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Amanda Westrheim Is Your Okanagan Valley Real Estate Resource CENTURION® Producer

7 Insider Secrets On Showcasing Your Home For A Successful Sale

Top #1 Female 2012 Sales in the Central Okanagan for Century 21 Assurance Realty

Whether you are a first-time buyer looking to purchase your very first property, a current homeowner looking to sell and move up into your dream Okanagan Valley home or an investor looking to make the most of your opportunities in this resort destination, you can count on Amanda to give her all for you and help you make sound real estate decisions. She’s focused, experienced and committed to helping you build a brighter future one move at a time. Amanda wants you to Love Where You Live, so call her today and get more out of your next real estate experience!

If you are considering selling your home, it pays to have the right approach when it comes to staging and marketing. That’s why, when you call Amanda, she’ll send you a free copy of her special report “7 Insider Secrets On Showcasing Your Home For A Successful Sale.” This informative report will help you gain a better understanding of the latest staging techniques and how to market your listing in order to attract more buyers. It’s just one more way Amanda is committed to helping you make the right real estate decisions. Contact her today!

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I love helping people, I love living in the Okanagan Valley, and I love real estate. So it’s easy to understand why I am so passionate about what I do. —Amanda Westrheim

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To say Amanda Westrheim is passionate about the Okanagan Valley lifestyle would be a huge understatement. She feels a strong connection to this area with deep family roots and a love for everything this all-season playground has to offer, from the lush vineyards to the beautiful Lake Okanagan waterfront to the friendly people who call this area home.

250.863.9230 | www.AOKHOMES.ca | Amanda.Westrheim@Century21.ca Amanda will donate $21 from every sale to Easter Seals Camp Winfield, a local over-night program for children with disabilities.

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Women 2013

BUSINESS Our 21st annual comprehensive guide showcasing over 250 successful businesswomen in the Okanagan.

DR. KLARA BURLACU, DMD ■ Born and raised in Romania, Dr. Klara Burlacu earned her degree as Doctor of General Dentistry in 1994 at the University of Bucharest, Romania. Upon completion of her studies, Dr. Klara continued her training for another 5 years and achieved her Master Degree in Oral Surgery. After moving to Canada in 2000, Dr. Klara attended University of Toronto for another 2 years in order to get her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, where she graduated in 2004. Following graduation, she moved to Kelowna where she started her new adventure. Her clinical experience covers all areas of dentistry including family and cosmetic dentistry. Her passion for surgery has been fueled by all the new techniques and technology available today that enabled her to expand her area of expertise, such as impacted wisdom teeth extraction, bone and gum tissue grafting and dental implants. Dr. Klara and her team are continuously upgrading their skills and technology for

Cerec restorations, full mouth reconstruction, root canal therapy, TMJ and headache treatment including Botox

and oral appliances, Nitrous sedation, Velscope cancer screening, periodontal therapy with laser and much more. Dr. Klara strongly believes that there is no greater feeling than giving back to the community in which she lives. Since she moved to Kelowna, she continuously volunteers her work at the Gospel

OUR AMAZING TEAM

Mission and participated in the Free Denture Program organized by them. She is an active member of the Kelowna Dental Society and she is part of the on-call emergency dental services for the city of Kelowna. She also participates in the Dental Community Days organized by the BCDA by providing free treatment to less fortunate people. It gives her great pleasure to know that her work will transform lives and will make a difference in the community. Dr. Klara takes great pride in having a progressive, updated office requiring excellence and perfection from not only herself, but from her team as well. Dr. Klara has spent the last eight years building her practice to achieve the goal of meeting all the expectations of her patients. She has done this by surrounding herself with a team she considers family and she is very proud of, a team that works very well together and makes her patients always feel welcomed and at home.

■ We are very proud and fortunate to computer set-up and maintenance to bookkeeping. have built a team that is very friendly, Our latest addition to the team is caring and experienced. Dr. Natalie Carter, our Associate At the reception desk, Sherry or Dentist. She was born and raised in Donna will greet you with a smile Richmond B.C. and she completed and will assist you with anything her dental degree at the University of you’ll need to know from your British Columbia in 2008. After gradtreatment plan to your insurance. uation, she worked in Edmonton at a Our Dental Hygienists, Stacie and private practice after she completed Krista, will look after your dental a one-year general practice residency hygiene needs. They are detail program through the University of oriented and meticulous but also Alberta and the University of Alberta very gentle and they can advise you Hospital. regarding She brings home care into the and recomoffice new mend the skills like IV frequency of sedation and your dental she focuses hygiene apon providing pointments. patients with The three high quality Certified treatments Dental and helpAssistants ing them assist the maintain dentists with optimum procedures TRUST OUR PROFESSIONAL TEAM! oral health. and also Top row, left to right: Stacie, Jennesa, Alex, She is very perform the Donna, Krista, Sherry; bottom row, Ashley, happy to be children’s Dr. Natalie, Dr. Klara, Jeanine. part of our dental team. cleanings. Ashley, Jeanine and Jennesa are All of our staff is committed to profriendly, competent and compassionviding excellent patient care. We do ate and always ready to explain your our best to address any concerns our treatment and answer your questions. patients may have and to make them Alex is the office manager and looks feel comfortable and welcome in our after everything in the office, from office.

ACCESS Let us make you smile again! DENTAL Orchard Plaza II • 211-1980 Cooper Road, Kelowna CENTRE 250-861-8777 • email: access.dental@telus.net • www.accessdentalkelowna.ca

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A Salute to Women in Business 2013

Driving tourism to Kelowna Wade Paterson STAFF REPORTER

The president and chief executive officer of Tourism Kelowna keeps her office clean and simple. A thick folder she is currently working on sits on her desk, along with neatly displayed brochures, one or two other pieces of paper, a com-

puter and a phone—but not much else. The floor appears to be spotless and the walls are relatively bare, except for a framed photo of an empty beach chair sitting on sand near a lake. On top of a file cabinet— quite a ways up, she has to get on her tip-toes to reach it— rests the 2012 Business Lead-

er of the Year Award, given to her by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce last October. “To be named Business Leader of the Year was an incredible honour, an overwhelming one actually,” says Cameron. “Receiving (it) gave me a jolt to realize how much the work we do at Tourism Kelowna impacts the broader

Lori, Karen, Jan A mainstay of Kelowna’s downtown fashion scene for several decades now, Tigerlily Fashions is known as a store that understands what women want. Jan Johnson & Lori Burns originally opened their store in 1987 because they couldn’t find the type of clothing they wanted in Kelowna – casual, flattering fashions that also had cutting-edge style. Their idea went over so well they expanded several times over the next few years, moved to the front of the Towne Centre Mall and eventually bought their own building on Bernard Avenue which has been their home for the past six years. In 1994, they were joined by Karen Gardner, who is the Store Manager. “Our favourite thing is when customers come in after buying an outfit from us and say ‘I got so many compliments on this outfit, I can’t believe it!’ That’s the best sign that we’ve achieved our goal – to make our customers look so good that they get compliments. Who doesn’t love a compliment?” says Lori with a smile. In June 2012, they opened a Fashion Outlet in the rear part of their store: Alleycat Fashion Outlet, which is dedicated to bringing fabulous styles at outrageously low prices to the women of Kelowna – another idea whose time has come, as witnessed by the great reaction to the new shop. Who knows what these wild women will come up with next? Be sure to keep your eye on them!

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community.” Cameron is the first woman to ever receive the honour—something she didn’t give much thought to at the time, but now regards as “pretty cool.” Born and raised in Ontario, Cameron assumed she would spend her career in outdoor recreation and education until she secured a marketing assistant job at a ski and golf resort and plans changed. “Very quickly I discovered I was a good fit for the world of marketing, public relations, event co-ordination and promotions. “After moving to Kelowna I was hired as the membership co-ordinator for the chamber. “The chamber ran the tourism operations at that time, and as the need to remain competitive as a destination created new avenues of tourism promotion, I grew with them.” Today, Tourism Kelowna has grown into a fully industry-driven organization and has evolved into the fifth largest city destination marketing organization in B.C., behind Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria and Richmond. Cameron is most proud of her “highly competent and dedicated” sales and marketing team. “The work they do is rooted in good strategy and it creates demand for Kelowna as a travel destination.” But the growth and success Tourism Kelowna has experienced hasn’t come without a few challenges. “Travel is a discretionary expense and it was hit hard from 2009 through 2011 due to the recession. “We work closely with the

CAPITAL NEWSC

WADE PATERSON/CAPITAL NEWS

NANCY CAMERON at work in her Tourism Kelowna office, where she serves as president and chief executive officer of the organization.

‘‘

TO BE NAMED BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR WAS AN INCREDIBLE HONOUR, AN OVERWHELMING ONE ACTUALLY. Nancy Cameron

local tourism businesses, so each time one of them mentioned how bad business was, we felt it.” Cameron says that storm has been weathered as ho-

tel accommodation revenues were up three per cent in 2012 over 2011. Although Tourism Kelowna is still two per cent below its peak pre-recession year of 2008, she says “the trend is very positive.” In her spare time, Cameron enjoys doing many of the things her business promotes. “I find serenity in activities like gardening, camping with my family and hitting the beach for some sun and swimming. Winter recreation is based around skiing…and reading is always added into the mix.” wpaterson@kelownacapnews.com

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CAPITAL NEWS

Women business leaders blaze trail for others to emulate Jennifer Smith STAFF REPORTER

UBC Okanagan principal and deputy vice-chancellor Deborah Buszard believes the business world needs more successful women running companies for young women to emulate. “When we look in the marketplace, we see a very disproportionately low number of women in leadership roles,” said Buszard, the third person to assume the reins at the Kelowna university campus since its 2005 inception. Buszard comes to the university with a background in the study of food systems and an eye to building more collaborative learning environments, having co-taught courses in her last position with professors from a wide variety of other departments. Her professorship, at Halifax-based Dalhousie Universsity, saw her sharing her lectures on agriculture with input from architects and economists as they pioneered new wlearning formats to teach sustainability. This is the sort of environment a university can deliver—one where a student is encouraged to think analytically and see more than one side of -a problem—and it’s exactly the skillset needed to succeed in business, as Buszard sees it. “You need to be able to nengage people to want whatdever it is you’re marketing or odesigning or selling,” she said. “…It requires an understanding of the complexity

‘‘

THERE’S A LOT OF EVIDENCE THAT WOMEN TEND TO UNDERVALUE THEMSELVES AND TO BE TYPICALLY LESS CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR OWN ABILITIES THAN MEN. Debra Buszard

of marketplaces and finances and how best to position your product.” Equally important is the confidence in one’s skills a university can foster, and nowhere is this more applicable or necessary than in the development of the next generation of female business leaders and entrepreneurs in her view, Buszard notes. She says sustaining a women’s movement toward actual equality requires more women to lay those much-needed tracks to the top of the ladder, into the boardroom and, with luck, to the president’s chair in order to normalize the option. Both for other business leaders and women looking to plan their future, it is necessary to find women at the top of industry. Whether it’s to offer advice, prove that it can be done or push the bounds of what’s needed in the workplace to ensure women can negotiate family roles and

roles in top business positions, more women simply need to find ways into leadership positions. She says a university education can be an anecdote to many of the problems that arise. “There’s a lot of evidence that women tend to undervalue themselves and to be typically less confident about their own abilities than men,” said Buszard. “This is an observed difference. For women to gain the recognition and the under-

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A Salute to Women in Business 2013

Role in political campaigns an exhausting process

Vonnie Lavers Lavers

CAPITAL NEWSC

Kevin Parnell STAFF REPORTER

In the 17 years since she and her husband moved to Kelowna with their two daughters, Shelley Gilmore has witnessed a lot of change in Kelowna and area. And once her daughters

election. She also has worked on the political campaigns for current Kelowna-Lake Country Conservative MP Ron Cannan, and Kelowna-Lake Country Liberal MLA Norm Letnick as the two local politicians moved up from city council to national and provincial politics.

“It was intense because everything happens at breakneck speed in a political campaign,” says Gilmore. “You have to be ready and willing to change directions at any given moment. See Gilmore Page 7

Kelowna Community

Food Bank

the driving force behind the Kelowna has beenthe Lavers has Vonnie Lavers been driving force behind the Kelowna Vonnie programs for more than a decade. She brings s Bank’ Food Community Community Food Bank’s programs for more than a decade. She brings the managementtotothe businessmanagement andbusiness relations public in years 25 over over 25 years in public relations and most 50 s Life’ Okanagan of out 4 number ranked was Vonnie position. position. Vonnie was ranked number 4 out of Okanagan Life’s 50 most s Queen’ the of recipient the was and people business innuential in�uential business people and was the recipient of the �ueen’s service. communityservice. outstandingcommunity foroutstanding Awardfor JubileeAward Diamond Diamond Jubilee

1265 1265Ellis EllisSt. St. Kelowna, Kelowna,BC BC V1Y V1Y 1Z7 www.kelownafoodbank.com www.kelownafoodbank.com Ph: Ph:250-763-7161 250-763-7161 Fax: Fax:250-763-9116 250-763-9116 Email: Email:info@kcfb.ca info@kcfb.ca

were old enough and Gilmore stepped back into the workforce, the former Alberta native was involved in plenty of that change, especially in the local political scene. Gilmore, 46, was the campaign manager for Kelowna Mayor Walter Gray’s return to office in the 2011 municipal

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self-supporting (KCFB)isisaaself-supporting Bank(KCFB) FoodBank CommunityFood Kelowna Community TThe he Kelowna hunger chronichunger alleviationofofchronic thealleviation tothe dedicatedto organizationdedicated non-proot non-pro�t organi�ation the leadership,the herleadership, Underher Okanagan.Under CentralOkanagan. theCentral in the poverty in and and poverty distributes anddistributes warehouses,and collectswarehouses, Bankcollects FoodBank CommunityFood Kelowna Kelowna Community and produce,and food,produce, freshfood, offresh worthof dollars’worth million dollars’ $3.5 million over over $3.5 assists Bankassists FoodBank CommunityFood KelownaCommunity TheKelowna year.The eachyear. non-perishables non-perishables each the under children are users Bank Food of 40% day. per households 100 the under 100 households per day. 40% of Food Bank users are children 25,000 collective25,000 contributeaacollective individualscontribute 100individuals Approximately100 15. Approximately of 15. age age of annum. perannum. hours per volunteer volunteer hours Chamberofof KelownaChamber theKelowna ofthe recipientof therecipient wasthe In 2012, the KCFB was was andwas Impactand CommunityImpact forCommunity Awardfor ExcellenceAward BusinessExcellence Commerce, Business The Year.The the�ear. Organizationofofthe VolunteerOrgani�ation forVolunteer Awardfor CivicAward a onalist �nalist for the Civic without doititwithout cannotdo wecannot butwe great––but Bankisisgreat FoodBank KelownaFood impact of the Kelowna Thank today.Thank contactusustoday. pleasecontact time,please yourtime, oryour money,or food,money, you. To donate food, community. healthycommunity. buildaahealthy usbuild you for helping us

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A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Gilmore from Page 6

Deanne Neufeld

“It’s exhilarating and it’s exhausting when you are done.” Working the political campaigns of well-known local politicians came about through friends of friends, as both she and her husband got involved behind the scenes to help out people they believed in. But it is out in the community, working with non-profit organizations, where Gilmore really found her niche. After her daughters were old enough she jumped into the workforce with Mission Hills winery, working on the winery’s $30 million expansion in the early 1990s. She opened her own human resources consulting firm, Gilmore HR Strategies and Solutions, and started consulting and coaching work. She sits on the board of the Central Okanagan Foundation, works with the United Way and was also a board member at Crossroads Treatment Centre, an organization that was without an executive director, until the board offered Gilmore the job a year ago. Earlier this year Crossroads announced it was closing down due to a lack of funding, something that clearly affects Gilmore today. “It’s devastating,” Gilmore says. “I got involved not unlike most people. “If you are really honest about it you have addiction in your family. In my case I had a few members of the family so I knew what the impact was and the negative side on families. “I really felt I could come in there and try to help and see if there was a different way to do it and create some sustain-

BSW, MSW, RSW, RPC

Deanne Neufeld is a therapist and is registered both with the College of Social Work and the Canadian Professional Counselors Association. Deanne is also a registered Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider. Deanne relocated to the Okanagan two years ago and is loving life here. She purchased Heart to Heart Counselling in March of 2012 and is looking forward to providing services to the diverse clientele here in the wonderful Okanagan. Deanne has 16 years of counselling experience with issues ranging from life transition, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, family stress, coping with life stressors and illnesses, spiritual well being, eating disorders and self-harming behaviors. Deanne utilizes a holistic approach focusing on strengths and solutions. She has the ability to draw from numerous treatment techniques to meet the needs of individual clientele and has devoted her time in providing support and teaching coping skills to enhance functioning and life satisfaction.

