NO RTH
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with Business
People you should know in your community
A28 - North Shore News - Friday, June 24, 2011
NORTH SHORE
people you should know in our community Get To Know Me How do you spend your free time? Family night is a popular event at our house. Popcorn and movie night with my boys, daughter and husband Michael. I love to play soccer with them and go skiing and to keep my energy level high I go to the gym and I walk the Seawall quite a bit.
What’s your favourite piece of technology? I’m a huge iPad user. I love my iPad. It’s more for pleasure, and I also have a BlackBerry for business. I never leave my BlackBerry behind — I always want my clients to be able to reach me.
Are you involved with any community groups? I’ve been involved with the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce since 1994, president for three years and on the board of directors since 2005. I volunteer for West Vancouver Soccer Club and I manage a soccer team for my children. I’m involved with fundraising for their school’s PAC and I was also a director for the Coho Society.
Photo Paul McGrath
If you hadn’t taken this career path, what would you have done? I’ve always been told I could be a good lawyer, and that was something I considered. Politics or law, because I’m a social person but I can also argue my opinion very well.
Haleh (Holly) Alexander RBC PRIVATE BANKING Benjamin Alldritt • balldritt@nsnews.com
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anking and finance may be trending towards online realtionships, but there’s still a lot to be said for sitting down with a real human being. “Euromoney Magazine rates RBC Private Banking as the number 1 private bank in Canada. We have more than 20 private banking teams in B.C. and now we have a private banker in West Vancouver!” says Haleh (Holly) Alexander, a private banker for RBC Wealth Management. “My office is on Bellevue and 15th. Not every client wants to cross the bridge and go downtown to deal with their banker. They want someone local and we see that as a huge success. They are relieved they can go to Crema, get their coffee, and come upstairs to see me. It’s a big differentiator. After the initial meetings, they’ll deal with me over the phone, fax or email, a unique service making it easy to do business.” Alexander’s practice is geared towards clients with a high net worth, people who need more than an everyday bank generally offers. Businesspeople and professionals of all kinds look to Alexander and her team to manage all aspects of their finances. “We have exclusive services for these clients, and what that entails is everything to do with their day-to-day banking: credit cards, loans and mortgages. We also provide valueadded advice pieces; for instance, estate planning, financial planning, tax planning, insurance planning and business succession planning. When my clients work with me, they’re not just getting a banker, they’re getting resources and advice on many aspects that touch their life.” RBC employs chartered accountants and lawyers, dedicated to working with Holly’s team of clients on their planning. “Everyone needs advice,” Alexander continues. “The reason the advice I give can be tailored to high-net-worth
clients is that we have resources that have been created specially for them. They have complex transactions and complex needs. Their estate planning is not cookie-cutter and simple. We have to look at different strategies and apply them to tax and liability planning. High-net-worth people are also often very busy and need someone they can trust to look after their banking.” To maintain that high level of service and attention, Alexander focuses on a small book of no more than 150 clients. Many of her clients have already dealt with her for years, throughout her long experience in banking on the North Shore. After graduating from university, Alexander pursued a lifelong interest in finance and was trained in bank management with Toronto Dominion. RBC came calling in 1998, and Alexander managed four different branches on the North Shore. “Leadership was my focus, not just finance. I was developing a team and enjoyed helping clients. I took my Canadian Securities Course early in my career and I decided this was what I wanted to stay in,” she says. Alexander earned her Financial Planning Designation as well as her Masters Degree in Business Administration to complete her education to provide holistic financial advice. How do you build a book of private banking clients? “Referrals,” Alexander says, without hesitation. “People that have known me through the years I worked as a bank manager. Also, many of my colleagues who know the service we offer see it as a value to their clients and refer them to me. They say ‘You know what? This person needs your private banking services.’ There’s trust and confidence when making a referral.”
words of wisdom Multitask. Stay organized. Love what you do.
reach me at telephone 604 981 7981 email holly.alexander@rbc.com internet privatebanking. rbcwealthmanagement.com/ holly.alexander
Friday, June 24, 2011 - North Shore News - A29
NORTH SHORE
people you should know in our community Get To Know Me What’s your favourite gadget? I’ve got an iPod Touch. To me, that’s one of the neatest inventions ever. To get all your music on one little dinky thing like that is just unbelievable.
What’s your favourite genre of music? I have a really wide appreciation for music, right from classics to rock and roll. I played violin as kid and we had a piano at home, guitar, flute, that sort of thing. I’m not great at any of them but I enjoy doing it. Not particularly country but just about anything else.
If you didn’t work in this industry, what would you do?
