Q Magazine #1 - Spring/Summer 2016

Q

MAG A ZINE Toronto West

Tonight’s Dinner:

Spaghetti alla Carbonara with pancetta and freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Shop the Saks Food Hall by Pusateri’s for all the freshest, finest ingredients and the city’s best prepared foods.

Now open at CF Sherway Gardens.

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CF Sherway Gardens 25 The West Mall | pusateris.com

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CONTENTS Editor's Letter CF Sherway Gardens Saks Fifth Avenue IS IN TOWN Real Estate Automotive Beauty, Health & Wellness Family Fun & Activities 5

Letter from the editor Toronto’s West end is blooming For some of us Etobicoke is home, for others it’s where they work, dine, play, go for jogs, bike rides and strolls along the water front; or just sit with a loved one and watch the sunset over Lake Ontario. For some it’s a gateway to the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto and for many a goldmine, a place where they forge their legacy and make their mark in the city’s landscape.

Watching a neighbourhood’s transformation is incredibly exciting. If you know Etobicoke then you are seeing it turn slowly but surely into a powerhouse, a potential driving force in the GTA economy. Toronto’s west end skyline and streetscapes are being reshaped with towering lakefront condo developments, rows of beautiful townhouses where older bungalows used to sit and new boutique businesses popping up everywhere.

Q magazine aims to be your portal to this development and an introduction to the movers and shakers that are not only part of the change but also leading the way. For those wondering, Q stands for the Queensway, the major street that is the western extension of Queen Street West. Q Magazine is coming to you as the reflection and expression of Etobicoke’s greater area revitalization. Each issue will introduce you to the businesses, people, places and events that are helping make this already great neighbourhood even more dynamic, livable and lovable.

Since real estate is the most visual transformation of a neighbourhood, we have decided to focus on the local real estate scene for this premier issue. Take a moment and discover some of the West End’s most passionate and committed real estate agents and brokers as they share their market insights and the secrets to their inspiring success.

A car for some is an extension of themselves, a first introduction of who they are. Etobicoke is home to The Humberview Group, the leading automotive family business that is matching the wheels with the personality. In this issue we introduce you to some of the driven people who are part of this constantly adapting and innovative organisation.

On the cover: The Humber Bay Bridge Every edition our cover will be a tribute to a popular landmark from the West End. For our launch issue, it had to be the iconic Humber Bay Bridge. The 100-metre span traverses the Humber River with its elegant white arches. It was built in 1994 but the landmark retains a modern, clean look. It is also a powerful symbol of connection in several senses: between the former Old Toronto and Etobicoke municipalities, it runs along an ancient aboriginal trading route, and its design considers a balanced relationship with the environment by avoiding having any disrupting elements in the river. A landmark such as this and the excellent Waterfront Trail also represent an important meeting point for people of the communities that make up Toronto West.

Q

MAG A ZINE Toronto West

In each edition we will feature an event that has a significant impact on the local economy. Stealing the headlines this season was one of the biggest retail renovations jobs in North America, which took place right here in Etobicoke: the multimillion dollar renovation of CF Sherway Gardens and its much anticipated opening of Saks Fifth Avenue.

If you’re reading this, you have a vested interest in the West end, so please reach out and share your comments, suggestions and feedback.

Maya S. Merchant Publisher maya@stand-deal.com

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illustration :

Ian Woo

LD SO 1410 ISLINGTON AVENUE Beautiful, classy and peaceful. Featured in Luxury Real Estate Magazine.

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TORONTO WEST photo essay :

Ian Woo

The municipality of Etobicoke no longer exists, but most people who are from or live in the Toronto West region still refer to it with the old name.

Boutique style shopping, quaint dining spots, local services, an abundance of green space, parkland and a waterfront trail, in addition to convenient access to TTC and Go Transit stations make Etobicoke and its surrounding a great downtown lifestyle alternative.

Home to some of the most beautiful neighbourhoods such as Islington village, Toronto's Village of Murals, and the European-style Bloor West Village, the area’s charm is unparalleled.

For a well-planned community designed for families, look no further than Kingsway Park. The streets are pedestrian friendly, and the schools, shopping, churches, and recreation are all within walking distance.

The combination of old and new is part of the charm. The proximity to the frenetic pace of the business center and the calmer, relaxed community feel of the various neighbourhoods makes Toronto West a great place for young professionals, families, retirees and students alike.

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CF SHERWAY GARDENS

By Aviva Vetter Photos: Wilson Hyung Studio & CF Sherway Gardens

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M

anaging one of the biggest renovations and investments in Canadian retail history is something to be proud of.

As part of the executive management team of one of the two malls

that brought Saks Fifth Avenue to Canada, Andy Traynor, General Manager, has witnessed CF Sherway Gardens rise to new heights, a far cry from its ground breaking in 1971.

With more space and modern design comes an abundance of high-end stores that customers have been craving, making it the ultimate one-stopshop for fashionable shopping and recreation. The new vision for the mall includes a smoother shopping experience from the moment you arrive to the minute you leave the grounds—after a long day’s shop, of course.

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Andy Traynor General Manager: CF Sherway Gardens

What is the sense of community at CF Sherway Gardens and how does it impact the surrounding neighborhood?

When did expansion plans for CF Sherway Gardens begin?

You could easily say that the shopping centre has been in some form of expansion since we opened up 45 years ago, in the sense that we are constantly looking to meet our customers’ needs and wants while adapting with the times. The big name stores of that time were Simpson’s and Eaton’s and the property was shaped as a figure ‘S’ for Sherway. The popularity of the mall, compelled us to continue growth, and so the mall then became a figure ‘8’.

The vision for what you see here today began about five years ago. In short, running out of retail space prompted this expansion. The demand is high. We needed to find a way to get all interested parties on board to join in on our growing success.

We began with a compelling vision, presented it to the board and the next thing we knew, the construction hats were on, and the demolition trucks were on site.

This new modern layout, with a price tag of $550 million is incidentally one of the largest investments that Cadillac Fairview has ever made in an existing property.

We are very proud of our roots in the city’s west end. CF Sherway Gardens is owned by the Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan, which just goes to show how much they believe in the vision and sense of community this property brings to the neighborhood.

CF Sherway Gardens is a central place, which serves so many purposes for so many people. It’s a complete shopping and dining experience that the property is shaping for Toronto’s West end in a very dynamic and positive way.

Has CF Sherway Gardens’ success grown since the expansion?

CF Sherway Gardens has always been a great, fully leased successful mall, but with the expansion our success rate has grown to a historical high. People from the surrounding areas come to shop at the property because of our on-trend retail partners. The mall is in one of the best locations and it draws tourists and locals alike.

What firm is behind the new design?

Gervais Harding and Dialogue were the architects we worked with. The vision stems from our internal committee, going back to at least 2008, when it was just the beginnings of an idea.

We envisioned incorporating many artistic elements and we wanted to make the most out of the space.

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In terms of the expansion, what’s new in retail?

We worked 50 new stores into the plan. Many of them are new to market stores, meaning that they are first to Ontario, and even new to Canada. For example, we‘ve just launched Saks Fifth Avenue, which happens to be one of the only two storefronts in Canada – the other at CF Toronto Eaton Centre.

The Saks Food Hall featuring Pusateri’s Fine Foods is another great addition to the property. We feel proud that we've been able to accomplish major milestones in just the last few years.

To the retailer roster we’ve added Ted Baker London, DeBeers, Nespresso, Samsung, Uno De 50, Free People with Spring opening of Indigo and a 3-level Sport Chek. Nordstrom is set to open in early 2017, and more. We didn’t have the opportunity to open any of these stores before the renovations, so this is an exciting time in CF Sherway Gardens’ history. For example, Harry Rosen re-located to a flagship store within the expansion and doubled their square footage.

The mall is generally one level, except for a few of the stores, like H&M, which are two-level once you enter. The team has really found innovative ways to maximize the space. One of the great features of a one-level mall is that it’s easier to navigate.

In fact, we have a running joke among colleagues – stick to the right and you won’t get lost. In all seriousness though, it’s like walking downtown, and the lack of escalators makes it easier on those with children as well as people with limited mobility.

We work closely with the stores to ensure we’re all on the same page when it comes to the premium look and feel we endeavor to portray to our customers.

Aside from the retail influx, what are some of the new elements of the expansion?

This latest expansion has allowed us to improve on the parking, the dining experience as well as the technology side of things. Our objective was to make your trip to CF Sherway Gardens an enjoyable and smooth experience.

The parking conditions needed an overhaul.

Parking facilities now have a better layout, with the addition of three level parking decks in very close proximity to the mall rather than the traditional one level outdoor parking which forced you to walk a fair distance before reaching one of the entrances.

One of the main challenges with parking that we set out to solve was finding a way to save time—to do that we looked to increase efficiency. After all, parking can lend a lot to how enjoyable your shopping experience turns out. We introduced parking navigation. A simple tool using red and green sensors, so that when you get to the property, you can drive straight to the spot with a green light, thereby saving shoppers the hassle of driving up and

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down the rows. On the technology side of things, we’ll be launching a smartphone app that will let you know where the best available parking stalls are located making it easy to plan your shopping trip accordingly before you even leave the comforts of your home. Another program that we recently launched is a concierge tool called CF SHOP! Text, a text-based concierge service which gives consumers access to advanced guest services at their fingertips. Shoppers can ask anything from whether there is a specific store at the property to the location of anything within the facility. In addition to improved WiFi accessibility, we’ve also incorporated new digital directories, outlining the exact path you need to take to get to a desired location.

Continuing to evolve the definition of a shopping centre, we are upping the game by providing best-in-class options from food to fashion. Our food court, which was actually one of the first food courts to be built into a mall in all of North America back in 1971, was moved to

a new section within the 210,000 square foot expansion. We kept the name, Gourmet Fare, and doubled the seating capacity, added a modern layout to make it more pleasing to the eye and built it in a way that allowed for natural light to flow through. In addition, fifteen beautiful Halo Chandeliers, commissioned from Roll & Hill, a high-end lighting design house based in Brooklyn, New York, are hung throughout the Gourmet Fare.

To maintain the level of luxury found throughout the property, we added Bar Freddo to the Gourmet Fare, an exciting new concept incorporating a wine bar, artisanal Italian cuisine and gelato. We made the space more inviting for guests adding a variety of seating options so that shoppers are able to take the time they need to reenergize before continuing on their experience within the property.

Along with the new look and feel of the food court came a few new restaurants to add to the mix. CF Sherway Gardens has welcomed premium dining options including The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, JOEY Sherway, Beaumont Kitchen, a stylish dining lounge by Oliver & Bonacini featuring California-inspired cuisine within the Saks Fifth

Avenue store, and the soon-to-open Cactus Club CafĂŠ, which hails from the West Coast.

Our goal with any new component we introduce is to make the experience seamless for our shoppers. The bottom line is that we want to heighten the journey for our customers at everyone moment by continuing to innovate the shopping experience.

Are the renovations almost finished? When do you foresee an end date?

This phase in the redevelopment is almost complete though we will keep looking for opportunities to improve the property, staying in line with the demand from our customers. We always strive to bring in the best of what our customers are seeking.

How would you position CF Sherway Gardens?

CF Sherway Gardens is a niche shopping centre in terms of price. We are positioned as a moderate-to-high priced mall. You’ll find stores like H&M all the way to Saks Fifth Avenue though we are moving towards attracting higher end, luxury retailers. This is how we are branded in retail. We are categorized as a super-regional mall, meaning that we draw from an extended trade area beyond the local and we are extremely accessible shopping district due to our location along major highways.

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“CF Sherway Gardens has welcomed premium dining options including The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, JOEY Sherway, Beaumont Kitchen, a stylish dining lounge by Oliver & Bonacini featuring California-inspired cuisine within the Saks Fifth Avenue store, and the soon-to-open Cactus Club Café, which hails from the West Coast.”

What is the meaning behind the sculptures placed throughout CF Sherway?

Introducing the element of art to any space can be very inviting.

Art in general can bring comfort, peace and a great deal of meaning to any facility. The horse sculptures located in the court in front of Saks Fifth Avenue were created by local Canadian artist, John McEwen, and are entitled ‘The Miracle’. The horses are constructed out of stars that are individually melded together and represent the relationship between a parent and child.

Furthermore, the installation nicely complements the tie between high fashion and fine art.

The sculptures have proven to be a beautiful attraction that’s created an inviting area for shoppers.

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Where do you see the mall in 5-10 years?

Our ultimate vision is to reach the list of top five shopping centers in North America. We feel confident that by continuing to enhance the shopping experience on the trajectory we are on now, we will get there.

How’s this experience been for you?

It’s been a wonderful experience all around. At the end of the day all the improvements to the property are for our customers and seeing their reactions and hearing their positive feedback to the expansion is the best testament to what we are doing at CF Sherway Gardens.

CF Sherway Gardens, 25 The West Mall, Toronto 17

SAKS IS IN TOWN One of the world’s leading luxury retailers, Saks Fifth Avenue, was ushered into Canada after extensive preparation, design and development.

With two locations—Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre and further West in Etobicoke at CF Sherway Gardens—Saks is set to introduce a new level of shopping to Toronto.

By: Aviva Vetter Photos: Courtesy Saks Fifth Avenue

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Marc Metrick, President of Saks Fifth Avenue expressed "We are so excited to bring the best of Saks to Toronto.

After more than two years of planning, our entry into Canada is truly a milestone for our company. We cannot wait to bring the Saks experience of an elegant edit of the best designer names, coupled with distinctive, personalized service to Toronto."

Now in full swing, with first-rate expertise and exemplary client services, Saks has already drawn crowds from near and far with luxurious lines such as Dior, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Chloé, Céline, Prada, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Givenchy and Alaïa.

