifax, NS (902) 293-7933 info@puppetbrush.com puppetbrush.com ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIA Internet Marketing
R STUDIOS FITNESS Rstudios is HRM's most unique brand of boutique fitness studios featuring FIVE locations that specialize in group fitness. Classes include pilates, strength training, spin, hot yoga and pilates, boxing and more. With locations spread across HRM and an all inclusive membership, RStudios offers the best value, best variety, and features Halifax's top
NEWSMAKERS instructors and unique class concepts. Check them out with a 2 week intro for $49. Connie McInnes
1515 Dresden Row Halifax, NS (902) 210-3659 connie@rstudios.co rstudios.co HEALTH CARE - Health and Wellness
REGIONAL INDEPENDENT STUDENTS ASSOCIATION RISA’s main goal is education and teaching life skills, dealing with behavioral issues, abuse, mental health, addictions, and general life skills with the overall goal of helping at-risk youth be productive members of society. RISA has two homes, Edwards House (6 Males) and Brockwell house (8 Females) RISA is open 365 days a year 24 hours a day. Lesley Davidson Dartmouth, NS (902) 466-0249 brockwellhouse@eastlink.ca risayouth.org/ NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS Charitable Organizations
RESTORATIVE APPROACH Restorative Approach offers restorative conflict mediation and educational workshops to organizations and individuals. We guide you through a positive and restorative approach to conflict and support you in learning how to embody a restorative lens at work and at home. We work with you at every turn to nurture and create healthy, connected communities. Founder Shila also offers consulting and coaching for leaders needing support in times of difficulty and change. Shila LeBlanc Halifax, NS shila@restorativeapproach.ca restorativeapproach.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Business Consulting
ROSWALL DEVELOPMENT INC We develop clean, renewable energy for everyone. The leadership team at Roswall Development have been on
the front lines of the significant energy transition that has taken place in Nova Scotia over the past decade. Together, we’re working to empower regions, industries, and public institutions to become energy self-sufficient. Daniel Roscoe 397 Bedford Highway 3rd Floor Halifax, NS (902) 489-6787 dan@roswall.ca roswall.ca ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT Energy/Natural Resources
SANDRA BREWER (SCRIVEN) INDIVIDUAL MEMBER An accomplished Operations Manager with 25+ years’ experience in the Financial Planning Industry. Throughout her career she has represented one of the top Financial Planning companies in Canada with professionalism and excellence. A true team player, working closely with Financial Planners and their teams, Sandra was committed to the qualify, growth & progress of the company. Her personal interests include golf, travelling & hiking. Sandra Brewer (Scriven) Hammonds Plains, NS 902-402-9335 mnb2@accesswave.ca linkedin.com/in/sandra-brewerscriven-30225052/ OTHER - Individual Member
SECURITAS CANADA LIMITED Securitas is a full line security provider. We are the world’s largest security (only) company and have brick and mortar offices in every major city. I work for the mobile guarding division and we cater to business’ who need security, but do not require dedicated service. Mobile Guarding’s around-the-clock services include patrol inspections, alarm response, and technology solutions. Mobile Guarding provides you with a professional and persuasive security presence that is customized to address your unique concerns and to align with your budget. Vince DiCarlo
(902) 580-2854 vincent.dicarlo@securitas.ca securitas.ca SAFETY & SECURITY - Security
SHORELINE IMMIGRATION INC. Shoreline Immigration is an accredited consulting company focused on supporting newcomers’ journey to Atlantic Canada through work and study, as well as employer’s seeking overseas talent to fill labour shortages. Owner and founder, Katie Enman, is a licensed consultant and member in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) as well as a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC). Katie Enman 1459 Hollis St. Unit 302A Halifax, NS (902) 221-4645 katie@shorelineimmigration.ca shorelineimmigration.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Immigration
SHORTSTOP Shortstop was founded in 2021 out of a love for the marketing game, but not how it’s played. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, we are an independent creative agency for brands who believe there’s no “i” in creatvty and busness. Peter Woodward Dartmouth, NS (902) 401-4267 peter@shortstop.agency shortstop.agency ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIA Advertising
SKYLINE GROUP OF COMPANIES Amy Tollefson
5 Douglas St Guelph, ON (519) 826-0439 atollefson@skylinegrp.ca skylinegroupofcompanies.ca REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION Property Management
Halifax, NS
BUSINESS VOICE
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NEWSMAKERS
STORAGE INN - STANLEY ST Our NEW locally owned and operated, solar powered, state-of-the-art facility is now open in North End Halifax! Storage Inn - The Stanley also boasts a drive through loading and unloading bay area, convenient in any weather. Dianne Hussey 6071 Stanley St Halifax, NS (902) 446-2727 dhussey@storageinn.ca storageinn.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Rentals/Sales/Service
TEMI BAKES Temi Ologbenla
Halifax, NS contact@temibakes.com temibakes.com RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE - Bakery
THE DEI HUB CONSULTING The DEI Hub provides our clients with experienced Diversity, Equity & Inclusion consultants and training that works. By providing organizations with the right tools and knowledge based on evidence-based practices, we help organizations identify and remove barriers to inclusion within their workspaces, thereby creating environments where every employee can thrive. Roxanne Sarrazin Halifax, NS (902) 580-1861 roxanne@thedeihubconsulting.com thedeihubconsulting.com BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Business Consulting
THE LEMONADE GENERAL STORE LTD. Sarah Arsenault
5525 Young Street Halifax, NS (902) 455-1012 Sarah@thelemonade.ca lemonadegeneral.com RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE - Catering/Food/Drink
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TRANSWORLD BUSINESS ADVISORS OF ATLANTIC CANADA In today's economy, there are more people looking to buy and sell businesses than ever before. When a company owner needs to sell their business, they can't just stick a for sale sign in the window. They need the assistance of a business broker to locate and vet potential buyers. On the other side, buyers rely on the broker to help facilitate the process of evaluating potential businesses and franchises for sale. A Transworld Business Advisor is the solution for both scenarios. Transworld Business Advisors focus on three core concepts: business brokerage, franchise consulting and franchise development. Jamison Bowser 647 Bedford Hwy Unit 101 Halifax, NS (902) 444-7355 jbowser@tworld.com tworld.com/locations/atlanticcanada/ BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Business Brokers
TURPLE COMMUNICATIONS INC. Turple Communications provides safety, security, and efficiency through cutting edge technology. Utilizing technology that protects your business and ensures you are set-up for efficient scalable growth that is aligned with your overall company vision, our team is committed to providing a superior customer experience. Greg Turple 198 Portland St Dartmouth, NS 1-866-234-3843 rose@turplecommunications.com turplecommunications.com SAFETY & SECURITY - Security Consulting
Transformation Studio (DTS), we help Forbes Global 2000 companies and other world-renowned brands accelerate their cloud transformation initiatives, digital performance and business growth in banking, financial services, insurance, healthcare, communications, media, travel, manufacturing, and technology. Eujish Selvaraj 1701 Hollis St Suite 800 Halifax, NS (647) 564-4222 eselvaraj@virtusa.com virtusa.com FINANCE & INSURANCE - Financial/ Insurance Services
WILLFUL Willful is the easiest way for Canadians to create their last will and testament and power of attorney documents online - no lawyer required!
Willful has helped over tens of thousands of Canadians create their legal wills and estate planning documents since launching in 2017. Willful has partnered with a team of estate lawyers across the country so you can feel confident that your documents are legal and reflect your wishes.
Joe Fitzpatrick
Halifax, NS (647) 261-3439 joe@willful.co willful.co BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES - Law
XPLORNET ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS Donna Sagin
Halifax, NS (855) 638-7381 dsagin@corp.xplornet.com Enterprise.xplornet.com COMPUTERS, IT & TECHNOLOGY Internet Provider
VIRTUSA CONSULTING SERVICES PRIVATE LTD Virtusa Corporation is a leading global provider of digital business strategy, digital engineering, and information technology (IT) services and solutions. Through our award-winning Digital
JANUARY 2022
Are you a new member?
