Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs by FIAT LUX MEDIA

MAY 2017

ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

Celebrating

Women Entrepreneurs FEATURING...

Dean Inglis

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MASTHEAD MAY 2017

ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

ON THE COVER

CELEBRATING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Celebrating

Women Entrepreneurs

FEATURING: Dean Inglis

Cover by: Andrea Marchant As It Happens Photography Inc. www.asithappensphoto.com 905-844-2727

FEATURING...

Dean Inglis

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE Photo: ©Andrea Marchant, As It Happens Photography

Join us in celebrating women entrepreneurs in our community! In many ways, entrepreneurs drive our local economy. They’re the ones who take the big risks and follow their dreams. Most of the local business owners I speak with, many of whom are women, were doing something very different before they decided to open their retail shop. We’ve taken the opportunity to highlight some of these women and share their stories on what inspired them to take a leap of faith, what challenges they’ve faced along the way, and what advice they might offer to those interested in starting their own business. As always, thank you for reading. Roger Tumminieri, Publisher Fiat Lux Media

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WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: MARLENE SAMMY, BRANCH YOGA & WELLNESS

Some days, most days, there is too much to do. Too many lists to check, items to oversee and plans to execute. Surveys suggest we are busier than ever before, racing around, sending and processing information and juggling workplace pressures with growing personal responsibilities. More and more I feel like a robot on the fritz - arms waving, mainframe smoking and beeping uncontrollably. If like me, you’re a female entrepreneur, this may hold especially true. As a yoga teacher and studio owner I’m not immune to the rush of life. Although I seek harmony between taking care of business and taking care of myself, this can be challenging when running two studios, an e-commerce shop, not to mention a household. Thankfully, yoga offers many tools to find ease calm and balance. Nadi Shodhana, or “alternate nostril breathing,” is one such technique. It’s simple effective and powerful to restore balance, get grounded and battle the frazzle of everyday life.

7. Open your right nostril and release the breath slowly through the right side; pause briefly at the bottom of the exhale. 8. Inhale through the right side slowly. 9. Hold both nostrils closed (with ring finger and thumb). 10. Open your left nostril and release breath slowly through the left side. Follow your breath with your awareness and repeat for 5-10 cycles. Give this a try when you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or in need of a reset button. Marlene Sammy owns and operates Branch Yoga & Wellness (branchyoga. com) and Fly Studio (FlyQueenWest. com). When not teaching yoga, aerial yoga and Pilates you can find her sipping a green smoothie, working on her businesses, and sharing life @MarleneSammy

Give it a try: 1. Take a tall and comfortable seat. 2. Relax your left palm comfortably in your lap and bring your right hand just in front of your face. 3. With your right hand, take your pointer finger and middle finger to rest between your eyebrows, lightly using them as an anchor. The fingers you’ll be actively using are your thumb and ring finger. 4. Close your eyes and take a deep breath in and out through your nose. 5. Close your right nostril with your right thumb. Inhale through the left nostril slow and smooth. 6. Close the left nostril with your ring finger so both nostrils are held closed; retain your breath at the top of the inhale for a brief pause.

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HAPPY MOTHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DAY

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: MARY MARRELLO & DODIE MCDONALD

Mary Marrello, Director

Dodie McDonald, Broker

By: Mary Marrello

Long live the diversity between men and women as something that should be celebrated and not compared. We are all part of the human race and share many similarities, and thankfully we also have our differences. My business partner and I were friends long before we entered into business together. As two women, we felt very comfortable in laying our proverbial cards on the table in order to establish the ground work for our business venture and opening our very own Real Estate Brokerage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Home & Condo Market, Brokerage.

Nurturing our relationships and staff is part of our make-up. We do not hesitate to set time aside for an impromptu meeting or to provide support to those around us in need. I believe our patient and caring nature has helped us establish very strong ties and lasting relationships with our clients, staff, and the business community at large. The best part of our relationship is how we harness the power of each others strengths and effectively soften our weaknesses.

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W e can’t forget t h e brotherly influence we get from our male counterparts. I was fortunate to work for many years in the building and development industry. It was working with men that helped me dispel the cultural norm and be the best I can be. “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” -Helen Keller LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE

Working with our community, Trillium Health Partners Foundation is dedicated to raising the critical funds needed to address the highest priority needs of Trillium Health Partners—Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga Hospital, and Queensway Health Centre—one of the largest community-based, academically affiliated, acute care facilities in Canada. Our mission is to inspire our community to invest in a new kind of health care for a healthier community. Our hospital is committed to delivering high quality, accessible, and sustainable health care that helps people in our community be as healthy as they can be, at every stage of their lives.

