Women in Business 2015 by The Free Press, Fernie

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, March 5, 2015

LOCAL WOMEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Women in Business A celebration of Elk Valley Business Women

Jenna Woods, Realtor / Fernie Real Estate, Fernie THE FREE PRESS ~ MARCH 2015

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, March 5, 2015

LOCAL WOMEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Who are these exceptional women?

2. Kim Campbell briefly succeeded Brian Mulroney in the role as head of Canada, from June to November 1993. 1. Valentina Tereshkova (Russia) traveled into space in 1963, two years after Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space. Answers

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3. Elizabeth Blackwell (Great Britain) graduated from Geneva Medical College in New York in 1849.

5. Born in Poland, I was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. Actually, I won two: one for physics (1903) and one for chemistry (1911). I discovered po lonium and radium. 6. I represented Romania in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. At age 14, I was the first woman to receive a perfect score of 10 on the uneven bars. I earned the same score in six other events. 7. I was the first woman to head a ma jor Western democracy. I am the only woman to have served as prime minister of the United Kingdom. I was nicknamed the “Iron Lady.”

4. Charlotte Cooper (Great Britain) won an Olympic gold in tennis in Paris in 1900. At that time, women only participated in two disciplines; Margaret Ives Abbott (U.S.A.) won the gold in golf.

WHO AM I?

Marie Curie

1. The first woman in space? 2. The first woman prime minister of Canada? 3. The first woman doctor? 4. The first female Olympic champion?

WHO WAS:

Nadia Comaneci

o you know the women who made history and pioneered the way for so many others? Put your knowledge to the test on International Women’s Day.

orking on the Women In Business section has to be one of my favourite topics to write about. Not only do I have the opportunity to interview some successful and driven women working here in the Elk Valley, it is inspiring to hear their stories, learn from their challenges and have the knowledge that these ladies are but a few of the women that keep our businesses and industries running smoothly and efficiently. Typically these women play many important roles aside from their professional one, as mothers, sisters, daughters and volunteers, and are able to show us all what success can be without losing sight of their other responsibilities. In my roles as co-owner of Rapid Water Services, writer for The Free Press and councillor for the District of Sparwood I am always keen to learn how women are evolving their businesses, facing challenges head on and finding balance between work and family. I know myself as I face some of my busier weeks, that finding and maintaining that healthy balance can sometimes be a struggle, but in those times I know how greatly I am supported by family, friends, and other women in the workforce. It is my hope that as individual communities in our Elk Valley we will be able to come together through business, will learn from one another and encourage each other in all areas of business, social and personal growth and development ensuring that we will all have the resources and knowledge to find personal success. I take great pride in sharing the stories of women throughout the Elk Valley and beyond who have set personal or professional goals and achieved them, women who are role models to many others and women who inspire others to chase their dreams and live their passion. I hope that everyone will have the chance to attend the International Women’s Day Celebrations taking place throughout the Valley, and be inspired by the women featured in our Women in Business feature.

Margaret Thatcher

By Jenna Jensen

Women role models

Sarah LeNeveu

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When it’s time for your service, one of our professional stylists will do an in depth consultation with you so you receive the unique style and treatment you’re looking for. Then, if you wish, you can take part in our Lysh Hair Salon “Before and After Custom Photo Shoot”! Experience one of the best scalp massages around and if you wish for a little extra you can receive an optional scalp or hair treatment with our top of the line hair care products. Our clients receive friendly and expert hair care advice ensuring they leave knowing the best way to protect and care for their beautiful new hair style. Our professional salon products will leave you feeling, relaxed and rejuvenated. You will love your new style and the expert service provided by the caring and fun staff at Lysh Hair Salon. We guarantee it!