Saks Fifth Avenue was the result of Horace Saks and Bernard Gimbel’s vision to create a unique store that exuded fashion, sophistication and refined living. The two left their mark on society when they launched the first dream store in 1924 in the heart of New York City.

Their collaboration was the beginning of what the world

would one day know as the shopping destination for taste and elegance. As part of the Hudson’s Bay Company brand portfolio with roots firmly planted in the United States and locations around the world, Saks has since grown into one of the world’s preeminent luxury brand retailers.

Setting the fashion pace of the public sphere by providing nothing less than the best in men’s and women’s international designer collections, expertly edited assortment of handbags, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics, gifts and services, Saks is the go-to place for the latest in style straight from the runway.

Aside from the extraordinary top-tier brands such as women’s advanced and emerging designer ready-towear—like Etro and Proenza Schouler, men’s sportswear, tailored clothing and men’s advanced contemporary – like Rag & Bone and Vince, Saks has been working on giving special attention to the impact of customer service on your overall shopping experience.

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The high-end retailer also brings a unique approach to premiere service called Saks at Your Service—geared towards fulfilling your distinctive needs. If you can’t make it to the store, this bespoke shopping service recreates the Saks atmosphere in the comfort of your home, office or hotel. The anytime, anywhere amenity allows you to shop without the need to cross the store’s threshold.

The Fifth Avenue Club feature was also unveiled as a private shopping service for both men and women featuring trained specialists for personalized styling.

Club Associates have an intimate knowledge of the store and can easily assemble personalized selections for you, to your heart’s content—all in a private dressing room.

Clients are encouraged to get a makeover or an express facial with an expert, as well as fragrance consultation.

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Every beauty counter is staffed with artists to get you ready for your night on the town with red carpet treatment or provide you with the makeup class you desire.

The shoe salon pays homage to the decor of the original shoe department in New York’s flagship store and boasts more than 600 different pairs of women’s shoes, from designers such as Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and Chloe. The decor includes custom hand-knotted Tibeten wool and silk inset area rugs by Toby Revis Studio along with handcrafted wall coverings by Maya Romanoff and Phillip Jeffries.

The men’s department is inspired by their new awardwinning men’s concept – The Saks Fifth Avenue Man, including modern haberdashery modeled after the Library of Congress. Distinctive finishes include a masculine

layering of warm oak accents and hammered brass accents. While custom full-length displays divide the space without obstructing the area.

The experience doesn’t stop at fashion and service. The 18,500 square foot culinary experience that Saks boasts is nothing short of exquisite. What better way to complete your shopping experience than to stop by the first-of-itskind Saks Food Hall by Pusateri’s, or their new restaurant concept called Beaumont Kitchen.

The Saks Food Hall by Pusateri’s offers a unique blend of premium food shopping and food experiences waiting to be explored. Enjoy the Champagne Bar with plates to share, the finest, freshest sushi or shop an unparalleled assortment to take home: the city’s best fresh produce, artisanal pastries and breads, gourmet

prepared foods, premium cuts from the butcher and fishmongers, charcuterie and cheese and an unmatched selection of fine foods and pantry items.

While Beaumont Kitchen, spearheaded by distinguished Chef Michael Hay, comprises an all-day dining lounge serving West Coast specialties.

With a clear tribute to Canada’s culture and nature, the overall museum-like quality of the store possesses strong design aesthetics influenced by concepts of the Canadian wilderness and elements of our varying climate. The extremely sleek sophisticated environment features expertly detailed ceilings throughout along with organic domes and recessed cove lighting to create an inviting place to relax while perusing the plethora of goods at your fingertips.

www.saksfifthavenue.com 21

Kim Edmonds Founder: Art Connect interview :

With over ten years experience working in the interior design industry, eight of which were spent at Katherine Newman Design - one of the most influential and accomplished interior design firms in the country - Kim decided to follow her passion and branch out on her own to launch Art Connect.

Art Connect is a full service art advisory firm which functions in helping source and purchase art from around the world for their clients.

How did Art Connect come to life?

I wanted to embark on a project that would incorporate my skill set and extensive background in design. Working in interior design I found the best experience for me was moving through the phases of construction, furnishings and lighting, then incorporating art as the finishing touch.

I wanted to take the part I loved the most and immerse myself in it, by starting a firm with the exclusive service of helping my clients find art for their space, be it residential or corporate.

Can you walk us through your process?

In theory, I could begin at any time during the design process – whether it’s in the middle of renovations, right after a move, or when someone feels they need to make a change or add to their existing collection. However, it’s most 22

Aviva Vetter

photos :

Wilson Huynh Studio

common that I come in closer to the end stage of a redesign.

The initial consultation could take place anywhere, but the most ideal is the space where the art will live. This gives me a chance to see the space and gain an understanding of the client’s aesthetics. We discuss how many spaces they are looking to purchase art for, their style, likes and dislikes, any particular genre of art they are interested in and budget.

Then I would begin sourcing the pieces. I typically start by emailing images to my client to see what peaks their interest, they may come to a gallery with me, or I would take the art on approval so my client can see it in their space.

Once the art has been approved, I then address framing, if required, and present framing options and oversee this process straight through to installation, on site, with my installation team.

Is art more about the investment or the aesthetics?

It’s a little bit of both, but essentially, collecting art is more about buying something that you love. Whether it will increase in value shouldn’t be the priority. Choosing a piece that speaks to you and elicits a feeling every time you look at it is of more value.

What would be a good financial starting point to source art for a three-bedroom house?

There is such a broad spectrum of art available depending on your budget. You can start small and buy from emerging

artists and find amazing pieces ranging from $500 - $1000.

On the other side of the spectrum, the sky’s the limit.

Pieces can easily climb up to tens of thousands of dollars and beyond. In some cases, galleries may offer a payment plan allowing clients to pay in installments rather than all at once, which some clients may find appealing. Another approach I’ve seen work well for my clients is working through their home over time, beginning with one room and moving to the next when the time is right.

What does the financial investment look like?

Generally, a retainer fee is the first step, followed by billing on an hourly rate. Galleries or artists typically provide a commission to an advisor, which I then pass along to my client, thereby stressing the benefit of working with an advisor. Depending on the value of the art this can result in savings of hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

Painting: Brian Wyers

What is the creative process of choosing art?

Taking the direction I have been given by my client and finding something that excites them. It can be challenging sometimes to find just the right piece; I may go out on a limb and show my client something unexpected and often the results are positive and I end up broadening my client’s interests. As an art advisor it’s not only my job to source art but to educate my clients as well. Art should spark conversation and create a reaction. Sometimes the best art is that which forces you to think about something in a different way. I’m also careful not to match the art to the space. It should stand out, and in some cases, create tension. It’s more the scale and placement of the art which should relate to the space.

How would you describe your clientele?

I would describe my clients as people who have an appreciation for aesthetics and want to incorporate art into their environment, but may not know where to start or simply do not have the time to find pieces on their own. A large segment of my client base are business professionals balancing work and home life leaving little time to address their empty walls.

What is an average timeline from start to finish?

Where do you go for inspiration?

I can find inspiration almost everywhere. Especially when there are art fairs in town, they are full of interesting artists.

From there, we exchange contact information and they keep me up to date on their current and upcoming works.

Essentially though, I do a lot of walking around, visiting galleries, building relationships and seeing what’s out there.

Can you describe Toronto’s art scene?

Toronto’s art scene is vibrant, full of action and very exciting, on many different levels. There is a lot of local talent, however it’s also particularly interesting to bear witness to artists from other countries, who’ve started working here and getting representation in local galleries. Overall, there’s a deep international component in Canada. It’s important to consider incorporating both Canadian and international artists into a given project to give it a dynamic feel. It’s nice to have a piece by an artist who’s on the rise, who no one is familiar with yet.

What’s your style?

It really ranges based on the scale of the project and my client’s availability. Some clients want to work quickly while others like to take a more casual approach and buy pieces over the course of many months. I carry a mental catalogue of art with me, and most of the time, I can pick out the one that would be best suited to the space.

I like everything from abstract to contemporary. One of my favourite painters right now is Erin Loree, a local Toronto artist who makes large scale colourful abstract paintings.

They are stunning. I’m also quite fond of photography, Melvin Sokolsky is a great fashion photographer and Thaddeus Holownia recently did an architectural series in Paris which I love.

What kind of art do you work with?

What is the piece we see behind you in the photo?

I work with any medium, photography, painting, sculpture, watercolour, drawing, collage, digital media and more. My goal is to find the best piece for the space, while keeping my client’s desires top of mind. For example, I’m working on a project right now, where everything on the main floor is sculptural. The last piece I just installed were these wood sculptures, by Williamson Chong, and they are made up of carved circles that replicate tree rings. They are really unique and add warmth to the space.

This piece is by a local artist—Brian Wyers. The colour and movement of this piece caught my eye and I fell in love with it. I had contemplated purchasing it for myself but I didn’t have the appropriate wall space. This painting demands a big wall and should be a center piece. I then began working with a new client and after seeing her dining room, I knew this piece would be perfect and my client agreed!

art connect · kim@artconnect.ca · 416.662.7338 · www.artconnect.ca 23

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RE AL

ESTATE Whether you are looking to buy or sell—or want to convince your friends to become your neighbours—we know Toronto West is a hot market for buyers and investors alike. Due to its proximity to the core and diversity of neighbourhoods, it is ideal for work-life balance.

Here we present some of the leading real estate agents and brokers that work and live in the area, who will move mountains to ensure a great experience and negotiate the deal while keeping in mind your emotional and financial considerations.

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Jacqueline Nimer Sales representative:

Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. Brokerage

interview :

From owning one of the largest and longest standing casting agencies in Canada to the exciting realm of real estate, Jacqueline jumps into every venture with both feet.

Servicing thousands of people along the way has armed her with the skills to tackle any project.

A deep understanding of real estate has made her one of the most sought after real estate agents in Toronto’s West-end market, earning her the 2015 Director’s Circle Award from her brokerage, Harvey Kalles Real Estate.

With tenacity and a delicate touch, Jacqueline delivers superior service and goes beyond the call of duty for every client. Motivated by a challenge, she is fiercely loyal and is known for helping her clients achieve their real estate dreams.

What are some of the real estate challenges you’ve encountered?

Over the last twenty-five years I’ve dealt with my fair share of professional and personal challenges and navigated through some tough situations. There are always ups and downs in real estate—but I am motivated by the prospect of solving a problem or overcoming a challenge. Some things that can plague the successful sale of a property include little or no staging and a poor understanding of 26

Aviva Vetter

photo :

Wilson Huynh Studio

its value and surrounding neighbourhood. Beyond being results driven, I work hard to increase the level of real estate awareness with my clients.

What is your favourite thing about working in real estate?

I’ve discovered that I truly love helping my clients through what can be a very stressful time. The bottom line is that I feel individuals are not always properly taken care of or listened to, so I make a point of doing that with every client. Simple things like sitting down and getting to know each other is something that can be taken for granted. We have so much going on in our lives, but this is something I prioritize with my clients. It goes a long way to making sure we’re on the same page and can achieve great results.

How would you describe your negotiation style?

Three words—honest, straightforward and fair. Negotiation is a normal part of a real estate transaction and respect for all parties is key. This is an emotional and stressful time and it’s up to the agents to find a working style that is best and fosters good relationships.

Do you specialize in a certain type of listing?

I have a variety of clients and listings—young couples and executives looking for their first home to the empty

nester wanting to downsize. Over the years, I’ve worked with many wonderful people and helped them through their various life stages. I genuinely like and care about my clients, and I love to help them—sometimes that can mean finding a good dentist, swimming coach, piano teacher or childcare. I like making that kind of connection with people and cherish those relationships.

How would you describe the real estate market in the west-end of Toronto?

Despite the naysayers, the market is not only doing well, sales are increasing. The GTA in general hasn’t slowed down, and even though we can’t predict the market, I suspect it will remain this way for a while. Our brokerage alone had another record breaking year in 2015 with over $2.48 billion in sales.1 What is your take on 'The Property Sells Itself' myth?

I don’t believe that a property sells itself. In fact, a lot of work goes into selling a home—even if it’s located in the hottest neighbourhood in the city. Presentation, price and knowing who your buyer is are imperative to a fast and successful sale. Important factors like creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, as well as staging a home to match the lifestyle of buyers, are just a couple of things that take some effort but are critical when selling a home successfully.

What’s your best advice to first time home buyers?

Educate yourself and take your time—this will be one of the biggest decisions of your life. Make sure you’re ready before embarking on this task. When that time comes, find a Realtor that works for you and listens. In turn, take the time to listen to your Realtor’s advice. Once you’ve built a strong foundation, be ready to move fast. The market has a tendency to change quickly.

How is Harvey Kalles different from other leading real estate brokerage firms?

Harvey Kalles is a boutique firm and epitomizes what I enjoy most – helping people get to where they want to be.

The level of service Harvey Kalles provides to every client is exceptional and I’m proud to be a part of that team.

As a mother of three, do you have any advice for women seeking a work-life balance or wanting to get back into the workforce?

My situation may be a little unique; there was never a moment where I fully left the workforce, but I have changed in the industry I work in to accommodate raising my family. Organizational and multi-tasking skills, as well as having a strong foundation of support, always help in making transitions as smooth as possible. Looking at life from this perspective also happens to be how I approach real estate.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

My career in real estate introduces me to new people and new friendships, and I help those people achieve what matters most to them. I’ve found my place in life and I’m lucky to be doing what I love. I look forward to doing more of it.

How do you marry the needs of a seller versus a buyer?

