MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

How our members are growing Halifax

PELVICO’S FIRST SIX MONTHS OF OPERATIONS

Pelvico Health Centre opened on May 1, 2022, and they haven’t looked back since! In a short six months, Pelvico has quickly become a multidisciplinary clinic offering comprehensive pelvic health services. We specialize in supporting all individuals in their pelvic health journey as well as through the prenatal and postnatal period through pelvic floor and orthopedic physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, personal training and group fitness, plus nutrition advice. Our team shares one common goal: to change how pelvic health is treated in Nova Scotia. We want to empower all individuals in their pelvic health journey and support those of all genders.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE IN MULGRAVE PARK

These past few months with the Mulgrave Park Caring and Learning Centre have been a pleasure to witness. Taking the time to build and enhance our relationship within the community is an ongoing process, but it has been vital to our strategic approach in delivering diverse and inclusive programming to best serve and reflect our families. Through the month of October, we facilitated eight separate programs which brought the community together and played a crucial role in breaking down the barrier of food security within our community. For anyone interested in making donations or learning more about our programs, visit mulgravepark.ca.

AS MANY AS 100 NEW BUSINESSES STARTING IN NOVA SCOTIA THIS YEAR

Mashup Lab received a record-setting number of applications for its Virtual Business Incubator back in May. “For the first time in the history of the program in Nova Scotia, we had over 70 people working on business ideas over the same six-week period, resulting in nearly 40 active and growing businesses in over 25 communities in every region of rural Nova Scotia” shares Andrew Button, Founder & CEO of Mashup Lab. “This just indicated the deep well of untapped entrepreneurial talent sitting ‘on the sidelines’ in every corner of our province.” Since then, Mashup Lab has launched another three cohorts in September with over 30 people currently working on business ideas. Learn more at mashuplab.ca.

KICKSTART LAUNCHES NEW PODCAST

In collaboration with BNV Media, Kickstart Coaching & Consulting is proud to announce the launch of the Kickstart Connections Podcast -— a podcast focused on small business that strives to provide local business owners with a free platform to share their stories and market their ideas. Lucinda Underwood, owner of Kickstart, hopes that the podcast will also provide a resource for other entrepreneurs, business students and future business owners. Each bi-weekly episode features a guest from the community who will share their journey and what they have learned along the way. Kickstart Connections is available on Apple, Spotify and Amazon now. For more info, email podcast@kickstartconsulting.ca.

A NEW LEAF ENTERPRISES SUCCESS STORY

Since 2012, Christine Riley has been involved with New Leaf Enterprises — a Social Enterprise program of Easter Seals Nova Scotia. Two years ago, Christine participated in The Next Step Youth Employment program, completing workshops and training classes designed to provide youth with disabilities the necessary skills and opportunities to enter the labour market. Christine participated in New Leaf Enterprises’ first ever Reverse Job Fair, where employers and potential employees with disabilities come together to discuss employment opportunities. Thanks to this program, Christine is now successfully and meaningfully employed with Delectable Desserts and loving her new job.

LOCAL LEADER WINS AWARD FOR GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

The Atlantic Council for International Cooperation proudly recognizes Kathryn Anderson as the recipient of the 2022 Shirley Case Leadership Award for Global Citizenship. Anderson has shown sustained dedication and engagement in the global cooperation sector and an intrinsic sense of volunteerism for over 30 years as a leader, educator, author, change-maker, and founder of the Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network. Anderson received the award on October 28 at the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation Annual Symposium in Halifax.

EDUNOVA LAUNCHES THE SEVENTH YEAR OF THE STUDY AND STAY NOVA SCOTIA PROGRAM

A record number of 97 international students have been selected for the seventh cohort of EduNova’s award-winning Study and Stay Nova Scotia program. These students, from 27 countries, are in their final year of study at ten post-secondary institutions across Nova Scotia. To date, 402 students across Nova Scotia have completed a Study and Stay program. A retreat event was held to kickoff the 2022-2023 programming. From October 14 to 16, over 100 people gathered at the Annapolis Basin Conference Centre, including 97 international students from the seventh cohort year of the Study and Stay Nova Scotia program.

