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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021
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women in business
ADVERTISING FEATURE
March 8 is International Women’s Day
#ChooseToChallenge That is the theme of International Women’s Day 2021, and it’s a good one. A challenged world is one that is alert and ready for change. Individually, we can all choose to challenge ourselves in our everyday lives – challenge ourselves to be the best we can be, to work hard, to contribute positively to the world around us. We can choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality,
and choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. When we combine our voices, we can help create a supportive and inclusive world for all. From challenge emerges change, so let’s all be willing to #ChooseToChallenge. In this advertising feature, we’d like to introduce you to some dynamic women on the North Shore and ask you to join us in celebrating their accomplishments.
Housing Solutions for Senior Homeowners market. Armed with these assets, Born and raised on the North in 2016 she returned to UBC Shore, Adrienne Hewett, principal and managing broker at Sauder to upgrade her education and obtain the necessary Hewett Homes, licenses from the Real is proud to offer “We eliminate Estate Council of British creative housing roadblocks Columbia to launch her solutions for her own brokerage. clients. and increase
ADRIENNE HEWETT OWNER
options for Why did she do all of After obtaining this? She saw an urgent her real socialization need to help seniors estate and activities.” stay comfortably and pre-mortgage affordably in their own broker licenses homes as they age. The ‘Aging back in 1993, she developed in Place’ Senior Homeowner’s an impressive skill set and Program advocates for senior deep knowledge of the housing
homeowners to retire at home, by increasing their income based on current real estate holdings. “There are very few resources available for local senior homeowners, so we are filling this service gap.” “We eliminate roadblocks and increase options for socialization activities so seniors don’t feel they must move to a retirement residence. All of our programs are individualized to the homeowner’s needs. Senior homeowners have a VOICE and deserve a CHOICE! ■
604-987-6777 604-922-1934 info@hewetthomes.ca www.hewetthomes.ca
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Providing compassion and excellence in dentistry Co-founding Peak Dental Arts four-and-a-half years ago, general dentist Dr. Alexandra Rutwind always knew that she wanted to pursue a career in health care. Dentistry was a natural fit, she says. “I am able to help people in my community and form long-lasting and trusting relationships with my patients.”
DR. ALEXANDRA RUTWIND
GENERAL DENTIST
After growing up in Edmonton, Alberta, Dr. Rutwind completed her honours specialization in biology at the University of Western Ontario, then completed her dental degree at Midwestern University in Arizona. Following her graduation, she completed a General Practice residency at Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, New York before moving to North Vancouver.
250 Lonsdale Ave & #101-1312 Marine Drive 604.770-2222 Lonsdale 604.980.9999 Marine
www.peakdentalarts.com
and they know that I have their best interests in mind at all times.”
Dr. Rutwind credits her mother
Overall, she contributes her success to being empathetic and understanding with her patients, paired with a high technical ability. She sums up success with a favourite quote from Albert Schweitzer: “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”
“The sense of community on the North Shore is something that I haven’t seen anywhere else! Small business owners support one another and truly want to see others succeed.”
Her and her partner took over an existing practice in lower Lonsdale, affectionately known as “Peak Lolo” – and thus officially launched her career in dentistry. Enjoying great success in this location, she and her business partner opened a second Peak Dental Arts location on Marine Drive at Bridgman. “We are a dental clinic that is dedicated to serving the North Vancouver community.” When asked what she loves most about doing business on the North Shore, she says: “The sense of community on the North Shore is something that I haven’t seen anywhere else! Small business owners support one another and truly want to see others succeed.” She adds, “I absolutely love what I do – providing an important service that helps people in the
community that I’ve come to love… I couldn’t imagine doing anything else anywhere else.”
with being the most influential person in her life. “My mom started a business from our basement in Edmonton when I was just a baby. She grew that business until her retirement, and I was able to watch her do that throughout my childhood and until I left to pursue my own professional career. She is still a business mentor to me today.”
When talking about technological changes in the workplace, Dr. Rutwind acknowledges that providing the very latest in technology helps improve the patient experience. “Our vision was to create practices with the latest technology, and we’ve done that. These improvements can help to shorten a patient’s time in the chair while delivering the highest level of clinical care possible.”
Being a woman has helped her in her career, she states. “Dentistry has traditionally been male-dominated, but over the last decade things are changing. Over half of my graduating class was female! I think women are naturally very empathetic and nurturing, which is helpful as a dental practitioner.”