To submit your 50-word description for New & Noted, please contact Mandi Bowser, Administrative Specialist at mandi@halifaxchamber.com or 902-468-7111 within the first six months of membership.
NEWSMAKERS
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS How our members are growing Halifax
VOLTA ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR $25,000 AT THE VOLTA COHORT PITCH EVENT Sixteen early stage technology startups based in Atlantic Canada have been selected to pitch their business ideas during the Volta Cohort Pitch Event on Wednesday, November 24. Following the Volta Cohort Pitch Event, up to five companies will be selected to receive mentorship, resources and $25,000 in investment as part of the year-long Volta Cohort program. Since the program began in 2017, 39 startups have been awarded investment. Volta Cohort companies currently employ approximately 175 people, and have raised over $20 million in major VC financing since the program’s inception. These companies continue to demonstrate the significant impact the program has and continues to have on the Atlantic Canadian startup ecosystem and economy.
BELL JOINS THE PIER AS FOUNDING PARTNER ‘The PIER’ at the Seaport is proud to announce Bell as a Founding Partner and exclusive telecommunications provider for its living lab that will help shape the future of the transportation, supply chain and logistics industries in Canada. Bell will deploy its 5G-ready managed wireless private network (WPN) throughout The PIER so that companies working in the collaborative workspace can benefit from robust connectivity and coverage in a secure environment. Bell’s 5G network, the most awarded 5G network in Canada, will enable IoT solutions at the port that will reliably support business-critical functions with real-time data monitoring and reporting to reduce complexity and derive deeper insights.
FLYING FOR A CAUSE Dimitri Neonakis graciously donated a flight to the links golf course in Yarmouth to raise money for Feed Nova Scotia on October 7. Steve MacLellan, owner of Design Your Future Financial Services won the open auction and enjoyed the 45-minute flight and 18 holes of golf while donating to a great cause. Dimitri also flies children with disabilities in his private jet!
OCEANSTONE RESORT ANNOUNCES HYDROTHERMAL SPA ADDITION Oceanstone will be the first to pair a hydrothermal spa alongside its award-winning lodging and culinary offerings on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The new spa will include best-inclass hydrothermal amenities including a first for Canada with Eclipse thermal cabins, a superior design in aesthetic and thermal experiences unrivalled by other outdoor cabins currently in the market. "When I was first introduced to Oceanstone, it was clear to me that it's a very special place. With its proximity to the region's largest city and, of course, the iconic Peggy's Cove, Oceanstone can hold its own on the world stage. This has provided us with the confidence to invest in Oceanstone and contribute to the long-term prosperity of Nova Scotia and the region," says Dean Leland, owner of the Resort. BUSINESS VOICE
30 YEARS GROWING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT Launched by Charles V. Keating in 1992, the Festival of Trees has raised more than $6.5 million for community-based mental health supports and services over the past three decades. Keating was a visionary who believed in a community that could work together to break down stigma and provide support to those living with mental disorders. Many advancements in mental health care over the past three decades are as a result of his early efforts. The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia's 30th Festival of Trees is a testament to the legacy of Charles Keating and his dedication to changing the way people think about mental illness and addiction. For info: mentalhealthns.ca/festival-of-tress.
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NEWSMAKERS
SEND ITEMS TO PEOPLE IN NEED COVID-19 has made it challenging for charities to manage in-kind donations, so we created a way to help get every charity the items they need. Your team can grant wishes virtually, receive a tax receipt and the donations are shipped safely to the charity or you can choose to pack them yourself as a team building activity! You can choose to have a Wishlist curated for a specific charity, or support our communities’ greatest needs by fundraising towards our Nova Scotia Community Outreach Program which works with charities across the province to support people who need help the most. This free program is offered by The Unity Values Foundation, email Support@ UnityValues.com to get started!
BEST LAWYERS IN CANADA 2022
BIOLOGIC LAUNCHES NEW PRODUCT Precision BioLogic is pleased to expand our family of factor deficient plasmas with the launch of our new CRYOcheck Factor VIII Deficient Plasma with VWF in Canada, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand. The launch follows market authorization by Health Canada and respective in-country regulatory authorities. CRYOcheck Factor VIII Deficient Plasma with VWF is intended for use in clinical laboratories to identify factor VIII deficiency in human plasma and aid in the management of hemophilia A.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF HEALTH PLANS (IFHP) APPOINTS NEW CHAIR
THE SONA TEAM IS GROWING! We are extremely excited to welcome Jennifer O'Neil to the SONA team! Jennifer has filled the position of VP of Revenue & Service within our head office in Larry Uteck. With a passion for helping others and building authentic relationships with those she works with along with 20+ years of experience in sales management we are thrilled to have her on board. We can't wait for you to meet her!
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The International Federation of Health Plans (iFHP) announced today the appointment of Bernard Lord, Medavie CEO to Chair of the Federation, effective October 28, 2021. “I am honoured to take on this role at such a pivotal time for the industry and health care delivery,” said Bernard Lord, Chair of the Board of iFHP and Chief Executive Officer, Medavie. “Over its 50-year history, the Federation has championed best practices in a sector that touches the lives of millions of people across the world. In times like these, improving the health and wellbeing of people across our communities, globally, is more important than ever. JANUARY 2022
We are pleased to announce that both Nancy F. Barteaux, Q.C. and Andrea Baldwin are included in The Best Lawyers® in Canada 2022 publication by Best Lawyers®. Nancy is yet again awarded for her excellence in the Labour and Employment Law practice area. Andrea, recognized for her outstanding work in Immigration Law, leads our firm’s new Immigration practice. Best Lawyers is an annual peer-reviewed list of lawyers recognized for their practice-area expertise, ethics, and professionalism. Congratulations, Nancy and Andrea from the team at Barteaux Labour & Employments Lawyers Inc.!
ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION The over-incarceration of indigenous women has unified the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia and Valent Legal to fight against the systemic failures of the Canadian criminal justice system. The combined services aim to break the cycles that can lead to criminalization by offering critical supports for transitional housing, programming both in jail and in the community to help women develop essential life skills, and a range of court navigation services to provide women with the access to justice they deserve. Visit efrymns.ca for more information or to make a donation in support of helping society’s most vulnerable women.
NEWSMAKERS ATLANTIC BUSINESS MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES 30 UNDER 30 Congratulations to Atlantic Business Magazine’s 2021 30 under 30! We wanted to congratulate the Chamber members included among the impressive group of young folks: Taylor Mundy, SPCA, Jessica Ghaney, Funding Talent, Nic Stana, Grandway Marketing, Templeton Sawyer, Omar and Mohamed Soliman, Couryah. Congratulations to all!
HALIFAX PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION HALIFAX
#1 RE/MAX TEAM IN NOVA SCOTIA
NOVA SCOTIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS WINS
Thomas Bagogloo and The Bagogloo Team have been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally as a proven top performer and have been acknowledged by RE/MAX with multiple awards including a RE/MAX Diamond Club award for 2020 and they are on track again this year to be the #1 RE/ MAX Team in Nova Scotia. A title held by the team since 2009. What distinguishes Thomas and The Bagogloo Team within the Halifax Real Estate market and contributes to his Team's ongoing success is their broad network of contacts throughout North America and Worldwide, as well as in-depth market knowledge and insight into trends affecting the local market.
The Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS (NSAR) was recently recognized on two fronts for the great work it does on behalf of its membership. At Political Action Committee (PAC) Days held virtually, it was announced that NSAR was awarded the Best PAC Team in the Large Board category. Great news for our tremendous PAC Team which has won this award multiple times. NSAR also was awarded the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) Award of Excellence (their highest award) for our Certified International Property Specialist program.