Photo Mike Wakefield
I was always interested in labour relations. Being a negotiator of some type at that end of a business, that would interest me a lot. It’s a little different but I get along with both sides of the fence, owners and workers.
Dr. Shehla Ebrahim AMBLESIDE DERMEDICS HEALTH CENTRE Jeremy Shepherd • jshepherd@nsnews.com
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r. Shehla Ebrahim does not appear to have an off switch. The physician runs a family practice, offers esthetic treatments at Afterglow, and now envisions bringing them both together. Ebrahim is planning to open Ambleside Dermedics Health Centre later this summer, just around the time she’s hoping to earn a diploma in dermatology from Cardiff University in Wales. “I’ll wake up at 5 a.m., I study, and then I go to work and I come home and I study until 1 a.m. and this has been going on for the last several months,” she says. Despite the long hours, Ebrahim’s mood is light and her humour is quick when discussing her grueling schedule. “It’s just been hell, but it’s been also wonderful at the same time,” she says. Ebrahim’s vision is a boutique-style centre where patients can receive medical care or find the latest beauty tips and treatments. “I am now offering Ultherapy, a new treatment that uses ultrasound for non-surgical brow-lifts, and non-surgical jaw and neck lifts,” Ebrahim says. “It’s a quantum leap from the other (skin) tightening procedures and I’m the only one on the North Shore to offer this.” The technology uses Ultrasound imaging to deliver energy to specific layers of tissue, which helps to tighten and lift the patient’s skin, according to Ebrahim. After having just passed her dermatology exam, she’ll be able to do some of her favourite work: “Checking lumps, bumps, moles, surveying for skin cancer, (treating) scarring, acne, acne scars, and rosacea, which is so prevalent in North America,” she says. She added that all those treatments are covered by MSP if the patient is referred by a physician.
Ambleside Dermedics Health Centre While the diploma won’t make Ebrahim a dermatologist yet, it would put her a little closer to a lifelong desire. “If I ever had a chance to get reincarnated, I would become a dermatologist,” she says. “It’s been a dream, a passion for years.” But as much as she enjoys discussing dermatology, her health centre will also treat problems frequently marked by silence. “Currently there’s a two-year wait-list for women who have incontinence issues like stress incontinence and urinary incontinence,” she says. “Women don’t talk about it . . . but it exists and it’s very embarrassing for women because they have no place to go.” The centre will offer a host of non-surgical, non-invasive treatments, with an emphasis on natural therapies. Among the treatments used is biofeedback, a system allowing patients to view body mechanisms such as brainwaves or heart rate with the goal of being able to better control their own stress. Ebrahim says the wellness and beauty centre was initially supposed to be a joint venture, but when her potential partner was unable to continue, she was faced with a difficult choice. “One option will be just to get out of the lease and pay the penalty and the second option would be just to take a leap of faith and do it on my own.” For the last 18 months, Ebrahim has been striving to turn that leap of faith into a soft landing. “There’s no point sitting and contemplating about it for years and years and years. I feel I’m young, I’m 50 years old, I have a lot of energy and I need to give back to the community.” Having lived on the North Shore since 1989, Ebrahim says she wouldn’t want to open the centre anywhere else. “Pakistan is homeland, but this is home.”
words of wisdom Sometimes you must follow your heart and not your head.
reach me at telephone 604 925 3376 email info@amblesidedermedics.com internet www.amblesidedermedics.com
A30 - North Shore News - Friday, June 24, 2011
NORTH SHORE
people you should know in our community Get To Know Me Do you have any hobbies? I’m going on the Ride to Conquer Cancer tomorrow — I like bike riding. I love fishing, and the outdoors in general. I played rugby for 20 years.
Are you involved in any community groups? I’m on the board of a private charity where we donate to children’s issues and causes. I’m also a former chair of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.
What books or music do you enjoy? I’m a Stephen Covey fan. And I like all sorts of music. There’s lots of stuff I like.
If you didn’t do this job, what would you do?
Photo Mike Wakefield
My brother was an inspector in the RCMP. He had a pretty good career so I think that would have been fun. My dad was a carpenter and I would have liked doing that too.