I think the best way to consistently deliver a great client experience is by putting a priority on building and maintaining strong, long-lasting relationships. I have very happy clients and a great network that help me connect buyers and sellers when the time is right. But beyond those fantastic people, I have the Harvey Kalles team behind me, as well as a curated list of designers, stagers, painters, inspectors, photographers, videographers, legal, financial and building professionals who I trust to do right by my clients whenever I engage or refer them.

It’s this team that helps me provide my clients with a concierge level of real estate service.

How does working with a buyer differ from someone looking to sell their home?

It may sound obvious, but I believe my number one job is to make sure my client is completely satisfied whether they are buying or selling, so I’m invested in the relationship beyond just the transaction. But buyers do have special needs, particularly in a market like what we have now. I enjoy the process of learning about the lifestyle of my client, their aspirations and plans for the future. Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases most people will make in their lifetime, so really understanding the financial picture is something we spend time talking about. Investing in my clients in this way means we are a strong team with the same vision and goal, and we’re ready to act with confidence when the right property comes along.

“Having bought and sold homes with Jacqueline, she has redefined our real estate expectations. She is proactive and so is her team.

Looking back on our experience with her, it was like we were in the very connected and capable hands of a real estate concierge.”

J. Cosgrove & C. Uyeyama – The Kingway, Toronto

1 Source: Lonewolf

Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. Brokerage · 416.417.8836 jnimer@harveykalles.com · www.jacquelinenimer.com 27

Paul Nusca Sales Representative: Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. interview :

Aviva Vetter

portrait :

Kateryna Photography

The thrill of every sale courses like blood through his veins and Paul, born and raised in Toronto’s West End, puts all he’s got into every client he encounters. After getting a taste of real estate from the family business, he decided to stay in for the long haul and make it his career. Nearly fifteen years later, he’s built a results-driven enterprise and his eyes come alive with the mention of real estate—his appetite is insatiable.

What types of listings do you specialize in?

Why real estate?

Over the years, I’ve come to realize that each circumstance has to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There are so many factors that go into buying or selling a home with no clear-cut formula. One of the difficulties of assessing the selling potential of a home is the uncontrollable nature of various elements—state of the market and location, for example. So I like to take the time to speak with each client and find out what’s working and what’s not and focus on the controllable variables for a positive outcome.

Something just clicked, though it was always part of me, even during my previous work in the world of finance. Being surrounded by real estate growing up gave me a thirst for the business. I learned the ins and outs of real estate by osmosis.

Fourteen years later, I still get a buzz at the prospect of meeting someone new and taking on a listing.

What is real estate to you?

Real estate is people, architecture and mentoring those around me. I love coming to work everyday, which I don’t see as work, and I enjoy the flexibility that comes with this domain. The unpredictability of each day keeps me on my toes.

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Every listing, whether it’s a sale, purchase or a lease has equal standing in my books. Actually, one of the things I enjoy most about real estate is the exhilaration of possibilities that every potential listing brings.

Do you have any advice for someone buying or selling a home?

What sets you apart from other brokers?

I stick by honesty and straightforwardness and say what’s on my mind, most, if not all of the time. Being candid, without sugar coating a situation is probably one of my strongest suits—along with knowing my domain inside and out. I’ve come to build a credible and loyal reputation on my family name and I don’t take any listing for granted. I’ve been characterized as tough but fair, with good instincts and

“Our office, located in the heart of the Kingsway, was the first Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. satellite office in Canada.

Over the next five years, I’d like to continue on this path towards my ultimate goal, to be the top team in West Toronto.” strong perception into every situation. Bottom line is that I treat every listing like it’s the only one I have and I’m overtly accessible any time of the day for my clients.

How would you describe your personal brand?

If I were to pick words to describe my personal brand, I’d stay away from gimmicky tag lines and underline sincerity, trustworthiness, professionalism, style, and simplicity.

What selling methods do you stand by?

It’s not about specific selling methods for me, although I do have my set of trusted guidelines that I’ve built throughout my career. I do approach every listing with fresh perspective and forward thinking because each listing is by nature different and will sell for different reasons. This can be a very serious process for buyers, so preparing myself, while having fun when the mood permits, is a strategy I stand by. After all, knowledge is power.

Tell us about your team, where you see yourself in five years?

My team consists of twelve diverse agents, and two support staff. Everyone on the team is local, which provides special insight into the area. Our office, located in the heart of the Kingsway, was the first corporate satellite office in Canada. Over the next five years, I’d like to continue on this path towards my ultimate goal, to be the top team in West Toronto.

Tell us about giving back to the community; do you have any causes that are close to your heart?

Giving back is not only integrated into our business, but plays a role in the way we approach our mission as well. We are heavily involved with the local schools and contribute our time and efforts to various fundraising events like play dates and pumpkin drives. We also donate a percentage of proceeds to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, which aims to help women and children escape violence and rebuild their lives.

How do you relax after a long busy day?

Real estate is my life, so for me, it never shuts down completely. But I love spending time with my amazing wife and three kids; I do enjoy golfing in the summers and socializing with friends. Even then, I find work itself relaxing and I love to interact with people.

What is your favourite area in Toronto’s West End? Along Bloor and Kingsway West. It’s a vibrant area, with great restaurants and shopping. There’s always something going on. I also love the Junction and Roncesvalles.

What is your philosophy?

Anyone can get started in real estate, but staying in for the long run takes work, energy and effort. I always keep in mind that everyday is a new day, and a chance to face everything with a sense of urgency. This philosophy has helped me succeed and overcome many challenges.

Royal Lepage Real Estate Services Ltd. · 416.618.8326 · paul@paulnusca.com · www.paulnusca.com 29

Lizanne Dobson Representative: Keller Williams Neighbourhood Realty interview :

Life is a journey and sometimes the best things come when you least expect them. This was the case for Lizanne, when one of life’s “transitions” led her to a career in real estate. She found that every moment, experience and encounter, up to that point, prepared her to rise to the many challenges that this industry presented.

Lizanne planted her feet firmly into the world of real estate in 2001 and just 3 years ago she made the move to Keller Williams Neighbourhood Realty. An innate fascination with architecture & design, a love for getting to know others, along with success in renovating and selling her own houses has helped Lizanne create a flourishing career. Her strong negotiating skills and natural sense of organization have paved the way for juggling numerous listings at once, while never loosing sight of the individual needs of each client.

Lizanne brings her personalized signature service, market knowledge and years of experience to the serious business of buying and selling a home in Toronto.

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Aviva Vetter

portrait :

Kateryna Photography

What does it take to be a successful real estate agent?

Above all, good listening skills are key to being a great realtor. My goal is not only to fulfill my clients’ objectives, but to exceed their expectations, so that they enthusiastically refer me to their friends and family. I can’t do that unless I have a profound understanding of what they really want out of their move. Another quality that leads to success is flexibility and open mindedness. Real estate is a fast paced industry—every transaction is different and things don’t usually go exactly according to plan, so being able to assess a situation, and adjust accordingly is critical to success.

Then of course, you need strong market knowledge, great negotiating & marketing skills as well as an ability to really connect with people.

How would you describe your clientele?

Every client and transaction is different, but the majority of my clients are professionals buying houses. I work mostly in the west end, downtown and occasionally in North Toronto.

My clients are either buying their first home, trading up for more space or downsizing. As a result of my older clientele looking to crystalize some equity and have more freedom, I have recently been selling more condos. Another large part of my business is relocating corporate executives to Toronto, and working with bankers engaged as estate trustees to sell the real estate component of their client’s estates.

What sets you apart from other agents?

My network and my passion for helping my clients get the best deal with the least amount of stress! Stress reduction is primarily a result of good communication and taking care of the little details that make a transaction and a move as smooth as possible. For example, where possible, I like to get neighbours to sign a welcome card for my buyers to introduce them to their neighbourhood and make them feel at home.

I feel that one of my strongest differentiating factors is my network of international agents. As I mentioned I do a lot of relocation business, and during the 2008 US market crash, I helped many clients invest in the United States. One of the reasons I joined Keller Williams was to continue to build my network of agents.

At KW I earned my Global Property Specialist designation, and I am also really excited by Keller Williams global expansion and the opportunity I get to meet realtors from all over the world. Real estate is a local business but I find a global perspective very helpful! I am able to work with my clients in Toronto as well as help them if they want to buy a second home in the sun or relocate to the US, abroad, or elsewhere in Canada.

What do you think is the biggest barrier to success in today’s real estate industry? How have you overcome it?

One of the hurdles realtors face today is overcoming the myth that the market is so strong that the “property will sell itself”. In reality, a great deal of work goes into ensuring that the client receives maximum exposure for their property, so that they get the best possible price with the least amount of stress. I have a consistent track record of ensuring that for my clients. It is so much more than just adding a sign to the lawn and placing the property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). A flurry of activity goes on behind the scenes. I create a unique marketing campaign for each listing that includes networking, internet & print exposure, social media and preparing the house to be competitive.

“A flurry of activity goes on behind the scenes. I create a unique marketing campaign for each listing that includes networking, internet & print exposure, social media and preparing the house to be competitive.”

You made a move and joined Keller Williams Neighbourhood Realty, how is it different from other leading real estate brokerage firms?

How do I count the ways? Since I joined Keller Williams, it has become the largest brokerage in North America by agent count and was named by Training Magazine, the #1 training organization across all industries. I made my decision to move to KW for several reasons, primarily because of their business models and training programs.

I am always looking to grow my business and improve my service standards and through KW University & their focused conferences, I have learned more in the last 3 years than I learned in the preceding 10! I wanted to specialize further in international real estate and marketing high end luxury properties to compliment my existing business and through the Global Property Specialist designation and the Luxury designation I’ve been able to put best practices in place that benefit my clients enormously.

Most importantly though, I love the culture, all the agents are cooperative and it is an open, supportive learning environment and that makes it a fun place to work…. And given that real estate can be a 24/7 career … fun is important!

How would you describe the current market?

In one word—unique! We have had such a long run in our real estate market that, short of a 6 month dip in 2008, our prices have continued to climb for my whole career. Most real estate cycles are about 5-7 years, but we are far past that and 2015 has been the best year since 2007. Given the continued demand for real estate in Toronto I don’t see a large correction unless the interest rates increase rapidly or there is an unforeseen world event that affects consumer confidence. Although, given the prices, I have to wonder about affordability. When I talk to realtors in US they find our prices unbelievable. Toronto has been the city with most cranes in America and all the condo units continue to be absorbed each year, and I don’t foresee a decline in demand for 2016.

Keller Williams Neighbourhood Realty · 2968 Dundas St W. 416.236.1392 · ld@lizannedobson.com · www.lizannedobson.com 31

Connie Farmer & Linda Tickins Sutton Old Mill Realty, Inc. interview :

Aviva Vetter

photo :

Wilson Huynh Studio

Linda has over 30 years of success selling Toronto’s West end and has built herself into one of the most prominent agents in the area. Prior to her life as a real estate broker, she worked as a flight attendant for Wardair Canada. Even today Wardair remains a textbook example of superior customer service, just as Linda remains committed to providing superior customer service to her clients and her community.

Four years ago, her daughter Connie joined the ranks of the real estate business. They complement one another and really enjoy working together. Their business is built on a solid reputation; Connie has learned that knowledge and service are the keys to Linda’s success.

Linda, you are a leading marketer for home ownership in the West end of Toronto, what makes this neighborhood stand out?

I have spent the last 35 years promoting home ownership in this city, and I have truly loved every minute of it. Toronto’s West end has so many things going for it—it’s a short drive or subway ride to downtown, home to fantastic schools & some of the city’s best golf, close to the airports & major highways, and there is a great sense of community

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This is a community where traditions provide comfort to homeowners and businesses alike—many who, like me, have stayed for years. Speaking of which, I have recently opened a new office at Bloor & Grenview above Starbucks, which we are very excited about!

How would you describe your clientele?

We are lucky to have a wide variety of clientele. I’ve grown into more luxury real estate as I’ve become an established name in the area, but especially since Connie has gotten into the business with me, we work with a lot of young families, first-time buyers, investors, etc.

The wonderful thing about this career is that buying or selling a home is an emotional process, and we get to share in the excitement as well as offer support during harder moves. Downsizers are a large part of the market today, with baby boomers selling their family homes. This can be a highly emotional time, and requires a great deal of care.

I love my clients. I have the best clients, many of whom have become great friends.

“Toronto’s West end has so many things going for it—it’s a short drive or subway ride to downtown, home to fantastic schools & some of the city’s best golf, close to the airports & major highways, and there is a great sense of community.”

Connie, what role is the young generation playing in today’s real estate market?

We all know how competitive the Toronto market is, so young buyers are having to be a bit more creative. They are priced out of many areas so they buy in “up and coming” neighbourhoods. Over time, as trendy restaurants and shops pop up and the area becomes very popular, other young buyers are now priced out and are forced to gentrify a new part of the city. It’s fun to follow Toronto neighbourhoods.

Young buyers are also key to the successful condo market.

The number of young professionals and young families living in condos is significantly increasing. We’re used to living in smaller spaces, and happy to sacrifice size for location and lifestyle.

Linda, what is your working relationship like with your daughter?

I think one of the most important points is that I can be myself with her, which lends to the ease of getting things done. This is a fast moving business. Connie is very positive and genuine, so it’s easy to transition her into working with my clients. They enjoy her company and they trust that she will do her best for them. She has many calming qualities, organizational skills and marketing skills—it was a perfect fit. She always seems to have the right words, and has a great real estate sense, so she is good at sales in a natural way.

Connie, what prompted you to follow in your mother’s footsteps?

It was an obvious choice. The timing was perfect, as my mom had taken her business to a new level while I was away at university. Real estate suits my personality- I’m ambitious and you get out of it what you put in. Linda has spent the last 35 years building up a fantastic reputation and loyal client base. She is a true professional and I’m very fortunate to get to learn under her.