Halifax Partnership is pleased to announce Patrick Farrar as the new Director of Innovation Halifax. Patrick brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion for growing startups and scaleups in Canada. “We are thrilled to have Patrick join our team to continue supporting the rapid growth of startups and scaleups in Halifax. Patrick will work with partners to advance Halifax’s Innovation District while connecting entrepreneurs and established companies to the city’s research and innovation assets and opportunities,” says Wendy Luther, President and CEO of Halifax Partnership. Prior to joining the Partnership, Patrick led several Canadian startup organizations, including Venture for Canada as COO and the Startup Zone as CEO.
WILLFUL PARTNERS WITH OSTEOPOROSIS CANADA FOR OSTEOPOROSIS MONTH Over 2 million Canadians are affected by osteoporosis. We’re proud to partner with Osteoporosis Canada for Osteoporosis Month this November. Osteoporosis Canada helps educate Canadians on the importance of bone health and improve the quality of life for those diagnosed with Osteoporosis. We’re thrilled to be supporting them in their mission to make Canadians unbreakable. A legacy gift (or bequest) is a gift in your will left to a charity, school, or non-profit organization. It can be a piece of property, cash amount, or percentage of your estate. You can learn more about leaving a legacy with Osteoporosis Canada at wilfull.co.
SOLID STATE PHARMA WELCOMES NEW TALENT Solid State Pharma is pleased to welcome Obinna Esomchukwu, Dr. Braden Kelly, Dr. Amir Joorab Doozha, Dr. Evans Monyoncho, Anahit Kondyan, Lauren Collicutt, Dr. Kenson Ambrose, and Kassandra Emberson to our team! Obinna joins us as a lab analyst, having completed his MSc in pharmaceutical BUSINESS VOICE
sciences. Braden is our computational engineer, with a PhD in engineering. Amir, Evans, Kenson, and Kassandra are our newest scientists, with backgrounds in analytical chemistry, crystallography, and physical chemistry. Anahit joins us as a reviewer, having completed her BSc at Dalhousie, while Lauren is our new administrative specialist extraordinaire. To learn more about SSPI, visit solidstatepharma.com. 13
NEWSMAKERS
GOODLIFE FITNESS OPENS JOSEPH HOWE CLUB
LOCAL FIRM TACKLING PSYCHEDELICS
GoodLife Fitness has opened the doors to its new Halifax Joseph Howe club. The new 30,000 square foot club is the largest in the region and is located at the site of the former Loblaw Atlantic headquarters on Joseph Howe Drive. The 24/7 club will feature a Turf Zone for functional fitness, a MindDEN meditation room, lifting platforms, personal training, free weights, cardio and strength training machines, virtual fitness a 60-person group fitness studio, stretch zone, sauna and more. The club will also be home to REGYMEN, a stand-alone fitness studio that features a HIIT-style workouts in a night-club like atmosphere, with music and lighting.
Kydder Group Inc. is emerging as one of Canada’s top psychedelic regulatory communication firms. Led by Principal & Founder, Michael Kydd, the firm is providing insight and direction to some of the most prominent psychedelic and life sciences companies and associations across the world. Driven by a desire to support change in Canada’s mental health and palliative care regimes, Kydder Group is spearheading Canada’s first Memorandum of Regulatory Analysis to amend current Health Canada regulations, hopefully resulting in controlled legal access to psilocybin therapy for palliative and end-of-life Canadians in 2022.
PINEAPPLE BYTES CELEBRATES 6 YEARS SERVING YOU One of the most frustrating parts of running a business is wrestling with software. You didn’t start a business to spend hours on the phone talking to tech support agents for the simplest things. You want a software that is tailored to you. You want a partner to call that will respond to your requests straight away, not just take your details and call back in a month’s time. Pineapple Bytes was founded on this idea of providing the best, local tech support from people who actually shop at your store. Thank you to our customers for 6 fantastic years!
Since 1955, CBCL has strived to create a positive and lasting impact on people and our planet.
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JANUARY 2022
NEWSMAKERS BIONOVA ANNOUNCES MYCOFUTURES NORTH ATLANTIC AS 2021 BIOINNOVATION CHALLENGE WINNER
FILMING IN HALIFAX'S HISTORIC BARS Popular Demand Pictures (PDP) is excited to announce that we have wrapped up filming season two of our TV series Pub Crawl. Pub Crawl is set in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and showcases the city's unique pub scene while telling
the story of Halifax through the lens of its most historically significant bars. The series was hosted by well-known actor Rob Ramsay, and produced by PDP founder, Jon Mann. We couldn’t be more grateful for the bars and pubs that opened their doors and shared their stories with us. To learn more email us at info@populardemandpictures.ca !
MycoFutures North Atlantic from Newfoundland was named the winner of BioNova’s Eleventh annual BioInnovation Challenge (BIC) business pitch competition at BioPort 2021. The company is leveraging the complexity and sustainability of mycelium, the root system of fungi, to create a luxurious leather alternative that will help alleviate the environmental impact of natural and synthetic leathers currently on the market."The BioInnovation Challenge provided us with invaluable investment attraction training and resources to launch our startup with the right business plan and strategy,” said Stephanie Lipp, CEO & Co-founder, MycoFutures North Atlantic. “It was an incredible opportunity and we look forward to building a successful company right here in Atlantic Canada."
LEADING THE CHANGE
What’s your plan? DAWN DELANEY JOINS IRIS COMMUNICATIONS Dawn Delaney has joined Iris Communications as Vice President, Communications, supporting a growing roster of clients and complementing the firm's service offering. Dawn is a strategic communicator and storyteller skilled in media relations, issues management, crisis communication, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement. Most of her career has been spent managing sensitive issues, acting as a trusted advisor and coach, and guiding leaders on how to simplify complex subject matter to effectively engage with a variety of audiences. An MSVU graduate, Dawn spent over a decade working with the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), Husky Energy, Cenovus, and TransAlta.
Business degree. Register for the CPA path. Update résumé. Lead with us. Become a CPA.
www.cpaatlantic.ca
Suite 5005, 7071 Bayers Road, Halifax, NS | 902.334.1176 | info@cpaatlantic.ca
BUSINESS VOICE
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2 22 HALIFAX
B US INES S AWA R D S THE HALIFAX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE is pleased to present this year’s Halifax Business Awards finalists. Presented by longtime supporters of the business community, RBC, the awards showcase Halifax’s best and brightest business leaders and entrepreneurs. This issue is dedicated to the hardworking and innovative people behind these remarkable business ventures. We hope you enjoy getting to know them, and we hope their vibrancy shines through these pages.
Presenting Sponsor:
To learn more about the finalists, please visit: halifaxchamber.com/awards ALL PHOTOS BY PAUL DARROW
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR FINALISTS Tiffani Young Natural Butter Bar Cathy Akinkunmi Eunoia Lifestyle Shop Taya Skeete Taya Ties Jo Hamilton Jo to the Web Solutions Victoria Herron The Highlander Spa
What inspired you to open a new business? I was inspired to open Natural Butter Bar after meeting many people in Atlantic Canada who struggled to find healthier and affordable products for their hair and skin. Inspired by tutorials, I wanted to embrace my natural curls, with natural products, but found myself purchasing expensive ingredients or products from outside the Maritimes.
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What is your proudest accomplishment? Starting Butter Bar and building the brand was a great accomplishment. But one accomplishment that always makes me smile is launching our Braille labels and improving our website to be more accessible. We speak about being inclusive and we wanted to also do it and we will continue to do it. Look out for our universal packaging coming soon.
2022 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS What is one thing people may not know about your business? Even though we are a retail model, we also have a serviced-based offering. We offer services like designing event backdrops using our biodegradable balloon and party decorations, centerpiece design, and garland with faux florals. Included in our services, we also offer installation on-site at your event!
What is your proudest accomplishment? Being able to be a part of the main street business, and provide visibility to new BIPOC businesses by providing shelf space for their hand-made products, providing feedback for product improvement and seeing their growth.