When looking to the future, Dr. Rutwind says her goal is to keep growing their two locations and continuing to connect with the North Shore community. “We want to thank our clients for their continued support over the years and for referring your friends and family to us. We are grateful for the opportunity to earn your trust and provide you with exceptional dentistry.”
“The dental office isn’t the most comfortable place for many people, so having patience and listening to what concerns and anxieties people are experiencing is critical. I want to make sure that every patient feels cared for and understood,
Her advice to young people starting their professional careers: “Be passionate about what you are doing, and welcome the discomfort, because those are the greatest opportunities for personal and professional growth.” ■
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021
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When crisis hits, women are vital leaders for us all
As International Women’s Day draws near amidst a devastating pandemic, it is essential to look back on a year that has created previously unimaginable challenges across the globe.
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll in countless ways, including hitting sections of the business and working world hard. And like in so many other
1305 St. George’s Avenue North Vancouver 604-985-6881 www.shylohomehealthcare.ca
sectors of society, it is women who face the biggest burdens.
A study commissioned late last year by the B.C. Women’s Health Foundati0on found that working women faced greater inequities than their male counterparts when the pandemic hit in March 2020. The study found that women in B.C. were the first to be impacted by job losses, they continued on page 32
“AS DAYCARES AND SCHOOLS CLOSED, CAREGIVING RESPONSIBILITIES FELL DISPROPORTIONATELY ON THE SHOULDERS OF WOMEN, WITH WOMEN LOSING SIX TIMES MORE WORK HOURS PER WEEK TO FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES THAN MEN.”
MARGOT WARE RN, BScN, GNC(C) OWNER
Supporting the pioneers of our community Margot Ware originally discovered Shylo is proud to own the original home care Nursing Service in 1985 when her family agency on the North Shore. needed help caring for their mother during Growing up in West Vancouver and her battle with cancer. now living within four kilometres Inspired by what she saw, “We think if of her childhood home, Margot Margot joined the company you’re going loves doing business on the in 1986 as a companion. to be in North Shore. “I enjoy supporting Margot worked hard to the nursing the pioneers of our amazing become a Registered business, you community. It’s a privilege to be Nurse, and later earned really should be invited into peoples’ homes – we her Bachelor of Science a nurse.” in Nursing, and then was are honoured that you trust us to eventually certified as a care for you and your loved ones.” Gerontological Nurse. As The keys to Margot’s success? “A good they say at Shylo: “We think if you’re going work ethic and personal integrity, and to be in the nursing business, you really being blessed with wonderful mentors,” should be a nurse.” Margot purchased the she says. ■ company in 1998, serves as president, and
The Home of Bookkeeping and Accounting Brilliance
GORDANA STOJSAVLJEVIC MBA, CPA, CGA OWNER
204 – 1075 Marine Drive, North Vancouver www.gsynergybooks.com 778-960-7720
Growing up in Serbia, Gordana credits her mother as having the most influence on her career. “My mother was a VP Finance in Belgrade of CPA Serbia.” It sparked Gordana’s love of crunching numbers, so she pursued a Diploma in Finance, a BA in Economics, MBA and CPA designation.
“Givers gain” and she states that this philosophy is ‘imbedded in her genes.’ She credits her success to planning, organization and a mutual respect for her clients and team members. “‘Clients’ are spelt with a capital ‘C’ and ‘Team’ with a capital ‘T’ for me – always.”
After working for many different companies doing accounting and bookkeeping services, Gordana decided to start her own company, G Synergy Bookkeeping and Tax CPA, four years ago. She saw a great demand for professional bookkeeping service, and joining a local BNI chapter helped her to grow her new business. Her favourite quote is her BNI chapter’s philosophy:
“I’ve always felt supported by good people regardless of their skin colour, race or age…or mine.”
Working “synergistically”
with her team members and clients is a constant goal for Gordana. Always
supported by her family, team members, colleagues, clients and various mentors along the way, she has never felt that being a female has created roadblocks in her path to being a successful business owner. “I’ve always felt supported by good people regardless of their skin colour, race or age…or mine.”
Gordana is grateful to live and work on the North Shore. When asked what she enjoys most about doing business on the North Shore, she states: “I enjoy contributing to building a stronger and more connected business community, and a better place for our children to grow up.” When it comes to technology, her business model hasn’t changed
much. “Our service has always been 100 per cent digital, paperless and online from day one.” And the future…? “I see a huge opportunity to promote our digital bookkeeping services during the current pandemic and the resulting shift to online business. I want to focus on accounting services and corporate tax filing for small businesses, especially those that need a professional that they can call any time and feel constantly supported by.” When asked about what advice she would give a young person starting a new business, Gordana replied: “Have a plan and hire a professional bookkeeper and/or accountant before you incorporate.” ■
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continued from page 31
to family responsibilities than men.
were impacted to a greater extent and for longer periods of time when the pandemic reached emergency levels in March.