KEVIN PARNELL/CAPITAL NEWS

SHELLEY GILMORE is the current executive director of the

Deanne is a dynamic speaker and has presented and facilitated at Social Work Conferences, Health Region In-Services, Ministry of Health Initiatives and Patient Safety and Quality Forums.

Crossroads addiction treatment centre and has been involved in political campaign strategizing for several candidates at the municipal, provincial and federal election levels.

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‘‘

I THINK THE MORE WOMEN ARE EDUCATING THEMSELVES AND WILLING TO GO TOE TO TOE WITH MEN AND WILLING TO SIT AT THE TABLE, THE MORE WE ARE GETTING RECOGNIZED FOR WHAT WE CAN ADD TO BUSINESS. Shelley Gilmore

ability. But there is no hope, there is no money for adults with addictions.” Gilmore hopes Interior Health will pick up the slack left over when the Crossroads facility closes its treatment centre on March 28. But she remains worried

Barbara Kowk

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about adults with addictions, one sector of society that she feels is being left behind when it comes to treatment. While she works to help with closing down Crossroads, Gilmore will soon be looking to put her considerable skills to work in the community or in business, where she says women have come a long way toward becoming equal partners in the workforce. But she admits there is more work to be done. “I think that women can still be perceived incorrectly in a leadership position,” she says. “I’ve come across enough women that are in similar worlds as myself and I find it challenging that there is still an element of boy versus girl in the business world. “I think the more women are educating themselves and willing to go toe to toe with men and willing to sit at the table, the more we are getting recognized for what we can add to business.”

Deborah Guthrie Since 2008, The Uptown Rutland Business Association (URBA) has been the driver of the Uptown Rutland Business Improvement Area. In 2012, URBA’s efforts were recognized by a renewed 5-year mandate from their members. Deborah Guthrie has held the position of Executive Director for the past five years and is the public voice of URBA. However, Deborah is only one of the 15 dedicated board members working together with the City of Kelowna towards the vision of a revitalized Rutland Town Centre, ensuring Rutland neighborhoods continue to have a vibrant, diverse and safe business community. The Shepherd Road extension, due for completion Spring of this year, will bring much-needed transit improvements to Rutland and is the result of successful collaboration between the City of Kelowna, BC Transit and Ministry of Transport. URBA community events, The Scarecrow Festival and Christmas Light-Up continue to grow in quality and attendance. The monthly Uptown After Hours is a wonderful networking opportunity where Rutland businesses come together to share their concerns and successes. Deborah personifies the URBA tagline “Together We Grow” with her commitment to hard work, inclusivity and passion for the Rutland neighborhood. For more information about URBA, Deborah can be reached by calling 250-470-8236 or visit www.uptownrutland.com.

250-451-9861 (office) 250-470-8236 (cell.) 200 - 160 Dougall Road S.

kparnell@kelownacapnews.com

I joined the financial services management team at Kelowna Chrysler in the spring of 2012, bringing with me over 13 years of automotive finance experience. I enjoy working with the Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram brands, and the tight team we have here at Kelowna Chrysler. I value our customer’s time, and provide tailored purchase options for all their new vehicle needs, whether for financing or protecting their investment of a new Chrysler vehicle. I am also very successful with any creditchallenged financing. If you are in the market for a new or pre-owned vehicle, please come down to Kelowna Chrysler, and I will ensure you an enjoyable purchase experience.

info@uptownrutland.com www.uptownrutland.com

Jennifer Pacholzuk

KELOWNA

Financial Service Manager

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I began my career as a Financial Services Manager two years ago. I love being a part of such a dynamic group at Kelowna Chrysler Dodge. I specialize in Financing and Leasing as well as sharing my expertise in warranties and insurance plans, tailored to each customers needs. I enjoy making the financing aspect of your vehicle purchase a memorable and enjoyable experience.

jen@kelownachrysler.com

250-763-6121 | 2440 ENTERPRISE WAY, KELOWNA | www.kelownachrysler.com

Humour and determination a winning combo

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

Tina Campbell CONTRIBUTOR

Linda Edgecombe first began in the professional speaking business while she was working with an organization called ParticipACTION. It was a federal govern-

ment initiative created in the 1970s to help promote more Canadians to live an active and healthier lifestyle. While working with ParticipACTION, Edgecombe would give short presentations to advocate for the healthy lifestyle message.

CAPITAL NEWSC

After one particular presentation, she was asked out of the blue if she would speak at a BC Hydro staff wellness day. Edgecombe was unsure if she would be able to fill the requested hour-long presentation with enough content to

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keep the audience engaged, as the ParticipACTION presentations tended to last about 15 minutes. Although she was nervous about the length of the presentation, Edgecombe was determined to win the crowd over with laughter. Her presentation was a huge success and led BC Hydro to invite her to speak to staff at nearly all their offices around the province. For Edgecombe, that was the launching point for her career in professional speaking. She currently makes a living from more than one revenue stream. Edgecombe primarily is a keynote speaker, brought in to either open or close a convention or large gathering. She is booked for an average of 60 presentations per year, through agents, speakers’ bureaus and even directly by clients. Besides the speaking engagements, Edgecombe has also written, published and currently promotes several books that she sells online and promotes wherever she is speaking. Another revenue stream for her is doing business, personal and public speaking coaching. She organizes and sells annual one- and two-day events for that side of her public speaking business. Edgecombe is also in the midst of designing a membership club that would give customers access to more indepth products and personal access to herself, her pro-

Linda Edgecombe grams and her publications. With everything she is currently working on, Edgecombe can’t do it all on her own, so she has the help of a small team of women who help her. That includes an office manager, bookkeeper, technical specialist and a marketing and branding guru. All of the women in those jobs help her to be successful in her job field, she stresses. In her experiences, Edgecombe has learned that men

‘‘

KEEP ASKING WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS UNTIL YOU HAVE REACHED YOUR GOALS AND YOU CAN BE PROUD OF WHERE YOU ARE. Linda Edgecombe

still have the upper hand in management of almost any industry and it can be difficult for women to try and make a name for themselves. However, she has used this knowledge to her advantage and owes much of her success to the determination this fact has given her. She decided that rather than being angry about it, she would work it. She was driven to become one of the strongest female speakers in Canada and used laughter to win over the hearts of her crowds. She learned that in her industry, with all of the travelling she does, it is often hard to not feel guilty as a mother and wife. And she also learned that in order to make money, you have to spend money. In the 22 years she has been a professional speaker, Edgecombe says she has wanted to quit three times— but she used these frustrating experiences to re-invent herself and start fresh with new ideas. Edgecombe says that for anyone wanting to take a risk and start their own business, “you are exactly where you are supposed to be right now.” She simply believes that by continually thinking about your next step, anyone has an opportunity to make their business or career dreams happen. “Keep asking what the next step is until you have reached your goals and you can be proud of where you are,” Edgecombe says.

WCB, ICBC, DVA, MSP, and Extended Health plans accepted.

OKANAGAN ACUPUNCTURE CENTRE James Kaufman, R.Ac. • 1625 Ellis St., Kelowna www.okanaganacupuncture.com

“Never let a problem to be solved become more important than the —Author Barbara Johnson person to be loved. ”

Effective WEALTH MANAGEMENT FOR WOMEN We are a wealth management firm that provides sound financial advice designed to help you keep more of what you earn. Our financial advisors are passionate about what they do and committed to providing you with clear direction and a solid plan designed to help you live your dreams. It’s all part of our unique client focused approach and the reason we take on only a limited number of new clients each quarter. It’s a fresh approach that allows us to invest the time needed to thoroughly assess your finances and provide creative solutions and a comprehensive plan.

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Tel: 778-478-0267 Office: 203 – 1658 Commerce Ave., Kelowna, BC V1X 8A9

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Greeting customers with a positive attitude

Barry Gerding MANAGING EDITOR

Operating a business in Kelowna’s downtown core can sometimes put a premium on area business owners for staying positive. Despite the negative criticism and controversies in the past decade about bringing change to the commercial centre of the city, Jan Johnson says staying positive is an important characteristic for any business owner. Johnson and her partner Lori Burns have operated the Tigerlily Fashions store at several locations on Bernard Avenue over the past 25 years. And despite all the ups and downs over that time, Johnston says being positive is perhaps more important now than ever before. “When you have been in a recession like it feels like we’ve been in for the past five years, people get worn down by all of that. “It’s more important now than ever before I think to have a positive attitude about what you, what your business has to offer and the service you provide to your customers,” she said. And Johnson sees reason for optimism with the downtown core, something she writes about in a monthly column for the Capital News called What’s Up Downtown. Johnson said Tigerlily was impacted by the first phase of the downtown revitalization project along Bernard Avenue, and her business took a predictable 20 to 30 per cent downturn. But that phase is completed, and she feels the upside

Back Row: Tracy Hinkin, Rosemarie Gottschlag, Meg Gyles, Lesley Blocha, Gabriele Gottschlag Front Row: Julie Hodak, Samantha Thomson Ten Fashions Bridal Boutique and Special Occasions will be celebrating their 33rd Anniversary this May in beautiful downtown Kelowna. Last June they moved into a bright beautiful spacious new location in front of the Towne Centre Mall. The store specializes in Bridal and Special Occasion fashions for women looking for stunning, gorgeous gowns and dresses for their special day. They have expanded into destination, as well as divine size gowns and now carry the exclusive Disney lines. The staff pride themselves in providing the best customer service - they are passionate, professional and are honoured to support local community fundraising events throughout the year. Stop in and see the store and meet the staff… they are classy and elegant, both inside and out. CONTRIBUTED

TIGERLILY FASHIONS co-owners Jan Johnson (right) and Lori Burns. of how Bernard will eventually look, changes coming to the downtown access to the waterfront with a new pier and public marina and other development projects offers a tremendous upside for the downtown core. Johnson, who started out in a career in graphic arts while in Toronto, wanted to open a business when she moved to Kelowna. She struck up a friendship with Burns and the two began researching the idea of opening a fashion store. “We were lucky because the timing was right for us. There was nothing like what we wanted to do so that was fortunate,” Johnson recalls. “We got help through the college in developing our own business plan and we really did a lot of homework down to counting the number of customers walking by a space we wanted to open in (Towne Centre) mall.”

Johnson says she’s seen many people over the years get caught up in romanticizing their dream of owning their own business, without a proper business plan or one at least that is based on reality. “I think people get caught up sometimes in how romantic it would be to start your own business. “But you need to do your homework first, and after you do your homework and the idea is still exciting to you, then go for it.” Johnson and Burns started Tigerlily in a small space at the back of the mall, just 240 square feet, but the rent was cheap. They did well at first and within a year, they tripled their store size to 1,500 square-feet. Johnson says back then the city was smaller but people seemed to have more money to spend. See Attitude Page 10

Bridal Boutique T E N

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F A S H I O N S

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565 Bernard Ave., Kelowna Towne Centre Mall 250-763-9666

SHERI Sheri Dickson SHERI I have been a part of ickson the Kelowna Motors ickson

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sales team for the past 13 years and am proud I have been a part of the Kelowna Motors sales tea toI be one few working in the have beenof a the part thewomen Kelowna team for the past 13 of years and am Motors proud sales to be one of t for few the past 13 years and industry. am in proud be one of the Kelowna automotive women working theto Kelowna Autmot few women working in the Kelowna Autmotive Industry. Industry.

Michelle August MICHELLE MICHELLE

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Although I’m not new to Kelowna Motors, I am the newest member to join the sales team and very excited to be part of my family’s business. Although I’m not new to Kelowna Motors, I am the

Although I’m not to Kelowna Motors, I am the newest member to new join the sales team and very newesttomember to join the business. sales team and very excited be part of my family’s Kelowna Motors is a great dealership to work at and

Sherry Barton Sherry Barton makes her mark in the salon business as an owner/ master stylist with a welcoming personalized style that includes the following career achievements: •World Hair Shows in Japan, Paris, New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Miami •Canadian Hair Judge Lifetime Achievement Award

For a personal appointment call 250.215.8227 Erin Barrett has been a member of the Vivid Hair Studio team as an independent senior hair stylist for the last three years. Her work encompasses all ages and styles.

Erin Barrett

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it shows in their excited to be part of my family’s business. quality and pride not only in the award winning Mazda line up, but also in the history of the dealership. The dealership that has been owned by the Kelowna Motors is a great dealership to work at and it shows in their quality and pride August family and been a part of the Kelowna community 68 years. not only in the award Mazda line to up, but also in the historyfor of their the dealership. Kelowna Motors is awinning great dealership work at and it shows in quality and The dealership that has been owned by the August family and been a part of the We to award assist and inform you inline allup, aspects of your vehicle not are onlyhere in the winning Mazda but also in the historypurchase, of the deal Kelowna community for 68 years. The dealership that has been owned by the August family and been a part while striving to create the best buying experience possible. We pride We are here to assist and inform you in all aspects of your vehicle purchase, while Kelowna community for 68 years. ourselves in staying up to date on product knowledge and offering great striving to create the best buying experience possible. We pride ourselves in staying up customer service. We and strive to offering build agreat relationship with We areonhere to assist inform you in all aspects yourour vehicle to date product knowledge and customerofservice. We customers, strivepurchase, to build create best buying possible. Weof pride ourselves in stay not onlytoduring thecustomers, purchase ofexperience theduring vehicle, but long after. Honesty astriving relationship with our not only the purchase the vehicle, butand long after. Honesty and commitment are our goals buying to making your buying experience, to date on product knowledge and offering great customer service. We new strive to commitment are our goals to making your experience, whether whether orwith used,our enjoyable fun! only during the purchase of the vehicle, bu a relationship customers, or used,new enjoyable and fun! and not after. Honesty and commitment are or our goals to making exper If you are in the market for a new Mazda a pre-owned vehicle, your pleasebuying call or stop Ifinwhether you in for a newand Mazda or market used, enjoyable fun! or a pre-owned vehicle, please call and are visitnew us.the or stopare in and visit us. for a new Mazda or a pre-owned vehicle, please call o If you in the market in and visit us.

2560 ENTERPRISE WAY KELOWNA, BC V1X 7X5

250-762-2068 2560 ENTERPRISE WAY 1-800-735-3355 KELOWNA, BC V1X 7X5

250-762-2068 1-800-735-3355

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

Creating your own lifestyle P

CAPITAL NEWSC

Attitude from Page 9

“I think people were spending more freely back then, were optimistic about what the future held for Kelowna.” Eventually Johnson and Burns would opt to buy a nearby building which they continue to operate the store out of today at about 2,800 square-feet, opening an additional outlet called Alleycat Fashion. “I think when you start out, your original ideas change a bit. You adapt to changing customers’ interests.” Johnson says the challenge for her and Burns is to offer customers a product that nobody else in town sells, something she says is particularly important to the Kelowna market.

“That is one of the challenges. Always trying to figure out where trends are going, buying the right clothes and hoping you will be able to sell what you buy and not get stuck with unsold inventory. But you have to give your customers, whether it is in what you sell or customer service, a reason to come shop in your store rather than going elsewhere.” Johnson says Tigerlily has found success with that business model, noting that having the same store manager, Karen Gardner for the last 19 years, also helps with customer continuity. She says having a business partner has also helped share both the stress of operating a business and share in the passion and fun of it as well. “I don’t really know what

the secret is to making our partnership work. I think weB are really good combinationp between our weaknesses and strengths. But the best thing isp being able to share the stress,”y Johnson explains. “Without a partner there,m you end up turning to friendsc and family about what’s going on day to day, but they don’tt really get it, not in the samea way someone does who is do-— ing the same thing. s But running a business isn always about trade-offs, sheb adds. “You have to create youra own pension plan, you have to pay somebody to work forp you when you go on vacation,t and sometimes you are up att night worrying about this orp that problem. But the upside is nobody tells us what to do. Ib want to be able to call my owna shots.” n c y r b

Laura Barmentloo

After 11 years as Rafters in Kelowna and 7 years in Vernon I have decided to consolidate the two stores to the one location on Hwy 97 and re-brand the store as EXPRESSIONS...The Living and Giving Store.

s c e

One thing you learn in this business is to always keep pace with the growing, changing needs of the marketplace.