How did you get your start? The official start of my business was when I was able to be part of The North End Business Association’s Taking BLK Gottingen Market. They gave me my first opportunity to sell products on a larger scale in my community and this is where I officially launched my business. Since then, I have only seen my business grow!
How can we encourage youth to explore entrepreneurship as a possible future career? I believe more exposure to people in different types of businesses in school would allow kids to see different possibilities for their future. Since being part of St. George’s YouthNet, Hope Blooms, BBI- BIJ Camps, I was exposed to a lot of people in business that I wouldn't have known otherwise. I am grateful for all the exposure they gave me.
What is your proudest accomplishment? The impact my websites are having on the businesses I’m helping. One client said that the website paid for itself in a week!
JO TO THE WEB SOLUTIONS
How did you get your start? I designed my first website 20 years ago. It’s always been a passion of mine, but I never formally pursued it. When COVID hit, I wanted to help the community. I became certified in Responsive Web Design, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, SEO and Digital Marketing. Using my technical skills and 15+ years of business development experience, I was now able to help companies who were impacted by COVID emerge from the pandemic while also doing something I love.
Where do you see your organization in ten years? Our dream for The Highlander is to franchise. Open locations in other major cities in Canada and beyond!
THE HIGHLANDER SPA
What inspired you to open a new business? The Highlander Spa has been a dream of my Dad’s for many years. People in my family are notorious for having “bad” (calloused) feet. As a man getting a pedicure, traditional spa environments were never completely relaxing, often very bright and almost clinical. The Highlander is a place where the mood is comfortable, the colours darker, and you can have a drink at the bar: a place to relax and receive top level service.
EUNOIA LIFESTYLE SHOP
TAYA TIES
BUSINESS VOICE
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2022 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR FINALIST PROFILE What’s your favourite part about Halifax? Halifax has such great future. The opportunities to develop and grow our business community is at an all-time high. We have so much to offer. Think about our quality of life, employment opportunities, universities, a vibrant port for import/export, and our talented employee base. In my opinion, our growth is unlimited if we take the time to focus on it.
Paul Empey Precision BioLogic
What leadership advice would you give an up-and-comer? On your journey, never lose sight of what your goals are. Your mentors will be your
greatest resource to help you learn and grow. Employees are your most important asset. Take care of them, support them, take genuine interest in them, and never take advantage of them. Your success depends on them. What’s next for you? I believe there is so much more to accomplish at Precision BioLogic. Our future is bright, and I believe the sky is the limit. I want to continue to build upon this looking at new technologies and
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR FINALISTS Dennis Mbeba Delectable Desserts Inc. Rob Gillan Red Ear Media Temi Ologbenla Temi Bakes Joyce Liu Lumi Studios NOT PICTURED:
Omar Soliman Couryah Inc.
What brings customers back to you? We bake everything from scratch with the best quality ingredients, all of our products are tastefully and professionally decorated, and they really add something special to a celebration. We always strive to offer our customers a wonderful experience. A combination of quality and care keep our customers coming back.
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If you could follow in the footsteps of a successful business, which would it be and why? We love the way Made with Local has grown their business while maintaining their core values and organizational philosophy. We believe it is important to source our supplies locally, to grow with the community, and to offer a learning environment for those seeking job skills.
2022 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS What would you say is your organization’s proudest achievement? We’ve been told repeatedly that our customer service, our care, and our attention to detail are second-to-none. We’re extremely proud that the hard work we put into each project is being recognized and appreciated by our client base.
If you could change one thing about your business and had the resources to do so, what would it be and why? We’d love to have the team size to be able to bring our mentality of creating real value to more clients across the region and across Canada. Our success to date has been fueled by a sense that every client and project deserves thoughtfulness and attention to detail, and being able to provide that service on a larger scale would be a great achievement.
How is your business contributing to making Halifax a better place? Temi Bakes is a forerunner in the industry. We launched the first, fully functioning online store for cakes. This was especially beneficial and convenient for customers when lockdowns were imposed in 2020. They could order celebration cakes for their bubbles and schedule contactless deliveries.
I am passionate about the advancement of diversity and inclusion in Canada. I would not be where I am today if it were not for the shoulders of black mentors. I want future BIPOC generations to be inspired by my achievements and to know that they can attain all of this and more. I speak with fellow BIPOC entrepreneurs to empower, coach, and help brainstorm ideas to move us forward. I also provide consultation in the hopes that more change will come soon.
RED EAR MEDIA
TEMI BAKES
Does your business engage youth and/or immigrants? What does that bring to your business? Where do you see your organization in 5 years? In 5 years, I aim for Lumi Studios to expand regionally, to have multiple teams across Canada working on larger projects together. I hope to build a strong platform that serves as a bridge, connecting people with where they live; helping people to get to know their neighbours; making them curious about their surroundings; and providing them with solutions in regards to community.
Why did you choose Halifax? I chose Halifax because of the people here. This answer hasn’t changed since I came here 10 years ago. People in Halifax have warm hearts, and strangers are always smiling. People have more energy to look around and take in their surroundings. The community here cares about the growth of others.
How is your business contributing to making Halifax a better place? We offer innovative solutions and making grocery delivery a convenience rather than a “luxury.” Our mission is to redefine convenience in the on-demand delivery experience through sustainable development in the community. That includes promoting our partners and adding value to supporting local.
Where do you see your organization in 5 years? Our vision is to take Couryah Nationwide and be the Canadian on-demand delivery platform for grocers, restaurants, and local businesses.
LUMI STUDIOS
COURYAH INC. BUSINESS VOICE
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2022 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR FINALIST PROFILE What steps does Halifax need to get to the next level? I’m passionate about supporting local and supporting women owned/operated businesses. In Halifax and beyond, we must continue to amp up the volume around supporting local. Small local businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. While they may be small, they have a huge ripple effect in our communities, our families and our economy. The more we can create exposure and promote local, the more we ALL will thrive.
Ann-Marie Flinn Champion Foundational Change Agency
What’s something new that’s happening at your organization? 2022 is going to be an incredible year for my agency. Be on the lookout for new programs that will focus on mental wellness and psychological safety in the workplace. There will also be a Champion Transformation Program to kickstart 2022 which will help you stay healthy all year long, I will also be repeating the incredibly popular Champion Yourself to Wellness Women’s Retreat in June. I have many international keynotes lined up plus my corporate work with some incredible local and global organizations.
EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR FINALISTS Georges Hanna Smart Income Rebecca Cable-Munroe Admiral Tony Schellinck Focal Research Consultants Lindsay Coshell AquaClean Ryan Thompson CGI
SMART INCOME 20
What inspired your company to become involved in export? The limitation of local markets in terms of size, population, high competition, and the fluctuation of the economy, got us thinking about how to reach customers outside our geographical borders. We understand that the current economy is the digital knowledge economy. For that, we use the latest Neuro-Psychology systems and methods in business to reach clients overseas digitally and teaching other local businesses and local professionals to do the same. JANUARY 2022
What do you enjoy most about working with international markets? The learning curve is the most enjoyable part of doing business with different cultures. Plus, the opportunity is huge in terms of sales and profit compared to staying only local. Reaching different markets online makes competition almost obsolete. We can sell to countries and areas we have never thought of before.
2022 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS
ADMIRAL
FOCAL RESEARCH CONSULTANTS
What inspired your company to become involved in export? Admiral is not an exporter in the traditional sense. We’re not shipping products or goods overseas, rather we’re exporting homegrown skills and talents to benefit an overseas insurance clientele. We handle roughly 30% of customer contacts for our UK parent firm’s 6 million home and automobile customers. By leveraging a reputation for great service, Admiral UK leans on the Halifax entity to play a critical role in growing their domestic insurance foothold.
Why did you choose Halifax? As the largest municipality east of Montreal, it made sense for our organization to establish a presence in Halifax based on ease of access from the United Kingdom, but also because of Halifax’s reputation of offering amazing hospitality/quality of service which is of huge importance to our overseas customers and positive word of mouth brand traction. We want to provide a memorable customer journey and our Halifax team makes that happen every day.