Peter Leitch NORTH SHORE STUDIOS Benjamin Alldritt • balldritt@nsnews.com
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t’s no secret that many of the top Hollywood movies and successful network TV shows are actually made in the Lower Mainland. But what isn’t quite as widely known is that shows like Pysch and films like Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief support literally thousands of jobs on the North Shore. “We’ve got a great workforce here,” says Peter Leitch, president of North Shore Studios. “We’ve got very talented and creative crews and cast. We have fantastic infrastructure not only in our studio space but also world-class postproduction companies. The top visual effects companies in the world are all located here. All the trucks you see here are owned by small businesspeople here. All the catering trucks and the lighting and cameras, wardrobe and generators are all local small businesses. “It’s been fantastic. We’ve had companies locating here like Sharpe Sound and Clairmont Camera and we’ve got a lot of talent on the North Shore that we draw for. There must be 5,000 people who work in the film industry on the North Shore. That’s a real asset to us.” The benefits don’t stop there, says Leitch. If you own a business on the North Shore, chances are you’ve seen some of those Hollywood dollars. “We use all sorts of services here, from hotels to taxicabs to Starbucks to clothing stores, lumber yards, florists, restaurants. Any service you can think of, we spend money on,” says Leitch. The longtime Delbrook resident got his start in film and television in 1987, before it grew into one of the province’s — and the country’s — economic engines. “We were doing television shows like 21 Jump Street and
Wiseguy,” Leitch recalls. “I got to pay Johnny Depp his per diem. Cannell Films was a great company to work for, and an industry-building one.” Cannell built the studio facility in 1989, and the business went through several phases of ownership in the years that followed, attracting the interest of top Canadian business owners like Frank Guistra and Nat Bosa. Leitch worked as the company’s comptroller before taking the top job in 1995. “Since I’ve been involved as the president, my job is to market the facility. I’m also the chair of the Motion Picture Production Industry Association, so I work closely with government at all levels on tax policy and other issues in terms of keeping British Columbia as film-friendly as we can and making sure we are competitive,” he says. “We pride ourselves on the service we provide. We have a very limited number of customers in the film industry. We’re very similar to a hotel; we need these people to come back all the time. Repeat business is so important for us. Friendly customer service is kind of a cliché, but we take it seriously here.” In the high-stakes business of feature film production, there are many factors that influence where the work lands, from big-picture challenges like currency exchange rates and tax policy to something as mundane as getting a permit to use a public park. Leitch praised North Vancouver’s local government for streamlining their processes for film companies and keeping their fees at a cost-recovery level. “Both municipalities are great filming locations and are very film-friendly,” he says. “They embrace the business and understand its benefits. That’s a huge factor in enabling us to do the work that we do. It’s a real cooperation and a can-do attitude.”
words of wisdom It all starts with mutual respect among coworkers. That’s the key thing.
reach me at telephone 604 983 5555 internet www.nsstudios.ca
Friday, June 24, 2011 - North Shore News - A31
NORTH SHORE
people you should know in our community Get To Know Me How do you spend your free time? My family means the world to me. When not at my practice, you’ll find me spending quality time with my wife and our two sons. My sons (ages 11 and 14) are growing up very quickly, and I cherish this special time I have with them.
What are your hobbies? Travelling, listening to world music and studying real estate are a few of the interests that I enjoy.
What’s your favourite gadget?
Photo Cindy Goodman
The one I spend the most time with is my BlackBerry, but my “favourite” has to be my diode laser!
Dr. Amin Damji ARTIS DENTAL CENTRE Jeremy Shepherd • jshepherd@nsnews.com
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HE metallic buzz of a dentist’s drill can conjure childhood fears more sinister than the creak from the closet or the pile of laundry on the other side of the dark bedroom. But for Dr. Amin Damji, a dentist who’s been plying his trade for nearly 20 years, the dentist’s drill is frequently just a prelude to the snores of a patient. “We have patients who during a root canal treatment literally fall sleep during the procedure,” he says, discussing ARTIS Dental Centre, which opened on the North Shore last year. “We took the anxiety out by educating our patients,” he says, adding that he took the nitrous out of the office when he bought his first practice in 1993. Instead of nitrous oxide, Damji surrounds his patients with soothing world music, hot towels, blankets and overhead plasma television screens. Damji went to the University of British Columbia and took science courses with the thought of pursuing a career in optometry or medicine. But while medical doctors help patients over the long-term, Damji says he was drawn by the immediacy of dentistry. “What appealed to me was the ability to alleviate pain, because what I saw were patients (arriving) in discomfort,” he says. After joining the pre-dental society at UBC, Damji was able to observe dentists and he realized how much he could enjoy the profession. “What I really liked was the human interaction between patient and doctor,” he says. Damji graduated with a doctor of dental medicine degree along with a master’s degree in oral biology before he started practicing in 1992. He didn’t forget the importance of observing a professional in the field, and now with two thriving practices, he said he routinely welcomes students to watch him work. “That’s the opportunity I had when I was in university,” he says. “I’m more interested personally in helping mentor high