FIVE STARTUPS ACCEPTED INTO VOLTA AI COHORT TWO

Five supply chain-focused AI startups founded out of Atlantic Canada have been accepted into the second cohort of the Volta AI program. The Volta AI program provides early-stage supply chain-focused AI companies access to funding and resources to scale, courtesy of Scale AI. Acuicy, Agyle Intelligence, KorrAI, Picketa Systems and Scient Analytics will each receive up to $14,000 in grants to develop their product and grow their business. Along with funding, the companies will have access to Volta’s co-working space in downtown Halifax where they can connect with a community of visionary tech founders as well as a network of supportive experts and investors in the AI space.

GOLDEN LIVING WINS AWARD

Golden Living - Senior Lifestyle Support has won the Platinum Award for Best Home Health Care Business in Halifax through Community Votes. Thank you so much to those who voted for my business. Creating a small business from scratch is serious, hard work. With much trial and error along the way, I am creating a business that is changing the way we think and feel about aging. Thank you for being here and following along!

BEHR PAINT COMPANY CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY

To commemorate their anniversary, Behr Paint company gave a mood-boosting makeover to the Youth Shelter at Phoenix Youth Programs, a non-profit organization in Halifax dedicated to supporting youth between the ages of 11 and 24, their families, and communities. The objective of the makeover was to inspire positivity and refresh the surroundings of this deserving organization. A donation of $7,500 was also given to help residents have access to vital essentials. Michael Burt complemented the project by completing a wall mural to represent the diversity of youth who stay in the facility and included inspirational quotes in ten languages.

STUART MACLEAN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

After dedicating 36 years to inspiring safer workplaces, Stuart MacLean is retiring from WCB Nova Scotia. Stuart joined the WCB in 1986, quickly progressing through management and executive roles. He has served as Chief Executive Officer since 2012. As CEO, he has guided the WCB through a comprehensive modernization and into an era of financial sustainability, and workplace injury has declined by nearly 20 per cent in our province. Following Stuart’s retirement, Shelley Rowan will serve as the WCB’s Interim CEO. Shelley is currently Vice President of People and Strategy.

MUNN INSURANCE WINS BROKER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Munn Insurance was awarded The XN Worldwide Award for Brokerage of the Year (10-100 staff) during the 2022 Insurance Business Canada Award’s Ceremony in Toronto, Ontario. The Insurance Business Canada Awards (IBCAs) ceremony and dinner banquet took place Thursday, November 17 at the Liberty Grand in Toronto, Ontario. The annual IBCAs is the leading independent awards program across the nation’s insurance profession. For further information, visit ibawards.ca.

NSCAD UNIVERSITY TAKES A BOLD STEP TOWARDS AN ACCESSIBLE, UNIFIED CAMPUS AT HALIFAX SEAPORT

NSCAD University announced it has signed a long-term agreement with the Halifax Port Authority to create an accessible, unified campus that will be the cornerstone of the vibrant creative and social district at the Halifax Seaport. NSCAD helps creators and makers flourish in a sector that is increasingly important to the success of Nova Scotia’s regional economic development goals, cultural action plan, and economic diversification. NSCAD’s current Port Campus is one of the university’s three distinct sites in downtown Halifax. For more information, visit nscad.ca.

BLUE NOSE MARATHON CELEBRATES 20 YEARS RUNNING AND NEW TITLE SPONSOR

Blue Nose Marathon recently announced a new title partner, Emera Inc. Together, the community-minded duo has joined forces to build on Blue Nose’s 20-year legacy of inclusion and deepen its work with equity-seeking groups on a journey towards a more diverse, equitable and inclusive sporting event. The two organizations are hard at work building a momentous event weekend, which will include the highly anticipated return of the Active Living Expo, coming to the Zatzman Sportsplex this May! To learn more about this exciting new partnership or get involved in the 20th Annual Emera Blue Nose Marathon, visit bluenosemarathon.com.