What do you enjoy about working with international markets? Working with operators around the world, we all have a common goal, making gambling safer. We are doing that for hundreds of thousands of people each day. Our clients are invested in our success and provide feedback, so we continue to innovate and improve. We are continually meeting with and working with people around the globe that have similar mindsets. Together we are making an impact.
What is your organization’s biggest achievement to date? From 2014-2020 Focal embarked on a collaborative journey to develop the ALeRT BETTOR Protection System, a practical tool to help operators in preventing and reducing gambling risk and harm. Trial outcomes exceeded expectations for compliance setting new standards for player protection with ALeRT now deployed in over 100 locations around the globe and growing.
What is your organization’s biggest achievement to date? Signing a deal with Mark’s Jumpstart Campaign with our Screen Clean Cleaner is our biggest achievement. We are been given the opportunity to partner with them and donate back $40,000.00 to Canadian communities to help put kids back into sports. To date we are the largest Atlantic business to do this.
Do you have any advice for other businesses that want to start exporting? Start slow, ensure you do your research, and lean on all resources. There are so many great courses and conferences to help you as a business be successful. We have been so fortunate to have NSBI, EDC and TSC to offer great programs and assistance to get you into the marketplaces you want.
What do you feel is your biggest contribution to the local business community? Our 335 Halifax Members contribute to sports, associations, schools and business groups. CGI Atlantic is also a major sponsor of immigration, in nonCOVID periods, bringing dozens of new Canadians to Halifax each year. Our business model is designed to ensure that we are close to our clients and communities and we embrace our responsibilities to contribute to the continuous improvement of the economic, social,
and environmental well-being of the communities in which we live and work.
AQUACLEAN
CGI
BUSINESS VOICE
Do you have any advice for other businesses that want to start exporting? Canada, and in particular Halifax, Nova Scotia, is a great place to engage with other markets. If you have a good product or service that makes a positive impact on individuals or businesses, Halifax has all the key elements to interact with the world.
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BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR FINALIST PROFILE What would you say is your biggest accomplishment to date as a business leader? When Maplewave was awarded the American Psychological Association (APA) Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award in Atlantic Canada in 2017, and then went on to win for North America in 2018. It was a wonderful recognition of the incredible work our teams do everyday to ensure our employees are our top priority.
Kathleen Jay Maplewave
about people, and genuinely care about their challenges and their ambitions. Protecting your tribe of people is a responsibility, and it should always come first. If you weren’t in this line of work what would you be doing? Leading a non-profit organization. Having purpose in my work is paramount for me, and I’m excited by motivating others for a common cause.
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever been given? “A fish rots from the head down.” Your leaders should be naturally passionate
NOT-FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR FINALISTS Natasha Chestnut Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia Carole Cooley Kids Help Phone Robin McNeil St. John Ambulance Heather Byrne Alice House Lori Barker Ronald McDonald House Charities Atlantic
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What is the key to a successful and meaningful not-for-profit? The key to a successful not-for-profit is staying in touch with the needs of your audience and being able to deliver meaningful programming and information that leads to support, education, and change. Not-for-profits do incredibly valuable work and are often working with very limited resources, so it’s important for them to stay focused on their key initiatives that support their mission and visions.
JANUARY 2022
How can the business community help support your growth? Supporting local for food and beverage and having business meetings in various restaurants/establishments can help us grow. Restaurants can have the perfect atmosphere for meeting up, brainstorming ideas and celebrating successes. For our association, sharing information and programs that support our industry can be very helpful. Red-tape reduction and working on regulatory issues that inhibit development could also be hugely beneficial to us.
2022 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS
KIDS HELP PHONE
ST. JOHN AMBULANCE
ALICE HOUSE
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES ATLANTIC
What would you say is your organization’s proudest accomplishment? COVID-19 brought a wave of mental health challenges never seen before in our lifetimes, but we remain open 24/7 to every person in need. In 2020, we met record surges in demand and had over 4.6 million interactions with young people, compared to 1.9 million in 2019. As the pandemic persists, we continue to grow and innovate to meet young people in their digital worlds. No matter the issue, the time of day or night, we are
there — always.
What is the key to a successful and meaningful not-for-profit? At SJA, we have a strong belief in our mission, vision, and values, which allows us to enjoy a strong and sure-footed decision-making ability. We have over 600 dedicated volunteers making a difference in their communities everyday, Volunteer Medical Responders provide life-saving first aid at community events and Therapy Dog handler teams provide therapeutic visits to seniors and others who benefit physically and psychologically from animal-assisted therapy.
How is your organization contributing to making Halifax a better place? Overcoming the pandemic and supporting the safe reopening of the city and the province were at the heart of our mission in 2020-2021. We participated in the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s efforts in establishing rapid test sites around the HRM. Our volunteers ensure the safety and wellbeing of crowds attending events. Our Therapy Dogs volunteered to help those with needle anxiety at Covid vaccine clinics.
How can we engage youth to become not-for-profit leaders? We need to be vocal about the benefits of working in the not-for-profit sector that are beyond a paycheck. The satisfaction when you know that the work you are doing will make a difference in the lives of people never gets old. That said, we also have to make sure folks in the notfor-profit sector can make a reasonable, market-level wage.
Our service delivery is in person engagement, counselling, system navigation, and support for isolated women who had to flee their homes due to violence. The pandemic caused further isolation and restricted access to all services. Alice House mobilized quickly to ensure families had access to services, school, and public health information. We also developed a food security delivery service to ensure everyone had access to nutrition and basic needs during lockdowns.
How did COVID-19 impact how you offer your services? What would you say is your organization’s proudest accomplishment? While there’s nothing that makes our team prouder than being able to support Maritime families with sick children during incredibly difficult times, 2021 has been a particularly special year. Despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we successfully launched and are near completing a $24 million capital campaign to build a new Ronald McDonald House, expected to open in 2023. This has been possible BUSINESS VOICE
How can the business community help support your growth? Kids Help Phone has the vision, track record, and plan to affect real change for the well-being of Canada – but we cannot do it alone. We have a history of sustaining partnerships that drive meaningful change and save lives. The business sector plays a critical role in health promotion and outreach, and galvanizing the country in support of youth mental health.
thanks to the incredible generosity of our Maritime community. How can we engage youth to become not-for-profit leaders? Engaging youth to become not-forprofit leaders starts by educating them about the critical role the sector plays in advancing societal issues, and showing them how they can be part of the solution. Volunteering is a great first step. Knowing you’ve made a positive difference in someone’s life is incredibly rewarding work. 23
2022 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR FINALIST PROFILE What leadership advice would you give an up-and-comer? The leadership advice I would give would be: This is not going to easy, this is not going to a beautiful process, you will have sleepless nights, you will want to give up, BUT don’t! It is so sweet when you get to the other side! If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
Tia Upshaw BLK Women in Excellence and Top Notch Cleaners
Why did you choose Halifax? I didn’t choose Halifax, Halifax chose me! This is home, this is my community, this is where my roots are, and I will continue to drop seeds throughout Halifax as long as I can.
What would you say is your biggest accomplishment to date as a business leader? My biggest accomplishment to date as a business leader would be mentoring and coaching 41 black women to help them build their start-up businesses. I have accomplished this through rigorous 16-week workshops, coaching calls, mentorship initiatives, community education on entrepreneurship, and building a genuine support system for them.
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR FINALISTS Nicholas LaValle Clean Valley CIC Laura Simpson Side Door Sean Monkman CarbonCure Technologies Colin Gillis Smarter Spaces NOT PICTURED:
Stephanie Holmes-Winton CacheFlo
What advice would you give to another business that wants to embrace innovation? Innovation is not brought forward by a singular entity. Innovation takes collaboration from a large array of vested community members. That array sees four pillars of involvement — industry, government, academy, and investors — working together. An effectively innovative business embraces each of those pillars.