school students who are thinking about dentistry,” he explains. “I do have a lot that come through the office and actually come in for a day or two and hang with me.” Starting out as an associate dentist in Coquitlam and Surrey, he set up shop in New Westminster in 1993. “My passion was to build a practice and to develop systems within that practice to run it efficiently . . . I wanted the patients to experience the extraordinary,” he says. After eighteen years of extraordinary service in New Westminster, he opened his second clinic at 845 Marine Drive in North Vancouver. Damji speaks excitedly about his new venture, referring to it as his “baby.” With approximately 1600 square feet of space and 19-foot ceilings, the new office is a centre of clinical excellence and a shining monument showcasing extraordinary design. “We want every patient visit to be an experience,” he says. “We’re a boutique-style clinic that aims to provide exceptional service and care.” Patients can now look forward to the same kind of red carpet treatment on the North Shore as they have grown accustomed to at the New Westminster location. Loaded with all the cutting-edge technology dentistry has to offer, his new clinic offers a full array of services, including: complete smile makeovers, full mouth reconstruction, dental implants, Botox, Invisalign, teeth whitening and laser dentistry. For patient comfort, Damji even special ordered a special human-robotic massage chair from Japan. It’s the most technologically-advanced massage chair ever produced. His office is also prepared for those dental disasters that can spring up without warning. “If you have an emergency, our motto is simply come on down” he says. “We will be sure to take care of you.” He says it all adds up to providing the best service he can. “It’s for the community on the North Shore to have an offering of a newer practice that’s modern, that’s cutting edge, that’s state-of-the-art.”
words of wisdom At ARTIS we have a motto: “experience the extraordinary”... in both clinical care and service, it’s what we hope each of our patients will experience! reach me at telephone 604 986 0800 email nvinfo@artisdentalcentre.com internet www.artisdentalcentre.com
Photo Mike WakeďŹ eld
A32 - North Shore News - Friday, June 24, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011 - North Shore News - A33 NORTH SHORE
people you should know in our community
Dr. Kris Bulcroft CAPILANO UNIVERSITY Benjamin Alldritt • balldritt@nsnews.com
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t’s been less than a year since Dr. Kris Bulcroft got the nod as Capilano University’s sixth president and, with that, the opportunity to lead the university through an exciting time of growth and transition. “Capilano far exceeds even my expectations,” Bulcroft says. “It’s a very unique institution. I’ve worked around the world at many different kinds of universities where they claim to be very, very learner-centred, but this place really is. The ethos here is about really supporting students and helping them to be successful—and we get students at all different levels. It’s a reality at Cap that I’ve never seen at any other institution.” Before accepting the job in North Vancouver, Bulcroft spent the bulk of her academic career at Western Washington University as a professor of sociology. She is also a multiple award-winning research scientist who has worked across Europe and North America. “I have a good publication record,” she says, modestly. “And I’ve worked at what you would call research institutions. I loved my research, but at my core I’m a teacher. So I’ve always gravitated towards institutions that really cared particularly about undergraduates. That very first year of your college or university experience is critical in forming your identity as a learner and what you can achieve in your future. I’m always happiest when I’m working with brand new students and it’s their first time in a university setting. They may be first generation students, or students who have had some barriers or obstacles coming in. These students are the ones I get the most pleasure working with. “We have very small class sizes here. It makes a tremendous difference when professors know their students and they can monitor their progress and form close mentoring relationships,” she adds. “There’s a much different level of engagement in the learning that students have here, a lot more emphasis on teamwork, critical thinking, and communication.” Bulcroft has spent much of her first year at Cap touring the university’s three campuses and meeting the students, staff, faculty and board members. But while familiarizing herself with the people and culture of the institution, Bulcroft has also been enjoying taking Capilano University out into the community. “I’ve been doing a fair amount of public speaking engagements,” she explains. “They’ve included a wide gambit of things—sometimes they’ve been about Capilano, sometimes about my own research. I just did one about the question of quality and the meaning of ranking universities. So I’m out there; I’m available. If a civic group wants to me to come and talk, I’m very happy to do that. It’s a way of letting people know what’s up here at Cap and also expressing the fact that a university president is accessible and part of the community.” And a lot is up at Cap these days. The university is now offering 10 degree programs, as well as a variety of diplomas and certificates for both new students and those looking to upgrade their skills. Perhaps the most visible new development