As always we are bringing in unique and unusual home decor items with the latest colors and trends: ♥ Still maintaining the best selling products that customers request. ♥ Still the place where customers go to relax or get ideas. ♥ Still would love to help you express yourself whether it is through a gift or through your home decor.

We’re like fashion for the soul.

LEADERSHIP WITH EXPERIENCE. For more than 25 years, Jane Hoffman Group has successfully met the challenges of an evolving real estate market and continues to embrace innovation and new opportunities.

www.janehoffman.com

Kristy Huber

Lora Proskiw

Sherrin Stewart

#14-1470 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna, B.C. Phone: 250-860-7500 Email: jane@janehoffman.com

Carole Coleman

d y t

230-2469 Hwy. 97N Kelowna • 250-868-8261 Mon.-Sat. 9:30-5:30pm Sunday 11am-4pm

Orchard Park Shopping Centre For over 40 years Orchard Park Shopping Centre has been the place for people to shop, eat and connect! As the region’s largest enclosed shopping centre, Orchard Park offers , Lynnea onna , Tanya, over 170 shops and services with more than (From left): D Holly, Deb, Vikki 20 marquis retailers. Many may not have Eleanor, Sarah, considered that shopping centre management is a very dynamic industry with diverse professional opportunities not only locally but globally. Here at Orchard Park our team is made from those diverse professionals, and here’s a glance at what we do to manage a first-class asset. We work closely with retailers, leasing managers, departmental managers, maintenance, guest services, security and custodial contractors. We market the shopping centre to both primary and secondary markets to generate traffic with the goal of increasing retailers’ sales. We lease non-traditional space for short-term periods to broaden our retail mix. We administer leases, prepare financial reports, collect rent, and manage our budgets. We communicate benefits to our retailers and shoppers and participate in our community. And we have fun!

2271 Harvey Avenue 250-860-3742 www.orchardparkshopping.com

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A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Plan to continue your success Importance of Business continuation planning is the key to protecting what you’ve built.

You’ve worked hard to make your business a success. There may have been times when you gambled on a business strategy and won —but, for the most part, you stuck to the meticulous business plan that has been your blueprint for growth and achievement. Now, it’s time for a new plan…What would happen to your business if you were taken away from it, even temporarily? Would it survive? If you’re like most small business owners, the odds are that your years of careful nurturing and building could come tumbling down without your energetic hands on the reins—because you are your business. You’re a professional—a dentist, for example—and you get hit with a sudden, extended illness. Your entire practice will stop, but salaries, operating costs and other fixed expenses won’t. How will you pay them until you’re back in the game? You’re not only the owner of your small business, you’re also the primary salesperson, accountant and…everything else. You’re in a car accident that leaves you injured and unable to work for months. Your entire business will stop—but the bills won’t and the income that supported your family will temporarily disappear. Do you have a contingency plan in place? There’s no need to gamble with your future financial health when you can take some essential steps right now to protect what you’ve built. It’s called business continuation planning and it’s the process of identifying issues that could put your business at risk and adopting strategies to help mitigate or eliminate those risks. Protect your most important asset—yourself. As a business owner, you understand the need to protect against risks to your capital assets. That’s why you have fire, theft and other forms of insurance. But one of the major yet often overlooked risks faced by nearly every business is the temporary loss of vital human capital—a business owner due to a disability as the result of an accident or an extended illness, perhaps even a life-threatening critical illness. The risk is more likely than you think.

Ninety per cent of Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease or stroke. The disability rate increases steadily with age beginning around age 25 adults aged 45 to 54 have a disability rate of 15.1 per cent. On average, 500 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer every day. But with the right business continuation plan, you’ll protect your business and your income by: • supporting continued business performance, profitability and productivity, • assuring that business debts can be serviced, • retaining employees who will continue to view the business as viable, • having the resources to fund recruitment, • maintaining good supplier relationships, and • reserving your customer/ client base The risks posed by the temporary loss of a primary business owner can be eco-

nomically managed with critical illness and disability insurance—the cornerstones of an effective business continuation plan. Disability insurance allows an owner to fund the payment of ongoing essential office expenses such as salaries of employees. Personal protection is key to every business continuation plan. Here are some other plan elements to consider: • Key person life insurance ensures there will be a timely injection of tax-free capital should your business suffer the loss of a top producer or other essential employee. • Buy-sell life insurance can fund your purchase of a deceased partner or shareholder’s financial interest in the business. • Disability and/or critical illness buy-out insurance provides a lump sum tax-free payment to fund your purchase of a deceased partner or shareholder’s financial interest in the business.

• Potential creditor protection by use of personally owned segregated investment funds. You spent a lot of time developing and implementing your successful business plan. It wasn’t easy and it continues to evolve as your business grows and prospers. Your business continuation plan demands the same attention to detail. Protect what you’ve built with a business continuation plan tailored to your business —it’s vital to your continued success, come what may.

This report specifically written and published by Investors Group is presented as a general source of information only, and is not intended as a solicitation to buy or sell specific investments, nor is it intended to provide tax, legal, or investment advice. Contributed by Melanie Hall-Szyszkiewicz, a senior financial consultant in Kelowna, 250-762-3329, ext. 263.

shareholder agreement outlined

Do you own shares in a privately owned corporation? If so, then you need to ensure that your investment is protected. For example, if you and one of the other shareholders were to come to a disagreement, could you sell your shares? Generally, there is a prohibition on transferring shares of a privately held corporation to members of the public. If the only person authorized to buy your shares is the person you are not getting along with, will you receive anything for your investment? What if you died? Would your estate be entitled to force the corporation to buy back your shares for fair market value? These are just some of the concerns that can be addressed in a shareholders’ agreement. Not only does a shareholders’ agreement organize how the corporation will be structured and operated, it also provides for a mechanism by which shareholders can sell their shares (or buy out someone else’s) in the event relations break down. This is why it is very important that a shareholders’ agreement be negotiated early on in the relationship while everyone can agree on the terms – once a dispute or death occurs, the parties’ interests will often diverge, making the negotiation of such an agreement almost impossible. This article will discuss some of the more common provisions found in a shareholders’ agreement, and the importance of these provisions.

See Agreement Page 12

MAKE IT POSSIBLE! Would You Like To: • Reach your retirement goals as quickly and smoothly as possible? • Save as much tax each year as possible? • Maximize your retirement income so you get as much as you can for as long as you can? • Own an investment portfolio that meets your goals and allows you to sleep at night? • Have an insurance protection plan so your family never has to worry financially if you are not able to support them anymore? • Pay your debts and mortgage off quicker than you thought possible? • Build your wealth faster and larger than you could ever imagine? • Give your children the post secondary education they deserve without financial worries?

If so phone me to book your free, no obligation financial review, and see how I can help you and your family reach your goals faster and easier than you ever thought possible. Melanie Hall-Szyszkiewicz (250) 864-3329 Senior Financial Consultant, CFP EPC Investors Group Financial Services Inc melanie.hall-szyszkiewicz@investorsgroup.com http://www.investorsgroup.com/consult/melanie.hall-szyszkiewicz/english/

Investors Group Financial Services Inc.

TM owned by IGM Financial and licensed through its subsidiaries

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWSC

Organizing how a corporation is to be structured Agreement from 11

BUY-SELL PROVISIONS

There may come a time when you wish to either sell your shares in the corporation, or perhaps purchase the shares of another shareholder. Unlike shares of a public corporation, which can usually be easily purchased and sold on a stock exchange, the ability to buy and sell shares of a private corporation is usually much more restricted. One type of clause which provides for a mechanism for shareholders to buy or sell shares in the case of dispute is a “shot-gun” clause. This type of clause allows one shareholder to force the other shareholder (or shareholders) to either buy him or her out, or sell their shares. The remaining sharehold-

ers can be either purchasers or sellers, giving them an impetus to accept an offer that is reasonable, and giving the departing shareholder an impetus to make an offer which is reasonable. These types of provisions effectively create a market for shares of closely held companies, which might otherwise be difficult to sell. Some shot-gun clauses also set out the valuation for the shares (or a method of valuing the shares) in the event someone decides to exercise the clause, ensuring that the departing shareholder will receive what is considered to be a reasonable amount for the shares. This may be helpful if one shareholder has considerably less access to financial resources than the other.

Another type of clause which is found in many shareholders’ agreements is a “right of first refusal.” This gives the current shareholders the right to buy the shares of a departing shareholder before any outside party would have such right. These types of clauses provide that when a shareholder receives an offer for his or her shares which he or she intends to accept, the remaining shareholders have the right to match that offer. If the remaining shareholders do not match the offer within a specified time limit, then the particular shareholder may complete the transaction with the third party, provided the terms are not more favourable than those presented to the remaining

Sally Arkell-Boles As the Associate Manager of the Sun Life Financial Okanagan Financial Center, I enjoy bringing focus to women in the financial services industry. I joined Sun Life in the middle of my career as a busy wife, mother and business woman. I was seeking a company that could offer me flexibility in my day-to-day schedule and the potential of unlimited income. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to have an excellent work/life balance, and strongly believe in the benefits that the advisor career can bring to women. I’m passionate about attracting, training and mentoring women to become successful Sun Life Financial advisors.

Sally Arkell-Boles Associate Manager

250-860-6403 ext. 2201

DEATH OF A SHAREHOLDER

2139 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 7X1 sally.arkell-boles@sunlife.com www.sunlife.ca/sally.arkell-boles Mutual funds offered by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2013.

shareholders. If one or more of the shareholders do wish to match the offer, such shareholder or shareholders would acquire the shares in proportion to their shareholdings. As an alternative method of obtaining the same result, the remaining shareholders can cause the corporation to match the offer of the third party instead of the shareholders themselves. This method may be desirable in some circumstances, as the corporation would be using its funds to purchase the shares for cancellation. However, this method could prevent the vendor from making use of any of his or her remaining capital gains exemption (a maximum of $750,000 in capital gains will be exempt from tax where there is a sale of shares of a qualified small business corporation). Another clause which is often drafted in conjunction with a right of first refusal is a “take-along” or “dragalong” clause, which provides that if the other shareholder or shareholders do not buyout the departing shareholder, they may be compelled to sell their shares to the third party. This helps to make the shares more attractive to outside purchasers for a fair price, but may mean that you will be forced to sell your shares if you cannot afford to buyout the departing shareholder.

Life’s brighter under the sun

Another instance where you may want to be able to sell your shares, or purchase the shares of another shareholder, is in the event of death. In most cases, the estate of a deceased shareholder usual-

ly wants to sell its shares, and the remaining shareholders usually want to purchase the deceased’s shares rather than deal with a surviving spouse or other beneficiaries with whom they may not be familiar. Therefore, a shareholders’ agreement will usually provide that the remaining shareholders (or the corporation itself) are obliged to purchase (or redeem) the deceased’s shares from his or her estate for their fair market value, and that the deceased’s estate is obliged to sell. In order to provide maximum flexibility, the shareholders’ agreement is usually drafted in the form of options to purchase or options to sell in order to take advantage of the tax laws as they exist at the time of the death of a shareholder. Often life insurance is used to fund the purchase of shares on death, as otherwise the corporation may not have sufficient funds to buy the deceased’s shares. Even if the corporation has purchased life insurance, that is not sufficient to ensure that the corporation or surviving shareholders will buy out the deceased as it is the shareholders’ agreement itself that provides for a buy-out mechanism; otherwise, the corporation or other shareholders may keep the insurance proceeds, and refuse to buy the deceased’s shares.

INCAPACITY OR RETIREMENT OF A SHAREHOLDER

Where a shareholder is also an employee, a shareholders’ agreement may provide for a shareholder to be bought out in the case of his or her incapacity, retirement or termination (voluntary or involuntary). There are a number of

ways in which a shareholder may become incapacitated. For example, a shareholder may become physically incapacitated through severe illness or accident or he or she may become financially incapacitated through insolvency or bankruptcy. In each instance, the remaining shareholders may want to be able to acquire the shares of the incapacitated, retired or terminated shareholder. Again, the value of the shares or a method for determining the value of the shares and the mechanism for payment should be set out in the shareholders’ agreement. Often disability buyout insurance or critical illness insurance is used to fund the purchase of shares in the event of along-term disability of a shareholder. It is important that the definition of disability in the shareholders’ agreement is consistent with the definition of disability in the insurance policy so that a disability which triggers a sale of assets also triggers payment of insurance proceeds in order to fund the purchase of the shares.

GENERAL MATTERS

Some additional clauses which are usually contained in a shareholders’ agreement include: • A provision regarding the manner in which the management of the corporation is structured and the affairs of the corporation are conducted. This may include the composition of the Board of Directors (the number of directors, and who shall be directors), who shall be officers, and the remuneration, if any, of directors and/or officers. See Agreement Page 13

KELOWNA TOYOTA Kelowna Toyota will be celebrating 43 years in business this April! The staff at Kelowna Toyota, many whom have been coming to work for decades, know the product incredibly well and have aligned themselves with the Toyota attitude of “Make Things Better”. This philosophy is evident in all aspects of the dealership, from sales and leasing, to service and customer care. The success of Kelowna Toyota is in part the dedicated staff who are consistently providing knowledgeable and quality service. They are all there to make your experience at Kelowna Toyota as enjoyable and stress free as possible.

Front left to front right

We would like to extend a huge “Thank You” to you, our customers, for your continued support over our 43 years in Kelowna. Our customers make our growth possible.

ea (Reception/Service) na (Reception) • Chelsce) on LaD • ) (Leasing) ng nti cou (ac Sandy • Cary (Servi • Audrey ce) rvi (Se sey Ca • ce) rvi (Se • Shanna t (Reception) • Missing Stephanie Sieber

KELOWNA

At Kelowna Toyota our aim is to “Make Things Better”

TOYOTA

1200 Leathead Road

250•491•2475

www.kelownatoyota.com

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Agreement from A12 •A provision respecting the method by which the corporation may obtain financing. Most shareholders prefer that the corporation obtain funds, to the extent possible, from financial institutions. However, if funds are not available from that source, the shareholders may want to provide that the shareholders will be required to contribute further funds in proportion to their shareholdings. If a shareholder refuses or neglects to supply the additional funds, the shareholders’ agreement may provide that his or her proportionate shareholdings be diluted. • A provision that the shareholders not compete within a specified area, either directly or indirectly, with the corporation during the

period they are shareholders, officers or directors, or within a specified number of years thereafter. •A provision that shareholders not disclose any confidential information respecting the corporation or its business during the period they are shareholders, and within a specified time thereafter.

BDO IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE KELOWNA WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Patti Tattersall, CA Senior Manager | ptattersall@bdo.ca Patti works with owner-managed businesses as part of our private enterprise group, helping clients build their wealth and transition their businesses. She is an active member of the West Kelowna Daybreak Rotary and the Okanagan community, and enjoys camping with her family and friends.

Sharon Black Life is a Balance

Britt Vig, CA Senior Manager | bvig@bdo.ca

Sharon Black & Associates RE/MAX Kelowna, can help you manage that balance….. Sharon Black & Associates understand that moving can be an emotional time and life can seem out of balance. Sharon knows your neighbourhood, has connections to other cities around the world, and can offer expertise that will help save you time, money and energy. So when your needs change and you need or want to move, call a REALTOR® with over 30 years of negotiating experience in real estate. Bring balance into your world of Real Estate – call Sharon Black, REALTOR® , Sharon Black & Associates Personal, Passionate & Proven! Awarded Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame.

Britt provides a wide range of assurance and accounting services to a variety of ownermanaged businesses, credit unions and First Nations, enjoying the range of challenges she faces each day. She is a member of Junior Chamber International Okanagan and spends her free time with her family. Sinead Scanlon, CA Manager | sscanlon@bdo.ca

Kelowna Since 1994, Three Wishes Clothing Boutique new trends out there, that will be attractive

Since moving to Kelowna in 2007, Sinead is proud to work and establish personal concoats, jackets, dresses and more. nections with all of her clients, including Great events occur throughout the year… privately-held, public, First Nation and credit trunk shows, visits by jewelry designers such union entities. As the treasurer of the Fat Cat as Susan Rind, the semi-annual “Silly Sale” and more. Special orders are available,Children’s as Festival, she enjoys being a part of well as custom, one-of-a-kind purchases. the Okanagan community. Three Wishes is a vibrant, happening

in Penticton has offered high quality, to my customers,” notes Pat Currie, owner of 250.878.5533 and varied fashions www.sharonblack.ca and Three Wishes for the past 18 years. accessories to discerning women throughout Customers will appreciate the full range of the South Okanagan and beyond. An ever- fashions offered at Three Wishes. Everything changing apparel collection follows trends is available, from casual to career and special gleaned from trade shows in Vancouver, occasions. Friendly, experienced staff offer to Montreal, Toronto, Las Vegas and New York. assist customers with their every wardrobe destination boutique, appealing to women “Style is never static and there are always need, from jewelry to shoes, designer jeans, of all ages and stages.

p e r s o n a l / p a s s i o n a t e / p r beautiful oven

Visit Three Wishes & discover an oasis of comfort & style in the heart of Downtown Penticton!