I admire that she has everyone’s best interests at heart. She has great problem solving skills, and uses those to get the best results for her clients. Work is almost always on her mind; she loves thinking of how to get a deal put together.

It’s great that we can bounce ideas off of each other.

Connie, what do you bring to the real estate table?

A strong work ethic and competitive spirit. I grew up an elite athlete, ski racing on the Ontario team and then earning a division 1 golf scholarship. My scholarship gave me the opportunity to earn a degree in journalism and communications while traveling the U.S. playing golf. I have always been very disciplined, and want to be the best at what I do. The same goes for real estate, I believe in providing the best service possible.

Linda, Connie, what is your take on the current market?

Toronto is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, and is gaining more and more international presence.

The market is always good, the popular neighbourhoods are very competitive. Because of this, it isn’t as seasonal as it was in the past. Buyers are always on the lookout for the right property. It is definitely a seller’s market, but it’s an exciting time for buyers. Toronto is a great city to invest in.

Linda, Connie, how important is online marketing in today’s real estate business? What other steps do you recommend for selling a home?

Staging and photography are key. With so many buyers starting their search from the comfort of their couch, your property has to look amazing online in order to stand out. I have worked hard to put together a really top quality team of experts to prepare a property for sale; they are very talented.

This is clear when you see my property photos.

I also spend a lot of time writing catchy property descriptions. I feel it’s an important part of my job to really hook the curiosity & interest of potential buyers.

Once all of this is ready to go, Connie helps with property websites, social media target marketing, search engine optimization, etc.

Linda, what role do you play in giving back to the community?

I’m sure everyone gives back where they can. I’m so grateful for the success I’ve had, and giving back to the community is one way to show my appreciation. There are so many people in need, but to name a few causes close to my heart: Sick Kids Hospital, homeless organizations, health research and local charities. I do have to say kids are a real soft spot for me. I’m in a position to help others, and really try to make a difference where I can. Just being kind to people is an everyday way of making the community a better place.

Connie, where do you see yourself in five years?

The experience I’ve had over the last four years has given me a lot of confidence. We have come across pretty much any scenario you can imagine, so again I’m very lucky to be able to learn this quickly. I imagine that after another 5 years working with Linda, I will feel like that much more of a professional.

In this business, things change so fast, you always have to be able to adapt and more importantly foresee the changes.

One thing I’ve learned from seeing my mom in the business all these years is that good service will always be the most important to people.

Sutton Old Mill Realty, Inc. · 416.574.8822 tickins@gmail.com · www.lindatickins.com 33

Robert Citrullo Sales Representative RE/MAX Professionals Inc. interview :

Kara Kuryllowicz

photo :

Wilson Huynh Studio

A serial entrepreneur and natural extrovert, Rob has grown up in the real estate business. At 12 and into his teens, he worked for his grandfather’s real estate operation, tackling demolition and acquiring everything from carpentry to painting and tiling skills. As a university student and sales rep with London Property Corp., he leveraged his innate social skills and ultimately social media, specifically Facebook, to get signed leases on the 220 units four to six months before the next term started. He then tapped into his love of electronic dance music to create yet another business opportunity booking concerts, festivals and events in secondary markets while working fulltime for Toronto’s biggest entertainment conglomerate Ink Entertainment.

Can you tell me about your grandfather and how he inspired you?

Yet as he looked to a future that would one day include a family, where he works more regular hours, Rob decided it was time to focus on his one true love, real estate. A competitive hockey, football volleyball, and baseball player through high school, Rob sees the value in outdoing himself and everyone around him. In his first year with RE/MAX, Canada’s biggest broker with the greatest reach, he earned the Rookie of the Year Award as well as a place in the company’s 100% Club.

What have you learned from your early real estate and entertainment industry experiences?

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When people told my grandfather, who came to Canada from Italy as a five-year-old orphan, that he was crazy to buy a plot of land for development in Etobicoke, he did it anyway. His faith in his own intuition led to his position as the owner and head of Gilindo Marcocchio ltd. He’s living proof that when you’re completely and utterly obsessed with something, you can master it. Creativity and hard work, will make it possible to build something from nothing. Until he died at 101 years of age, his mind was always going because he lived to come up with new ideas. “Let’s renovate this, Let’s build that”. That inspires and drives me.

Pitching rental units to university and college students and introducing new artists to secondary markets was a real passion and I quickly saw that face-to-face connections, particularly with key influencers, can create hype, produce buzz and drive interest. Even with today’s technology, it’s my real-life interactions that support my success on the various social media platforms.

Our family has its roots in real estate development with a preponderance of chartered accountants, so I know how to negotiate a deal that makes solid financial sense.

Speaking of negotiation, I was constantly working through scenarios that gave the artists and their agencies, for example, William Morris Entertainment, one of the biggest names in Hollywood, what they needed while ensuring I’d achieve my margins.

Why is it so important to get out in your community?

For most people, especially with real-estate prices in Toronto today, their home is their primary investment.

I need to provide the facts on why a particular neighbourhood is a good investment, but I also need to convey the heart and soul of a community based on my personal experience.

“I need to provide the facts on why a particular neighbourhood is a good investment, but I also need to convey the heart and soul of a community based on my personal experience.”

I also learned that I can trust my gut when it comes to recognizing talent that will resonate with audiences.

Bidding wars are as common in the entertainment industry as they are in Toronto’s real estate market. When I’d come across a hot artist, there was always someone that wanted to work with them just as much as I did.

It confirmed that if you want the deal to go through, everyone has to get something out of it. My ability to watch people and figure out how much they really wanted something really served me well.

Isn’t a bidding war all about winning regardless of the industry?

Absolutely not. In entertainment, I may get the deal but if I overpaid or miscalculated interest in that artist, I may break even or lose money. When bidding on a house or condo, I need to know how much my client really wants that home. I focus on the non-verbal cues, because what people actually say isn’t necessarily what they truly feel.

Over the years, I’ve honed my ability to read people. If they adore that specific house, it’s worth it to them to pay more by however much provided they can afford it.

Can you share a once-in-a-lifetime moment from your time working with breaking artists such as Hardwell and Avicii as well as the now mainstream, Torontobased R&B artist The Weeknd?

Absolutely, but let’s make it two moments! Back in October 2011, I’d booked The Weeknd (aka Abel Tesfaye) into the Guelph Concert Theatre and pre-show he was at my condo warming up with Turkey Bourbon because Aretha Franklin had shared that tip with him. The New York Times covered that show and the reviews were overwhelmingly positive.

I’m a real foodie—I adore food! So I regularly post to Instagram and Twitter about great meals and restaurants.

People are always asking me for recommendations and much like football, which is one of my biggest passions; food gives us one more topic to chat about.

Why is a realtor’s network so important?

Our network starts with our families and friends and extends beyond that to the people we meet through everything from sports to school and work.

The larger our immediate network, the greater our power to connect because every person knows hundreds of people and those numbers increase exponentially when you tap into social media.

When you have access to my network, whether you’re buying or selling a home, you can access my resources whether you need an accountant, a lawyer or a great restaurant where you’ll celebrate the closing.

Does networking come naturally to you?

Absolutely—it’s in my DNA! It’s as natural to me as breathing. Wherever, I am—I strike up conversations because I’m genuinely interested in who people are, what they’re doing and why.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Right now, I love working on my own but I’d be crazy not to take advantage of growing up with family and friends who’ve been building Toronto going back four generations. I want to leverage the knowledge and perspective I picked up around the dining room table and on cottage weekends to grow my business and develop my own team with the guidance and help of my broker Leah Ambler.

RE/MAX PROFESSIONALS INC, Brokerage · 647-282-1894 · remaxrobc@gmail.com · www.revealedrealestate.com 35

Phil Beecher Beecher & Associates Real Estate Right At Home Realty Inc., Brokerage interview :

David Menzies

photo :

Wilson Huynh Studio

Phil was making a good living in the mergers and acquisitions business but his heart just wasn’t in it. The former competitive swimmer and water polo player found the profession mundane, and it seemed like a cruel fate that he was now confined to a cubicle on a daily basis.

Itching for a career change where he could make the most of his passion for people and building relationships, he jumped on the Toronto real estate market wagon.

Phil went on to successfully form an experienced team of agents working under the Beecher & Associates Real Estate banner.

They say information is power. So how do you keep up to date regarding the ever-evolving Toronto real estate market?

Every morning and every night, I check the market. I also network with people who are in my circle of influence— people who know things that aren’t necessarily public knowledge. I also take continuing education courses. I try to keep my finger on the pulse. The thing is, I love doing this—I don’t even feel like I’m working. Even when I’m on vacation I’m still involved.

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Can you tell us about your team?

We have more than 45 years’ combined experience in the Toronto real estate market. They are people I trust and people I’ve known for a very long time. We have the same mindset, which is that as an agent, your only employer is your client.

An agent doesn’t answer to anyone but the client... and, of course, the regulating body!

Can you tell us about your client base? Some are famous, correct?

Well, I won’t name drop because it’s confidential. But over the years there have been rock stars, movie stars, professional athletes—Blue Jays, NHL players, and so on. And my referrals come by word of mouth. As an agent, you put in all the time and energy in the first five years then it gets better thanks to those valuable word of mouth endorsements.

There’s certainly no shortage of real estate agents in Toronto. What attributes do you bring to the table that would make a buyer or a seller choose you?

I come from a very disciplined background. I’ve always looked at the bigger picture to realize my goals. My parents taught me to have a good work ethic and always put people first. People come to you because of the way you make them feel. If the client feels you are working for them, you have

“The naysayers keep saying there’s going to be a “correction” but I haven’t seen that happen in all the years I’ve been in the business. Even in the dead of winter we still have bidding wars.” knowledge and you truly care about them, then you are a success. And it doesn’t matter who the client is to me—I treat everyone the same. It does not make a difference if it’s someone rich and famous or a family struggling to make ends meet—I treat them all the same.

What is your favourite area in Toronto’s west end and why?

pay a commission but you’re going to be getting a lot more in terms of the selling price. Over the years, I have literally amassed hundreds of people from all over the world asking for a certain product. Sometimes there’s no inventory. But when a suitable house does come along, I have a file of potential buyers.

I really like the Humber River valley. There’s green space for walking dogs and my house is right on the Humber ravine.

I look back there and I feel like I’m in a cottage. And you don’t get any of the toxins or pollution—the green belt kind of buffers it. I like Bloor West and Roncesvalles too, and the Kingsway area is great—you have the subway line right there, which is pretty convenient.

Do you have a motto to live by?

Toronto real estate continues to boom. But some fear there is a “Manhattan-ization” of the real estate market occurring, in which property is becoming unaffordable for averageincome homebuyers. Are there still opportunities for middle class homebuyers?

I like seeing people understand the whole real estate market after I’ve talked them through it. What’s gratifying is when I hear people say to me, “I was nervous before getting into the market, but now I get it—let’s get another house.” Real estate can be like an addiction—once you understand how it works, you want more and more. And I love to see a couple finally settle into their house. Once the sale closes, I like to drop off a gift and see how they are doing.

There are still opportunities, although unfortunately it’s getting tighter and tighter. There’s less land and more people, just like New York. One of the things keeping it affordable is low interest rates. It’s hard even for a double-income family in Toronto to live a really comfortable lifestyle because prices are so high. But that’s just the way the market is, and I don’t think it will go down.

On the flipside, because the market shows no signs of going down, one would imagine purchasing Toronto real estate is pretty much a rock solid investment regardless of entry cost. What are your thoughts?

I definitely think it’s a rock solid investment. As the saying goes, “They’re not making any more land” and people are being born every day. And having a place to live is a necessity of life. In fact, I’d say real estate in Toronto is pretty much bulletproof at this point.

Some people have the mindset that Toronto real estate is so hot these days that a house can “sell itself”, meaning an agent isn’t really needed. How would you respond to that?

Well, you can pull out your own tooth, too—so who needs a dentist? And you can do your own accounting, but maybe you won’t be able to do it correctly... which you might find out the hard way when you get audited. I would suggest that someone should hire an agent that specializes in a certain area—someone who knows every neighbourhood, every street. I would say that’s important. If you sell your house yourself, maybe you’ll get $2 million. But if an agent knows of a purchaser from overseas that you don’t know about, maybe your house could’ve fetched $2.5 million. Yes, you’ll

Yes: “Do the right thing.” Maybe that means putting in more work to close a deal or maybe a certain deal is going to be more tiring to pull off. But when I do put in that extra effort for my clients, I can sleep better at night. I mean, I’d rather not be in real estate if I couldn’t do it properly.

What motivates you?

If you were to do some crystal ball gazing, what lays ahead for the future of Toronto real estate?

I think we are fairly safe here in terms of houses going up in value. There are so many factors that affect real estate, but I don’t think interest rates are going up anytime soon and even if they do go up it will be very little and very gradual. A lot of people need to work and live in Toronto, so there’s a demand, which makes Toronto real estate a safe investment. The naysayers keep saying there’s going to be a “correction” but I haven’t seen that happen in all the years I’ve been in the business. Even in the dead of winter we still have bidding wars.

Speaking of bidding wars, what’s your mindset when a bidding war breaks out?

Every situation and every property and every buyer is different. There are always different dynamics. Once you feel out your playing ground, you speak with your buyer and consult with them. And sometimes it is better to walk away rather than overpay. There will always be another property!

Beecher & Associates Real Estate · Right At Home Realty Inc., Brokerage 416.400.9117 · phil@beecherrealestate.ca · www.beecherrealestate.ca 37

Antonio Piazza & Voula Gekas Sales Representatives: Open Concept Team, Century 21 Atria Inc. Brokerage interview :

Kara Kuryllowicz

portrait :

Wilson Huynh Studio

Antonio and Voula understand the residential and commercial real estate markets, but as importantly, they understand people. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or selling the family home to upsize or downsize and return to the downtown core, it’s an incredibly exciting time. At this stage of their lives, these business partners have gone through most of the same journeys as their clients. They know what it’s like to start out as a single first time home buyer to a young couple looking to the future, to growing a family and face the life, career and real estate changes that come with new relationships.