is the Nat and Flora Bosa Centre for Film and Animation—a state-of-the-art facility that will, when complete in the fall, provide students with the skills needed to work in one of B.C.’s most dynamic industries. The Bosa Centre will also consolidate the North Shore as a film and television hub, home to world-class training from the high school level up to industry leaders, such as North Shore Studios. “Another thing I see a lot of is the expansion of our international curriculum,” says Bulcroft. “We’re sending more students abroad than ever before and our numbers are steady in terms of the international students coming to us. We’re finding more and more ways to use those international experiences to enrich our three campuses.” Capilano currently hosts more than 700 students from approximately 50 countries, and Canadian students from Capilano are studying and training as far away as Vietnam and Peru. Bulcroft says there may be more ways to promote that kind of international experience for students. “One of the things we’ve been talking about is the potential to work with the school districts around a gap year for students. I’ve looked at the demographics and more and more students are choosing to take a year off before going to university. A lot of those students do a fair amount of travel, international and domestic, so we’ve had some thoughts here at Cap about working with the high schools on the North Shore to create some structured programs that are gap year programs, maybe as feeders for Cap or other institutions. We would start small, maybe a six-week summer program where a student does a placement in Europe or South America and perhaps there would be some service learning involved. It wouldn’t be heavy academic, but an opportunity to learn about another culture and pick up a few credits.” As the parent of a recent grad, Bulcroft says seeing a little bit of the world first can go a long way when it’s time to get back to the classroom. “I think parents worry about their children not having parameters when they go off into their gap year. But I believe it’s a good thing for students. When you step back from the structure of high school, you learn a lot about yourself and you may choose to go into a field of study you may never have thought about. People with this life experience often come to us making better choices about what to study and what to explore.” Bulcroft is no stranger to living and working overseas herself, and her cosmopolitan experience is helping Capilano emerge as a leading teaching school. “We now have a teaching and learning centre, which I think will be a real catalyst for the instructors here at Cap to find ways to talk about teaching and learning and also to perhaps connect with other campus communities. I follow the trends in post-secondary education and increasingly those institutions that have been more research-focused are starting to understand that they also have to perform in terms of classrooms. I really do think there’s a paradigm shift afoot.”
words of wisdom Learn to never stop learning, and never give up.
Get To Know Me How do you spend your free time? My dog Margaux is my best four-legged friend. I spend a lot of time walking the dog and enjoying her company. My husband and I like to hike and we like to cook and we like to garden. So we spend a lot of time out of doors. This is a beautiful part of the world to get outdoors.
What are you reading right now? A book I should have read years ago. It’s called The Power of One and it’s a really good overview of the history of South Africa pre-apartheid. It’s very well written and I’m enjoying it a lot. I’m always reading something.
What’s your favourite gadget? It’s a garlic crusher where you can put the whole garlic clove without peeling it inside and it minces it. It’s a little Swiss contraption I quite like. I use it every day!
If you hadn’t gone into academia and education, what would you have done? Well, there are two things. If I wasn’t doing this for a living, what I would have liked to do is be a journalist or a novelist. I love to write. But the other thing I learned later in life that I think I would have been really good at is landscape architecture. I love designing things, especially out of doors. The creative side of landscape design is quite satisfying to me.
reach me at telephone 604 984 4933 email kbulcrof@capilanou.ca internet www.capilanou.ca
A34 - North Shore News - Friday, June 24, 2011
NORTH SHORE
people you should know in our community Get To Know Me How do you spend your free time? I love living on the North Shore. I go hiking. I like working out at the gym. I do yoga regularly. We’ve got great skiing facilities in the area. I blew my knee out a few years ago but fortunately technology has improved to the point where I can get back into skiing and I’m enjoying it thoroughly.
Are you involved with any community groups? I do a lot of board work. I’m the Lieutenant Governor’s appointee to the Architectural Institute of B.C. I sit on their board. I’m proud to be elected to the B.C. Chamber of Commerce board. Locally, I’m on the board of Presentation House. That’s a very interesting position. I’m also on the United Way Cabinet and it’s a great organization and a well run charity. I would encourage all employers to get involved and run an enthusiastic campaign. The benefits to your company, in terms of commitment and morale, are spectacular.
Read any good books lately? A great book I just read is called The Gift of Dyslexia.
Photo Mike Wakefield
Favorite Music My favourite album of all time is a jazz album called Ella and Louis, recorded in 1954. It’s a spectacular example of working together to create great harmony.