Offering Sizes XS to XXL

Vickie Naumann, CA Manager | wnaumann@bdo.ca Vickie began her career with BDO in 2005 and works with private enterprise clients in construction, manufacturing and various other industries. She is the president of the Kelowna Chartered Accountant Association and enjoys spare time with her family.

d ren Degelder, Linda War

ilyn Helbling, Sha Brown, Pat Currie, Mar Designer mps Ladies Wear on, Jeannine Sandy Mertz, Linda Tho

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Pat looks at the future of women’s wear as Pat Currie an opportunity for self-expression and selfStunning Accessories confidence regardless of place or time. “Our Pat’s background in Business

BDO is one of the leading accounting and advisory firms in Canada with over 90 years of experience providing value-added assurance, Pat is passionate about keeping up with accounting, taxation and advisory services to a broad range of clients. fashion, jewelry and footwear trends, and

about promoting self-respect and style in choices. | Accounting | Taxation | Advisory Services product mix is always changing to reflect women’s apparel Assurance new ideas and trends. I want a woman to know that she can live a casual life here in the Okanagan but not feel out of place in Landmark Technology Centre London or New York.”

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Administration together with a love of people and fashion has uniquely positioned her to build Three Wishes into the complete fashion destination it is today.

Great Shoes!

300 – 1632 Dickson Avenue Kelowna BC V1Y 7T2 250 763 W6700 EAR DESIGNER LADIES www.bdo.ca STUNNING ACCESSORIES

GREAT SHOES!

PENTICTON Well worth theDOWNTOWN beautiful drive... 370 Main Street • Phone 250.490.4899 • Fax 250-490-8988 Downtown Penticton • www.threewishesclothing.com fashion@threewishesclothing.com https//www.facebook.com/threewishesclothing 370 Main Street BDO Canada LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership, is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited 250.490.4899 by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. BDO is the brand name for the fashion@threewishesclothing.com BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms. www.threewishesclothing.com

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

The critical need to take care of yourself

Pat Mussieux

CONTRIBUTOR

As women entrepreneurs, I know that we give our ‘all’ to our business. I do that—and I know I’m not alone. When I was going through my separation and divorce (and the many other ‘life challenges’ that hap-

pened at the same time), I was so fortunate to have one of the best doctors ever. Her advice to me, at the time, was very simple—eat properly, exercise (even just a little bit) and get some sleep. I followed her advice then and I follow it still today because it works. There is no time like the

present to stop and review some of your lifestyle habits, ensure that you are taking good care of yourself so that you can, in fact, carry on with your business and live to celebrate your successes. One thing for which I give thanks is the motivation and discipline to exercise every day.

Back row: Jennifer, Jacquelyn, Krista, Jackie, Stephanie Front row: LeeAnn, Carol-Lynn, Karen, Betty, Shannon-Tara Locally owned and operated for over 35 years, Lee Ann Schmidt and her daughters, Stephanie, Jennifer and Krista, pride themselves on great customer service and top quality products such as Gucci, Pandora, Canada Ice, Vera Wang, Waterford and Elle. The elite team at JK Schmidt Jewellers can handle all your jewellery and repair needs. From engraving to watch repairs and custom design jewellery, we pride ourselves on the highest craftsmanship at competitive prices. Come on over, it’s a short drive, and visit our team at JK Schmidt Jewellers - experts at helping you create or finding just the perfect item for you, or someone special.

2477 Main Street, West Kelowna 250-768-7353 | 1-800-406-3666 | www.jkschmidt.ca

When I work, I work very, very hard. When I play, I like to find a variety of things to do that keep me moving and having fun too. I like to read and love to learn and it’s not always just about business. Some of the authors whose work has inspired me include Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Bob Green. I want to share some of the things I’ve learned so that you, too, can incorporate them into your daily habits. 1. Eat breakfast. As the good doctor said to me, it’s critical that you eat properly. Much like we wouldn’t be driving our car on an empty fuel tank, it is just as important to feed your body and feed it with good food choices. My habit: I pretty much stick to a routine five days of the week. On weekends, I make different choices, although for the most part still very healthy. 2. Get eight to 10 hours sleep a night. Research shows that most of the population is going around sleep deprived. Here’s what I have learned that works well—no TV in the bedroom. Keep the bedroom like your sanctuary—a place of peace, calm and quiet. No digital clock in the bedroom either as Dr. Weil believes that it can be distract-

ing and unhealthy. I have an old-fashioned alarm clock by my bedside. Keep the room dark and cool. Get yourself a comfortable pillow. If necessary get a new one—it’s a necessity to getting a good sleep, not a luxury. My habit: Not going anywhere near the computer three hours before bedtime. That way my mind isn’t racing with work-related items. Stop eating/drinking at least three hours before bed. These simple habits have changed my sleep patterns significantly! 3. Try different types of exercise. Some days, I jump rope. Some days, I do my strength and balance training. On weekends, I mix it up and go biking, walking or cross-country skiing in the winter. My habit: I schedule my exercise, just like I do any other appointment and, in that way, it gets done—typically, first thing in the morning. My workout clothes are right by my bed, so there are no excuses. 4. Stay overnight when going to business conferences. When I travel for business conferences, I have developed the habit of staying overnight on the last day. In my younger days, I used to grab the ‘red eye’

CAPITAL NEWSC

and hurry back home. That doesn’t work for me anymore. My habit: I stay the last night, go for a walk, relax and make the time to un-wind from the intense information that I have typically taken in at the event. As a mindset expert, I know that we have much more potential than we are using. As the research psychologists have found, there are four major barriers to achieving one’s potential—and one of those barriers is habits. There is no reason for entrepreneurs to be suffering through each and every day because of poor habits. We know that habits can be changed. We know that there is tremendous value in changing some habits so that we function better. If ‘balance in life’ seems too far out there for you, then make an effort to incorporate some of the suggestions I’ve made above. Just one change can be the answer for you. When we take charge of our life, and incorporate good habits into our daily routine, it all helps to build our confidence and courage. It’s that confidence and courage that helps us to step up to the plate, step out and grow our business in the way that we intend for it to grow.

They have one thing in common. Team spirit. And there isn’t a weak link in this talented group, with each and every one contributing to the success of our Kelowna office. At Grant Thornton LLP, helping our clients achieve their business goals is our goal, and this powerhouse of dynamic women—a partner, managers, practitioners and administrative wizards among them—plays a huge role in contributing to that success. Thanks, ladies, for playing for our team—we’re all the better for it.

Lucie

Mia

Leanne

Anne

Sonia

Lisa

Carrie

Jody

Jessica

Carol

Janelle

Cathy

Simone

Mary

Anya

Joy

Andrea

Corinne

Luanne

Pam

Jenny

Leona

Cathy

Sherry

Jean

Janelle

Kerry

Rebecca

Mei

Susan

Tanja

Laurie

Leslie

Ingrid

Carol

Missing: Karen, Jillian, Tori, Cari, Cindy, Myrna, and Chelsea.

Kelowna 200-1633 Ellis Street V1Y 2A8 T +1 250 712 6800

www.GrantThornton.ca Accounting • Audit • Tax • Advisory

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Provocative business that The art of saying, ‘No’ found a loyal customer base Jaime Almond CONTRIBUTOR

Tina Campbell CONTRIBUTOR

After having opened her own shop in the Alberta resort city of Banff, Kim Williams decided to move to the Okanagan Valley where her brother lived. It didn’t take her long to find a business space to rent in Kelowna, and in 1998 she opened a small lingerie style store on Sutherland Avenue. Unfortunately, the owner sold the building, forcing Williams to look elsewhere. She eventually found a For Sale sign in the window of a shop beside Mama Rosa’s restaurant and decided to purchase the shop—against the advice of a friend. Her friend’s hesitancy concerned the type of store that Williams wanted to open in the new location. But despite the reticence of her friend, Williams believed in her new business idea, and the Wild Kingdom boutique was born. And with perseverance and dedication, Williams has seen her Kelowna store thrive and a second store opened in West Kelowna. Wild Kingdom is a unique niche company that Williams says is a business about sensuality. It offers a safe and helpful environment that encourages men and women to shop for products that will enhance their romantic encounters and expand their personal knowledge. At Wild Kingdom, Williams helps customers discover their sense of sexuality and lets them search for something new and exciting to add to their intimacy.

The store offers products ranging from massage products and adult games, to lingerie, condoms and novelty products. In her role as a business owner, Williams has learned that people come from many different lifestyles, and she says it’s important to accept every customer as they are. Williams has learned to trust her gut instincts, and to deal with people in a caring and respectful way. She takes great pride in her store being clean, organized, and staffed with women who understand the superb customer service that Williams models. Her advice to women looking to take a similar step

to hers is to “believe in what you are going to do. Don’t say ‘if,’ say ‘when.’” She knows that women are strong, and if you behave with grace and dignity then you can do anything. She advises that running a business takes a lot of hard work and due diligence, but it can be incredibly rewarding. She also believes that you only get once chance to make a first impression, so you must be careful with how you conduct yourself. “Everyone you deal with (all of your suppliers, customers, and employees) will play a crucial role in your business. You need to take pride in striving to be number one in your job field,” Williams says.

As someone who does a lot of social networking, both online and in-person, I receive a lot of requests for meetings. When I first started my business, I said yes to everyone, and I wasted a lot of my time because I didn’t properly qualify what the meeting was going to be about. As a result, only rarely did these meetings result in any new business. I had to learn how to say no while making sure I didn’t upset the requester and hurt my reputation. As your reputation grows, more people will want a little piece of you. They will want to have coffee, talk on the phone, or chat over email or via social networking sites like Twitter or Facebook. If you say yes to every request you will not have time to get anything done. But people often are afraid to say no as it risks offending the other person. Here are some tips on how to say no gracefully while making the other party feel important and respected.

Acknowledge them as soon as possible. Respond to people who contact you as quickly as you can. Responding in a timely manner lets the other person know you value them. Make it a habit to promptly reply to emails or voicemails; if you are uncertain about what the other person needs then ask for more information. Find out what the other party wants from the meeting. It is often not immediately clear why someone wants to meet with you. Dig a little deeper to find out what it is they are really after; this will help both of you gain clarity with regards to the purpose and expectations of a possible meeting. If you agree to meet you will both be better prepared. If you decide the meeting is not right for you then you will be able to provide specific reasons why the meeting is not a good fit. Engaging and including the other person in the process allows them to feel valued. Be cautious when offered incentives. See Sayiing Page 16

Kathy York Another fantastic year! Thank you again for all your support. I continue to enjoy my career as a licensed Real Estate Agent. Living and working in the Okanagan is a blessing. The continued support of my friends, family and clients is greatly appreciated. Those who have experienced my dedication, positive attitude and professionalism have not been disappointed. For the smile that keeps on giving, pick up the phone and make the call. I would love to hear from you!

Your Kelowna Born and Raised Real Estate Agent

250.870.1810

CONTRIBUTED

KIM WILLIAMS turned the Wild Kingdom, in the business of selling sensuality, into a downtown Kelowna iconic success.

Our professional staff is here to help... Every time we hear a heartfelt thank you from someone, we know we have succeeded. At Wild Kingdom, we realize that individuals who venture in to our shop are revealing personal details with total strangers. It is up to the Wild Kingdom team to make those people feel absolutely welcome and ensure total Laurette, Kim, Olivia, Tanya, Sierra, Barb customer confidentiality. In the vast ocean of online shopping and big box stores, our edge is to offer a lifeboat of attentive customer service. As a team, we strive to select quality products and represent manufacturers that offer excellent service. Promoting positive sexuality and making people feel comfortable about exploring their intimate relationships is no easy task. Kim Williams, with 34 years in the industry, ensures that her team is equipped with confidence and product knowledge. The key is listening to the needs of people and providing a shopping experience that allows them to walk away feeling more confident than when they walked in. Wild Kingdom welcomes, men, women and transgender individuals from all walks of life. Team spirit and communication keep us thriving and that trickles through to the customer. Kim works to offer a dynamic and fulfilling work experience for her staff, allowing each of us to feel a part of the process. In effect, feeling a part of the team, we pass along that effort and warmth to each individual that walks through our door.

Wild Kingdom

www.kathyyork.ca kathyyork@shaw.ca

Wild Kingdom THE OKANAGAN’S PREMIERE SENSUALITY SHOP

• Romantic & Exotic Lingerie • Lubricants & Stimulants • Adult Pleasure Objects • Books, Novelties & Games • Exceptional Customer Service Home of the We Vibe!

Your local

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250-868-9033 • 563 Lawrence Avenue, Kelowna 250-768-2000 • #103-3466 Carrington Road, West Kelowna

www.sensualkingdom.com

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

Don’t let your time get sidetracked Saying from 15

Sometimes people will use the incentive of potential referrals to set up a meeting. As tempting as this may be, it is critical to make sure that the other party is a good fit with your needs. Referrals are often a twoway street. A good referral

partner is someone who refers you business and to whom you can refer business. Find out more about their business who their clients are to see if there is the potential for a two-way relationship. Find a less time consuming way to interact with them. Sometimes, even after

clarification, you may still be unsure about whether the other person is a good fit. Instead of meeting in person, consider scheduling a 15 minute phone call or video Skype meeting to get a better idea. Alternatively you could see if there is a group setting, like a networking event, you

Sharon Gray Mission Meats has been a part of the lower Mission for over 15 years – providing a product and service second to none. Sharon, along with her husband Randy, take pride and work together daily to create and develop new and exciting food ideas for their customers. They love to do in-house made products that may not be found anywhere else - pepperoni, sausages, smoked and cured hams, pastrami and bacon to name a few! Added to this, Sharon has started a line of in-store made meals that are created from Sharon’s own original recipes – and made with Mission Meats quality meats. Products like bbq beef ribs, pulled turkey or pulled pork, cabbage rolls, meatloaves and meatballs are all just the tip of what is available! All the meat products used are made from the superior meat - brought in from the free run or free range BC farms that they are able to buy from. Their steadily growing customer base is a testament to the dedication of their passion – quality meats and original recipes! For more on Mission Meats go to www.missionmeats.com and like us on Facebook for daily updates on product lines and specials!

3995 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna 250-764-7232

will both be attending where you can briefly meet to talk. If it does not fit refer them to someone else. The best way to say no is to follow it up with how you can help them. If it is possible, refer them to someone who might be a better fit for their needs. If you do not know of a good referral, this could be the perfect opportunity to find a new referral partner. By following these steps you can say no to people without fear of insulting or offending them. They will leave feeling good about them selves and about their interaction with you, and also have a clearer idea about your business and the type of fit you are looking for. In the future they might even refer new business to you. How have you dealt with saying no? Jaime Almond is a social media strategist. Jaime@jaimealmond.com www.jaimealmond.com

Telling your story most accurately: Capital News

CAPITAL NEWSC

Dealing with the rejection Anne Day

CONTRIBUTOR

No one likes rejection, but at some point in your business, it is bound to occur—you didn’t land the contract, the person didn’t call you back or you didn’t make the sale. While it is hard not to take it personally, one option is to take it creatively. When you step back and review the situation, there may be some important lessons to be learned on how best to promote yourself and your services next time. Like everything else, much depends on your attitude. When a particular defeat is a small part of your overall game plan, it’s harder to view it as rejection. It’s more a bump on the road and one that can be overcome by going in different direction. The company you keep can also make a difference. People are full of opinions, and it can be dangerous to start listening to all of them. Some offer withering opinions and the mistake is to think these opinions have merit when often they are projecting their own failures onto you. So surround yourself with your friends, they will help to bolster you when you’re feeling less positive. After her bankruptcies, Bonnie Bickel was worried that friends would think less of her, yet she found that instead her friends were proud of how she’d handled her challenges. Be careful what you do to others and be cautious of getting into situations where you are the one who is doing the rejection. If you don’t handle it well, it could come back to haunt you. Sometimes when we are uncomfortable in a confrontational situation, we rush the process and can be more abrupt than we mean to be. One counter to rejection, is to rejection-proof yourself by acting with great generosity. In her book Soloing, Harriet Rubin suggests sending a “thank you” note to the person rejecting you, but make no comment on any future business. This way, you’ve been professional and no door has been closed shut. Anne Day is the founder of Company of Women.