Women also dominated occupations with a high risk of COVID-19 exposure, putting themselves at risk to help others in jobs that were deemed essential. Nurses, lab technicians, custodial workers, retail employees – women around the world were responsible for doing much of the front-line work that needed to be done to keep society safe.
That month women lost 60 per cent more jobs than men, according to the study conducted by Pacific Blue Cross. As daycares and schools closed, caregiving responsibilities fell disproportionately on the shoulders of women, with women losing six times more work hours per week
In B.C. there was no more visible symbol
232 Lonsdale Avenue North Vancouver 604.904.8448 www.supernovasalon.com
DANA LYSENG
OWNER
Love your Life, Love your Hair
Since opening the salon in 2002, owner Dana Lyseng is looking forward to celebrating 20 years in business in 2022. Dana is also the creative director and a master stylist who “loves helping people define who they are with the perfect cut
and colour.” To stay at the very top of her game, Dana is disciplined about continuing education to expand her skill set and staying up-to-date on trends. “I love what I do, and being part of such a supportive business community on the North Shore.” ■
March 8 is International Women’s Day “NURSES, LAB TECHNICIANS, CUSTODIAL WORKERS, RETAIL EMPLOYEES – WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR DOING MUCH OF THE FRONT-LINE WORK THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE TO KEEP SOCIETY SAFE.”
of this determination to do the hard work necessary in incredibly difficult circumstances than Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer who has been the face of the fight against COVID-19 in B.C. since the very start of the pandemic. Facing incredible pressure, unwinnable arguments against an uncaring virus, and even threats of harm from members of the public, Dr. Henry has steadfastly guided the province’s response while embodying her mantra for people to ‘be kind, be calm and be safe.’
140 16th St W North Vancouver www.hachiroramen.com 604-988-7561
International Women’s Day is March 8, and this year’s theme is “choose to challenge.” “We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality,” organizers note. “We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.” This global crisis has shown once again that women have a long way to go in the fight for equality. But it has also shown that when crisis hits, women around the world are vital leaders in the fight for us all. ■
778-340-1101 www.hearathome.ca
BROOKE NAITO-CAMPBELL OWNER
JENNIFER ABBOTT RHIP CDP OWNER
Japanese Culinary Traditions
Mobile Hearing Clinic - We Come To You
Growing up in Pemberton Heights, Brooke the current pandemic. She credits her often spent summers in Japan where her willingness to work hard, along with strong grandmother taught her women mentors as keys to her mother to cook traditional success, especially Kathleen, Japanese dishes. Her Jay, Elaine, Dana, Tara, Ashley, “This crisis late father Shu, an astute Sonjdra, Paige, Rose & Tyanna! taught me businessman worked in “This crisis taught me I can cook, Hotel Management and her I can cook, serve and wash mother Chawna, created a serve and dishes while keeping on top welcoming home centred wash dishes of finances. The life of an around laughter and amazing while keeping Entrepreneur is a challenge food. Hachiro Ramen Bar on top of but my willingness to fight for was born of these early finances.” my business is starting to pay experiences. After two years off with quality time with my of research and planning daughter and husband.” her doors opened in June Her advice to others, “It’s OK to make 2019. Nine months in, Brooke had to adapt her fledgling enterprise to mistakes, but learn from them!” ■
Jennifer Abbott’s career journey enabled adjustments in the comfort of her clients’ own homes. Growing up in Vancouver, her to acquire impeccable skills to help people find solutions in any situation. While she credits her personable nature and willingness to treat people with dignity working in a hearing clinic and respect as keys to her business she became aware of the success. “I truly like meeting new challenges some people “I truly people and helping them,” she faced getting to their like meeting states. She received her training appointment. She realized from Grant MacEwan University new people that those people were not in Edmonton, Alberta, graduating getting the proper hearing and helping with Distinction from their Hearing aid help they needed which them.” Aid Practitioner program in 2008. compromised their hearing. This inspired her to establish Due to the increased demand for the first unique 100% mobile her unique and personalized services, hearing clinic in the lower mainland. Jennifer is currently planning for expansion Serving those with mobility issues or nervous about going to a clinic, Jennifer provides hearing assessments, fittings and
of her company across British Columbia. The future of Hear at Home Mobile Hearing Clinic sounds bright indeed. ■