James Belsheim NEPTUNE BULK TERMINALS Benjamin Alldritt • balldritt@nsnews.com
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he export of raw commodities is the beating heart of Canada’s economy, and a vital part of that export flow is right here in North Vancouver. “We’re one of North America’s largest multiproduct bulk terminals,” says Jim Belsheim, president of Neptune Terminals. “What we do is take bulk products and load them on deep-sea vessels for shipment to export customers. We primarily handle two products; one is potash, which is mined in Saskatchewan. It’s a natural fertilizer and it’s fundamental to world food production. Our other major product is steel-making coal. We ship it to steel mills worldwide where it’s used in the manufacture of steel that supports the development of infrastructure all around the world. So we’re proud of our products. They are important to the world, and economically, they are very important to the economy of Canada. As the terminal, we are a link that connects those two together.” Neptune has been part of North Vancouver’s waterfront industry for more than 40 years, but these past five have seen a dramatic increase in the terminal’s business, driven by surging demand for Canadian products in Asian markets. Spending roughly $150 million on various upgrades and expansions, Neptune aims to double the volume of goods they can load by the end of next year. “One of the key points that we are excited about is that all of our improvements are within our same footprint,” says Belsheim. “The expansion allows us to handle more volume because the trains get longer, not because we have more trains. We go faster and more efficiently. It’s a great expansion for us and it’s beneficial for the community. We won’t actually look much different from the outside.” Being a major player in the global economy doesn’t mean Neptune overlooks the community it operates in. The terminal creates 400 high-paying jobs and buys locally whenever
possible. Belsheim has a long list of community projects Neptune has supported. “One example is youth sports. We’re pretty keen on that. I’m talking 10 year olds and under. I think that’s where social benefits are huge in our community. We also support North Shore Neighbourhood House; we have a seniors program; we have a relationship with Capilano University that we’re pretty enthusiastic about. We think Cap U is a great add to the community, and business needs to be involved and supportive of it. Another example is our support of the gala the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce is putting on in support of Presentation House. The North Shore is a great place to work, a great place to live, and a great place to play. We’re obviously part of the first, but it’s important we’re connected to the other two. We’re proud of our role. We’re a major taxpayer in the city. We’re happy with that. We believe the businesses here work pretty well together. The community plan is solid, and the envy of many other communities.” Belsheim spent the bulk of his career in the forestry industry before taking the top job at Neptune. “It was very good to me. I had the opportunity to do a lot of different and diverse functions. I had executive positions in a wide range of activities, from operations, marketing, management, to human resources to finance. Those 30-odd years were the foundation of my career and five years ago, I decided to make a career change and come to the waterfront. I’ve been very happy ever since. It’s a dynamic business, important to Canada and important to the North Shore. “The nature of our products is long-term,” says Belsheim. “We’ll be in business on the North Shore for a long time, so having partnerships and linkages with the community is important to us. If anything resonates with Neptune and how we want to do business, it’s that we want to be proud of our role on the North Shore and we want people to be proud of us being here.”
words of wisdom Working to build positive relationships is the foundation for everything, especially with those you love.
reach me at telephone 604 983 4410 email inquiries@neptuneterminals.com internet www.neptuneterminals.com
Friday, June 24, 2011 - North Shore News - A35
NORTH SHORE
people you should know in our community Get To Know Me How do you spend your free time? Right now my free time is my five-monthold daughter and my 23-month-old daughter. We’re expanding our family and that’s how me and Kevin spend most of our free time.
What are you reading? Right now I’m reading a book called Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michelle Moran. It’s an excellent book. I also just finished a book by Diana Gabaldon called An Echo in the Bone. We’re not really TV and movie people — more towards the books. However, I don’t think Kevin could live without the Speed Channel and HGTV. Does Treehouse count as a favorite TV channel?
Are you involved with any community groups? We are members of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. Dieter gives to kids hockey and books for kids around Christmas time. We like to support charities on the North Shore.
Photo Paul McGrath
If you weren’t doing this, what would you do?
Lonsdale Flooring DIETER, TANYA AND KEVIN KUPFERSCHMID Benjamin Alldritt • balldritt@nsnews.com
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or three generations and more than half a century, Lonsdale Flooring has been building a reputation for customer satisfaction on the North Shore, one house at a time. “Most of our business is word of mouth, a lot of referrals and repeat business,” says Tanya Kupferschmid. “It’s definitely driven by customer service. If there are any issues, we take care of it. That’s a big deal, especially now when there are all these TV shows that scare people into thinking all contractors are bad. It’s taking care of the customer and having them feel satisfied when we’re done and they in turn refer us to their friends.” The business was first opened in 1960 by Karl Urhle. He eventually sold the store to employee and nephew Dieter Kupferschmid and his wife Linda, who now runs it alongside their son Kevin and Kevin’s wife Tanya. Between them, they bring decades of combined experience to work each day. “It’s always been family-owned, right from the start,” she says. “And it’s a family dynamic. We work well together and when Dieter and Linda retire Kevin and I are going to buy the store from them. We genuinely enjoy working here and we want to continue.” As part of Lonsdale’s six-person non-commissioned sales team, Tanya sees her role as more of a teacher than a salesperson. “That’s very enjoyable for me. I find most people who
I’ve always wanted to own a business, so it’s been the perfect opportunity for me. But otherwise, maybe human resources. But business is my passion.