YOUR LIFE IS…

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A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Wine store concept is beginning to branch out Tina Campbell CONTRIBUTOR

Tracy Gray, owner and founder of Discover Wines, opened her store at Orchard Plaza in 2003, shortly before her son began kindergarten. While living in Vancouver, Gray received a position in upper management with a large organization in the beverage industry. After her son was born, Gray decided that she only wanted to work part-time. After her six months maternity leave was done, Gray decided to quit her job and move back to Kelowna to be near her family. Once back home, Gray started a sole proprietorship, where she worked under contract on projects and was able to set her own hours. That was followed by Gray taking the step to open Discover Wines. Discover Wines is a wine

store that promotes the wineries of British Columbia. It also focuses on local artisan food products, home entertaining items and corporate gifts. Discover Wines has received a great deal of local support, and has won many local and national business awards. Gray is proud to say that she employs the best team and serves the best customers. This year will be significant for her business, not only as it celebrates a 10th anniversary since opening, but a second store will be starting up in Kamloops From her experience, Gray says she has learned that there is a very large difference, in terms of knowledge and time commitment, between being a sole proprietor and owning a company. She has also learned that anything worth having re-

quires hard work and commitment. She has come to realize that if you wish to run a truly successful business, there will be no such thing as a full day off. As well, Gray says she has discovered that you can’t achieve success without the help of other people, and you need to be grateful for that support. “There are three key elements to being successful when starting your own business,’’ Gray says. “The first step is to do as much research as you can, and write a solid business plan. The second step is to gain experience or take courses to enhance your skills. Things to focus on are: bookkeeping, marketing, or human resources. “The final step is to only take advice from people who have been successful in their field of work.”

Gateway 21 Room offers added service to casino customers Tina Campbell CONTRIBUTOR

The Gateway 21 Room is a brand new events, meeting, and entertainment room created for the Lake City Casino in Kelowna. This first-class gaming and entertainment facility has been newly expanded and renovated to accompany the Gateway 21 services. The room presents exciting events and shows nearly every weekend, and is the perfect place to host a party, meeting, or event. It is a beautiful 3,000 square-foot space that is located just off the main gaming floor.

The Room features bright windows that provide a spectacular view of the Waterfront Park as well as Kelowna’s Cultural District. It also offers a large variety of menu options and room configurations, and also offers a full service bar and state of the art presentation equipment. Gateway 21 also offers exciting casino add-ons for guests such as private slot tournaments, and poker or table game lessons. It is a truly original destination for any type of gathering, says Suzanne Chorney, marketing manager for Lake City Casino, located in The Delta Grand Hotel & Conference Centre.

“An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets, the more interested he is in her. ”—author Agatha Christie

CONTRIBUTED

TRACY GRAY, owner and founder of Discover Wines in Kelowna, plans to open a new store this year in Kamloops.

“CONNECT

...a business networking group for women” Brenda Fischer CFP Edward Jones

Financial Advisor

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Annick obtained her Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Ottawa and fervently believes her MBA is one half of the platform from which she conducts the business side of her real estate career. Prior to obtaining her real estate license in 2012, Annick gathered marketplace experience working in finance, business management and consulting, in both official languages.

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Long-lasting relationships are considered by Annick as the other half of her real estate platform. Always considering what is best for her clients; she is looking forward to developing and nurturing successful relationships with clients in the years ahead.

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250-469-1383 “We support and assist women in business, specifically CONNECT members by actively referring clients to sister members, and by encouraging and empowering each other and potential members. www.connectkelowna.org

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWSC

People matters: keeping your best employees You’re on your way to building the best workplace team you’ve ever experienced. Your latest hire brings the skills you needed, but more importantly she is a ‘good fit’ and has a personality that meshes well with yours and those of the rest of the team. She came looking for a job because she was a friend of a friend who used to work for you. Wow! How easy was that! Unfortunately, the reality is that most business owners don’t have this experience. Attracting and retaining employees is becoming more and more challenging in today’s marketplace as demographics change. Baby boomers, who up until now have been the lar-

gest age group in the labour market, are entering retirement. The generation following the boomers is substantially smaller and will not be able to replace all those retiring from the workforce. Seeing the trends and hearing stories from other small business owners might have you worried that your good fortune won’t last— your most coveted employees will leave you to move on to greener pastures. This could mean incurring huge costs to hire someone new. Statistics show that every new hire costs a business at least one-third of that person’s yearly wages. For example, if you hire an administrative assistant for

$30,000 a year, you will probably spend $10,000 on recruitment and training costs to get that person to a point where they are fully comfortable in their role. Angie Barnard, owner of the Painted Turtle Guesthouse in Nanaimo, understands that it is not just the financial toll of losing an employee that business owners should worry about. “Because we’re a small team, when you lose one person the other team members need to fill in and do that job,” Barnard explains. “That means a minimum of a month turnover where someone is doing two jobs. “The staff morale is one of the hardest things to manage when they’re picking up the slack while we train a new

Tracey Vrecko Tracey is the female force within the dynamic team of Quincy Vrecko and Associates of RE/MAX. Kelowna. Tracey and her husband Quincy are taking a new, aggressive approach to selling real estate that is quickly gaining popularity with home sellers in Kelowna. Tracey started her real estate career in Calgary, Alberta and now while selling the Okanagan she is sharing her vast experience and marketing know how with buyers and sellers alike. Her clients really appreciate her creative solutions and have come to rely on her and her team for all things real estate. As the mother of two active boys, Gabriel and Paxton, Tracey has a special appreciation of the Okanagan active family lifestyle which she shares with those relocating to the area. Tracey’s competitive spirit and hard work ethic is responsible for her increasing demand as she continues to work to establish her name as one of the top agents in Kelowna. Her philosophy of recognizing that every home and client is unique thus requiring a custom marketing plan tailored to that specific property. With the right marketing plan in place Tracey ensures her clients homes receive maximum exposure resulting in her listings selling faster and for top dollar. “When hiring a real estate professional, I agree that you should have high expectations. With proven marketing strategies and strong negotiating techniques, I guarantee to exceed those expectations, making your real estate experience successful and enjoyable.” To learn how you can benefit from Tracey’s services visit www.quincyvrecko.com

Kelowna

Phone: 250.575.6448 www.quincyvrecko.com

Okanagan Natural Care Centre Step Up to Health! Okanagan Natural Care Centre: Would you like to be more in tune with yourself emotionally and physically? At Kelowna’s most established complementary health centre, we work with clients who are interested in improving their lives physically, emotionally, personally or in business, and by helping clients detoxify negative behavior patterns and improve their efficiency in all areas of their life - even on the golf course! Our team of experienced professionals work to discover your potential, transforming you to a new level of awareness during each visit. We use skills and applied techniques to help you break through your barriers and radically improve your life. Tired of the same old? We encourage you to call today. Let us be the next step on your journey to recognizing your life’s potential.

3-1890 Ambrosi Rd, Kelowna 250-763-2914 www.naturalcare.bc.ca

employee.” One place to start in your retention strategy is to think about the compensation package you have to offer. While job satisfaction is more complex than just money, fair compensation continues to be an important factor for employees of all ages. Barb Fetherstonhaugh, owner of Pete’s Tent and Awning in Victoria, knows this well. ‘Financial compensation is part of it, but on top of that we also offer flexibility and try to help our employees work towards their life goals,” says Fetherstonhaugh. “Being able to offer time flexibility is key—time off for family, sick time and extended vacation time. “I also really believe that people have their own life goals, so we try to support them while they work towards them. “Continuing education and offering to let them take courses to upgrade their skills is really very important.” Training and development will definitely cost you money, but the long-term impact on your business can be significant—in a good way. More and more employees are looking for a place to work that values the contribution they make and will provide learning and growth opportunities. The investment you make in training and developing your employees doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Some small companies have a yearly “education allowance” of a fixed amount, say $500, from which each employee can choose what they would like to do. This could be in the form of a one or two day seminar,

‘‘

FINANCIAL COMPENSATION IS PART OF IT, BUT ON TOP OF THAT WE ALSO OFFER FLEXIBILITY AND TRY TO HELP OUR EMPLOYEES WORK TOWARDS THEIR LIFE GOALS. Barb Fetherstonhaugh business owner

a college night course or simply purchasing books for selfstudy. There should be parameters attached to an education allowance of course, such as ensuring the training is pertinent to your company and your employees’ roles. Many companies will only pay once the employee has provided documentation of their successful completion of the course or seminar. Whichever way you choose to implement training and development in your company, the benefits will far outweigh the costs in the longterm. Angie Barnard’s employees are mostly joining her company for entry level positions into the hospitality and tourism industry. “We often can’t pay our staff what we believe to be their full value, so we try to value-add to their remuneration package by giving them experience,” says Barnard. “We do regular staff reviews and if they’re interested in taking a course we’ll look at that on a case-by-case basis. “For instance we sent our

office manager to a three day HR course in Victoria. And we’ve sent reception staff to tourism industry conferences.” Before you spend your hard earned money make sure you understand the motivations of your employees and be certain that what you have in mind will help you achieve your goal of getting commitment to your company. You should focus on things that engage your employees. If they are engaged they will be more productive, share their innovative ideas freely, inspire others and provide excellent customer service. What you choose to do may or may not cost you much money. In sum, build loyalty. Be clear about what you expect from your employees and make sure they have the resources they need to accomplish it. Get to know them as individuals and show that you care. Provide feedback, recognition and acknowledgement on a continual basis. You will have a better understanding of the opportunities and career development that they are looking for. Focus your attention on your best employees who will be able to inspire others to do great work.

The Women’s Enterprise Centre is the go-to place for BC women business owners for business loans, skills training, business advisory services, resources, publications and referrals. For more information on growing your business so its right for you, download the WEC’s free Growing Your Business resource guide at www.womensenterprise.ca/ resources.

Your Last Diet Centre At Your Last Diet Centre we use Ideal Protein’s medically designed and professionally supervised wellness protocol. This muscle-sparing, fat-targeting weight loss protocol was created for Olympic Athletes in France about 25 years ago. Dieters lose the weight quickly without strenuous exercise. The Ideal Protein program is unique as it has a beginning and an end. You not only take the weight off and improve your health but, most importantly, you learn how to keep it off and that is why we are called Your Last Diet Centre. With our combined training and personal experience, we will guide you to success and a healthier body. Ask about our impressive weight loss averages!

3-1890 Ambrosi Rd, Kelowna 250-763-2914 #50-5500 Clements Cres., Peachland 778-215-2914 www.yourlastdietcentre.com

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Keeping our mind and body connected

yJudith Richardson dCONTRIBUTOR o - If we want to develop a deeper way of perceiving situations, of being with situaetions, consider being relaxed, -open and confident, not exdpecting or demanding anyething in particular. e Many of the clients I work -with have learned “not” to like themselves—this is an invintation to make friends with -ourselves, not just casual, in-passing friends, but intim,ate friends. s You see, brilliant people rarely take the time to reflect

on what they do. Reflection assists you in learning from the future as it emerges. When we are not consciously aware of our evolving self, we can get stuck in an old self-image. The engaging leader is fully present as a natural expression, a natural creativity. Often, we get caught up in the speed and pressures of daily life, and our mind and body become disconnected. The invitation is to dance with the space that is all around us—to drop habitual patterns and cease to be

locked into a solid sense of me and them, or “othering.” With soft eyes there is the possibility of seeing the space, of experiencing each other beyond credentials, opinions, and concepts. We experience the basic healthiness and integrity of our communities and organizations. We begin to feel a sense of presence, of being right on the spot without an agenda. This is a discipline and brings objectivity to any situation—leading to curiosity rather than reaction of defensiveness.

Avoid pricing mistakes

o u

e When you have a small business, it isn’t teasy to decide how to price your products and dservices. There will always be other businesses that -are at both ends (high and low) of the pricing spectrum, and sometimes their prices will be same as yours. u Small business owners often fall into the -pricing trap, and commit some serious mis-takes in pricing their products or services. The biggest pricing mistakes that small business commit most often are following:

-PRICE MATCHING/UNDERCUTTING The trend among small business owners is nto observe how their competitors are pricing ltheir products or services and then price their services in the same manner. Many small businesses take this concept one step further, and actually reduce their eprices as compared to their competitors. This is competitive pricing, and such spricing rarely benefits small businesses, but -unfortunately that doesn’t stop them from doing it. s The first and most obvious disadvantage of -this pricing method is that it eats up your bottom line. So although the sales look good, the -profit doesn’t. And there is no guarantee that gthe sales will look good in the future either. e Many people perceive cheap products to /be just that—cheap. They believe (rightly or wrongly) that the low price is related to poor

quality. Thus instead of increasing sales, you will actually end up losing many of your customers, which may push your profits down even further. You should always try to set your business apart from the crowd, and provide value to your services by charging an appropriate premium for value. People usually do not mind a high price—if you provide them with value for their money.

FOCUSING ON PRICING

In interactions with your present or your prospective clients, the focus should never be on your prices or the rates. If you decide to go by value pricing, you are actually charging for the value you bring to the service. This value should be the factor that should guide all communication. People understand that when you are providing value, they will have to pay a bit more, and most of them feel good about the concept. You don’t need to focus on the small minority of customers that does not like this. When you can make your prospective clients believe in your company, your services and the value, the price becomes the secondary factor in clinching the deal. You should always focus on these value propositions, and let your client visualize what he/she can expect when they do business with you. Pricing should only come up at later stage, such that your services justify it.

Cassandra Tompkins The Woman’s Place Fitness Group, located on the corner of Springfield and Spall Road, has been a staple in the Kelowna fitness industry for over 30 years and has been locally owned and operated by Cassandra Tompkins for the past 7 years. TWP is well known for its large, all-inclusive group fitness schedule which includes everything from Yoga and Pilates, TRX, Spin and Step, Zumba, Bootcamp and more. More importantly, their members are what really make the facility fun, motivating and inspiring! TWP was awarded the 2012 Corporate Community Award for small to medium business, and they continue to work in the community. With the assistance of their generous members, they have been able to support many local organizations. No contracts, no enrolment fees and no-hassle cancellation policies are perfect for today’s busy women. Watch for exciting changes and new programming in the upcoming year!

123-1889 Springfield Rd. 250-762-7255 www.twpfitness.com

Organizational life, where I do most of my work, may seem to some like a relatively odd place for spiritual growth; it is however rich with opportunity. It is the full meal deal—so much can go right and wrong. “Stuff” happens—unwanted complications come your way. The service you’ve been waiting for is long delayed and when it does come it is unsatisfactory, your bright idea is claimed by someone else, your working conditions are lacking and the royal “they” are not fixing them, try as you might you don’t seem able to satisfy anyone, this one is angry at you, that one is disappointed, and the other one is not paying you the attention you feel you deserve.

Right away in our habitual thinking we choose to be miserable and tell ourselves that there are no choices. We whine in the washroom and complain in the coffee room, make up stories in which we are either the hero or the victim, take revenge, do less than our best, comfort ourselves in righteousness, question the quality of our relationships with others, sabotage our contributions to our organization and to the world, attempt to build ourselves up by putting down others. The beginning of spirituality comes with the awareness that we can see things not as the way things are, but as a choice. As we recognize choices, we are invited to abandon victimhood and righteousness; we accept responsibility for

our condition and for the condition of our systems, we accept our place as co-creators of these conditions. The foundation, the method and the results of quieting your thoughts are the same. The foundation is your natural disposition to be as you are, to be with your world and your experiences as they are. The method is a reminder to relax and be natural in this way, bring humour to any situation. And the result is settling down with the natural processes of your body and mind, so that your human qualities of intelligence, warmth, and power can be strengthened and evolve. We begin to realize that each moment can be mined for joy.

Investors Group Financial Services Inc. Meet the professional women of Investors Group Financial Services Inc. who deliver the highest quality service to clients everyday. Experience the Investors Group Commitment for yourself.

Karen Erickson CFP Division Director & Senior Financial Consultant

Melanie Hall-Szyszkiewicz CFP, EPC Senior Financial Consultant

Anna-Marie Rasmussen

Nicole Roussel

Associate Consultant

Carolyn Scott Consultant

BComm, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CHS, FDS Associate Consultant

• INVESTMENT PLANNING • RETIREMENT PLANNING • TAX PLANNING RRSPs & GICs • EDUCATION PLANNING • MORTGAGES • WEALTH PLANNING • ESTATE PLANNING

Landmark IV Suite 100 - 1628 Dickson Ave Kelowna, BC V1Y 9X1 Tel: 250-762-3329 • Fax: 250-868-9332 Toll Free: 1-877-541-2255 www.investorsgroup.com TM trademark owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations.