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If you had the resources, what is the one thing you would change about your business? An individual wears many hats at a start-up company. This can cause burnout of key employees, who otherwise would not be experiencing burnout. Employee turnover is a plague of the start-up industry. With the necessary resources, I would expand our human capital, implement outlandishly favourable benefits, and bring in sustainable practices for both our infrastructure and our personnel.
2022 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS
SIDE DOOR
CARBONCURE TECHNOLOGIES
SMARTER SPACES
CACHEFLO
What inspired your business’ innovation efforts? Necessity! Our core function was in-person shows, so when everything stopped, we went online and sought to create the most connective, unique experiences possible. Artists mainly depend on live performance revenue, so we knew getting this right was essential. Now we can support any kind of show in any kind of environment for audiences all over the world. After more than 1000 shows since the pandemic began, we have huge experience to build on.
How can we engage youth to become innovative leaders? I’m a deep believer in travel to spark new ideas and creative processes. Spending time outside of the classroom, outside of our regions/countries, and outside of our comfort zones helps to see things in a new light. I also believe if we gave youth more agency, we’d see more change sooner. It’s not just ‘amazing’ when a youth has a great idea, they should be taken seriously and given resources to make their dreams a reality.
What is your organization’s proudest accomplishment? While there are several key milestones for CarbonCure, we are particularly proud that we were one of two winners in the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE, a global competition which challenged participants to develop breakthrough technologies to convert carbon dioxide emissions into usable products. Having our technology recognized on a world stage helps advance CarbonCure's mission to reduce carbon emissions by 500 million tonnes annually across the
concrete supply chain.
What is your definition of innovation? Innovation is not about technology. When Smarter Spaces started, we would do hour-long presentations about 3-D scanners and drones and what they are capable of doing. In the last 24 months, we may have talked about the technology twice. Innovation is about solving problems for our clients they don't even know they have. We help them understand the potential of their buildings by providing clarity of their assets and keeping their community safe.
How can we engage youth to become innovative leaders? We need to engage youth in areas they are passionate about. Not every student is going to care deeply about environmental causes, for example, but you may ignite innovative and passionate leadership in them through sports, art or music. We often encourage youth to try new activities, but how often do we encourage them to be innovative and make the experience better?
What is your organization’s proudest accomplishment? We created a standardized process for behaviour-based cash flow management. Until 2013 when we launched the Certified Cash Flow Specialist (CCS) designation, most financial professionals had little to no access to education or tools to provide cash flow advice to their clients. Today, we can support professionals and the public through financial education and cash flow tools, so people can get more life from their money.
What is something new that’s happening at your company? Expanding access to our digital financial education and tools to employees is new for CacheFlo. We’ve spent nearly eight years training financial professionals online, and thousands have accessed our content in various ways over the years. But it wasn’t until 2021, with the release of our Financial Capability Program, that we could put our behaviour-based education and tools directly in the hands of individuals.
BUSINESS VOICE
What is something new that’s happening at your company? CarbonCure recently entered a strategic partner agreement with Astec Industries, a leading global manufacturer of specialized construction equipment. This agreement is particularly exciting for CarbonCure as it will expand and accelerate CarbonCure’s market penetration via one of North America’s largest comprehensive concrete equipment manufacturers.
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2022 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR FINALIST PROFILE What’s your favourite part about Halifax? The diversity in this city is truly remarkable and such an integral part of our business community. It leads to bold ideas and viewpoints which benefit all industries. Embracing our differences is an important part of being successful and Halifax is fortunate to be able to tap into a deep cultural well that has produced a rich and vibrant private sector.
Rebecca Cable-Munroe Admiral
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever been given? Do the right thing — not the easiest or cheapest. The return on your investment far outweighs any quick fixes.
What’s something new that’s happening at your organization? This year we committed $250,000 to help non-profits and community groups in our region that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. We’ve forged stronger relations with our LGTBQ and Indigenous communities, as well as shelters for the housing displaced and more. Over 30 organizations will have benefitted from Admiral’s COVID Support Fund by year’s end — a testament to the strong emphasis we place on being a community minded business.
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR FINALISTS Jennie Dobbs Morris East Restaurant + Wine Bar Paul Empey Precision BioLogic Crystal Craig The Village Veterinary Group Colin White WLWP Wealth Planners | iA Private Wealth Lorna MacMillan Parkwood Home Care
What one piece of advice would you give to a new business? Open yourself up as much as possible. Talk about your idea with friends, families and colleagues and then listen. Listen more than you talk. You never know who might unlock something for you, whether it’s a connection, an idea or solution. Just be open to your network and community and listen.
MORRIS EAST RESTAURANT + WINE BAR 26
JANUARY 2022
What is something new that’s happening at your company? We are launching a craft spritzer drinks business named “Drink Sprizzi,” which showcase premium Nova Scotia fruit. They are perfectly blended, low alcohol sippers with gentle sparkle and tantalizing fruit flavours. These spritzers are a vibrant yet casual beverage that perfectly bridge the gap between beer and wine.
2022 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS What is one thing people may not know about your business? Given that we specialize in frozen diagnostic products for laboratory use, we’re definitely not a household name in Halifax. So, it may come as a surprise to hear that we are successfully competing with – and out-innovating – much larger, multinational organizations. And, that our reputation as a leader in our industry has allowed us to attract five of the world’s top key opinion leaders to our Scientific Advisory Board.
What is something new that’s happening at your company? We’re doing a lot of investing right now. Investing in our people and in our R&D capabilities. We have developed a formal Leadership Training Program for our employees to build the skills needed to take the company to the next level. We’ve also reinvigorated the spirit of innovation at Precision BioLogic and it’s paying off with the launch of several new ground-breaking products in recent years.
What would you say is your organization’s biggest achievement? Rapid growth in response to the surge in demand for veterinary care over the past two years; by investing in and growing our team, avoiding all layoffs during COVID, expanding service offerings along with opening two new hospitals. All while maintaining our high customer service standards and excellence in care.
Why did you choose Halifax? Halifax is the perfect balance of both a big and small city. As the largest city in Atlantic Canada, there is possibility for growth in all areas of HRM and there still continues to be ample business opportunities here. In this new reality of human resource shortages Halifax is a desirable place to live and raise a family.
to their disadvantage.
WLWP WEALTH PLANNERS | IA PRIVATE WEALTH
What one piece of advice would you give to a new business? Know your ‘why’. Knowing why you’re embarking on something is a very powerful tool. However, if your why is wanting to make a lot of money while not working very hard, that’s probably a bad why. In our case the why is sincerely wanting all Canadians to have a better experience in the financial services realm. Sincerely trying to make every client’s situation better and help them to avoid unscrupulous players, and organizations or products that would be
How can we continue to build a vibrant downtown core? Our office is in the downtown core and we love it. We can continue to build a vibrant downtown core by remaining positive — we must all support and contribute to the local economy. It is essential to be open to welcoming all people. I also think it’s important that we all be involved. Halifax is an incredible community and only getting better.
PARKWOOD HOME CARE
Why did you choose Halifax? Halifax is second to none. The city is vibrant and growing. There is so much opportunity in Halifax and it is great to know that Parkwood is contributing to that growth. Halifax is home to my husband Mark and our two university age children (Jake and Rachel). In fact I named the business Parkwood Home Care because Parkwood is the street I live on. It’s a beautiful city, the people are great and the business community is strong.
PRECISION BIOLOGIC
THE VILLAGE VETERINARY GROUP
BUSINESS VOICE
What is one thing people may not know about your business? No member of our team is on commission, and no one owns a client relationship. We function as a true team, holding our clients’ experience and positive outcomes as the only true measure of everyone’s success. The one and only metric our team is held accountable for, and tracks, is client contact.