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, March 5, 2015

LOCAL WOMEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Marcia Johnson

Co-Owner, Apex Power and Automation How many years have you been in the community? We have lived in the Elk Valley for about seven years. What is your business name, and when did you start your business? Apex Power & Automation, Electrical Contractors, established 2003 in Lethbridge and 2004 in Elkford. What inspired you to start your company? Electrical runs deep in my husband’s family, three generations, so we wanted to put those skills to work in our own business. What’s it like running a business in a small community? Our biggest challenge is hiring people who want to live here and raise their families locally. How do you balance work and your personal life? Thankfully, I have a great family support system. My husband, Brad Johnson and our five kids (kid six lives in Florida), are contributing to the longevity of our business. From cleaning trucks, cutting firewood or organizing the shop there is something for everyone to do, each of us rally together to show our support for our guys out in the field. We work hard and play hard, therefore as a company we host an annual ski trip, camping trip, golf tourney, BBQ’s, shop breakfasts and Christmas parties. How do you continue to evolve your business? Thankfully we have staff with different skill sets which allow us to work not only in industrial but also commercial and residential electrical projects as well. Supporting the work at the mines has always been a key to our business, however, we are currently working on three different school reconstruction projects, a water treatment plant, and an exciting new electric co-generation plant, as well as our daily maintenance projects. In addition to electrical and automation, we offer full service from engineering

to construction, maintenance and training of these projects. We are now also building portable metal buildings that can be transported and placed at any jobsite. What are the challenges you face in the business world? There are changes in the electrical code that we need to be on top of as well, as we are continually learning new technologies, leadership building and honing our customer service skills. We challenge our team with diverse jobs so working together with different personalities and experience helps create great solutions for our clients. What are the demands of your job? Since our company is located both in the B.C. and Alberta, I am continually on the road between provinces. There is a lot of work that happens behind the scenes most weekends so I have to be on the ball in order to make time to attend our kids events as well as scheduling time to be active in our community. For example I am the Chair of the Coal Miner Days Board, Secretary of East Kootenay Scouting, and The Fernie Academy’s Dance/ Fundraiser Coordinator. How many staff members work for you? We have a team of around 30. What are some of the challenges you face being a woman in business? Thankfully, we have had some amazing women in history who have had led the way to help equality in the workforce. As a business owner, I set the wages, so therefore things are based on experience rather than being a man or a woman. What advice do you have to other women wanting to start their own business? It is important to surround yourself with

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a great team of supporters. Like-minded people who help encourage you when things are a struggle. Learn from other entrepreneurs who have already been down the same path - their advice can be priceless. Anything else you would like to share? Apex Power & Automation has just started a dedicated residential division in the Elk Valley. In addition to our industrial crew we now have electricians who work exclusively on home and business solutions. Their experience is based in customer service and providing electrical solutions for home owners.

We proudly recognize the contribution women make to our business and our community!

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Women in Business

Julie Gallant

ReAlign Massage Therapy and Yoga

ulie Gallant is a BC Registered Massage Therapist and Yoga Teacher who has now gone mobile! RELAX as she delivers a first class massage and excellent customer service, all in the comfort of your own home or vacation rental. Combining her expertise of anatomy and ways to treat injuries, conditions and problems she also incorporates the magical power of essential oils to facilitate the healing process, may it be muscular, ligamentous, tendons or other bodily systems. Julie offers yoga programs, also in the comfort of your own home with your group of friends and/or family. Julie adds an original twist to her classes by integrating essential oils, sure to leave your house smelling wonderful! Like her on facebook via Realign Massage Therapy and Yoga to get great body tips! You can contact Julie at: julie.gallant@hotmail.com

Fernie • 250-946-8982 • www.realigmassagetherapy.com

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at Gateway Restaurant on Sunday, March 8th International Women's Day. Drop by Rockies Lounge and check out our specials in honour of International Women's Day Open 4 pm to 11 pm. 102 Red Cedar Dr, Sparwood • (250) 425-2003