Amanda Winters Successful woman entrepreneur Amanda Winters is a young, multitalented professional. In addition to working in the beauty industry for 11 years as a licensed esthetician, she owns one of Kelowna’s noteworthy full service day spas – Central Spa, located in the heart of Rutland at the corner of Hollywood and Hwy. 33. Amanda’s second business owned with her husband Kevin, is Beauty Essentials, this business sells high performance luxury skincare products to spas around British Columbia. Amanda believes that when people come first, success will follow. Every client that enters Central Spa becomes a valuable part of her business and she thrives to provide a welcoming atmosphere with exceptional service. To help provide this exceptional service Amanda surrounds herself with an outstanding team that you can depend on. As a working boss she appreciates team work and the diverse talents of her staff members which show their sincere efforts to make their clients feel at home during their visit.

#2-110 Hollywood Rd. S. 250.712.0233

www.centralsalonkelowna.com

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWSC

Do women have winning instinct? What every mompreneur ‘‘ should know Anne Day

CONTRIBUTOR

One spring we had a panel of successful athletes share how to develop a winning attitude. Much of their conversation focused on our inner talk, and how when we focus, visualize ourselves winning, it can happen. So I was interested to read the latest research in a recent issue of Psychologies about whether women really have the winning instinct. Traditionally we assume that women are less competitive than men, and lack the killer instinct that will enable them to win at all costs. However, the latest research shows that women can and do compete, they just experience the stress of compet-

MEN ARE MORE STRESSED BY OUTCOMES AND WHETHER THEY WILL WIN OR LOSE. GETTING THE REWARD IS THEIR MAIN MOTIVATION. Dr. Mariana Kaiseler

ing differently to men. “We found that men and women were just as good as each other at coping with stress, but worry about different things,” observes sports psychologist Dr. Mariana

Kaiseler. “Men are more stressed by outcomes and whether they will win or lose. Getting the reward is their main motivation.” Women on the other hand are more concerned about performance, says Kaiseler. Men rely on planning prior to a game, while women prefer to talk about their anxieties. Significantly researchers have found that while women admit to more anxiety, it doesn’t appear to make them less successful. If anything admitting to anxieties and fears can be positive. Women tend to be more co-operative and have greater levels of self-disclosure and as a result, they are more likely to get help for a prob-

Barb Dumbovic Barb Dumbovic started her business making perogies and cabbage rolls in May 1995. For many years you could find Barb and her truck serving breakfast and lunch from May to October at the Farmers Market, and also on Sundays at the Rutland Hall. Barb has grown from those days to her own restaurant, Barb’s Delight, located in the Blue Heights Complex. Barb is serving up “food done right” Monday thru Saturday. Her menu has expanded to include many delicious dishes, soups, salads, and sandwiches and, of course, her amazing breakfasts. As well, frozen perogies and cabbage rolls are available for take home. Barb gives back to the community; one way is through her “Perogy Eating Contest,” where she has partnered with local charities to help raise funds and awareness. Watch for this year’s bigger and better contest to be held June 8th. One taste of her perogies and cabbage rolls will have you coming back for more!

Barb’s Delights

2789 Hwy 97 N, Kelowna, BC (778) 478-9921

Leesa Fournier Realtor

Knowing your local market, great! Knowing and understanding your clients’ needs and what is important…priceless! My dedication and determination to have all my clients truly satisfied is what I strive for in my business. Trust is key! You can always count on me. I am a proud Westside resident and mother of 3. I am bilingual, professional, hard working, enthusiastic and organized. I love what I do! When you choose me for the sale or purchase of a home, condo, land or investment, you are making the right choice. I get results while building quality relationships. Thank you to all my clients for your trust and referrals to your family and friends. I look forward to the opportunity of working with you in 2013! Call me! Let my skills and years of experience move you. Helping you is what I do! List for Sale… or SOLD with Leesa. You decide.

KELOWNA

Phone: 250.808.2932 leesafournier@royallepage.ca

lem. Whereas men are more closed and don’t like to admit to weaknesses. Another female trait is that women tend to downplay their abilities on and off the sports pitch, but men come across as more confident and tend to rate themselves higher, whether worthy of that rating or not. Sports psychologists describe mental toughness as key to success and there are the four Cs—commitment to winning, confidence, ability to control your emotions and view a stressful situation as a challenge. Certainly as entrepreneurs we often see challenges as opportunities. Here are four tips that the sports psychologists provide on cultivating a winning instinct: 1. Overcome negative thoughts: Walk away or distract yourself if you fall into negative predictions of what could happen. 2. Don’t let one mistake colour the rest of your performance. See it as a one-off and look at ways to learn from that situation. 3. Reflect on why really want to win and do well. Is it to please other people or does the desire come from within you to prove yourself? 4. Accept that you are not perfect. After making an error, the best players refocus very quickly on what’s in front of them. Learn to deal with setbacks and move on.

Telling your story most accurately: Capital News

Debra Bajoras CONTRIBUTOR

Have you ever considered that your cell phone, computer, clock radio, hairdryer, cordless phone, video game controller, microwave oven and the car you drive, all emit hazardous electro-magnetic radiation frequencies, commonly known as EMFs or EMRs? Cell phones, for example, emit the same type of radiation as a microwave oven, only in smaller dosages. I know you wouldn’t stick your head in a microwave, but every time we put a cell phone to our head we bombard our brain with microwave radiation! EMFs are unavoidable in our technological reality and continue to increase in intensity as the wireless age evolves. Medical researcher Dr. Robert Becker suggests, “At the present time, the greatest polluting element in the earth’s environment… more serious even than global climate change and chemical pollution… is the proliferation of electromagnetic fields.” Scientific research has only recently become sophisticated enough to conclude the dangerous effects of EMF-emitting devices. Have you ever experienced your cell phone or cordless phone heating up? I have. The phone was burning my ear so much that I had to cut the call short and trying to drive afterwards felt like I was driving intoxicated. And that is exactly how these microwave frequencies impact us, causing headaches, fatigue, tissue swelling, memory impairment, tingling, loss of focus, insomnia, and learning difficulties. However there are other concerns that are far more serious and long-term. Research has shown that EMFs interfere with cellular DNA and the innate mechanisms that repair the DNA. There is also very clear conclusive research that these EMFs cause temporal brain tumors— a condition that has increased 25 per cent in the last 20 years. The risks of using cell phones are great, however, the cordless phones we use in our home emit as much as twice the EMFs that a cell phone does. And surprisingly, the telephone headsets we wear to allow our hands to be free, collect all the EMFs floating around the room from our computers etc. and direct them with laser-like focus into our ear canal. I am on a mission to get every cell phone that sits beside a teenager’s head for hours on end, protected. As mothers and as entrepreneurs who use technology regularly, we must consider these facts not only for our own health, but also the people we love and care about. Debra Bajoras is a speaker, leadership coach, meditation teacher and CranioSacral therapist in the U.S

Caroline Grover The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has been serving its business members since 1906 acting as a catalyst for business growth through advocacy cost savings, networking opportunities and acting as the voice for business in the Central Okanagan. The Kelowna Chamber is the second largest in British Columbia with 1250 members and seven staff. The Chamber brings credibility to our members, offers business to business discount programs, targeted and cost effective marketing options to assist members in reaching their markets. Our 1200 page website and your business listings are viewed by thousands of people weekly. We support our members through introductions, business exposure and reduced operating costs. “I bring a background in community economic development, downtown revitalization strategies and business mentoring. I have managed four non-profit membership organizations exclusively serving business, being strategic in leveraging funds and partnerships. My greatest joy is the time I have working and speaking directly with members.”

544 Harvey Avenue Kelowna, BC

250-861-3627 www.kelownachamber.org

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Choosing a nurturing health care career option Barry Gerding MANAGING EDITOR

Emily Pratt also had a desire to have a career in medicine. Initially, her passion to pursue that advocation saw her pursuing a conventional medical degree, but along the way in her studies she found herself looking in a different medical care, one that led her to becoming a naturopath. But becoming an ‘ND’ rather than am ‘MD’ was something that Pratt did not embrace without doing her research first. After getting her undergraduate degree at the University of Northern B.C. in Prince George, the native of

Grand Forks found it appealing that rather than dealing with symptoms, naturopathy offered her the luxury of time to interact more with patients and flush out the root causes of what is ailing them. “There is a nurturing aspect that appealed to me about naturopathy. If a patient comes to me with a rash, I will help to alleviate the symptoms, but I also want to work with the patient to find out what the rash occurred and how to prevent it from coming back,” Pratt explained. Pratt was also given the opportunity to job shadow with several naturopaths to research in her own mind if it was the right vocation for her. “I had a lot of great advice

Emily Pratt given to me from those opportunities and other NDs were very encouraging to me as well about their profession.” Falling under the umbrella of alternative health options, Pratt says naturopathy doesn’t always get the respect that conventional medi-

Put success odds in your favour When you start your own business, you may have to wear many “hats.” You may have some great ideas, but how are you at handling business operations like administrative or managerial tasks? You need to know your strengths and weaknesses. Lack of management experience can lead to small business failure. Do not be shy about seeking out the advice of experts, networking with other entrepreneurs and hiring employees to help you run the business. Passion, persistence, and innovative thinking can improve your odds of success. Do you know what you want to achieve? Having determination, setting goals, paying attention to detail and motivating others are all key elements to achieving success and business growth. On the other hand, desire and persistence alone will not make you successful. For example, a lot of people love to cook and are talented chefs. Some may even dream of starting a restaurant. However, there are many restaurants in the marketplace; the profit margins are slim and customers have lots of choice. To be successful in that market, you need to truly be offering something new or unique. In short, you need to be sure that there is

a big enough market for what you plan to offer and that the competition isn’t already too strong.

SURVIVAL TIPS

Follow these tips to avoid some of the pitfalls that can lead to small business failure: • Develop a good marketing and business plan that takes into account customer needs, competition, pricing and promotional strategies. • Have a good working knowledge of business law or hire a lawyer. • Understand your business finances, such as cash flow and handling credit. • Keep a good inventory of your products or services and your existing customers. • Supervise, train and motivate your employees. • Make sure you have the experience, expertise and talent to run your business. • Plan every part of your business from start to finish. • Know your market and define how much of it you will be able to capture. • Make sure you are offering a product that is unique and competitive or at a lower cost than that of your competitors. • Don’t under-estimate your expenses and over-estimate your revenue.

Kate Snowsell Kate was born and raised in the Kelowna area, completing elementary, high school and her undergraduate studies here. She began her career with Doak Shirreff as a summer student in 2008, and then joined the firm after completing her Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Alberta. Since being called to the bar in 2010, Kate focuses her practice primarily on wills and estates, real estate, corporate and family law. While at law school Kate volunteered with Student Legal Services of Edmonton, Civil Division, and was an active member of the Faculty of Law’s student-run newspaper, the Canons of Construction. Professionally, Kate is a member of the Kelowna Bar Association and the Canadian Bar Association. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Okanagan Chapter. When not at the office Kate and her husband, Jeremy, are busy keeping up with their energetic young daughter, Madilyn. Email: ksnowsell@doakshirreff.com Direct Line: (250) 979-2566

cine might, but she notes both use a lot of the same tools and knowledge base. “To get my naturopathy degree, the first two years of core training no different from what conventional doctors go through for their medical degrees,” she said. “Where it changes is in the third and fourth years.” Pratt graduated with her degree from a naturopathy school in Vancouver, one of only two that offers such training in Canada, the other being in Toronto. Finished with her education, Pratt said she faced a decision where to try and start her practice as well as where she and her husband, who was raised in Richmond, wanted to live. Pratt, 31, said Kelowna seemed like an ideal location

to pursue the lifestyle options they wanted. “Growing up on Grand Forks, I was used to coming to Kelowna as a kid with my family as a place to go shopping or whatever. We lived on the coast for a while but driving over 300 kilometres a week, being in the car two hours a day for the commute, and it really killed me that after the hour drive to work, I had to pay to park and hike some more to get to work,” Pratt said. “We decided we just wanted to live somewhere smaller.” Besides being closer to friends and family, Pratt says living in Kelowna allowed them to become part of a community, which can be difficult to do in a larger urban centre. Pratt felt Kelowna also of-

fered her an opportunity to establish her naturopathy practice, which she started six months ago. Her willingness to get out and meet people and writing health care columns in the Capital News has helped raise her profile in the community, to help establish her practice. “It’s always tough to get established but I’m happy with where I am at right now,” she said. Pratt said naturopathy has its share of naysayers, but the profession, like many other alternative treatment options, has gained wider credibility because of media exposure across North America and a greater interest and information base provided about how to take better care of ourselves through proper nutrition and other self-help lifestyle tools.

Karyn Kraemer Karyn’s family law practice involves advocating for her clients using cooperative means to resolve disputes, and where necessary, litigation. Whether a client requires a cohabitation agreement or a divorce (or anything in between) Karyn recognizes that these are delicate and difficult decisions. Her goal is to help clients understand their legal rights and guide them through their options, especially in light of B.C.’s upcoming new legislation, the Family Law Act. Karyn taught high school French and English for several years before entering the practice of law. This background has led her to explore various ways to settle disputes outside of court. To that end, she is a member of the Okanagan Collaborative Family Law Group. Karyn is currently the co-chair of the Okanagan Family Law subsection of the Canadian Bar Association and a past member of the YMCA of the Okanagan’s Strong Kids Campaign Community Cabinet. Out of the office Karyn and her husband Matthew are avid travellers and tennis fans. Email: kkraemer@doakshirreff.com Direct Line: (250) 979-2561

Christy Lovig A long-time Kelowna resident, Christy brings a wide range of experience from her many years of entrepreneurial ventures, including new business creation and development, public relations, investor relations, marketing communications and real estate development. This experience enables Christy to provide her business clients, from small to large, with valuable insight and guidance in a variety of corporate and commercial matters. Christy’s practice also encompasses real estate law, employment law, strata property law, and wills and estates. Her objective is to obtain cost-effective results and find creative and durable solutions to difficult problems for her clients. In her spare time, Christy is an avid marathon runner and cyclist who loves to spend time with her husband, Trent, at the family ranch, accompanied by their horses and their giant dogs, Axel and Kona. Email: clovig@doakshirreff.com Direct Line: (250) 979-2552

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWSC

Leaving on a jet plane? Business etiquette to go

Lydia Ramsey

CONTRIBUTOR

Business travel is often a necessity whether you work for a Fortune 500 company or own a small home based business. Only so much business can be conducted by telephone, email, computer and fax. There will come a day when you need to travel for business and how you conduct yourself will make all the difference in determining your success in getting that new client or sealing the deal. Always remember that you are representing your company during your entire journey, starting and ending with your trip to and from the airport. Be considerate to airline

personnel, hotel porters, restaurant employees and anyone else you meet on your trip. You never know when someone you meet may be related to the CEO of your client company or when someone you treat badly makes a formal complaint to your employer. Stay on your best behaviour when you are traveling and you will build relationships that can impact the bottom line. As a bonus you will enjoy your trip a lot more when you treat others with courtesy and kindness. After your travel reservations are made do some research. Start by studying the customs and culture of your destination if you are visiting a

Amy

‘‘

STAY ON YOUR BEST BEHAVIOUR WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING AND YOU WILL BUILD RELATIONSHIPS THAT CAN IMPACT THE BOTTOM LINE.

foreign country or by reading an online newspaper from the city where you will be staying. Use the Internet to select a restaurant for wining and dining your client, and make reservations ahead of time. Refresh your memory on the basics of introductions, table manners and gift giving

Stone Sisters Group

The Stone Sisters Group loves helping people buy and sell homes. Tamara and Shannon Stone are the daughters of two top Kelowna Realtors (Bruce and Patti Stone) and enjoy carrying on their family tradition. Trish Power joined the team in 2011 and brings a passion for finding the perfect home for her clients. Amy Wiebe joined the team in 2012 and, as a resident of Peachland, she is specializing on the West Side of Kelowna. Tamara

Shannon

Trish

Together this high energy team enjoys working hard and offering exceptional service to their customers - they are proud to be ambassadors for the Okanagan. When they aren’t busy selling homes, they spend time with their families and embrace the incredible outdoor lifestyle the Okanagan offers. Let the Stone Sisters Group know if they can help with any of your real estate needs.

before you leave home. If you are traveling with someone else, ask that you be seated next to your business associates on the airplane. Sitting together will ensure you keep your conversations confidential and other passengers will appreciate not having to listen to you talk across an aisle or over the seat. Avoid alcohol on the airplane and during your entire trip. Traveling is not an excuse to indulge in alcoholic beverages and your boss will not appreciate being billed for your overindulgence or hearing about your wild antics on the plane. Prior to traveling familiarize yourself with the gift giving etiquette of the company you are visiting. Be aware that many corporations and government offices have strict rules about accepting gifts. Call the company receptionist or the secretary of the person you will meet with on your trip to inquire about the company guidelines and ask for suggestions if a gift is appropriate. Use technology sparingly in order to show respect for those around you. Make use of earphones with your laptop

or hand held gadgets. Turn your cell phone off while flying and when attending a meeting. If you do have to take a call, let others know ahead of time and leave the meeting when the call comes in. Be punctual for all of your meetings and dress professionally. Leave your casual clothes for evenings and weekends when you won’t be spending time with your client. Plan on keeping yourself occupied on off hours and do not expect your client to entertain you. If you are invited to a casual meal or other activity on off hours, feel free to accept but pay attention to your attire. Even if your host suggests that you dress casually, keep in mind that you are still doing business and make sure you keep the “business” in “business casual.” Refrain from discussing inappropriate issues while traveling such as religion, politics and your latest surgery. Respond respectfully when asked your opinion on sticky subjects then move on quickly to another topic. Client meetings are no

place to advance your personal causes or opinions. When you return to your office, send a handwritten thank you note immediately. Let your client know how much you appreciate their hospitality and how much you enjoyed your trip. A handwritten note is much more personal than a hastily sent e-mail. Paying careful attention to your business etiquette while traveling may help you achieve that promotion you have wanted, seal that deal you have been working on for months or enhance the otherwise lukewarm client relationship. You may not have control over your travel schedule, where your luggage ends up or the clients you need to meet, but you do have total control of your own behaviour and your personal attitude By minding your business manners your trip will be pleasant, productive and profitable. Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author.