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MEMBER PROFILE
Cracking wise for 30 years Wise Cracks celebrates 30 years in business By Emily Bednarz
Photos contributed
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ack in November, I reached out to Wise Cracks President and CEO, Andrea Mackey. It’s a momentous time for Wise Cracks. They’re celebrating 30 years in business with hundreds of thousands of successful jobs completed. Over the last three decades, Wise Cracks has created proprietary technologies for use in foundation waterproofing, and they have opened franchises across the country. I emailed Andrea a list of questions to learn more about the business and its history. I know that business owners are busy people, so I expected to hear a response from her after a few days. Andrea replied — with detailed, thoughtful answers — in under 20 minutes. This action cuts to the core of Wise Cracks’ success. Andrea and her team are extraordinarily responsive, and they are brimming with knowledge about the home repair industry. Andrea shares that knowledge in a way that seems effortless. Working with businesses like this always makes you feel like you’re in good hands. When you can walk up to any employee, and they can rattle off ten different solutions for you to consider. It’s the kind of 28
We act as if the house we are working on was our own. We ask ourselves: what is the best and most economical way to tackle this leaking issue?" — Andrea Mackey, President and CEO, Wise Cracks business where everyone on the team are experts in their niche field. So, what is it about foundation repairs that motivates Andrea, and what inspired her to start the business? “There was a need in the industry for more standardized repairs using quality products that didn’t exist when we started in 1991,” she says. “Many companies were using archaic methods — think tar and plastic — to do repairs, and foundation repair had a general bad rap for being something where people had to be careful of who they hired.” Andrea is proud of the positive impact her business has had over 30 years. “Wise Cracks changed the industry by providing fair standardized products, a warranty that is truly honored, and quality products that yield long term results,” she says. “We have created a more level playing field.” JANUARY 2022
Since 1994, Wise Cracks has made an incredible expansion across Canada. Franchises have opened across the Maritimes, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. I ask Andrea about the most rewarding and challenging aspects of this expansion. “Our location in Atlantic Canada can be a challenge,” she says. “Mainly due to getting supplies, equipment, and products to our warehouse at an affordable price that we can pass on to our Franchisees. The freight here alone can be challenging.” Despite the challenges, working with franchise operators keeps the Wise Cracks team focused and driven. “We continue to be motivated by our group of franchisees across Canada,” she says. “They, in turn, are making a good living for themselves and their families.” Wise Cracks has garnered customer service awards, along with stellar
MEMBER PROFILE
Wise Cracks changed the industry by providing fair standardized products, a warranty that is truly honored, and quality products that yield long term results. We have created a more level playing field.” — Andrea Mackey, President and CEO, Wise Cracks reviews from happy customers. I ask Andrea what her secret is when it comes to customer service, and she protectively replies: “Most people don’t want to give away their secrets in this regard — honestly, our competition has tried to copy our advertising, warranties, etcetera.” Andrea does offer some hints: “One thing we always do is treat others as they would like to be treated — the golden rule. We act as if the house we are working on was our own. We ask ourselves: what is the best and most economical way to tackle this leaking issue?” Andrea has worked with homeowners from all walks of life. “Dealing with the public, you meet all kinds of people,” she says. “We often have crazy stories in this field. Suffice it to say there is never a dull moment!” She may have collected some wild stories over the years, but Andrea empathizes with her customers. “We work with panicked, stressed people who have a leaky basement. It’s a terrible thing to happen to anyone,” she says. “Some of the saddest moments in this business are working with older folks who live alone, and making sure we do the best possible thing for them — because there are contractors out there who take advantage of them,v sadly.” Andrea is passionate about offering fair and economical services to every homeowner. Over our back-and-forth emails, she highlights how important
an ethical approach is when it comes to home repairs. “Competitors will push huge jobs that are completely unnecessary,” says Andrea. “Homeowners get talked into big jobs they don’t need because of pushy salespeople. There have been many instances where they have been quoted a job at $20,000, and we come in, and it’s less than $1,000 for us to repair it.” Everyone knows someone who’s had a bad experience in the home repairs industry. “This is an issue in all home renovations,” Andrea says. “Which is why there are many popular shows on TV exposing unscrupulous contractors. We encourage folks to call around, check the BBB, and do some research before they hire.” Another piece of advice from Andrea: don’t pay cash, even if the discount is tempting. “Unfortunately, too many people fall for contractors who insist they pay cash without paperwork,” she says. “They think they are saving money, but when they want to sell their house, they have no proof of professional repair work. When the work leaks, they have no paperwork or warranty.” Bottom line? “Don’t hire a contractor that wants to be paid in cash,” says Andrea. “This doesn’t just happen in Atlantic Canada. From coast to coast, I would say it is a common thing.” On their website, Wise Cracks
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hosts a blog, which is a great resource for homeowners with specific questions. (Seriously, check it out — it’s really informative.) Searching for solutions online can be overwhelming, so I ask Andrea: with all this information available, what’s the number one piece of advice she wants readers to walk away with? “If your basement is flooded by an inch or more of water, call your insurance company and get an insurance restoration team out there to start the clean up. Mold grows quickly, and electrical shorts or fires are possible.” After the cleanup is done, you can start scouting for someone to help you with repairs. We hope Wise Cracks is on your list! Visit wisecracks.com for more information.
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TRENDS
Compassion is Vital Both for yourself and for others
Compassion is like a muscle; we can strengthen it, or it can deteriorate.
YVETTE GAGNON FOUNDER, CEO, COMFORTING COMPANIONS CARE PROVIDERS INC
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e all expect compassion when we are at our most vulnerable, but do we know how to give compassion to others and to ourselves? Do we understand the importance of this in our day-to-day lives, and do we truly understand how crucial it is to our wellbeing? Compassion is defined as “sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” This is much different from sympathy, which focuses on the understanding of others pain — not necessarily the act of wanting to alleviate it. For some people, the ability to be compassionate comes easily. Think of those who have chosen a line of work where they are being of service to others at critical times. We would all agree that we absolutely need them to be compassionate and care for our emotional wellbeing as much as they are caring for our physical state. For others, being compassionate is more difficult. They may be too focused on the task and timeline at hand, which is understandable as people are asked to do more with less. They may also feel the need to look away, pass judgement unconsciously on someone else’s choices. They may not always fully understand what others need. We can also get caught up in our own lives, our own challenges with family, finances, or health, and it can become 30
easy to feel that our struggle is the most important thing at that moment in time. The truth is that for all of us, no matter what the struggle, we all need compassion at different times in our life. We all need someone to see us, to hear us, and to validate our feelings, helping us to feel understood and cared for in that moment. It’s what makes us human. Dementia care is very much the same. It requires us to put ourselves in the shoes of others — to help us try and figure out what those living with dementia need at that moment in time, since they cannot always tell us. Then, we find a way to support them while still allowing them to be who they are at that moment. It requires a great deal of compassion, understanding and patience to help them navigate in the moment. It happens with listening, a kind word, a gentle approach, and a deep respect for the person. It also requires an awareness that they are doing the very best they can, at that moment in time — but then, aren’t we all? Compassion is like a muscle; we can strengthen it, or it can deteriorate.
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You can decide when and where to offer it in your life. Some is always better than none. Decide what kind of person you want to be and let that guide your actions. Just remember to be as compassionate with yourself as you are with others, because we can often be hardest on ourselves. It’s also important to know that if you provide care personally or professionally, you are more at risk for burnout if you are too focused on others. Get your rest, practice good nutrition and exercise. Most importantly, remember compassion is a choice. It happens in an instant with a willingness to change that moment in time for that person — because you cared. ■ Yvette Gagnon is a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner and a Positive Approach to Care Trainer. She owns Comforting Companions, a service dedicated to the social and emotional wellbeing of others by providing companion care and dementia education. comfortingcompanions.ca
TRENDS
Make working at home work for you Five ways to jumpstart home improvements and renovations
A Registered Interior Designer helps you focus on your lifestyle, optimize your space with proper storage, and solve functionality problems with a more organized home layout.