REVOLVE IS NOW BELIEVECO

Revolve is now part of a new powerhouse marketing and communications agency, born from a hand-picked selection of Canada’s most successful independent firms. Believeco is the consolidation of Revolve, Calgary-based Venture Play, and Toronto-based Brightworks and Zync. The vision for this new agency model was crafted by Canadian business leader and Venture Play founder Arlene Dickinson. Now one of Canada’s largest independent marketing and communications firms, Believeco:Partners is launching with over three hundred people in seven offices spread over six provinces and two countries.

INNOVATION, DIVERSITY IN DIGITAL RECOGNIZED AT AWARDS CEREMONY

Innovators, change-makers, and diversity champions in Nova Scotia’s technology sector were celebrated by 240 guests at Digital Nova Scotia’s Tech Forward Awards, presented by RBC. These eight awards recognize leaders and organizations making waves in the digital industry, while promoting diversity and inclusion and helping to drive the sector’s growth. Our 2022 Award Winners include Outshine, Adaptiiv Medical Technologies, Dr. Israat Haque, wordcraft, Rafflebox, Saratu Yakubu, Prag Ravichandran Kamalaveni, and ISANS. Find more information at digitalnovascotia.com.

2022 SACKVILLE BUSINESS AWARDS

This past October, the Sackville Business Association hosted its annual Business Breakfast in celebration of Small Business Week. Local legend and singer songwriter, Joel Plaskett, delivered an engaging keynote speech to over 120 Sackville business owners and community members. SBA Executive Director, Michelle Champniss, and Board Member, Caylum Evong, then presented three awards to deserving members of Sackville’s business district, including Bader Rached (Supreme Auto Service), Brian Smith (Brian’s Barber Shop), and Tina Chiasson and Blair Gleeson (Payzant Building Products). Voting was held online throughout the month of September with over 800 votes from the community.

GOOD ROBOT OPENS RETAIL STORE IN ELMSDALE

Good Robot gave the folks of Elmsdale a new space to gather and wet their whistle this past summer when they opened their beer garden at 14 Industrial Way. Now, just in time for the holiday season, they’re opening their brand-new retail store. Good Robot fans in the area can now purchase all of their favourite Good Robot brews, merchandise and more without making the trek into the city. Good Robot Elmsdale’s retail store will be open Wednesday-Sunday, and the team hopes to eventually include products from other local vendors.

SIMPLY GOOD FORM INC. RECOGNIZED AT CGLCC’S 2022 ANNUAL BUSINESS AWARDS

Cynthia Sweeney (She/Her), CEO and Founder of Halifax-based equity, diversity, and belonging consultancy, Simply Good Form Inc. , attended the CGLCC’s annual LGBT+ Business Awards in Toronto this November. Sweeney attended as an award finalist in the category Business Advocate of the Year. The Gala was attended by more than 500 ‘game-changers’ from across the country. Cynthia is honoured to be recognized for her work supporting trans and beyond binary inclusion and supporting clients in eliminating barriers to inclusion within their organizations, schools, and non-profits.

REFRAMING TO 5D CORPORATE TEACHING AND LEARNING CENTRE

We are excited to announce that a change has taken AWENS into the future world of workplace education. At AWENS, we heard from our clients that our name did not describe our unique program offerings, so we asked our clients how they would describe us. They responded with: Innovative, Collaborative, Purposeful, Diverse, Transformational, Customized, Flexible, and Impactful. These words took us to the five dimensions of teaching and learning, and for this reason, we are now 5D Corporate Teaching and Learning Centre. Check out our new website at 5dlearning.ca.