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, March 5, 2015

LOCAL WOMEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Angela Etheridge Owner, Etheridge Law How many years have you been in the community? I moved to the Elk Valley in October 2005. What is your business name, and when did you start your business? Etheridge Law and I opened that office in December 2012. What inspired you to start your company? From October 2005 until December 2012 I worked as an associate lawyer at another law office in Fernie, where I gained valuable experience. The inspiration to start my own law office came from many directions, but ultimately, it was the desire to be fully in charge of my working life and environment. It was a decision that I did not make lightly. However, I can say without a doubt that I have no regrets in making the decision to start my own business. It is so much more rewarding to go to work everyday when you are working at something that you alone created and are responsible for. What’s it like running a business in a small community? In particular, running a law office in a small community presents its challenges in the sense that there can be a lot of conflict between potential clients. As lawyers, we have a professional and ethical obligation to avoid any perceived or actual conflicts of interest (meaning that, for example, you cannot put yourself in a position where you cannot represent your client’s interest absolutely). In a

small community, potential conflicts of interest arise frequently. How do you balance work and your personal life? The reason that I moved to the Elk Valley in the first place was because of all of the mountain sports on offer. So, living in this area certainly helps me balance my work and personal life well as I like to be very active. In the summer, I am an avid mountain biker. In the winter months, I snowboard, splitboard, cross country ski and snow bike. When I am going through a particularly busy time at work, like getting ready for, or doing a trial, I am sometimes not able to balance my work and personal life very well, but that is usually time limited and I make up for it when things calm down. How do you continue to evolve your business? This is certainly something I struggle with because the practice of law is difficult to “evolve” in a business sense. Of course, I have to stay current in all areas of law in which I practice and that is an ongoing an onerous task. But in terms of evolving the business aspect of it, I try very hard to offer my client’s ease of communication and transactions by using every electronic method that is available, which is something I think a lot of my clients appreciate. What are the challenges you face in the business world? A business challenge that I face is that I have a lot of empathy for

people that come to me for help when their problems are not necessarily of their own doing. Particularly if the person has financial difficulties, I find it difficult to charge my regular rates. Not charging for your services is not exactly good business sense! But I believe that being a lawyer should be just as much about helping people as making a living. This is a particularly nice aspect of running my own business; I feel that I have more freedom to help people at low or no cost when the situation warrants. What are the demands of your job? The demands of being a lawyer are many, but at the same time I find those demands rewarding. It is a stressful job in the sense that people are really relying on you, but at the same time the fact of that reliance results in a personally rewarding career when you are able to help people work through their problems. What are some of the challenges you face being a woman in business? I occasionally get questions to the effect of whether I am tough enough to do my job. I’ve often wondered if I was a male whether I would still receive those types of questions. I don’t really find this a “challenge” per se, just an anecdotal story; I don’t really let stuff like that bother me. For the most part, I find that the legal community in the East Kootenays is very welcoming to everyone and I generally do not think that

a female lawyer is presented with any extra challenges than her male counterparts (in these parts anyway). What advice do you have to other women wanting to start their own business? If you have an inkling at all to start your own business, first plan and analyze to ensure that the business will be profitable, but once past that hurdle my advice is to just go for it. I had mulled over starting my own office for a long time before I did so. I didn’t do it earlier because I was nervous as to whether it would work out. But in retrospect, although it was a lot of hard work to get things up and running, I didn’t have anything to be nervous about.

Nina Sran

Fernie Pizza & Pasta www.ferniechamber.com 103 Highway 3, Fernie 250-423-6868

Fernie

CHAMBER “Companies that have women on their boards OF COMMERCE generate value to their corporations by broadening market vision, enhancing board dynamics, inspiring female stockholders and improving corporate reputation” Female entrepreneurship has already played and continues to play an important role in modernising societies and changing public attitudes towards women. This is a great time to be a Canadian woman in business. More Canadian women are self-employed than ever before and BC has the highest percentage of ﬁrms that are half-owned by women. There are a great number of resources out there speciﬁcally aimed to support women in business – call the Chamber today 250 423 6868 for more information

Nina has been the owner/operator of Fernie’s newest pizza shop since October 2013, balancing her time between her family and her business. With the support of the community and plenty of hard work, Fernie Pizza & Pasta has built up a loyal customer base throughout the past 18 months.