This duo firmly believes that two heads will always be better than one because each individual contributes a unique set of skills and experiences to the partnership and its clients. As importantly, there is always an extra set of

In a hyper competitive market, how do you win new customers?

Voula: We get back to basics! We ask a lot of questions to help us identify our clients’ real wants and needs. We listen and really hear what they’re telling us and take detailed notes, which clients appreciate. They let us know that our commitment to listening and focusing on what they need 38

eyes available with a fresh perspective. As a male/female real estate duo that shares core values, Voula and Antonio recognize that clients are happy to have the opportunity to work with whichever partner they feel suits them best because it benefits everyone involved.

Antonio and Voula are all about educating, preparing and informing clients and have the research to back up their facts, but they also know how to deal with the intangibles. People tend to fall for a home, or not, the first time they see it. The Open Concept team will help you get beyond the emotion to the practical considerations that ultimately determine whether that home will be yours. Together, they bring their respective experience and perspective to bear the benefit to every client and each transaction.

coupled with what we can deliver while being realistic and honest versus what we think they need is one of the main reasons they want to work with us.

Antonio: We ask what’s driving the sale or purchase and set realistic expectations which are vital in a market with little supply and high demand. Whether you’re buying or selling, we have to be honest about what your budget will

get you and the true market versus your perceived value of any improvements you’ve made to your home. Also, we identify ourselves as strong marketers and understand the importance of utilizing tools to help build exposure through progressive marketing initiatives. As a basis, we produce professional videos and photography for each home, market through social media, offering up a unique ability to stage and provide improvement ideas that will maximize the dollars received from your home. Focusing on the details that appeal to all senses, understanding that marketing starts from the initial visit up to final closing.

What are your key differentiators?

Voula: Real Estate can be a highly stressful and emotional process; however, it can be just as exciting and fun as well.

We pride ourselves in making the real estate process a good experience for our clients, and we do this by making sure that we have done our research, are prepared and have a sound strategy. Being in the customer service industry from a young age, and working in the financial services for a number of years, I understand how important it is to make sure clients are kept up to date, responded to in a timely manner and make sure their best interests are kept in mind during the entire process and negotiations. I have also sold condos on a development site, so I have a good understanding of resale and pre-construction real estate.

Antonio: I’ve been in sales for as far as I can remember, I also built my own home which allows me to look at the construction and weigh in on the building inspectors’ findings. My sales executive career in marketing and advertising helps me leverage our online presence and social media to ensure Voula and I tap into our respective networks and beyond. The more eyes we get on each listing the better for everyone.

What are the biggest challenges in today’s real estate market?

Voula: There are so many agents vying for customers that we’re competing with discount brokers. Consumers need to know that as a result of that lower commission rate, the broker is likely focused on the quickest possible sale, which benefits the broker far more than the seller. You will get what you pay for.

Antonio: Given the competitive landscape surrounding the number of agents in the GTA, we are finding that there is more of an emphasis on a “quick deal” vs the “right deal.”

We’ve been told that agents aren’t always completing their due diligence and it’s exposed the clients. We believe in earning our client’s trust and working to ensure the overall experience is positive, talking with other professionals that we work with in order to protect our clients.

Voula: There’s an abundance of information out there, which has empowered Buyers and Sellers in helping to identify their needs and wants, which is great, however, given the current Real Estate Environment, the difference between winning and losing is being prepared.

Antonio: Being prepared means you have the financing in place and your legal team standing by. It may also require dropping and waiving certain conditions such as a home inspection or flexibility around closing dates.

These are things we would discuss long before getting into negotiations in order to ensure a better chance of winning and also to give our clients the confidence they need to take the next steps.

Do you work mainly in Etobicoke?

Antonio: That is certainly our focus but we’ve found that clients based in Etobicoke may have an interest in towns such as Milton, where I grew up, and in Oakville, Mississauga, East York, and Durham. The bulk of our transactions are residential, however our residential clients also want investment and commercial properties and may be interested in developing a piece of land outside the city. We’re here to help and we both recognize the value of deep research.

Voula: That is one of our key advantages—we never make assumptions and we do what it takes to stay current. Towns, regions and markets are constantly evolving as are the rules and regulations and we often find we’re more up to date on what’s happening than the local administrators and realtors.

What’s your perspective on foreign investment in Toronto real estate?

Antonio: It brings cash into Canada, drives economic growth and it’s a vote of confidence in our city and our country.

Voula: Canada is seen as a safe haven for professionals, who initially rent, but often with a view to eventually immigrating and living in Toronto themselves.

As experienced real estate professionals—what’s next for Toronto and specifically Etobicoke?

Voula: Given the current economy and interest rates, prices will continue to climb in Toronto and demand will further increase as downsizers and millennials move into the city to take advantage of the arts and culture as well as the proximity to jobs since not everyone is willing to sit on the highway and battle commuter congestion.

Antonio: In South Etobicoke, Long Branch and Mimico are the real jewels with a terrific mix of old and newer homes, all of which are currently a little undervalued compared to other areas. There are town homes and condos under construction as well as some truly creative development; for example, a decommissioned school is being converted into a beautiful modern home. I have friends in the hospitality and entertainment business and they’re really focused on the untapped opportunities for new bars and restaurants in this pocket. In Mimico and Long Branch, you can raise a family in a home you own and walk a few blocks to a great local restaurant.

Open Concept Team, Century 21 Atria Inc. Brokerage · www.openconceptteam.com antonio.piazza@century21.ca · 647.465.2340 | Voula.gekas@century21.ca · 416.837.3004 39

brought to you by The Humberview Group

Writers: Aviva Vetter Kara Kuryllowicz Aamer Merchant Emily Atkins Photos: Courtesy Humberview Group Wilson Hyunh Studio 40

With a car dealership on every corner, Etobicoke is more than well-served when it comes to the auto industry. When we first set out to develop this section, our vision was to feature the top five leading dealerships, their latest models and the people behind them.

That all changed ten minutes into our first meeting with the Humberview Group—they were the perfect match. This Etobicoke-based organization has its roots here, is highly involved in the community and they literally have it all: domestic or import, car or truck, buy or lease, state-of-the-art showrooms, parts & service centres and a rich variety of brands.

In the following pages we’ll introduce you to some of the driven people who are part of this constantly adapting organisation, who are always keeping their eyes on the road ahead while remembering the values of the past: John Esplen, President of Humberview Group; Jim Leckie, General Manager of Humberview VW; Andrew Lennox, General Manager of Humberview Chevrolet Buick GMC & Motorsports Brands.

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“Take care of your customers and your customers will take care of you.”

Stewart Esplen

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The average citizen’s relationship with a car dealership is one of a simple transaction. The Humberview Group ensures that it is one of a long-term relationship, with their broad range of services, events, and giving back to the community.

With a warm, people-first approach to meeting their customer’s needs, they have thrived and now count over a thousand employees at 27 franchised locations.

This means the Humberview Group has truly been part of the life of countless Torontonians, especially as the company’s history spans back 45 years.

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John Esplen President The Humberview Group

How did the Humberview Group begin?

My father, Stewart, grew up in Etobicoke, he was a car guy and his dream was to build something that served the community. With his outlook on life and business aligned, his key values included building relationships through a great team of people. These values continue to be part of the fundamentals of the Humberview Group today.

interview :

Aviva Vetter

Ever since he was young, John knew that he wanted to run a car dealership. Straight out of school, he began work at his father’s company Humberview Chevrolet Oldsmobile dealership. Just eight years later with a variety of positions under his belt, John took over the daily operations as General Manager. Over the years, he also gained other operational elements, all while forming partnerships and growing the business through the acquisition of other dealerships.

Humberview as we know it today, was beginning to take shape. At this point, the dealership had already come to enjoy many an accolade, along with the title of being one of Canada’s most successful dealerships and most recently, the Canadian AutoWorld Dealership Employer of Choice Award for 2015. With continued growth and expansion to this day, a robust approach to customer service underscores the strength of their business.

Echoing his family values, John has dedicated his career, alongside his brother Scott’s, to bringing the Humberview Group to the next level by building loyalty among team members and customers alike. Immersed in the company throughout his life, John experienced every facet of the car dealership business while striving to build a relationship with each team member and customer he encountered. With every step forward, the Humberview Group sets its roots deeper into the community, through charitable endeavors, trustworthy customer service and a solid team.

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He began his enterprise with the launch of his first dealership in 1962. An entrepreneur at heart, he envisioned taking advantage of every opportunity to build a business to the best of his abilities. From a young age he made his way through every facet of the car industry making a mental note of what worked versus what didn’t, determined to get to the moment where he would put his ideas to the test. All these years later, the business has flourished into twenty franchises, with finance affiliations along with leasing and truck operations.

Was getting involved in the family business a natural fit?

In short, yes. From a young age I was involved in the company my father founded. Along with my interest in cars, I was equally fascinated with the business model he devised – the people engaging people factor spoke to me.

My immersion began early on with learning the ropes while moving through the various departments to become familiar with all the divisions of the business. In this industry, like many others, everything is interconnected and one doesn’t function properly without the other. This is where having a great team along with clear internal communication towards a common goal, can make all the difference in the world.

What is most valuable quality you learned from your dad?

I acquired two very important traits from my father – how to treat people along with his moral compass. Succeeding in business goes hand in hand with how you treat others, while a strong moral compass will help you make the decisions that will best get you where you want to be.

What is Humberview’s mission?

We pride ourselves on solid customer service. In fact, our philosophy is simple, “Take care of your customers and your customers will take care of you.” Coined by my father, these unassuming words have formed the basis of how the Humberview Group functions. Every day we try hard to serve our customers better, by listening and providing the best service possible. In fact, our mission statement highlights this very element, “Serving customers better each and every day”. The strongest part of this equation is creating a collaborative team with positive energy, who also share the same passion.

How is Etobicoke different from other parts of Toronto?

What stands out about Etobicoke is its sense of community.

It’s a close-knit part of the city where Humberview planted its roots and grew from there.

Tell me about your philanthropic endeavors Giving back to the surrounding community is a big part of our focus. At every corner, we seek to contribute to the surrounding neighborhood in whichever way we can.

Some of the initiatives we are the most proud of include raising funds for the United Way, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, the Dorothy Ley Hospice Bed Race and The Sears Great Canadian Run. Another personal passion of mine is our cycling event to benefit the Etobicoke General Hospital.

My commitment to this organization extends to my active seat on the board of directors of the William Osler Health Foundation, which represents three local hospitals in west Toronto, including the Etobicoke General Hospital. We’ve also sponsored local hockey, baseball, and tee-ball teams through our Good Sports Initiative.

Where do you see the Humberview Group in five or ten years?

Simple, continuing down the same successful path of growing our current operations to their fullest potential, while always on the lookout for new opportunities. In addition, we’ll endeavour to perfect Humberview as the very best place for people to work, while ultimately providing award winning customer service on every visit as well as interaction.

What motivates you in life?

I would have to say, serving people is what makes me tick. I put a great deal of effort into making sure every person who crosses our threshold has a good experience, which I believe starts with a well-oiled team.

Do you have a message for the next generation?

No matter what you decide to do, be the best at it, and always strive to have fun in life.

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Jim Leckie General Manager Humberview Volkswagen

What services do you offer at Humberview VW?

interview :

Aviva Vetter

portrait :

Wilson Huynh Studio

An innate love for cars and speed led Jim Leckie to where he is today, at the top of his game as the General Manager of Humberview’s Volkswagen dealership.

From a young age the desire to work abroad was always appealing to him. Prior to Humberview, his career in the car industry brought him to all four corners of the globe. He began in Europe, with Audi, jumped on an opportunity in China, for Porsche, and then made his way to Canada.

Today, at Humberview, he is in a great position to lead a well-rounded team and bring his international expertise to the forefront of Canada’s car industry.

Leading a team of passionate car lovers, who, as a company, share the values of respect, integrity, honesty, transparency and teamwork, are just a few of the things, which bring him to work everyday.

We specialize in bringing new and pre-owned Volkswagens to the Toronto market, as well we deliver exceptional service and specialize in the service and parts business, maintaining our loyal customers’ Volkswagens.

We have over one hundred high performance models, and we pride ourselves on making sure that our customers enjoy the best service possible from beginning to end. We value each relationship, strive to build loyalty and find a long-term partnership with each customer which follows our company moto of ‘Serving Our Customers Better Each And Every Day’.

What drives you?

I love what I do and I love people—that’s my natural drive.

Getting up every morning to accomplish what I’ve set out to do gives me great personal satisfaction. I enjoy drawing on the abundance of international experience I’ve accumulated with the goal of bringing people to success. I also believe passing on knowledge is an important element of one’s career. Personally, I like to be in the lead and striving to get our company there is also what keeps me going.

What makes a car dealership successful?

Humberview invests in its people through various development and social programs. Recognition is also high on the success list. When people work together, dedicated to reaching the same goals, the end result of people enjoying what they do is high-performance, productivity and success.

Do you have a specific clientele?

It really is case by case. Most people have an emotional connection to the car they decide to purchase. So clientele

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2017 Golf Alltrack, available in the second half of 2016

criteria is dependent on the brand of car. An individual will also buy into the history of the car company, thereby feeling a closer association to the product. Aside from the common reasons for buying a car—needing to get from one place to another, gas consumption, price—people tend to buy our cars because they are proud of the heritage of the company.