We are CLEAR designing our health-care LADIES, YOUR CALENDARS!

services entirely around patients’ Monday, to Junethe 19, right 2017 needs, ensuring access Golfand Club,at Milton care, in theGranite rightRidge place, the right time. The result isYourthe creation support will help build Trillium Health Partners’ new of an interconnected system of Women’s Imaging and Assessment Centre, to the health care between our contributing hospital andof women the in our community. community that provides access Register to sustainable health caretoday: with exceptional patient experiences— trillium wwd.ca every time, no matter what time of day, or which of our three sites patients choose. This is what a new kind of health care looks like. To help Trillium Health Partners achieve this, we will develop meaningful community partnerships to support patients and their families at every step of their healthcare journey. We will continue to contribute to the building of signature patient spaces, acquire important new technologies, and support the hospital’s commitment to practical innovations through applied research and education.

Credit Valley Hospital | Mississauga Hospital | Queensway Health Centre

That’s who Trillium Health Partners Foundation is. And that’s why we raise funds for Trillium Health Partners—because government support is not enough. We raise funds for Trillium Health Partners so that you can continue to receive the very best health care, in your community, without being referred to downtown Toronto. But we can’t do it alone. We need our community’s help. Together, we

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WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: TERESA FUJARCZUK

can ensure accessible, sustainable, and high quality health care today— and for generations of families to come. Trillium Health Partners serves Mississauga, west Toronto, and the surrounding communities. Women with Drive is in its 16th year and attracts professional women from the GTA and surrounding areas for a day of friendly competition, shopping and a fantastic silent auction – all fore a good cause. Proceeds from this year’s Women with Drive Golf Tournament will be directed to our My Hospital Fund – with a special focus on Women’s Diagnostics. Our My Hospital Fund supports all of the integral medical areas that we, or our families and friends, all come to rely on at some point, like our Emergency Department— which is the busiest in Canada and the United States—and essential Diagnostic Imaging, and our testing laboratories, among others. Proceeds will also help Trillium Health Partners continue to enhance our physical spaces so that they fully meet our patients’ needs. Trillium Health Partners is committed to providing patientcentred care that is responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values. Your support is enabling transformational health care and contributing to our mission to advance a new kind of health care for a healthier community.

“Advice I would offer aspiring entrepreneurs, I would say the following: Be porous, open your mind to new ideas, thoughts and ways of thinking about and looking at business and its challenges. Read everything and all things. You just never know where ideas will come from and how two distinct ideas or thoughts can be linked together. Seek out, and heed, the advice of other entrepreneurs and experts, especially if they are older than you. Chances are they have seen it all before and have figured out a way to deal with it. If they are still in business there is probably a good reason why and the wealth of knowledge that you can gain from them is immeasurable.” Teresa Fujarczuk, Board Member Trillium Health Partners Foundation

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WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: JASMINE DENHAM, THE STOP

What did you do for work before you started The Stop? Aside from a year that I was a school teacher for kids with special needs, I have always worked in music. When I was younger I had a record deal and released my own albums and music videos. I was Nelly Furtado’s backup singer for close to 10 years, and I have always been a Songwriter. I had a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music in the UK for several years so I spent most of my late 20’s and early 30’s travelling the world writing songs with artists and hit producers. I wrote songs for artists like Kylie Minogue, Yumiko Cheng, Canadian Idol winners, German pop girl groups, and most recently I wrote the theme song for the TO2015 Pan Am Games that was performed by Serena Ryder. As cool as all of those jobs were, my favourite, and probably most fulfilling job, was when I was the Musical Director and Vocal Coach for YTV’s hit TV show “The Next Star”. That show was kind of like “American Idol”, but for kids. It was the job where I was able to take all of my prior experiences, and put them to work while inspiring and empowering kids to find their voice, reach into their most vulnerable yet powerful part of their soul, and share it on the stage. My husband, Owen, and I made all of the music for the show; and I coached the kids

everyday, right up to the moment they walked onto the stage for these episodes that happened every week. I wrote songs for the kids, and produced some of their commercial recordings…so a bit of everything. I guess I’ve always been in a place where I was “supporting” others, whether that was coaching, creating, inspiring, or simply “having their back” with my voice. What inspired you to start The Stop? When The Next Star ended after 7 amazing seasons I felt that calling…that need to “fill the gap”, because there was no show, there was no outlet where kids could come and do what we did there on the show...Real “Pop Star Training”! I wanted to build a place where that could happen and I wanted this place to be a place of grand celebration. On top of the coolest music training, I would offer the most incredible Pop Star birthday parties. These would be the kind of parties that kids (and parents) dreamed about. Kids could get “glammed” and walk the “red carpet”, they could record songs and make their own CDs, they could film slick Music Videos and work with a Choreographer, or they could have a pumpin’ “club style” party with a DJ, laser lights, candy bar and a photobooth. This was my dream, and I set out to find the perfect space.