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, March 5, 2015

LOCAL WOMEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Tamarra Pryhitko

Owner, Sparwood Pacific Mortgage How many years have you been in the being able to offer a product that will suit my community? I am lucky, I grew up in this clients needs. What inspired you to start your company? community and have been here my whole life. I left for a short duration for schooling, and After working in finance, I found myself always returned and was welcomed with open arms. I intrigued and wanting to further my education. love that I get to raise my kids here, as I believe Looking ahead I wanted a career that I didn’t view as a ‘job’ and gave me the ability to stay at this community has so much to offer families. home and raise What is your business name, my two little and when did ones. Being a you start your mortgage broker “If I were to give advice to another gave me both. I business? My am able to work business is a sub women who is thinking about out of my home, brokerage from a larger firm out wanting to start their own business it limiting the time away from of Vancouver, would be to believe in themselves. ” spent my little ones. It Pacific Mortgage does make for Corp. I have some long nights been a broker for at times, but for six years, I did the next couple take some time to start my family where I was still very of years I wouldn’t want it any other way. What’s it like running a business in a small much involved in my business but more on a educational basis. I took the time to learn community? It brings challenges along with more and build relationships with much of my benefits. I feel that people like to be able to lenders. Now having my youngest at almost a connect with the person that they are trusting year, I am excited to ramp up my business and with their financing and largest purchase, be able to share what I have learnt over the past their home. Running a business within this couple of years with my clients. I take pride in community allows me to be that person, if I do

Celebrating the difference women make in our communities. • PROPERTY TRANSFERS • LEASES • WILL PREPARATION • MORTGAGES • AFFIDAVITS & MISCELLANEOUS • NOTARIZATION

not know the person directly they can connect me to a family member or friend. With that some people are not comfortable with someone they know, knowing their personal financial information, which I can understand and appreciate, however I do conduct my business very professionally everything that is discussed is 100 per cent confidential. How do you balance work and your personal life? At times it is hard, my kids are little and require a lot time, it all comes down to scheduling. I have an amazing support system, which enables me to take the time required for my business while knowing that my kids are with family. It is hard leaving your kids to go back to work, but being able to leave them waving and happy is so nice. How do you continue to evolve your business? I recently took my business to social media. There are some great tools and opportunities that can be found with the use of social media and the people that I have been able to connect with has been great. I am also committed to continued education, there is always new information out there. What are the demands of your job? My biggest demand is scheduling, I want to be available for my clients at their convenience. Which means I do not run my business

8am-4pm, I am here for my clients 8am-8pm Monday-Sunday. I dedicate time everyday to watching trends and the markets all while ensuring my clients come first. What are some of the challenges you face being a woman in business? I would have to say my biggest challenge would be having dual responsibilities to my business and my family, and finding ways to devote time to both in trying to achieve a work-life balance. What advice do you have to other women wanting to start their own business? If I were to give advice to another women who is thinking about wanting to start their own business it would be to believe in themselves. You are the author of your own book, do your research, make a business plan, know your market and the possibilities are endless.

Women in Business

Shannon Conlon

Supervisor – Overwaitea Fernie

H Sparwood Office: 114 Centennial Square Phone: 250-425-2114 Toll Free:1-800-668-7729 Fax: 250-425-2204

Fernie Office: 78 Ridgemont Drive Phone: 250-423-2161 Fax: 250-423-6149

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ow many years have you been in the Fernie community? I moved to Fernie in October 2014 after working at Save On Foods in Grand Prairie, A.B. It’s been a great move coming to Fernie; I love the people and the team at Overwaitea. Working in a small community is much easier – people are more willing to take the time to answer your questions and help you out if needed.

What are the responsibilities of your position? I oversee the produce department and help out with some of the management duties. Number one is to make sure Overwaitea’s great customer service standards are upheld.