What sets you apart from other dealerships?

Our company values are central to our day-to-day operations.

Every decision we make speaks to the principles of founder Stewart Esplen’s vision of Humberview. John, Stewart’s son, who leads the Humberview Group routinely engages every member of the team. The company itself has a good reputation. We are not only known for our high service standards, but also for looking after our employees through astute benefit plans and development programs. The bottom line is that we work together with the goal of providing the best service to each customer. Our managers have an open door policy, to incite openness and good communication.

Another component that sets us apart is our involvement with charities. We’ve participated and raised funds for many issues including healthcare. Through sponsorships we’ve given back to the community, along with hosting bike rides,

children’s racing programs, a ski championship as well as a black tie and blue jeans event, to name a few.

Is there a set of criteria people should look for when buying a new car?

Buying a car is usually very personal and varies from case to case, so there isn’t a general set of norms. Instead we train our team to sell a car to fit our client’s needs and lifestyle.

What do you think is the biggest barrier to success in today’s car market? How have you overcome it?

Competition is by far the biggest challenge. It’s unfortunate, but everyone is trying to undercut the next person and it always comes down the price point. Due to the German engineering of Volkswagens, the price point is a little higher. We’ve been able to stay very relevant by investing in our team. It’s very important to build relationships to get ahead of the game. Building loyalty and finding common ground with your clients will go a long way to creating a rapport—it’s always been the Humberview way.

“I’ve always had a love for racing cars, in fact, I participated in the World Rally Championship before becoming an apprentice, later moving up to master technician.”

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Andrew Lennox General Manager Humberview Chevrolet Buick GMC & Motorsports Brands

interview :

Kara Kuryllowicz

portrait :

Wilson Huynh Studio

Andrew Lennox knows that today’s consumers are more sophisticated than ever before because he’s seen their demands evolve over three decades in the industry.

As General Manager of four Humberview businesses, he’s tasked with ensuring 220 team members, including the Sales and Service Managers, truly understand Humberview’s commitment to serving customers better each and every day.

This philosophy starts right from day one with new team members as they join the HG team and are coached by John Esplen, our CEO on the company mission and vision.

“John takes the time monthly to share our values and our WAY at HG—and this provides an excellent example for our team members to follow.”

What are you most excited about at Humberview Chevrolet Buick GMC right now?

Opening the new facility in the spring of 2017 and seeing exactly how car buyers and, as importantly, our team members, get what they really need and want from the new and renovated spaces.

How will this project improve the customer experience?

The new dealership is designed to add value to the customer experience at every step with a focus on improving turnaround time for our customers with an express service.

We’re really taking it to the next level with new hoists and shop equipment that make our terrific technicians even more efficient and productive to put customers back in the driver’s seat more quickly.

To that end, they’re giving their staff more space and leadingedge technology with the planned expansion of the 1650 The Queensway location with a massive renovation that will include an additional 8 cars in the showroom, a large café and lounge with all the requirements one needs to stay connected, and a state of the art drive through and carwash that will be free to Humberview Chevrolet Buick GMC guests at all times the dealership is open.

Andrew has had his hand in designing four other dealerships in the past, but the new Humberview is one he is most excited about.

The new dealership is set to open in spring 2017 48

Humberview Chevrolet Buick GMC team

How has the company’s customer-centric approach defined Humberview Chevrolet Buick GMC’s success?

This business has been built on the Esplen family’s deep understanding of consumers and of course, a passion for automotive sales and service. Today, that commitment to service and value must also include a real focus on the ever-evolving industry-specific technology.

About 35 per cent of our customers are repeat and referral which certainly indicates we consistently satisfy the people who buy and service their vehicles at our dealership. They obviously love what we do for them or they wouldn’t keep coming back for more and sending their families and friends our way.

Which has more of an impact on Humberview’s success –people or technology?

Technology plays a really significant role, but ultimately, the technology doesn’t work without the team we have and the relationships they build and their commitment to excellence. Bricks and mortar don’t bring our guests back—it’s all about the process of making our guests feel the difference—and see the difference in the way we service and sell them vehicles.

Senior Sales Representatives Steve Turner and Joe Molino have been with us for 40 years and together they and Humberview become part of the family story when you’ve put the grandparents, parents and children in vehicles generation to generation. That is the success of the business and the team we have in place at Humberview.

GM Technical Service Manager, Karim Shivji, who has been with us for 31 years, has become one of the most senior, respected GM technicians in Canada and is regularly called on by GM as one of the company’s top, go-to, experts.

Why should consumers buy a vehicle from Humberview Group?

Our most innovative, consumer-friendly policies are the result of our ability to listen to our customers and put ourselves in their position.

Here are just two policies that set us apart:

30-day Exchange: If you don’t love the vehicle you drive off our lot, for whatever reason, bring it back to us within 30 days or 2,500 km and we’ll exchange it—no questions asked.

Test Drive from Home/Work/ Wherever: If you want to drive the vehicle around the block at 1650 The Queensway, that’s perfectly fine with us but we know that you need to get a feel for this vehicle when you drive the way you do every day.

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“We are taking the customer experience to the next level in so many ways with this new store. Free car washes, vacuuming, washer fluid top-ups and no charge alignment and tire wear diagnostics come with every visit. And we can service any make or model with the new facility.”

Why should consumers have their cars serviced at Humberview?

We fix it right the first time, every time!

Humberview’s 40-member service team is led by John Cordeiro and Jerry Meneray, our service managers. 19 of our 34 staff are GM Certified Grand Master technicians and every year, Humberview spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on training and continuing education for our service and sales teams.

We are also one of the largest GM Parts Departments in Canada. That means we have the right parts, on the shelf TODAY- and we can get our customers back on the road faster. If you use your car or truck for business- you can’t afford downtime. This parts team have decades of experience behind the counter, and we will have your parts in stock.

What matters most to automotive consumers today?

People want different things. What matters to one person isn’t as important to someone else and the OEMS are constantly evolving to stay in line with consumers’ musthaves and nice-to-haves.

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When a consumer walks into our Chevrolet dealership— one of the largest in Canada—and is looking at performance cars such as the Corvette, the performance and technology are the must-haves. However for most consumers, active and passive safety systems—for example the Chevy Cruze with its 10 airbags—as well as fuel economy, are the real hot buttons.

Some people will get excited about the Corvette and Camaro but others will get a kick out of the Yukon Denali because it can handle the kids, the dogs and all the gear.

What’s your favourite car?

The Corvette Z06 is just as thrilling as a Ferrari or Porsche and about half the price, but I would likely lose my license so I drive a Yukon Denali! It fits my family lifestyle the best – and it is incredible on the road in any condition.

The 2016

VW

Tiguan

By Aamer Merchant For those who don’t know, the name ‘Tiguan’ comes from combining tiger and iguana into one. An appropriate name for a strong energetic midsize SUV that is made to adapt to any road and weather conditions. With plenty of options and a peppy 2.0 litre 200 horsepower engine to happily get you from A to B—and maybe convince you to go further to an unplanned C. I met with Tim San Andres from Humberview Volkswagen at 1650 The Queensway, to get an intro to the Tiguan and then test drive. Tim, who is obviously a Tiguan fan, gave us a run down of the features and the difference between the 4 models which are: Trendline, Special Edition, Comfortline and Highline.

I jumped into the cockpit of a Tiguan Comfortline.

Heated leatherette seats, some nice tunes on a Fender premium audio system and a full tank of gas. Let the ride begin! I threw it in drive, hit the gas and without any hesitation this machine was going. A highly responsive steering wheel made the SUV feel more like a sporty car. It was sharp around the corners and a tight turning radius made U turns a breeze. I tried out the Tiptronic feature of this transmission and decided to stay there. There was no lag between the shifts and no jerking when shifting between acceleration.

The SUV was fun to drive and I can easily see an owner winning a few speeding tickets till they get used to the smooth yet extremely responsive acceleration the 200 hp engine delivers. The cluster panel was clear and easily understood with all controls comfortably in the drivers reach. No blind spots in this vehicle and something about the finesse of a German interior that makes your ride comfortable and rich at the same time.

The Trendline is the base model. It is a two wheel drive and the only model that is available with a manual transmission which starts at $24,990.00 and the 52

automatic starts at $26,390.00. All the other models are automatic and have 4motion, which is 4-wheel drive.

It comes with numerous standard features including Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, front fog lights and rear-view camera.

Humberview VW’s most popular model is the Special Edition. It starts from $29,998.00 and it has most of the features of the Convenience package standard on it. The biggest difference is the 4Motion, 17” wheels, dual zone climatronic air-conditioning system and push button start. With this one, you can add on a panoramic power sunroof for $1,400.00 and a navigation package for $995.00 that consists of a larger touch screen, navigation system and SiriusXM satellite radio.

Once you go up to the Comfortline, the panoramic sunroof, SiriusXM radio and other features are standard on this SUV and additional features such as leatherette interior, and 18” wheels are also included.

This truck starts at $33,998.00. You can get an additional Technology package for $1,295.00 and that will give you the 6.33” touch screen with navigation system and a 9 speaker Fender premium audio system that includes a subwoofer.

The Comfortline is the first line that you can add the Bi-Xenon headlights.

Finally there is the Highline, which has the Comfortline features plus it’s own add-ons such as 12-way power driver seat, 18” alloy tires and Discover Media package, starting at $38,490.

The Tiguan has a 5 star crash safety ratings all the way around, anti-lock brakes and 4Motion that helps prevent skids. VW also uses hot form steel which is a thicker gauge steel than your average car and they use laser seam welding vs. spot welding. Tim compared it to a zipper vs. buttons. Also the ‘B’ pillars: which is the middle pillar that comes into play for a side impact, they

are the 2 to 3 three times thicker than the competition.

VW further placed the seats 4 to 5 inches away from the ‘B’ pillar thus increasing distance between you and the impact. The Tiguan also has the standard crumple zones and reinforced beams in the front, rear and sides.

There are six airbags. In the front there are the driver and passenger airbags and then side impact airbags that run along the side of the entire vehicle.

I have to agree with Tim. Anyone who has driven a German car would agree that the extra attention to detail makes a big difference in the drive experience.

In the event of a front-end impact, the engine block will automatically dismount thus preventing it from being pushed back into the cockpit.

When it comes to competition, Tim believes it would be the Toyota Rav4, Mazda Cx5 and Subaru Outback.

However you are getting much more with the Tiguan base model than what you would get with the others.

And he considers the Tiguan to be in a class itself because you’re getting the German engineering and experience for the low equivalent price of a RAV4 or a CX5.

2016 Special Edition Tiguan 2.0 TSI Automatic Tiptronic 4Motion AWD

When asked about the X3 and how he would compare it to that, Tim notes that the X3 would be at a significantly higher price tag. VW is considered an entry level German luxury. So you are getting a lot of the feel, materials, build quality and the safety of German vehicles for a significantly lower price tag. Another factor is that VW does own Audi and subsequently a lot of the technology and quality trickles down to all VW’s.

The Tiguan would be a perfect daily driver for anyone who wants the extra height, ground clearance and storage with all the fun features of a VW and without the bulk and gas consumption of a full size SUV. This is a fun, sporty feeling compact SUV that delivers on demand.

starting from

 17” Fortaleza alloy wheels with all-season tires  Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror  Automatic headlights with coming and leaving home function  Black roof rails  Climatronic® dual-zone electronic climate control  Heatable front seats and washer nozzles

$29,998  KESSY – keyless access with push-start button  Leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and shift knob  Privacy glass  Rain-sensing wipers  USB audio input

Humberview Volkswagen · 1650 The Queensway, Toronto · (416) 259-7656 53

1 T L y a r g n i t S e t t e v r o C 6 1 0 2

the

By Emily Atkins

The Chevrolet Corvette is one of the most iconic, instantly recognizable cars of the past seven decades. From its birth in the 1950s, through seven unique generations, the “Vette” has always been a coveted ride for sports car lovers. The new 2016s are no different.

Tyler Champagne is a Product Specialist at Humberview Chevrolet who knows the features and numbers of these cars in his sleep. And if he also dreams of driving one, who could blame him—he’d be in good company along with all the other enthusiasts who’d love to get behind the wheel of the new Stingray or its big brother the Corvette Z06.

He asks because there is a huge fan base for the Corvette, and some have been in love with—and have owned—the cars for years. “About 75 percent of people absolutely love the new styling,” Tyler says. But some of the repeat buyers might need more convincing about some of the design changes—like the new tail-lights.

Because to drive one is to love it. Both the Stingray and the Z06—the Stingray’s 650-horsepower big brother—are truly cars for driving enthusiasts. Being at the wheel of a sleek, sexy Z06 on the track is electrifying. The throttle response and handling mesh seamlessly, and the car just wants to carve up the corners, faster and faster. But equally important, the Vette is a sweet, well-behaved ride on the street.

But they still love the cars, he adds.

“When I start talking to customers,” Tyler says, “I like to find out how the Corvette has been involved in their life.”

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And it’s hard not to when such a gorgeous machine like the base model 1LT can be had for a really reasonable $66,395 (including freight). It could be you driving a brand new 2016 off the lot.

The Corvette Stingray Coupe offers a 455-horsepower, 6.2litre V8 that can be mated to either a 7-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission.

SPECS 2016 Corvette Stingray LT1 $66,395 (MSRP, incl. freight)

Almost all the Corvettes sold at Humberview are preordered, without a test drive.

“People know what they want, and they know they want a Corvette.”

Tyler says he gets lots of questions about the two available transmissions. “It’s more gears than we’re used to seeing,” he notes. “But it’s one of the easiest manual transmissions to drive. It’s phenomenally smooth, with great clutch feel.”