PAM TOWER REGISTERED INTERIOR DESIGNER, TOWER INTERIORS
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emember the old days, when you used to think: “Wouldn’t it be nice to work from home?” You had visions of peaceful days at the kitchen island, swaddled in a soft sweater with a steaming cup of tea to your right, a healthy snack to your left, and the cat purring at your feet. Instead, if you’re like a lot of people 19 months into the pandemic, the thrill of working from home is gone — that cozy vision replaced by annoying reality. You’re working in your bedroom because the kitchen is too dirty, the kids are home from school with a sniffle again, the cat is scratching at the door, you have a Zoom in six minutes, and you’re trying to find a dress shirt to wear with your pajama bottoms but you can’t open the closet door because your “standing desk” (the ironing board) is in the way. Let’s face it — work life and home life have never been more intertwined. Expectations for being physically present at work have changed, likely for good. Plus, our colleagues can literally see into our lives through our computer screens, and sometimes it’s a little too much information! Using our homes in these new ways is now normal. No matter when
COVID-19 is behind us, we’ll continue to work where we live — and spend a lot more time at home. Our living spaces need to be versatile and functional, allowing for separation between work and family time while still making the most of the space available. This is where an Interior Designer comes in. A Registered Interior Designer helps you focus on your lifestyle, optimize your space with proper storage, and solve functionality problems with a more organized home layout. Remember that spending money on your home is a good investment. As a professional celebrating 25 years in business, I have a few recommendations for getting a jumpstart on your home improvements and renovations: 1. Patience is a virtue. Hoping to renovate next spring or summer? Start planning now. Call your Interior Designer, research products, make a list of contractors, and review your budget. 2. Your Interior Designer is now your best friend. You have the time to plan now, so let’s plan! Because she sees space differently from the people who live in the house, your designer can analyze your space and show you what’s possible. These creative options are going to solve problems you hadn’t even recognized were problems.
the ground running with drawings from your Interior Designer, you’re already several steps ahead. 4. Be flexible. The rumours are true. The cost of home improvement has gone up, 123RF and while lumber is affordable again, the supply chain can be unpredictable and it’s important to be open to your second or third choice. Don’t get hung up on that one perfect light fixture or stuck on that one style of tile. Being open-minded and flexible will keep your renovation running smoothly. 5. Order your appliances and furniture early. Fridges, stoves, and dishwashers that used to take six weeks to come in can now take six months. Same goes for furniture, especially custom items. Once you and your Interior Designer have finalized your space plan layouts, you’ll know exactly what to order. Our clients say they had no idea what was possible until we showed them. Making your home functional, comfortable, flexible, and beautiful is more than an investment in future value — it’s an investment in yourself and your family, today. ■ halifaxinteriordesign.com
3. Drawings first, contractor second. Contractors are swamped, and they need drawings before they can quote. If you hit
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WORKING FOR YOU
PHOTO CREDIT: DISCOVER HALIFAX
Discovering Halifax's Hidden Gems The Halifax Chamber of Commerce wraps up Hidden Gems campaign
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his past November and December, the Chamber team took to the streets to visit some of our favourite local businesses — with a camera crew in tow. With the help of Unbound Media and local business associations, we were able to capture some of the Hidden Gems that make our neighbourhoods shine. Thank you to our partners and the Government of Canada for supporting this campaign. Halifax Hidden Gems was designed to get you excited about your rediscovering your backyard. Each of our districts offers a different adventure! Discover our roundup Halifax Hidden Gems on these pages, and then be sure to visit our website to hear each business owner talk about their love of their district. Watch the Hidden Gems videos at: halifaxchamber.com/hiddengems 32
EAST COAST SMOKEHOUSE BBQ, DELI & CATERING
east-coast-smokehouse-bbq-deli-catering-co.business.site
HARVARD AUTO SALES harvardauto.com
THE COMPASSIONATE CLOSET
thecompassionatecloset.ca
JANUARY 2022
MORLEY'S COFFEE frictionbooks.com
DR. KIRAN PURE & ASSOCIATES
drpureandassociates.com
NEW SCOTLAND BREWING COMPANY newscotlandbrewing.ca
WORKING FOR YOU
MY MOTHER'S BLOOMERS mymothersbloomers.com
CHAIN YARD CIDER chainyardcider.com
NURTURED PRODUCTS FOR PARENTING
SALON 1883
BURNSIDE PIZZERIA
salon1883.com
burnsidepizza.ca
VERANO FOOD PURVEYORS
DARTMOUTH ADULT SERVICES CENTRE
veranofoodhfx.ca
SHERZAD'S TAILORING SHOP Visit on Facebook
nurtured.ca
dasc-ns.ca
LITTLE LUXURIES SOAPWORKS
littleluxuriessoapworks.com
PET VALU SPRYFIELD
R&B KITCHEN rnbkitchen.com
THE FLAG SHOP
store.petvalu.ca/location/1425
HORIZONS CATERING
PRO EDGE ELITE TRAINING
DIY STUDIO
horizonscatering.ca
proedgetraining.com
novascotiaflagshop.com
diystudio.ca
RICH WAXX BAR richwaxx.com
PORTERS LAKE PUB
TAKE IT OUTSIDE
TRATTORIO DA CLAUDIO
takeitoutside.ca
trattoriadaclaudio.com
CBDC BLUE WATER
NAAN-N-CURRY
SPLURGE BOUTIQUE
bluewatercbdc.ca
naanncurry.ca
theshopsplurge.com
PETITPAW-DESIGNS FLORIST
EAST PEAK INDOOR CLIMBING
EAST COAST WELLNESS CLINIC
porterslakepub.ca
pdflorist.com
eastpeakclimbing.ca
BUSINESS VOICE
ecwc.ca
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WORKING FOR YOU
Meet the team What brought our newest team members to the Chamber?
EMILY BEDNARZ COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
NEHA BHOJWANI EVENT COORDINATOR
I came to the Chamber for my love of publishing magazines —
I graduated from the Mount in May 2021 with a degree in
like the one you’re reading right now! My first job in publishing
Marketing and continued my university job in the banking
had me covering businesses, organizations, and events in small
industry. However, I knew my passion lay in planning and
town Ontario. I was Managing Editor for a non-profit literary
events. They say the opportunity will present itself to you when
magazine before coming to the Chamber. As Communications
it’s your time. That, plus the power of LinkedIn is how I ended
Coordinator, I’m able to combine my two loves: working in not-
up at the Chamber doing exactly what I am passionate about. I
for-profit and writing stories about our business community. I
am excited to grow and learn at the Chamber and see a com-
can’t wait to learn more about Halifax, my new home!
pletely different perspective of the Halifax business community.
JOSH CREIGHTON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
JULIA LEVERNOIS MEMBER SERVICES SPECIALIST
My commitment to social justice and my passion for entrepre-
I was seeking growth, opportunity, and a switch in my career. I
neurship brought me to the Chamber! I am a lifelong resident
love business, engaging and learning from others. After learn-
of the North End of Halifax. Growing up in a community where
ing more about the Chamber, I realized they were the right fit for
residents have been historically overlooked and displaced has
me and chased after what I truly wanted. Here I am, loving work,
embedded my strong passion for social justice and commu-
the people I work with and always learning from business own-
nity development. In my work with The Halifax Chamber of
ers in every facet of life. There’s always an opportunity to learn if
Commerce, I am able to align my work with my personal beliefs
you open your heart and mind to those around you.
and values. 34
JANUARY 2022
Are you an employer with a labour need? Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration can help. Contact our Employer Support Team with the Immigration and Population Growth Branch. Learn more about how our immigration programs can help you grow your team. Get started today: immigration@novascotia.ca (902) 424-5230 novascotiaimmigration.com/help-for-employers/ REDspace
PHOTO CREDIT: DISCOVER HALIFAX
BUSINESS VOICE
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JANUARY 2022