“Love comes when manipulation stops; when you think more about the other person than about his or her reactions to you. When you dare to reveal yourself fully. When you dare to be vulnerable.” —psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothers

Kelowna

250.862.7675

Visit us at www.stonesisters.com

Jeanine Reiss I am blessed to wake up every day and do a job I love to do: I provide thorough yet easy-to-understand home inspections for clients throughout the beautiful North, Central and South Okanagan. • Buyers who want to know the condition of the homes they are purchasing, • Sellers who want to know what to do to get their homes ready for sale, and • Owners who want to know how to keep their homes in good condition. With over 20 years of real estate investment, renovation, commercial and residential maintenance and rental experience, I have a strong passion, hands-on and can-do mentality for all things house and home related. Thank you in advance for allowing me to help you make informed decisions and taking the guesswork out of home ownership!

250-864-4054 jeaniner@telus.net www.fyihomeinspections.ca

Sonya Peitsch Sonya, and brother Gene, are second generation owners of Valley Pool and Spa Inc. The store has been established for almost 30 years, in which time the business has evolved into a full service, sales, supplies and construction of swimming pools and hot tubs. With a strong background in construction of pools and spas, Sonya has brought that knowledge into the retail store as the new manager. She has also enjoyed doing the purchasing for the store & construction for years. It is important to her to get the best possible products from reputable suppliers so that her customers can enjoy the benefits of good quality pool and hot tub supplies at reasonable prices. Sonya invites all previous and new customers to come in and see the selection of 2013 Hot Tubs as well as benefit from upcoming spring sale prices for pool supplies!

connect. reflect. rejuvenate.

1659 Cary Road, Kelowna, BC 250.868.6500 www.valleypoolandspa.com

News from your community www.kelownacapnews.com

You’re richer than you think™ Your Scotia Women helping you achieve Team of Experts Understand what your business needs to grow your financial goals. A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

When faced with the question of how to expand your existing business, the first step is choose your growth strategy. Focus on sales or how to increase your profits. Then ask yourself the following questions to start assessing whether your business has or is able to get what it needs to successfully implement your growth strategy.

enhance your existing offerings and would be natural add-ons?

4. MARKETING

Will you have a positive cash flow each month? If not, how will you meet your financial commitments? Will you need more money to grow? Charlotte Whitton example, if you want to introduce a ~ first woman mayor of a largeFor urban Canadian city (Ottawa) 5. SUPPORTING OPERATIONS new product or service, will it take a large capDo you have your processes defined and ital investment? your procedures documented? What is the next smallest amountDarla of space Aitken SFC PFP or equipment you can rent or buy? For exManager, Small Business and TheBanking Women’s Enterprise Centre is the goample, do you need 20 per cent more space to Professional to Main placeBranch for BC women business owners for Kelowna increase your sales by two per cent? business loans, skills training, business advisShould you get more help? If yes, what kind of help do you need and how will you get ory services, resources, publications and referrals. For more information on growing your it? business so its right for you, download the Will you hire an employee, contractor or WEC’s free Growing Your Business resource set up a strategic alliance with another comguide at www.womensenterprise.ca/resources. pany?

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A Salute to Women in Business 2013

Women still lack inﬂuence on corporate boards

CONTRIBUTOR

Women still have a long way to go before being represented in equal numbers and equal responsibility in corporate boardrooms, according to a new report from The Corporate Library, a corporate governance research firm.

Jacquie Haycroft I’m a wife, mother, Sun Life Financial advisor, volunteer and 2013 Vice-President of JCI (Junior Chamber International) Okanagan. With 8 years of experience in the financial industry and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, I can help you build your financial plan. I believe that simple planning makes a big impact, and I look forward to a long career of celebrating successes with clients as we achieve their goals together. Talk to me today to get started on your journey towards financial security.

Jacquie Haycroft BA (Econ) Advisor

250-860-6403 ext. 2244

2139 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 7X1 jacquie.haycroft@sunlife.com www.sunlife.ca/jacquie.haycroft Mutual funds offered by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2013.

CAPITAL NEWSC

Michael Connor

Life’s brighter under the sun

Citing “uneven progress” in increasing female participation in governance, the report found that while almost 90 per cent of S&P 500 companies have at least one woman board member, there are far fewer female directors at smaller companies. Only 60 per cent of the companies in the Russell 3000 index have at least one woman director. And among “small cap” companies in the Russell 2000 Index (a subset of the Russell 3000), half have no female directors at all. The latest report echoes the findings of a December survey by Catalyst, a non-profit organization that focuses on issues related to women in business, which found that in both 2008 and 2009, almost 90 per cent of Fortune 500 companies had at least one women director, but less than 20 per cent had three or more women serving together. Catalyst found that in 2008 women collectively held a total of only 15.2 per cent of board seats among Fortune 500 companies. Corporate Library found that “even among the S&P 500 companies with female directors, women are typically a small minority and hold few positions of responsibility,” with only 57 per cent

having at least two women directors, and only 19 per cent with more than two women. Among S&P 500 companies, the report found that only 14 have female board chairs, and of those 11 are also the CEOs of their companies. Corporate Library said: “Very few companies have women in two or more positions of responsibility.” The report concluded that “gender parity—measured both by absolute numbers and by the levels of responsibility given to women—is still far out of reach” and recommended that a broader pool of female director candidates be developed.

GOVERNANCE DIFFERENCES

Women serving on corporate boards are far more likely than their male counterparts to favour increased boardroom diversity, new regulations for executive compensation, proxy access for shareholders and enhanced risk management, according to a new survey of corporate directors. A survey of 400 male and female board directors also found that while 90 per cent of female directors believe women bring unique attributes to the boardroom, only just over half of male directors feel the same. “Likewise, the majority of

women (62 per cent), versus only 43 per cent of men, supported the new (Securities and Exchange Commission) rule that nominating committees should explain in proxies the e role that diversity plays in new n board member selection,” the r survey reported. The survey was cona ducted by Heidrick & Strugi gles, an executive search firm; WomenCorporateDirector (WCD), a membership organw ization for women directors; and Boris Groysberg, an asa sociate professor at Harvard d Business School. i On the subject of how to rebuild trust in corporate t boards after the shock of the c 2009 U.S. financial crisis, the i survey found women had a f much greater faith than men n in increased boardroom diversity (65 per cent of women vs. 35 per cent of men), new b regulations regarding executive compensation (45 per c cent vs. 22 per cent), proxy i access (38 per cent vs. 17 per cent) and enhanced risk w management (40 per cent vs. n one per cent). t “The women directors f surveyed seem to express a feeling that the status quo e has not worked and that they y are open to more aggressive p changes to rebuild stakeholda er trust in boards,” said Bonnie Gwin, managing partner y of Heidrick & Struggles

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Have you recently experienced, or are you anticipating a major life changing event? For example: transitioning to retirement, beneficiary of an estate, career change, or change in your marital status? We would be happy to meet with you to review your options and implement a strategy. Our goal is to help you become comfortably in control of your financial situation. Contact a Financial Planner near you for a consultation.

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A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Arguments for why to be an entrepreneur 1. Put your own ideas to work. Being your own boss can allow you the freedom and independence to use your own ideas. As an entrepreneur, your time and energy can be spent creatively by putting these ideas to work for you and the future success of your business. 2. Decide what type of business you want. Your business should complement your experience, interest and knowledge. Before you put too much work into planning your business, make sure that the industry you choose is the right one for you. You may want to consider what hobbies or interests you have, as well as what experience and skills you could apply to a new venture. 3. Make the decisions for your business. Starting your own business can be risky; however, desire, persistence, and innovative thinking can work in your favour. Believing in yourself and basing your decisions on knowledge and experience can lead to the success of your business. However, knowing the limits of your own abilities and not being afraid to ask for help from others will help you make informed business decisions. You have the ability to establish the policies for your business and to set the tone for its culture. You can build a business that meshes well with your own personal values, rather than working for someone else whose policies or values may differ from your own. 4. Choose the location for your business. You can choose a location for your business that suits your needs, whether that means working from home, working close to home, or taking the opportunity to travel and see different places. You might choose a trendy downtown office, or a place outside the city to avoid traffic or a long commute. While you have a lot of flexibility in choosing a location, you should take into account access to customers, employees and suppliers. 5. Have the potential to earn more. As an entrepreneur, you have the luxury of working your own hours and stretching

your earning potential. Usually, this success comes with real hard work and long hours. If your business is successful, you could potentially make more money than you would working as an employee. However, the downside is that there is no guaranteed paycheque and your hard work can cut into time for personal and family obligations.

While some people go into business to make more money, some people go into business for themselves in order to work less. When you are your own boss, you have the flexibility to decide how much vacation time you want, to delegate responsibility to others and to work part-time, if you wish. Of course, you need to ensure that you are making enough money to support yourself; there may be times when you will need to invest

6. Have the freedom to work less.

more time and effort into your business, particularly in the beginning. However, in general, being self-employed gives you more flexibility to set your own schedule.

ground up. However, you will also be responsible for the initial capital that will be required for your business and the costs involved with the day-to-day operations. There are tasks involved that you may not be trained for, such as purchasing, inventory management, or accounting. It never hurts to get professional help with the running of your business. Focus on the areas where you can provide the most

7. Be involved in the total operation of your business. Running your own business can provide you with a tremendous source of satisfaction and pride. You will be able to see your business grow from the

value.

8. Turn the business into a family asset. Owning your own business sometimes means providing your children and other family members with a place to work, and a way to finance their future. It is an opportunity to teach them valuable skills and spend more time together. And you may be able to pass the business on to them when you are ready to retire.

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A Salute to Women in Business 2013

A guiding light for women Tina Campbell CONTRIBUTOR

A woman in business for more than 30 years, Sherry Shiskin began her career with a very humble start. In 1980, she volunteered to assist with the Miss Kelowna Lady of the Lake pageant, teaching the contestants what they would need to know in order to be prepared for the pageant. Shiskin found such success with that experience that

she decided she would open her own school that would teach young girls about posture, skin care, makeup, etiquette and other various pageant necessities. As a young mother, Shiskin had to figure out where to begin with her own business, so she simply borrowed $100 to fund her advertisements. She then rented a space in downtown Kelowna across from a hair dresser and so began her journey as a model-

‘‘

FOLLOW YOUR DREAM AND DO WHAT YOU LOVE. Sherry Shiskin

ling instructor. The first 12 girls Shiskin taught signed up right when

Lisa Thomas When you work with Lisa Thomas towards the sale or purchase of your new condo, townhome, or single family home, you can count on her to provide you with the expert guidance you need and the personalized style of service you deserve. Lisa Thomas has successfully negotiated well over 1200 Condominium/Strata Property Transactions since early 2000. Depend on her solid understanding and experience in the Strata Real Estate Market. Now Accepting New Clients. Call her today and discover the power of understanding with the area’s premier strata specialists 250.878.8118 or visit www.lisathomas.ca

250-878-8118 Website: www.lisathomas.ca

Looking for a great dress? The store is filled with fresh, beautiful styles! styles!

she opened her school and she still remembers each and every one of them. As the years went on and the school grew, she began branching out with her lessons. She soon offered lessons on public speaking, TV commercials and even offered international modelling classes. She started taking groups of around 20 girls to modelling competitions in cities such as Los Angeles and Toronto and is very proud to say today that her girls were always major winners. Her school was successful not only in numbers and awards, but also in her heart. Shiskin loved every second she spent with her students and is now happy when she finds an old client who still remembers her. While running her modelling school, Shiskin also freelanced in fashion shows. She has often helped put together as many as 12 fashion shows in one weekend, each of them sporting clothes from more than 45 stores. She also wrote fashion features every other week for a daily newspaper for 10 years. But after 20 years of juggling her three jobs, Shiskin decided it was time for her life to go in a different direction. She always had a love of fashion which often drove her to her other career choices, so when an opportunity presented itself at the

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CAPITAL NEWSC

CONTRIBUTOR

SHERRY SHISKIN currently owns Sherry’s Grand Apparel clothing store located in the Delta Grand Hotel lobby. Delta Grand Hotel, Shiskin snatched it up and opened her own clothing store, Sherry’s Grand Apparel. She opened the store in June 2000 and has spent every day since then doing her best to make her clients look and feel good about themselves. She views her current customers as models and she wants them to feel that way when they leave her store. If one of her customers is ever asked where they bought their clothes, Shiskin wants them to be proud to say from her store. She has spent her entire career working with women in various ways to help build their confidence and self esteem. She even received the Business Excellence Award from the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce in 2006.

From her experience, Shiskin has learned how gratifying it can be to help someone achieve their own goals. Nothing makes her happier than to see the girls she taught at such a young age now being successful in the entertainment industry. For any woman looking to follow a similar path as hers, Shiskin’s advice is to: “Follow your dream and do what you love.” She has been in her career for more than 30 years because she loves what she does. As she looks around at her life now, she believes she is finally ready for her life to take on a new path once again. She has gained everything she can from her experiences and now wishes to pass the torch on to someone else looking to follow their own dream.

Empathy a remedy to handle objections Kira Callahan CONTRIBUTOR

In the Delta Grand Hotel

1310 Water Street Kelowna 250.717.0280 10am-5pm Sizes 4-14

sherrysgrandapparel.com

As entrepreneurs, dealing with objections can be really tough. Clients or prospects challenge us with, “Why are your fees so high?” or “I don’t like these payment terms.” We want to maintain our boundaries, but we don’t want to lose their business either. Empathy is called a “soft skill,” but it has huge impact. Case in point: There’s a cute gift shop in my neighbourhood that I used to visit to buy something or other, nearly every month.