What opportunities have you had in your career with Overwaitea? I feel that Overwaitea is a great promoter of helping people advance their career. I have moved quite quickly within the company as I have only been with Overwaitea Food Group for five and a half years. How do you balance your work and your family life? At work, 100% of my attention is at work, and when I’m away from work I make the most of my personal time.

FERNIE OVERWAITEA, 792 2nd Avenue • 250-423-4607 SPARWOOD OVERWAITEA, 113 Red Cedar Drive • 250-425-6489

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, March 5, 2015

LOCAL WOMEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Joanne Wilton

Manager of Causeway Bay

onsistently evolving to the high call 24/7 and ensuring the whole hotel runs demands of the hospitality industry smoothly, but Wilton credits her staff with is what local Joanne Wilton can always being on their toes, and always pulling be seen doing best at her job as Manager of together to get the job done. When asked about The Causeway Bay Hotel. Somewhat new specific challenges about the job in a small to the position, the prospect of managing community Wilton explains that staffing is the the hotel fell upon her as she was sought out biggest struggle. “Most definitely the biggest by the company challenge is staffing - for who knew she many reasons. Of would excel. “It “The reality is that my staff course it is the never occurred depends on me to make sure the service industry to me to get into this line of so wages are not work environment is running work. I had left high therefore smoothly so I have to give another position retention can be Due to about three it priority at times. If my family difficult. the high wages years ago and the Causeway needs me I am there, and if nobody in the valley, many students Bay manager needs me I grab a good book. ” and owners do not need to work, so we contacted me and asked if I don’t get many would be up to the challenge of taking on the job applications for student part-time work, position. After some negotiation I decided to therefore filling positions such as evening give it a go. It was a huge learning curve but I dishwasher can be challenging. We have a core felt very at home almost immediately and have staff that has been at the Causeway for years, loved every minute of it,” she says. which is wonderful, and then we have high The position is highly demanding, and turnover in other positions as people find other, Wilton faces many challenges of being on higher paying jobs or move on to other places.

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The fact that we are a one industry town affects how busy we are. Slow times can be brutal and busy times can be equally brutal in a different way.” Finding balance in this fast paced industry is equally important to Wilton, and she ensures that she makes the most of her downtime. “When I am working I am focused on work, when I am with my husband I am fully present with him, same with my two girls and my grandkids. They have my attention when I am with them and they fully understand that if the phone rings I may have to go or deal with the call. The reality is that my staff depend

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Women in Business

on me to make sure the work environment is running smoothly so I have to give it priority at times. If my family needs me I am there, and if nobody needs me I grab a good book. For me, it is so important that I am involved in the community so I also make sure I am involved with something that in some way improves or enhances Sparwood,” she says. Although the job may pose many challenges and unique requirements Wilton expresses her love for it, the great job her staff does, the joy of having the opportunity to meet many people and achieving a sense of accomplishment.

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, March 5, 2015

LOCAL WOMEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Shared Care: A new perspective on healthy competition

Doula networking provides seamless care By Rachel Cline & Tanya Malcolm

wo businesses offering the same services to a niche market in a small town. You would have thought that they would be in direct competition right? Right and wrong! While most businesses see some competition as healthy rivalry, birth professionals like doulas are a funny breed. Although they are in direct competition with each other, what guides their practice is ensuring that a mother to be and her partner have the best possible birth. If a family meets with all the local doulas and then doesn’t book anyone, the doulas will often worry about the family and wonder why, when they reached out for additional support, and then they decided to go with no one. If an expecting couple meets with all the available doulas in the area and choose Doula A over Doula B, is Doula B upset and resentful? No, she is pleased that the family is making sure that they have the best support possible for them and for their chosen birth experience. Ideally this model could work in most health care industries - working together for customer satisfaction. However doula work is unique, it is a calling, it is a passion, it has to be when you are on call for most of your life; a commitment that means no drinking, missing children’s activities and performances, birthdays, date nights, weddings etc. A doula will go without sleep for 27 hours in a row to ensure that a mom and dad get the support that they need. Along the whole journey she knows she has a community of like-minded women waiting to support her however she needs it when the