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As for my husband, he had been a Sound Engineer for years travelling the world with bands, taking care of them and creating bespoke tour props and instruments. Together we felt that in our city there was a need for a trendy and modern rehearsal space, and he wanted to build it, so we decided to encompass this into our plan. We would build a “complex” that would be a one stop shop for artists and dreamers. That’s where the name of our business comes from. Incorporated we are “The One Stop Pop Shop Incorporated”…and short form, we are THE STOP!

The biggest piece of advice that I would offer is to be flexible and take your time. Planning ahead involves more than putting ideas on paper, but also about creating alternative plans for when things don’t go as you thought they would. You have to think beyond the obvious. I’m a big believer that every obstacle comes with the tools to solve it, and that there are many different roads that lead to success. Oh…and HAVE FUN, because if you’re not, then owning a business might not be for you!

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Photo: ©Andrea Marchant, As It Happens Photography

What advice would you offer others who are thinking of starting their own business?

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: DEAN INGLIS, ESTATE OF CALM

What did you do for work before you started Estate of Calm?

That is when I decided to start Estate of Calm.

I was a Shiatsu Therapist and Wholistic Consultant for 27 years. My downtown practice included a wide spectrum of patients, including Olympic athletes with pulled muscles to end of life care with patients dying of AIDS at Casey House.

What are some of the challenges you face as an entrepreneur?

What inspired you to start Estate of Calm? Clearing out my apartment of 6 years and moving myself to my family home to care for my dying Mother. When my Mom died 4 years later I had 2 weeks in which to pack up my stuff and my parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; treasured belongings of 51 years. In doing this I realized that there are many other people doing the same heart-wrenching task all by themselves. A few friends were impressed with my move and asked me to help them declutter, sort, and pack. I enjoyed the process of helping them transition in a very stressful time in their lives.

Not having the expertise in everything that it takes to design and build a successful business. How have you managed to overcome them? In overcoming these challenges I first admitted to myself what I did not know and sought out experts to help me. I read, went to lectures, asked for mentorship, and hired industry experts. All along I knew what I wanted and was flexible yet firm with my vision. What advice would you give others who are thinking of starting their own business? Be prepared to spend some money. Also picture what you want by drawing and writing about it. Talk to positive people. Talk to practical people, and stay away from nay sayers.

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If I may quote Rumi. “Set your life on fire. Seek out those who fan your flames.”

Photo: ©Andrea Marchant, As It Happens Photography

I believe that Rumi was talking about reaching out for support and help to be the best you can be.

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ED A U G N A TI M N T CO RIN P M RO

TAKING THE FIRST STEPS by Clinton Emslie this carries a high opportunity cost. Starting a business in Canada can seem overwhelming at first as there are just so many things to do! This guide to starting a business is designed to help you make your dream of becoming an entrepreneur a reality.

Each step of this guide will roughly show you how to complete that step. The steps are roughly in order but you don’t need to follow the order when you’re starting a business. 1. Come up with a Good Idea for a Business: One thing that’s the same about starting a business in Canada as anywhere else is that you need a good business idea first. Do some online research to find small and homebased business ideas you can browse through, how to come up with winning business ideas of your own, and how to test the viability of your business idea once you’ve chosen one.

Last month, we launched the program of helping you turn your idea into a business. This month we take that further into the array of things that need to be carried out in order to be successful, and not end up with those 75% who fail on the first try. It’s not how many hours you work nor is it how many hurdles you must overcome, rather business is about getting from point A to point B in the quickest manner possible while maintaining product quality and healthy margins. More often when starting a business, entrepreneurs spend too much time on small, unimportant details. Since time is our most valuable asset,

2. Testing your Idea: 75% of new businesses fail within the first three years. Too often people rush into business without carefully checking out their idea to see if it will work, therefore “Research is essential.” While the internet makes it possible to conduct research without leaving your desk, Googling isn’t enough. Talk to real people who are in the business you want to go into. Talk to people who might be your customers and get their views and opinions. Test your ideas if possible. 3. Writing a Business Plan: A business plan is a written description of your business’s future. That’s all there is to it--a document that describes what you plan to do and how you plan to do it. If you jot down a paragraph on the back of an envelope describing your business strategy, you’ve written a plan, or at least the germ of a plan.