LONSDALE FLOORING Est. 1960
come in are overwhelmed because they have never bought flooring before. They just don’t know how to start and that’s where we come in and try to make it easier for them. We try to take the approach of teaching people and helping them find the flooring choices they need rather than trying to sell them something they don’t need. We feel out what kind of room they’re doing, what kind of use it will get, if they have animals or kids, what kind of durability they need. Then you get more into the technical side.” Lonsdale Flooring offers pretty much anything you can walk on: carpet, laminate, hardwood, vinyl, tile, cork, and so on. “My favourite new launch is the Mohawk SmartStrand carpet,” says Kupferschmid. “It’s a stainproof carpet that I have in my own home and I love it. It’s extremely durable, too. It’s also made of 40 per cent corn oil so it’s got an ecoside to it. It looks great and feels great.” The bulk of Lonsdale’s customers are individual homeowners, although they do some work for contractors and building managers. Kupferschmid estimates that 80 per cent of their job sites are on the North Shore. “I find that people who live on the North Shore generally want to shop on the North Shore. There’s competition over here, for sure, but it’s not like a pressure cooker. We have a relaxed feel when a customer walks through the door,” she says.
words of wisdom
What I put into the universe is what comes back to me. That’s how I do business and that’s how I run my life. reach me at telephone 604 987 6612 email kevinlonsdale@gmail.com internet www.lonsdaleflooring.com
A36 - North Shore News - Friday, June 24, 2011
NORTH SHORE
people you should know in our community Get To Know Me How do you use your free time? I love sports. I play field hockey for the West Van Vipers and I coach field hockey as well. I coach girls’ soccer and my daughter’s basketball team. And I ski a lot, both locally and in Whistler. I love to play golf and mountain bike and all those things.
Are you involved with any community groups? I’m a trustee with the Jack Webster Foundation, a board member of the Coho Society, and a volunteer with the Minerva Foundation.
What are you reading right now? I spend a lot of time reading newspapers — I’m a news junkie. I usually have a book on the go but I don’t right now. I’m usually reading my daughter’s books to her.
What’s your favourite gadget? My iPhone and my MacBook. I don’t go anywhere without them. And I thoroughly enjoy social media. From a news perspective and a communications perspective, it’s fascinating to me.
Photo Cindy Goodman
If you didn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? That’s a tough question. I wish I could be a fabulous singer and a wonderful musician but I can’t sing a note and I can’t play a key. I love to see people perform because it’s something I simply cannot do. So if I could come back I would be far more talented in that regard.
Anne McMullin NORTH VANCOUVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Benjamin Alldritt • balldritt@nsnews.com
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iven that she grew up in Caulfeild and now calls Pemberton Heights home, it’s no surprise Anne McMullin leapt at the chance to lead the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. “It was a great opportunity to come here and work in my community, for my community,” says McMullin, whose parents and siblings also live on the North Shore. “I feel very fortunate and very privileged. This is, honestly, the best place to live, work and do business.” Originally a broadcast journalist by training, McMullin managed communication departments for resource companies, industry groups, and Port Metro Vancouver before taking the helm of the North Vancouver chamber in October of 2009. “We have a vibrant and whole community,” she says. “We have big business, we have small business, we have parks and a thriving environment. It’s a wonderful place to live. We’re not a bedroom community — we have an economic core. We have a university. We have some of the largest port businesses in North America. Major volumes of steel-making coal, potash, grain, and sulphur go through North Vancouver. We have manufacturing, a vibrant retail sector, ICBC, incredible tourism.” Although tax levels and land prices are perennial challenges for business, McMullin praised both city and district councils for working hard on behalf of business. McMullin is a familiar face in the halls of local government, frequently appearing to advocate on behalf of the chamber’s 700-business-strong membership. “Our job as the chamber is to say whether something is good for business and the community, not just ‘This is good for business, let’s go ahead with it.’ We take a very thorough view,” she says. “We are there to represent business, to advocate on behalf of business and work with all stakeholders and levels of government to create a vibrant community.” As well as lobbying city and district government, the North
Vancouver chamber — one of the oldest in the country — is active in both the B.C. and Canadian chambers, which develop policy recommendations for the provincial and federal governments, suggestions that McMullin says are taken very seriously. “We also stay up to date on issues of interest at city council and at the Metro Vancouver level, things like the official community plan, transportation, sewage treatment, really anything that could have an impact on business. We help business by keeping them up to date on key issues through our newsletter, Twitter, Facebook and our website.” The chamber also provides its members with many tangible benefits and services, the most popular of which is a costeffective extended health plan. “It’s very difficult for small business to have extended health care, but through the chamber network you can sign on to a very good plan,” McMullin says. “A lot of members sign up just for that. It’s worth a lot to the company and its employees.” Some of the more visible activities of the chamber are its monthly breakfast and Business After Five meetings, gatherings that give North Vancouver businesspeople chances to rub shoulder with each other, and with key players on the local and provincial stage. “From my own experience in business, I know the power of networking. That’s what the chamber provides: people working together, relationship building, creating partnerships and growing your business through meeting potential new customers. That’s very powerful. The more people you know, the more opportunity you have to grow. Or if you’re looking to change your line of work, there’s a lot of opportunity. We bring in key speakers like the chief economist from TD bank. We’ve had the CEO of Port Metro Vancouver speak, the president of Capilano University, and so on. So it’s not just peer networking. We’re giving people the chance to learn and see what other organizations are doing.”