The automatic with paddle shifters is equally impressive, delivering beautiful, lightning quick, rev-matched shifts with a flick of the finger. In other words, they both make the driver feel in control of the horsepower.

New for 2016, the Stingray has gained some beautiful interior and exterior details like a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, optional two-tone GT seats, a carbon-fibre hood option and several eye-catching new colour combinations and design packages.

There are also stunning new wheels to choose from in silver, black, machined and chrome. Helping to protect them from nasty curb rash is a front parking view camera available on the 2LT and 3LT trims levels.

The interior is earning a lot of praise, Tyler says.

“The one thing that I hear constantly is ‘Wow look at this interior, it’s phenomenal!’ There are tons of different colour options and even different types of leather as you go up through the ranks from 1 to 2 to 3LT.” What buyers are enjoying is a combination of new materials—the cockpit is fully wrapped with soft-touch materials—the smaller, flat-bottomed wheel which makes for precise steering inputs, and improved tech interface, including a separate climate-control for the passenger.

Upscale touches include choices of contrasting stitching,

• Rear-wheel drive 2-door coupe, seats 2 • 6.2-litre V8 engine making 455 hp / 460 lb.-ft. of torque • 7-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission • 18-inch front wheels, 19-inch rear • EPA estimated fuel economy (MPG):

17 city/ 29 hwy (Manual);

16 city / 29 hwy (Automatic);

premium recommended • 8-inch colour display with Chevrolet My Link • Keyless entry • 8-way power bucket seats • WiFi hotspot and Sirius radio ready and materials that include carbon fiber, aluminum, Napa leather and micro-suede.

If you want to step up a notch, check out the Z51 performance lineup. The 1LT Z51 starts at $72,145, the 2LT Z51 begins at $76,620, and the 3LT opens for $82,930 (freight included). These cars add a spoiler; bigger, forged-aluminum wheels (19 inches on the front and 20 inches on the rear versus the 18-/19-inch setup for the base Coupe); cooled performance brakes with larger, slotted rotors, and black painted calipers; enhanced suspension with 45-mm Bilstein dampers; an upgraded exhaust that adds five horsepower; and, dry sump lubrication.

With the manual 7-speed transmission, the Z51-equipped car is capable of a 3.8-second zero to 60 mph, and a 12second quarter mile. Impressive numbers indeed, and the automatic shaves a second off that zero to 60 run.

All this adds up to a supremely track-capable car, that’s still a delight to drive in town. In fact, the Corvette’s adjustable driving modes—Tour, Sport and Track (standard on all models)—make it a remarkably adaptable ride.

And it’s a popular one, too. According to Tyler, almost all the Corvettes sold at Humberview are pre-ordered, without a test drive. “People know what they want,” he says. “And they know they want a Corvette.”

Humberview Chevrolet · 3200 Bloor Street West, Toronto · (416) 236-1011 55

HUMBERVIEW MOTORSPORTS If you are finally ready to purchase your luxury dream car—without breaking the bank—Humberview Motorsports is the place to go. At this premium exotic and sports used car dealership you will find the highest quality pre-owned luxury automobiles from the world's top automakers. The selection of the finest in the world of cars: Audi, Lexus, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Porsche, Rolls Royce, and more.

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225B Dundas St. East, Mississauga · 1 (888) 327-2498 · www.humberviewmotorsports.com 57

Service Specials These offers expire Dec 31, 2016

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photo :

Ian Woo

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Nicole Keane Owner: Indulge Beauty Bar interview :

As a business owner who lives and works in Etobicoke, Nicole is firmly entrenched in her dynamic, vibrant neighborhood, where the annual Mystic Pointe Community Party and Etobicoke’s Ladies Night Out give her yet another opportunity to share her passion for beauty. As an esthetician with over 11 years of experience, Nicole’s love for all things beautiful is what makes Indulge Beauty Bar a destination worth checking out. You can expect a full range of services performed by the Industry's top professionals at Indulge Beauty Bar. As you celebrate Indulge’s first anniversary can you tell us what inspired your new venture?

This neighbourhood has been my home for almost five years and I’m committed to helping everyone feel comfortable and confident in their own skin. I saw the need for an affordable, yet top-notch experience and set out to create Indulge Beauty Bar. The founding idea was to launch a one-stop destination that can fulfill all of your beauty needs, all in an opulent setting without the hefty price tag.

In our modern, fast-paced world, we need access to a full range of services all under one roof. Having all of your esthetics and hair services coordinated for you at one location is infinitely more relaxing than trying to organize them at a number of different locations, then rushing from one spot to another.

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Kara Kuryllowicz

portrait :

Wilson Huynh Studio

What is unique about Indulge Beauty Bar? It is the combination of many elements, including our convenient location, the beautiful well-designed modern space, the fair prices, the friendly experienced staff, the range of high-quality products and of course, our ability to exceed our client’s expectations. Having an element of fun is also really important, after all our clients come in to relax and get pampered!

We are open late until 8:00 p.m. during the week and to 6:00 p.m. on weekends to accommodate our clients’ busy lifestyles. We have a big-screen TV that features favourite shows and movies. You can also enjoy a cappuccino or espresso while listening to some uplifting modern music.

Our clients love that we offer monthly promotions, the convenience of booking online and the new Indulge Rewards program which allows you to earn your way to free services.

We welcome private group parties and events, so whether it’s a bridal party, shower, birthday or bachelorette – we host them all at Indulge Beauty Bar. What services and products can clients expect to find?

A full range of services including manicures, pedicures, skincare and facials, waxing, threading, tinting, makeup, blowouts, hair extensions, haircuts and hair colour. As for

products, we exclusively use professional brands that we know deliver the best results, from the cuticle oil to the wax and everything in between. We never cut any corners.

We don’t offer or recommend any product that we haven’t personally tested and proven over time.

Can you tell me about your team?

During your manicure and pedicure, you can relax and enjoy the hand and foot massages as we use lotion that is parabenfree and petroleum-free. In addition, we use nail polish that is 7 Free, which means it does not contain: toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, phthalates (DBP), formaldehyde resin, xylene and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK).

This spring and summer, we are also introducing some new and exciting products, including fun flip-flops, trendy fashion accessories, and expanding our own makeup line which is manufactured here in Canada.

Indulge’s beauty team are professionals who have invested in the formal education and practical training that is required to earn certificates from recognized programs at schools such as Humber and George Brown. While these programs are excellent, I encourage and provide off-site seminars and training sessions year-round as well as in-house training which enables the staff to learn from each other and share tips and tricks. Our industry, its products, processes and techniques are continually evolving and I encourage my staff to continually seek out new learning experiences.

What about the health and safety standards you maintain?

That excitement is contagious and it’s good for everyone at Indulge.

Health and safety are of paramount importance and we take it very seriously. We meet and exceed the City of Toronto Public Health standards. We follow strict sanitation and sterilization protocols, use medical-grade disinfectant and sterilize all tools and stations between each and every client.

If a tool cannot be sterilized, we simply replace it with a brand new one. We use jet-less pedicure stations and we never double dip our wax sticks.

The convenience of one-stop services, attention to detail, high standards, progressive experienced staff and the enjoyable overall atmosphere allow our clients to indulge in the best beauty experience available.

We make a point of hiring experienced estheticians and hair stylist who truly see this as a long-term career and recognize that their initial and ongoing training ensures our client’s benefit from our knowledge, technical skill and experience.

Book your next service and mention the promo code: QMAG2016 to receive 15% off* *Certain terms and conditions apply.

Offer valid until September 30th 2016.

Indulge Beauty Bar · 274 Manitoba st, etobicoke 416.463.8543 · www.indulgebeautybar.com 63

Dr. Sky Naslenas B.Sc, DDS, M.Sc, FRCD(C) Staff Orthodontist, Hospital for Sick Children Associate in Dentistry, University of Toronto Owner: Royal York Orthodontics interview :

Aviva Vetter

portrait :

Wilson Huynh Studio

Dr. Naslenas, a mirror image of Nicole Kidman, is energy, charm, and professionalism personified. Perhaps for all those reasons combined, the local cohort of Canadian bred models and actors have sought out Dr. Sky as the Orthodontist of their choice.

Dr. Sky sets high expectations for herself and gets results.

A clear vision of what she wanted out of life propelled her to complete dentistry school and open her own practice, all the while having a vibrant and fulfilling family life.

She envisioned a clinic where patients feel like they are part of the journey.

The age of Google has equipped us all with plethora of information, hence patients are well-informed and opinionated. Dr. Sky has introduced a fresh ‘co-discovery’ approach into her practice. She endeavours to listen and work together with patients, reconciling their wants and needs. The culmination of these treatment plans produces everlasting results of beautiful smiles, ensuring that the most comfortable and well suited treatment modality is used to get the patients there.

Why dentistry, especially the branch of orthodontics?

I love the aspect of design; I am a very visual person. It was important for me to have an artistic element in my chosen career path. It was difficult to reconcile my interest in arts with my love for health sciences. I started out pursuing medicine, aiming to become a plastic surgeon. My desire for more control over my life in terms of a work life balance persuaded me to decline admission into medical school. Instead, I decided to pursue a career in Orthodontics and never looked back! I get to design beautiful smiles in the context of well balanced faces, in an environment of my choice. I derive enormous joy and satisfaction from achieving a final result that is aesthetically pleasing and functional at the same time.

What prompted you to open your own clinic?

I had a very real image in my mind of how I wanted to practice Orthodontics, which didn’t mesh well with other practices I was invited to join. I wanted to wake up in the morning and be excited to go to work and make a difference. Part of that vision included my own practice design, and being able to hire the right team to work along side of me.

Any challenges being a female orthodontist today?

Well, I was six months pregnant in a male dominated field when I opened my clinic in 2005. It’s always been a challenge and in some respects it continues to be, well after establishing myself.

To tell you the truth, I am always up for a challenge! By now, patients know who we are and what we stand for. They find us on their own from far and wide based on our reputation.

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“Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain. As doctors, the greatest ethical test that we’re ever going to face is the treatment of those who are at the mercy of our judgment.”

What types of services do you offer at your clinic?

My main focus is aesthetic options for straightening teeth, such as Invisalign and braces on the inside of the teeth (hidden braces). I have also carved out a specific niche for treatment of migraine headaches and myofacial pain with Botox injections. Using Botox for this type of procedure has been my contribution to the Practice of Dentistry in Ontario.

I was the first dentist in Ontario to establish a relationship with Allergan (the company that makes Botox). I now offer official training courses to other dental and medical practitioners in this area of my expertise.

How fast is the technology changing in your field and how do you stay up to date?

Every three to five years a major development surfaces and it essentially becomes a game changer in the field. These new techniques are not always taught in school, so I read the latest dentistry publications and attend conferences to stay abreast of these developments. My Associate Staff position at the Hospital for Sick Children demands that what I teach the next generation of residents in training, be the latest advances in the field.

What are some of the things one must consider before beginning on an orthodontic procedure?

It’s important to be clear on the time commitment involved and to be patient! The results take time, and with our fast paced world, we all have a tendency to be lured towards immediate gratification. Everyday tasks like brushing your teeth, may take a little longer and slurred speech may also be a concern initially. I like to get everything out in the open right from the beginning, so as not to mislead anyone.

Working through the process by explaining the best and worst case scenarios prepares everyone involved.

Patient experience This first example of patient experience speaks to the “human factor” that is as important as being a superb orthodontist.

I will quote an excerpt from one of my Sick Kids patient’s “thank you” cards. It is touching to me that a human factor was noticed, not just my professional acuity.

As a doctor I always aim for results that are nothing short of excellent, and that reward me on a professional level. However, the journey of how I got there is very important to the patient.

“Firstly, a great person along with a great orthodontist. I have been her patient for over ten years and not once have I had a complaint about any aspect of my care. Very friendly and absolutely aware of her patient and the treatment she is providing to them. The results I got from her treatment are absolutely phenomenal...she has done a great job on my teeth and continues to do so. Without a doubt, best orthodontist in Toronto.

She has changed many lives and fixed problems that seemed to be unfixable. Dr. Sky is a great orthodontist, a lovely lady, full of positive energy.”

Is everyone a good candidate?

Yes, definitely. Your smile can never be too perfect!

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BEFORE

AFTER 24MO. INVISALIGN

Patient experience: This second example is the use of cutting edge technology (Invisalign) to treat a patient comprehensively. This case demonstrated the importance of not only aligning the teeth, but imparting better facial balance overall.

Notice the overall appearance in the patient’s profile, the difference in the position of the upper lip and the tip of the nose. Advancing the upper jaw in a non-growing individual would require jaw surgery, however proper diagnosis and execution may harness the patient’s natural growth potential to yield improvement in the overall facial appearance in a conservative and non-invasive manner.

Can you describe the perfect customer experience?

From the moment a patient walks through the door for their first visit, I want them to feel welcome and to know that I strive for accessibility and flexibility while attaining the best possible results. I want my patients to know that they will be fully supported through this process. Many of my patients find us through word of mouth, so my team and I work very hard to live up to the high standard that we set for our clinic.

I make it a practice to ensure that my patients have all the information they need. Above all, I want every patient to leave happy and, if, for some reason that’s not the case, I will do my utmost to find a solution.

What influences your judgement?

Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain. As doctors, the greatest ethical test that we’re ever going to face is the treatment of those who are at the mercy of our judgment.

They say a beautiful smile makes all the difference, how true is this statement?

A smile has the ability to influence life in a positive way, it can speak to one’s self-confidence, and straighter teeth can create an illusion of whiter teeth. I like to say, a smile is a curve that puts everything straight.

properly before I call upon our team of Plastic surgeons to reconstruct the jaws. The treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate and other facial deformities is paramount to a patient’s overall well-being, including confidence, adequate nutrition, emotional stability and intellectual growth. Joining the world renowned team at Sick Kids has been an honour and a privilege. It has brought my career full circle since my original desire was to work in facial reconstruction. I have personal and professional satisfaction from every angle. I consider myself immensely fortunate to have been granted these opportunities.