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So what’s included in a business plan, and how do you put one together? Simply stated, a business plan conveys your business goals, the strategies you’ll use to meet them, potential problems that may confront your business and ways to solve them, the organizational structure of your business (including titles and responsibilities), and finally, the amount of capital required to finance your venture and keep it going until it breaks even.

advertising.

Sound impressive? It can be, if put together properly. A good business plan follows generally accepted guidelines for both form and content.

Functional and Descriptive names work when the point is to direct attention to the company brand. They’re not as effective when all they do is explain what the company does. Invented names are great because they’re memorable and fun to say, but ensure they explain what it is you actually do. Experiential names play off the experience of using a product or service and make sense to the consumer. But on the flipside, they’re used so often the impact is dulled. Evocative names are usually the most successful but also the hardest to get right.

4. Choosing your Brand Name – One that STANDS OUT: Coming up with the right name is probably the single-most important branding concern for a business. A good name demonstrates your brand and your values. A bad name forces you to resort to explaining and

Names are about language and conversation. It doesn’t matter how many linguists you can get to justify a particular name. Everybody is saturated with messages and people can only remember so many and they’re only going to notice a name that is memorable.

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5. Selecting the right form of Business Ownership: What forms of business ownership can you choose to legally structure your business when you’re starting a business in Canada? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of the forms of business ownership? There are essentially four forms of business ownership in Canada, the sole proprietorship, the partnership, the corporation, and the cooperative. Do some research on the benefits of each form and choose the right one for you. 6. Registering your business name: Business name registration is a legal requirement for almost all businesses in Canada. Find out whether or not you have to register your new business’s name and learn all the details about business name registration for new businesses in Canada. You can go to this link to find out more: www.ontario.ca/page/registering-your-business-name 7. Find financing means: While many new small businesses are financed out of their owners’ pockets “Owners Equity”, many others need an infusion of funds from other sources to get off the ground. Finding and selecting the right funds can be tricky and entrepreneurs need to be mindful of taking hasty decisions regarding financing a business. Bad decisions have long term repercussions: High interest rates, unfair fiscal practices, and downright bad intentions by financiers themselves. Always go into a financing agreement with EYES WIDE OPEN, and ask for professional help from an attorney if need be, before signing anything. 8. Get a business license: While not necessary for all business-

es, many new businesses will need to get business licenses before they can operate legally within their municipalities. If your city or town doesn’t have a website, you can find the information in the blue pages of your phone book. You may also need other licenses and permits depending on what kind of business you’re starting. 9. Register for GST / PST or HST: If your new small business’s gross income exceeds $30,000, you must register for GST/HST. (Note that this Small Supplier exemption doesn’t apply to all businesses: taxi and limousine services, for instance, must always register for GST/HST.) Even if you’re not making much money to start, though, you may want to register for GST/HST immediately because of Input Tax Credits, which are basically your way of getting back the GST/HST your business has paid out on purchases for business use. Some provinces have not harmonized their sales taxes with the federal goods and services tax (GST) and in those provinces, you will also have to register to collect and remit the appropriate provincial tax. 10. Prepare for Employees: When you’re starting a business, hiring employees may be the furthest thing from your mind, but it’s amazing how quickly a business can grow. Once you have employees, your business will probably need to register with the Worker’s Compensation Board in your province. Ensure though that you always hire someone legally as any undue appointments could have dire penalty consequences, not to mention the reputational damage that could cause your brand. 11. Keeping records in order: If you keep good records from the

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12. Make sure you are covered for Risk: Protect your new business by making sure that you have the kinds of business insurance you need. Property, liability, business interruption, key people, and disability insurance are all vital forms of cover you will need, but you should be able to identify all your short and long term risks in your busi ness by conducting a proper in depth Risk analysis, and then implementing the mitigation, avoidance or preventative measures.

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a Career in

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first moment you open your business, things such as accounting and paying taxes become so much easier. Learn how to set up filing systems and handle receipts. Use an accounting platform that makes sense and is easy to use, or appoint and accountant to do it for you. Collect as much data in your business as possible as this lends itself to business analytics that will add a huge amount of value to your business in the future.