words of wisdom Live life to the fullest and live it joyfully.
reach me at telephone 604 987 4488 email anne@nvchamber.ca internet www.nvchamber.ca
Friday, June 24, 2011 - North Shore News - A37
NORTH SHORE
people you should know in our community Get To Know Me How do you spend your free time? I walk or jog seven days a week. My dog has to get out every day, so rain or shine, I get out there.
What’s your favourite gadget? My favorite gadget would probably be my $300,000 laser. I’ve got two of them.
If you hadn’t taken this career path, what would you have done?
Photo Paul McGrath
I probably would have done my doctorate in physiology and gone into research.
Dr. Ralph Bieg PHYSICIAN SKIN CARE Benjamin Alldritt • balldritt@nsnews.com
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r. Ralph Bieg has always been interested in people. “My undergraduate degree was in Physiology with honours,” he says. “But the more I learned about humans the more interesting I found them. So it was pretty obvious that I should probably pursue medicine.” Bieg worked as an emergency physician and family physician before opening an extended hours family practice and walk-in clinic at the Lonsdale and 19th Medical Clinic in 1992. “Our intention was to allow patients to access a physician seven days a week including evenings. Not only are we family physicians, but we also accommodate ‘walk-in’ patients. Our patients are comforted in knowing that their previous visits have been recorded and are accessible to the attending physician at any time.” About 10 years ago, Bieg shifted his emphasis towards cosmetic services followed by the opening of Physician Skincare Centre at 122 East 3rd Street. In February 2011, Bieg opened a second physician-directed medical spa. Pender Medi Spa is located at 1366 West Pender Street in Coal Harbour. At both locations Bieg offers non-surgical cosmetic enhancement treatments. These include such treatments as Botox, dermal fillers, fat dissolving treatments, laser hair removal, skin tightening and laser resurfacing for deep wrinkles or scars. Electrolysis, facials, and registered massage therapy services are also offered.
As we age our face tends to deflate and descend giving us a tired appearance. Bieg offers non-surgical facelifts with the use of Botox, dermal fillers, and lasers specifically engineered to reverse these changes. “A lot of people don’t want surgery,” Bieg says. “They say I don’t look the way I feel, and I don’t want surgery. I don’t want to take a month off from work to recover. I don’t want to look different, just better, and more refreshed.” It’s not unusual for Bieg’s patients, men and women, to tell him that their treatment was one of the best things they ever did for themselves. They express that they feel more confident in their work environment and socially due to their enhanced appearance. Bieg has years of experience in cosmetic medicine. He is a member of the Allergan Advisory Board and a recognized trainer in the appropriate injections of Botox and dermal fillers. “I train doctors from all over North America,” the Upper Lonsdale resident says, “but sometimes I’m actually training my future competitors. Some may think that’s crazy but I’d sooner they learn to inject properly and appropriately than take a one-day crash course elsewhere.” Bieg recommends interested individuals to view informative websites such as the faceinstitute.ca. Bieg’s websites are skincare-centre.com, and pendermedispa.com. All good cosmetic work, says Bieg, has “got to suit the patient.” “If you’re going to have cosmetic procedures done of any kind, make sure that you see a physician with lots of experience.”
words of wisdom Be the best you can be.
reach me at telephone 604 929 3299 email info@skincare-centre.com internet www.skincare-centre.com