birth is over. That’s healthy competition. Doulas support each other as a community, without this support a doula will quickly burn out and stop doing this much needed and requested work. There are about 120 births in the Elk Valley hospital each year and over 15 per cent of these are supported by a doula, this is much higher than the national average which tells us that local mothers are aware of the ‘Doula Advantage.’ The area midwives also strongly support the use of a doula, in addition to their services, as they see the amazing reduction in intervention that having a doula provides. Potential clients sometimes question a doula’s fees, however once a family has used a doula they will most likely tell every pregnant woman they know that the services provided are priceless. Unfortunately, doulas can only take on a limited number of clients per month to guarantee attendance at their client’s births. This is another reason why networking, and embracing the other doulas in their community, is so important to them. A beautiful example of this approach to business is a Shared Care model. This is when a client is shared between two doula practices, the support is doubled for the client and the workload is halved for the doulas. It’s a win-win for all those involved and this model could not exist if there was resistance due to competition. At the end of the day, if you’re working towards a common goal, the best approach to healthy competition is supportive communication, and a genuine belief that there’s enough slices of the ‘birth’-day cake for everyone!

Women in Business

The Free Press The Elk Valley celebrates women By Katelyn Dingman While International Women’s Day works to bring women from several countries around the world together to celebrate their achievement, the Elk Valley has been dedicating their time and resources to recognize local business women. Last month, the Fernie Chamber of Commerce hosted their first Women in Business event, where successful women throughout the Elk Valley were commended for their achievements. Business women throughout the community, including artist Angela Morgan who has pieces in 12 galleries across Canada, gathered at Infinitea T-Bar & Boutique to discuss how they gained and maintained success in the business world. Through social interactions like the Women in Business event, the chamber hopes to develop a support network for business women throughout the valley. It’s important to remember how far women have come in achieving equality with men, not only in traditionally female-dominated sectors but also in non-traditional occupations, like the trades, journalism and even politics. Here in the Elk Valley, women hold a strong political voice. In fact, six women hold seats on council in the District of Sparwood, the District of Elkford and

the City of Fernie. Not only did Fernie gain female councillor Ange Qualizza in the 2014 Municipal Election, but Mary Giuliano was also re-elected as mayor, leading the city for a second term. Nationally, over the last decade women have taken on a dominant role in politics. In 2013, over 85 per cent of Canadians were governed by female premiers. Christy Clark and the Kathleen Wynne continue to lead the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario as premiers. Journalism is another field that, although typically being recognized as male-dominated, has begun to shift. Here at The Free Press, we are proud to recognize the seven amazing women who represent the Elk Valley’s community newspaper. Although journalism was once recognized as a ‘boy’s club,’ times have changed, and powerful women like CBC’s Anna Marie Tremonti and Adrienne Arsenault deliver hard hitting news to viewers across the country. The Elk Valley is also home to skilled tradespeople and unlike the past, today the door is open to women who want to become involved in trades, whether that includes plumbing, mining, trucking or carpentry. Skilled trades are in high demand, and with a shortage of skilled workers, job opportunities are opening up to women that have acquired trades training, skills and certifications.

Katelyn Dingman, Bonny McLardy, Sarah Kucharski, Jennifer Cronin, Sara Moulton, Kaitlyn Haarstad, and Andrea Horton.

The Elk Valley is reliant on the mining industry for its survival. As the industry continues to grow, the amount of women working in the field increases, with women working in environmental, office and a wide variety of on-site positions. Women have so many opportunities at their doorstep, whether those opportunities be in traditional or non-traditional industries. It’s important that we recognize how far women have come during International Women’s Day and that we further strive for equality in both the business world and in life.

342 - 2nd Avenue, Fernie • 250-423-4666• advertising@thefreepress.ca • www.thefreepress.ca