The above article of enabling “Taking the first Steps” is a summary in the process of business development which will be elaborated on in future articles. Next month’s article will cover the topic of “Developing a Business Plan” For more information or a consultation with ICL Rezolve on how to help you start, develop or grow an existing business please use the discount code “FLM517” (Exp. 5/31/2017) to book an appointment online at www. iclrezolve.ca

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Trish Manning, Managing Broker

Royal LePage Terrequity Realty, Brokerage

3082 Bloor St. West (416) 495-2704 trishmanning@royallepage.ca trishmanning.com

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Spring Up! Stories are Like Sunshine Mother’s Day is always bittersweet in our family. Despite celebrating my wife, the mother of our six children, with breakfast in bed and a sunny patio lunch, the joyful day is shadowed by the absence of my own mother. Almost 20 years have passed since my mom died. Words still fail to express how much I miss a woman who was the lighthouse in our family and a shining example of a friend and cheerleader to my wife and children. No matter where we are on our journey, whether grieving the death of a loved one or offering comfort to someone in mourning, our ability to communicate often feels inadequate when facing tremendous loss and pain. While platitudes such as “I’m grateful he’s no longer suffering” or “She’s in a better place” are common, absolutely no one is comforted when empty words fill the air, which is why we are naturally drawn to stories. “Let me tell you a story….” is the oldest invitation in human experience. When we share

stories about the people we love, we invite listeners into our world. Personal stories tap into the universal story of what it means to be human, to love, to forgive, to say goodbye. For mourners, stories are especially sacred. “I remember when Bob and I used to…” or “Long before you were born, your mom and I would…” are stories that bridge the past to the present. Our culture tells us that when someone we love dies, we “lose” them. But when someone dies there is no potential for a physical finding, some great discovery, that will recreate our lives to what they once were: a life with the person we love in it. This mourning gap, a

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place devoid of light, is where storytelling shines. Stories help mourners find their loved ones again. By telling stories about the dead we invite the living to reflect on Life and Death, and how the deceased has added depth to who we are and who we might become. Whether celebrating happy events like Mother’s Day, Christmas or birthdays, there is always room for stories about the people we miss and wish were still with us. This spring, don’t shy away from telling stories about people who’ve

died. Celebrate their lives, their lessons, the beautiful light they’ve left behind. On Mother’s Day I always look skyward because like spring sunshine, my mother’s light is still encouraging me to reach up and grow.

Brad Jones has been a funeral director in Etobicoke for over 25 years. He is president of locallyowned, commission-free Ridley Funeral Home in New Toronto (3080 Lake Shore Blvd., across from Humber College). Brad can be reached at 416.259.3705 or BradJones@RidleyFuneralHome.com

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LIVELOCAL Thanks to all those who entered.

CONGRATULATIONS, DIANE!

Diane Kress

WINNER

You’ve won a $50 gift card at Indian Cuisine By The Lake Email us to claim your prize: fiatluxmagazines@gmail.com

Stay tuned for more contests by following us at facebook.com/fiatluxmedia What does it take to grow a small business from your home? According to Oriana Brusco, owner of Green Terrart; a home-based landscaping business serving the GTA, “To be a successful entrepreneur you should love what you do, never give up and go for it, the sky is the limit.” www.greenterrart.com oriana@greenterrart.com (416) 838-5315 Facebook/GreenTerrart

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PET HEALTH Ticks are becoming more predominant in the GTA and the deer tick specifically is found along the shore of Lake Ontario. The deer tick is a carrier of Lyme disease. Remove leaves in your lawn, keep your grass cut and walk in the centre of trails in woody or bushy areas to reduce exposure. Ticks become active at 4°C and can bite you or your pets. Check your pets routinely for ticks after being outdoors from the months of April to November. Ticks attach to your pet’s skin with their mouthparts, feed on their blood and can transmit multiple diseases. Remember, if your pet has a tick you could also be at risk! Your local veterinarian can assist with tick removal and protecting your dog against Lyme disease with vaccinations and tick preventatives. Consult your veterinarian before using over-the-counter tick products for your dog as these may not be very effective and can be quite harmful to cats. Dr. Vanessa Burghart, DVM, MSc, BSc Medical Director, VCA Lakeshore Animal Hospital T 905-278-4580 | F 905-278-5838 www.vcacanada.com

VCA LAKESHORE ANIMAL HOSPITAL T 905-278-4580 F 905-278-5838

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Jonathan Nhan, RPh, CDE Shoppers Drug Mart in Long Branch 3464 Lake Shore Blvd W 416-255-5243 / @nhanjonathan shoppersdrugmart.ca

The SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU. Run for Women is a national event series that supports women’s mental health programs all across Canada. This year, the Toronto event is taking place on June 10, 2017 at Women’s College Hospital. Come out to support this great local cause and raise awareness through participating in the walk or run. The run helps to advocate the general positive effects of exercise on mental health wellness while raising money to support mental health programs in local communities. Visit runforwomen.ca for more details and to register for the 5K walk/run, 10K run, or 1K Little Steps event for ages 12 and under!

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Address: 3663 Lake Shore Blvd W. Toronto, Ontario M8W 1P7 Phone: 416-551-5020 Email: info@homeandcondomarket.com