What motivates you?

The feeling of knowing that I am in a position made a positive contribution to someone’s life is enough to make me jump out of bed every morning. It’s truly gratifying to see my patients’ faces light up with beautiful smiles.

I feel very grateful to have the love and support of my husband Tony, who, despite having an uber successful career as a surgeon, finds the time to be with the family, to be a role model to our children, and to encourage me in all of my endeavours.

Tell us about your involvement with the Hospital for Sick Children I was invited to join a multidisciplinary team, whose focus is treating craniofacial cases, such as Cleft Lip and Palate deformation, Pierre Robin, Crouzon’s and others.

My role is to ensure that the patient’s occlusion if set up

royal york orthodontics · 3029 Bloor St W, Etobicoke 416.207.0885 · skynaslenas@royalyorkprtho.com · www.royalyorkortho.com 66

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Family Fun & Activities

photo :

Ian Woo

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Martha Moen Founder: Paint & Pixels interview :

Aviva Vetter

photos :

Wilson Huynh Studio

With a passion for the arts, Martha set out to be a trailblazer in the art meets digital tech world. Her imagination led her to envision a space where people of all ages—especially children—feel free to express themselves through traditional art, such as painting or sculpture, integrated with technology.

What led you to open Paint & Pixels?

My children have always been drawn to painting and exploring through art. The expression on my daughter’s face when she is creating is just pure joy! I wanted to increase that emotion in her and allow her to explore further. My immediate thought was to enroll her in art classes, but I couldn’t find anything suitable that also integrated other digital mediums. I wanted to find a class that would encourage experimentation with art, having fun with it and using one’s creative resources to transform images using technology.

What is Paint & Pixels?

It’s an art studio that combines the digital arts—iPads, art applications and a ‘green screen’—into the creative process of the traditional arts such as painting and sculpture. Our workshops, camps and classes integrate the two elements.

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What are some of Paint & Pixels programs and classes?

We have a wide variety of classes, programs and events to suit any taste—from charity night and craft night to themed birthday parties and School Break camps. We believe that it’s important to give back to the community, so we created Charity Night—painting with a purpose. The activity is a night of fun with a percentage of proceeds going to a local cause. We feature a different charity every month.

Craft Night is a family and friends event, which includes a painting lesson and a drink.

One of my most popular events is hosting themed birthday parties. We also organize custom events for any occasion; for example, team events or bachelorette parties. The ‘green screen’ is a great visual arts tool which allows children to see themselves in a setting of their choosing—their favourite movie, pop star video or even investigating another planet.

It really encourages imagination and creative growth. One of the best parts of every activity and event is that you get to leave with your creation ready to hang at home.

Tell me about your team Every single person we have on board brings a different dimension to the table. We have the very talented Kelly and Lisa, a sister duo whose Grandfather painted with the Group of Seven. Brandon is another talented artist and Paint Night

“We want to help kids and adults enjoy all the amazing art activities that are way too messy to do at home, and laugh lots and have fun—there are no mistakes in art!” leader with professional training from the Ontario College of Art and Design. Caitlin and Silvia are core members of the team. Caitlin is in her element when exploring colour in abstract painting, and Silvia is an Early Childhood Educator who loves giving kids one-on-one support to explore new digital media. Last but not least, we have Erica, who loves to give back and finds meaning in every piece of art, and Alana who has a background in music and portrays a genuine fusion of technology and art with every piece she creates.

How does art benefit children?

I believe that art not only allows a child to realize their creative impulses, but also encourages the imaginative process. I’ve witnessed this first hand through the experiences of my own children, as well as every child that walks through the Paint & Pixels door. This is one of the only avenues where a child is really free to explore with no boundaries. You can feel their passion when they are creating something. They are not only proud of their accomplishment but they put all their care and attention into perfecting their masterpiece.

patience, creates challenges, and builds capability as well as confidence.

Aside from the conventional tools and techniques one learns in art class, new ways of designing have made themselves available through the advent of technology—such as stop motion polymer clay movie design all completed on the iPad. One of my favourite things is watching a child focus and concentrate on their piece of art so intently, and then see their delighted expression as they reveal their creation to their parents at the end. It’s pure magic!

What is the main focus of Paint & Pixels?

We have an innovative space that combines established art techniques with emerging tools and apps. We want to help kids and adults enjoy all the amazing art activities that are way too messy to do at home, and laugh lots and have fun—there are no mistakes in art!

Is there an educational component?

Art in the traditional sense of the word—paint to canvas— has always shied away from technology integration. But today, with the major technological advancements we’ve come to use everyday, it’s almost a natural transition to see what can be created using the two mediums. Whether we’re ready or not, the world has already moved into the technological era, so now is the perfect time to discover how technology can enhance teaching art. Art teaches Paint & Pixels · 699 The Queensway, Etobicoke · 647.351.1550 info@paintandpixels.net · www.paintandpixels.net 71

Leon Brown President: Royal York Football Club interview :

Aviva Vetter

portrait :

Ian Woo

photos :

Wilson Huynh Studio

From Bristol Rovers to the Winnipeg Fury, Leon Brown lives and breathes soccer or as he commonly refers to as football. Years after he kicked his first ball, Leon brought the business and passion of football to the heart of Etobicoke by launching the Royal York Football Club. The Club’s mission is to inspire and teach football to players of all ages and skill level with the goal of increasing their technical ability.

What made you decide to launch a soccer club?

As an ex-footballer, I thought of opening a soccer club as a natural extension of myself. I remember the joy of kicking the ball for the first time as a child. I was always the one who rounded up all my friends and neighborhood kids to play.

As I retired from my professional career, those memories were still so vivid. I needed to find my way back to football, in any capacity. So in 2009, I came full circle and launched Royal York Football Club and I’ve been living my passion ever since. The best feeling is that coming to the office doesn’t feel like work.

What programs does the club offer?

We offer a wide variety of training programs – youth house league, recreation and competitive soccer as well as recreation and competitive soccer for adults—something to suit every need. Our kids training programs are set in groups for both boys and girls. The classes range from Tiny 72

Tots, ages 3-4—we get our young players moving, active and engaged with physical literacy as the primary focus. Mini Masters and Junior Champions classes are aimed at ages 5 through 9. At this stage we encourage players to have fun and be creative with the ball. Players aged 9 and up learn how to train. For players who want to be in a competitive environment, we offer multiple days specialized technical training programs, with the goal of teaching players to increase their technical ability with the ball at higher speeds and greater repetition. We also have player-centric classes, which cater to a girl’s development and technical building. Our football school and house league are the first entry point into the competitive world of soccer, for boys and girls ages 5-8. Last, but definitely not least, is our youth goalkeeping technical training, which focuses on goalkeeper skills and conditioning.

Who is the team behind the Club?

Attitude, skill and positive support are paramount to the game, for players, coaches and everyone in the player’s daily life. That’s why my team consists partly of international coaches, since they have an innate sense of the sport along with the attitude needed to bring out the best in each player.

The bottom line is that my team, backroom staff and coaches must be better than myself and by teaching them to push their boundaries, I am ensuring the best possible outcome

“Soccer can play a key role in a child’s physical and social development. A player develops agility, speed, endurance as well as a strong knowledge of teamwork. Playing in a team can help develop a child’s ability to cooperate and interact with others.” for all involved. I strive to foster a collaborative, team workcentered environment for each coach and backroom staff so the feeling of camaraderie trickles down to the players, creating a positive football environment for everyone.

time in a player’s lifespan when they have to continuously demonstrate technique and composure with the ball.

How does soccer benefit children?

Making it to the professional level is extremely difficult— about one percent of players will actually go all the way.

Enrollment at Royal York comprises mainly of recreational soccer. The majority of players join Royal York Football Club to experience good technical football training in a football environment, develop technical skills, have fun and play the game to the best of their ability. The other percentage enrolls with the hope of taking their game to the collegiate level or to experience football overseas. This is where the business of football begins. To really have the best chance of getting to the top, children would normally begin training between the ages of 5-11. Aside from the player having soccer as his or her primary focus and often only vision in life, technique, fitness, strength and a strong attitude is everything when it comes to competing at the very top.

Soccer can play a key role in a child’s physical and social development. A player develops agility, speed, endurance as well as a strong knowledge of teamwork. Playing in a team can help develop a child’s ability to cooperate and interact with others. Experiencing winning and losing as well as the highs of achieving a certain technique are also beneficial. An important developmental factor is not giving up when things fall short. To excel, communication is key and everyone must work together. Lastly, soccer is beneficial as it ensures each player’s confidence on and off the field, keeps them physically active and encourages strong civility within their family, friends and community.

How important is technique to the game?

Technique is everything in football. Even at an individual’s active start age, teaching minimal technique with regard to basic movement is paramount. As a player delves deeper into the sport, technique along with an intimate understanding of the game becomes increasingly imperative. It’s no longer enough to be fast, big or strong. There comes a

If interested, how does one get to the professional level of football?

Our role here at Royal York Football Club is to be the cornerstone of a child’s training and development with the aim of achieving their playing goal. If a player flies through the various development stages while demonstrating professional level qualities, we would do our utmost to get 73

the player noticed outside of Canada using our network. A good rule of thumb is to start a player’s technical journey while they are young. Though there are a lot of high achieving players who’ve had a late start. My belief is to never underestimate someone’s capability.

How popular is football in Canada?

The game of football is becoming more and more popular these days. Historically, football in Canada has been seen more as a leisure activity pastime than a proper training and technical structured sport. In recent years, Canadian professional soccer teams such as Toronto FC, Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps have really peaked the public’s interest in the beautiful game here in Canada.

This in turn has helped with the popularity and education of the sport. Because of the rise in popularity and global

education of the game, children are beginning to play soccer at home from a young age in a more structured technical environment. Canada is not yet a football powerhouse, but it’s a brilliant time to play or be involved in the game.

Coaching and education around technical football training has gotten much better on all levels, this can only mean great things for football across Canada. I am positive, passionate and very optimistic for the future of football in this country.

Tell me about your role in giving back to the community Being involved in the community is one of the most important elements of the Club. We give back to the community by offering free technical programs throughout the year. We also host an annual free football day for parents and players of the club. Buffet, beverages and a free tournament are served up. One of our initiatives involves working with the deaf as well as atrisk communities to provide them with technical football training on a regular basis.

What is your philosophy?

My philosophy comes from a holistic approach, focusing on training along with development. Development goes hand in hand with training and is key to grasping the game. We use a player-centric approach, where we hone in on individual skill, providing him or her with a tailored pathway, placing each player into the position where they have the best chance of growing. This way the cards are always stacked in their favor!

Royal York Football Club · 701 The Queensway, Etobicoke · 647.717.2846 info@royalyorkfc.com · www.royalyorkfc.com 74

Technical Training Programs Royal York Football Club provides various technical football training programs to primarily the youth market, 2 -15 years of age. Below are a list of the programs on offer at the club: Dad and Me (ages 2-3) Summer Camps (ages 3-12) Tiny Tots (ages 3-4) Mini Fun (ages 4-5) Mini Masters (ages 5-6) 4 on 4 house League (ages 5-12) Football School (ages 5-10) Junior Champions (ages 7-8)

Development Technical (ages 8-11) Goalkeeping Tech Training (ages 8-15) Presidents Tech Training (ages 9-14) Junior Stars Tech Training (ages 9-10) Royal York Juniors (ages 11-12) Recreation House League (ages 13-15) Private 1 on 1 Tech Training (ages 8-50) Private Group Tech Training (ages 8-50)

Go online to view all our programs and register: www.royalyorkfc.com

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Stand & Deal Inc. www.stand-deal.com

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New Orthodontic Studio in Roncesvalles opening July/August 2016 New patients welcome! Call us at 416 207 0885

Dr. Naslenas is a leading authority in the field of orthodontics. Earning her Masters of Science degree and Orthodontic certification from University of Toronto, Dr. Sky is a trusted expert in her field.

Dr. Naslenas also holds an associate staff position at the Hospital for Sick Children, where combined orthodontic-surgical approach is utilized to treat children with craniofacial anomalies such as cleft lip and palate, and other physiologic/ developmental challenges.

“It’s a privilege and an honour to be able to positively impact people’s self-esteem and confidence.”

“Our goal at Royal York Orthodontics is to provide orthodontic care at an elite standard of excellence. We want to deliver that care in a manner that exceeds your expectations."

Dr. Sky Naslenas

Early Interceptive treatment prevents tooth removal and gently guides jaw growth into improved facial balance.

Clear aligners are virtually invisible. Cutting-edge approach to treatment. No braces, just straight teeth.

Through the use of gentle micropulses, bone remodeling is accelerated, allowing teeth to move up to 50% faster.

Botox is a treatment option for adults with chronic migraines and helps to alleviate muscle tension and TMJ symptoms.

Dr. Naslenas was voted into the list of Top 10 Female Orthodontists in the World by her patient feedback and reviews.

Royal York Orthodontics · 3029 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario · 416 207 0885 www.royalyorkortho.com

Proud member of The Humberview Group

GRAND REOPENING OF HUMBERVIEW VOLKSWAGEN JUNE

2016

Join us this June as we unveil our completely renovated dealership.

Our state-of-the-art design includes contemporary sales offices and customer lounges, technologically-advanced service drive and a very special feature that is one-of-kind in North America and something that you will not want to miss!

Visit us to discover Toronto’s newest Volkswagen dealership and experience our award-winning sales and service departments.

1650 The Queensway

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Toronto, ON

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M8Z 1X1

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(416) 259-7656