See Empathy Page 27

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Complaints best Don’t be sidetracked in frustration not to be discarded ‘‘ Arwen Long CONTRIBUTOR

So many of the initial conversations I have with independent business proNow as every Canadian knows, on the back of books, cards and all printed materials that come from the United States, there fessionals begin the same way: They tell me how overare two prices. One for buyers in the U.S. and one for Canadians. The Can- whelmed they feel, that they adian price is about 30 per cent higher. None of us minded until are getting things done but are constantly feeling scatthe dollar hit par. tered and that their business is Flash back three years. I was at the counter buying a few doing well, but it isn’t where cards from the owner of the gift shop. Me: Hey, the Canadian price is still 30 per cent higher on the they want it to be. Here is the advice I give back of these cards. that rings true for all execuShop Owner: Yup. tives, but especially for inMe: But our dollar is at par. dependent business profesShop Owner: Uh-huh. sionals: Me: OK, I’d like to pay the American price then. There is only one of you. Shop Owner: Can’t do that. You are the only one who can Me: Well, what if I came back with American cash? do what you do, in exactly the Shop Owner: Nope, you’d still have to pay the Canadian way you do it. price. Those qualities mean that Me: That hardly seems fair. you are the only one who Shop Owner: It’s my shop and I can charge what I want. makes your business special I was so shocked that I was rendered speechless. I’d spent and unique. 20 minutes picking out the cards, so I bought them and left. All of your working time But in the three years since, I’ve shopped there only once, should be spent capitalizinstead of the 30 or 40 times I would have gone. That’s a lot of ing on your distinctiveness to lost business. Had he responded with empathy, he’d still have those sales. grow your business. If you are spending your He could have said: “I know, that is frustrating, especialtime and energy being frusly with the dollar at par. It’s really tough for retailers, too. We trated by minutiae, such as get dinged at the border with a hefty duty charge so there’s not much difference in the price for us. We want to keep you happy! filing, invoicing, shopping, I can’t change the price, but I want you to know how much I ap- whatever it is that is getting in your way, please stop. preciate your business and I hope you keep shopping here.” R It is extremely important Reacting defensively is a hard-wired biological response to value yourself and what when under attack. And that’s what an objection can feel like, you bring to the table that no when it’s about our livelihood. one else does. Go easy on yourself when you don’t respond in the best When you spend your way. Empathy is a muscle that gets stronger with practise. time on tasks that other people Make a list of your clients’ three most common objections who do not have your special and write out some empathetic responses. Say them out loud a talents can do, you are wastfew times. For great results, work with a friend or a coach who will lob ing valuable time that you can’t get back, but you are those objections at you as a no-risk way to practise and hone also seriously undervaluing your skills. yourself. A little empathy goes a long way to increasing loyalty and sales. Empathy is a bottom-line skill. Kira Callahan is an executive communications coach and the president of Conversation Gym.

Empathy from Page 26

“Sometimes questions are more important than answers.” —American writer and poet Nancy Willard

Barbara van Steenoven “As I enter my 5th year in real estate, it strikes me that this is truly where I am meant to be! With almost 25 years of commission sales and marketing experience, I can honestly say that no other career has ever been this rewarding. Helping old and new friends move up, downsize or just move on to new beginnings allows me to do what I love the most…give great customer service and support! I would like to thank all of my fantastic clients and friends for another great year and the continued referral of their own family and friends. I wish you all the best for 2013!”

This is not just a business issue, this is a quality of life issue. Every independent business professional I speak to loves those elements of their work that are central to their success and absolutely hates all of the little annoying things that get in the way of their focus. When you are constantly feeling overwhelmed, pulled in the wrong direction and that your business isn’t as successful as it could be, you are giving valuable head space to the wrong things. Do what you have to do to hire the help that you need to be able to focus all of your attention where it should be— find a great executive assistant and that person to find you a housekeeper, a bookkeeper, a cleaning service, a personal

DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO HIRE THE HELP THAT YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS ALL OF YOUR ATTENTION WHERE IT SHOULD BE…

shopper, a dog walker, a personal trainer…whoever you need to keep you from drowning in minutiae. Yes, absolutely this costs money, maybe even money you don’t have right now. They are all investments in your business and this kind of support will free up your time, energy and focus to really grow your business.

Supports like this are not luxuries, they are imperative to your business success. Remember, this isn’t just about growing your business; it’s also about quality of life. A year from now, if you had less cash on hand, but felt completely empowered to drive your business where you want to go, with nothing taking up your valuable time that shouldn’t be, that you no longer felt overwhelmed and scattered, wouldn’t it be worth it? Is it time to stop undervaluing yourself?

Arwen Long is the founder of Your Executive Assistant and an experienced executive assistant, office manager, fundraiser and communications professional.

Linda Szerepi I started creating Dare to Dream almost sixteen years ago. The idea was to do something that I love while helping people improve their life by supplying products and services that are especially for them. We carry something for everyone, including jewellery, crystals, new age and self-help books, CDs and DVDs, Feng Shui and Colour Energy products and unique gifts. We offer services like Reiki, Shamanic Healing, Massage, Foot Reflexology. Also Aura, Chakra and Psychic Readings. Classes are available in Reiki, Shamanic Healing, Intuitive Arts, Personal and Spiritual Development, as well as how to use Crystals and Gemstones. I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know those of you who have come into the store over the years. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my customers for supporting me and allowing me to help you or to introduce you to the world of Dare to Dream. I welcome others to come and experience all that we have to offer. Come in to relax, learn, grow spiritually and heal physically, emotionally and mentally.

O DREA T E R M A D Body, Mind & Spirit Centre

#33-2070 Harvey Avenue 250-712-9295 www.daretodreamkelowna.com

Maxine DeHart Maxine DeHart is the Director of Sales at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre, where she has been employed for 25 years. She is also celebrating her 15th year with the Capital News this spring, writing the popular business column, “Straight from DeHart.” Maxine has been very active in Kelowna, sitting on various boards, including the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce (Vice-President), the United Way, Kelowna General Hospital Foundation and the Premier’s Regional Committee. She was a founding member of Project Literacy, Kelowna Gospel Mission 30K Club and the Kelowna Exceptional Service Under the Sun Program. She has received several awards: United Way Award of Distinction, Toastmasters International Communications and Leadership Award; YM/YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Community Leadership and Enhancement; Commemorative Medal – Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; Community Citizen of the Year; Kelowna Chamber of Commerce President’s Award and the Mayor’s Spirit of Kelowna Award. She is currently on the National Board of the RCMP Foundation (Ottawa), the Certified Management Accountants Association of B.C. (Vancouver) and a Director on the local Board of the Return of the Peregrine Falcon Society.

250-801-9500 Cellular 250-768-2161 Office barbv@royallepage.ca

On November 19th, 2011, Maxine was elected as a City of Kelowna Councillor. As a result of this she has been appointed to the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Board and will Chair the City of Kelowna’s Civic Awards Committee. She is also an Alternate Board Member on both the Regional District of the Central Okanagan and the Okanagan Regional Library Board.

maxdehart@telus.net

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWSC

Ten ways to better deal with difﬁcult customers Denise Doyon CONTRIBUTOR

Have you noticed that some people are impossible to talk to? They even seem to stop listening even before you start talking? Do you dread approaching them to give or share information? Have your efforts to initiate friendly dialogue fallen on deaf ears and stony faces? Improve your chance for conversational success by considering the following 10 factors before starting your next conversation. 1. Consider the setting. Where will the conversation take place? Is it public or private? Are there other things going on that will be distracting? Is the setting appropriate

for the topic? 2. Consider the personality, gender, culture, age, etc. of the other person. If the person is different from you in these respects, you will want to adapt your style of communication to respect these differences. 3. Consider the internal influences (emotions, bias, etc.) on how you approach the conversation. What is your motivation? What baggage are you bringing with you as you talk with this person? Recognize it so that it won’t get in your way. 4. Consider the internal influences (emotions, bias, etc.) on how the other person will receive the message. How might your history of communication with this person impact the way they respond to your approach? Will they

be distrustful, anxious, humiliated? Your past words and actions will impact whether they will be receptive to you and your message. 5. Consider the interest level/level of importance of the other person. How much information does this person need to know? Is the topic relevant to their work or do they just need a basic awareness of it? Would verbal bullet points work better than an in-depth report? Be careful not to overwhelm someone with how much you know. They may think you are just trying to impress them or boast about your knowledge. 6. Consider the language needs (familiarity with topic, jargon, educational level, etc.) of the other person. Are you using words the person is familiar with or talking

Doreen C. Smith, CFP Doreen is a designated Certified Financial Planner with Capri Wealth Management in Kelowna. She has also passed the Canadian Securities course and is licensed for life and disability insurance. Doreen offers her clients a large selection of investment and life insurance options through Capri Wealth Management, the largest and most respected, independently owned, financial planning firm in the Okanagan. Doreen specializes in independent advice and guidance involving a complete personalized financial plan of saving and investing, insurance, retirement planning, estate planning and taxation. Doreen writes a regular financial column in the Capital News business section called “Fiscal Fitness.” She covers a wide range of topics for her readers. Doreen is active in the community both professionally and on a volunteer basis. Doreen can be reached at 250-869-3825 or 1-800-670-1877. Capri Wealth Management is located at 100 - 1500 Hardy Street, Kelowna BC V1Y 8H2.

Amanda Haugan Associate

over their head? Are you talking in a demeaning way by “dumbing down” your word choices? 7. Consider what you want to accomplish by initiating the conversation. Keep your goal and the message in the front of your mind. If you need to relay information make sure that the person understands the information. If you need to address a challenge, make sure you address the challenge without making it a personal battle. 8. Consider what the other person might need to receive from the conversation. Stick

to the information the other person needs. Don’t try to become friends or talk about personal stuff if the other person isn’t responding positively to that direction of your conversation. 9. Consider the long-term impact of the words, tone, and gestures they use. You may be having a bad day, but the other person may take your comments or attitude personally. That will impact future conversations. If you’ve had a bad day and said something inappropriate go back to the person to apologize and briefly explain that you were hav-

ing a bad day and wrongly took it out on that person. 10. Consider the external factors (noise, distractions, setting, etc.) that will impact how the message is relayed and received. Again we return to setting. Make sure that you initiate and participate in conversations that provide the best environment for a successful exchange of ideas and information.

Donna Doyon, author of GLOW: Renew Your Spirit and Release Your Inner Beauty.

Embrace competition Kim Duke

CONTRIBUTOR

I have the following quote taped right to my desk credenza: “You’ll never reach your destination if you stop to throw stones at every dog that barks.” —Sir Winston Churchill It can happen so easily. You see, hear, read about your competition and you can almost feel your nylons getting knotted up. Not too comfortable is it honey? Sir Winston definitely nailed it on the head. If you spend all your time being reactive to competition then guess what? You’re not being proactive. Not innovative. Not staying true to your course. Not being a leader. Like I said, “You’re all “NOT-TED” Up!” Unfortunately when your customer sees you doing this, they think you are more interested in being a copycat than an original. Here’s a little quiz to see if your competitors knot you up: 1. You have that “sinking feeling” when you are at the same networking function. 2. You have a head-ache when you see their booth at a tradeshow. 3. You feel nauseated when you see them in the media. 4. You check out their website obsessively. 5. You are over-sensitive when their name gets mentioned. 6. You bad-mouth them to your customers.

(This is really BAD by the way!) 7. You drop your prices to get their customer’s business. If the butterflies went off in your stomach for any of the above points, then girl, your nylons are knotted up. And you’re wasting your time, energy and brain power worrying about what you can’t control. So here is a thought. You know something your competition doesn’t have? YOU. You and your customers have a relationship that can’t be copied by a competitor. It isn’t about dropping your rates. Or choking on your toast when you see your competitor in the paper. Here is some advice. Look for the grain of truth that bugs you. Are they doing something much better than you? Doing something you may not even have thought of? Well, don’t copy their idea (that’s just cheesy). Copy the innovative thinking instead. Instead of getting all knotted up, get fired up and ask yourself, “What could I do to improve my products and services that would make me unique?” It’s a tough question, but it is a heck of much better way to spend your time thinking about your customers and your business. Take a good look at your competition and what they are doing right and challenge yourself to improve in another area. Remember, your competitor isn’t wrecking your expensive pantyhose—you are.

Heidi A. Taylor Partner

FH&P Lawyers LLP is a mid-size Okanagan Valley law firm providing a range of legal services to commercial and private clients. The broad experience of the firm’s senior lawyers and a team-based approach allow the firm to handle a wide range of complex legal issues efficiently and effectively.

Heidi Taylor focuses her practice on working with clients in the following areas: • Family law • Litigation • Real Estate

Amanda joined FH&P Lawyers LLP as an Articled Student in August 2009 and was called to the British Columbia Bar in May 2010. As an associate, Amanda provides support to the firm’s senior lawyers on a wide variety of matters, while developing a general practice with a focus on Wills and Estates.

Heidi has represented clients at all levels of Court in British Columbia, including the Provincial Court, the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

FH&P Lawyers LLP is proud to be the title sponsor of the Special Olympics Kelowna Fundraiser Golf Classic scheduled for June 7, 2013.

Her many community activities include being Past President of the Kelowna Bar Association, and an active member of the UBC Okanagan Alumni Chapter.

2nd Floor, 215 Lawrence Ave., Kelowna BC

Tel: 250-762-4222 • Fax: 250-762-8616 Direct: 250-869-6043

Tel: 250-762-4222 • Fax: 250-762-8616 Direct: 250-869-6014

Email: ahaugan@fhplawyers.com

Email: htaylor@fhplawyers.com

Website: w ww.f hplawyers .com • w ww.okanaganelderlaw.com

Website: w ww.f hplawyers.com • www.okanaganelderlaw.com

CAPITAL NEWS

Breaking new ground in bathroom ﬁxtures

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

l ,Tina Campbell tCONTRIBUTOR d - Mary-Ann Gill is no stranger to the custom plumbing fixture industry. e She started out by work-ing for her (now) competition dwhen she was 27 years old. While working with that company, she became aware that her potential clients were rlooking for more fixture op-tions than what they had to ofrfer. At that time, there were only three businesses in town that sold high-end designer plumbing fixtures. As she continuously provided feedback to her boss about what customers were looking for, she also began to understand there might be a business opportunity for her to pursue. Since the company she worked for was limited by what brand name products it would sell, she decided to open a store that offered customers what they had been telling her they wanted— more product choices. And that was the genesis for Gill creating Baths by Design, a store that sells mostly Canadian, European and Canadian product plumbing fixtures. Gill’s store carries lines of fixtures that are known to be the best in the world, and it has even pioneered lines such as Hansgrohe, KWC, Hansa, and Grohe in the Kelowna market. Gill is proud to say today that her business strives to provide the best quality products at the lowest possible

price. It has been a family run business for the past 20 years, with a staff of many long-time employees. Gill says the full-time sales consultants have a combined experience of 80 years in fixture knowledge, while

‘‘ YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT STICKING TO A POLICY ISN’T ALWAYS GOING TO MAKE A CUSTOMER HAPPY, AND IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS SOMETIMES YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BEND THE RULES. Mary-Ann Gill

the store also has an experienced shower glass and mirror installation team. Gill notes her installation team is led by a female installer, which is unusual as the job requires considerable physical strength in dealing with glass that can weigh up to 100 lbs. But Gill says the positive feedback she hears about her installation team leader is heart-warming.

So far, Gill has learned from her experience in business that you can never give up on anything, no matter how challenging the issue may seem. She has learned that you always need to look for the positive solution, that in business you are always trying to handle issues with suppliers, inventory, deliveries, damaged and lost shipments, ill and late staff members, the economy, the weather and especially the client’s stressed mental state. If you can understand what the client expects, and figure out how to be reasonable and respectful, Gill believes you can be successful in any business. Positivity goes a long way, which comes from giving 100 per cent all the time to whatever you are trying to achieve for a prospective client, she says. To any women looking to take a similar path to her own, Gill says to “never give up, and be confident.” “Once you know what you want from life, you have to stay focused and follow you dreams. You have to challenge yourself, and stay mentally and physically healthy,” she says. “You have to remember that sticking to a policy isn’t always going to make a customer happy, and if you want to have a successful business sometimes you are going to have to bend the rules. “You need to be able to be proud of your accomplishments, and never risk damaging your name.”

Your best source of community news—the Capital News

Arlene Whitford Business Manager of the new Kelowna Dental Centre. I am extremely excited to help develop a positive experience for patients in a relaxing clinical environment. Kelowna Dental Centre is a progressive technological facility that offers a variety of General Dentistry services for everyone as well as additional services, including Botox injections to diminish premature aging, Orthodontics to improve and create the perfect smile and Implant Dentistry for tooth replacement. We will continue to focus on comprehensive “Life-Long” Treatment plans for each individual’s needs. We are creating a centre for excellence in Dentistry centred on effective communication to educate patients in all aspects of their dental health. For today’s busy lifestyles we offer extended evening hours with select weekend services that will accommodate growing families.

MARY-ANN GILL is the owner of Baths By Design. CINDY DRAPER/CAPITAL NEWS

Kelly Walker Kelly Walker is a Certified General Accountant who provides year-round tax and accounting services in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2007, Kelly loves to coach small businesses during their start-up and growth as well. Contact Kelly to see how she can help you and your business thrive. Services offered include corporate, partnership, proprietorship and personal tax return filing and tax planning services, year-end accounting, small business bookkeeping, GST/HST, PST and WCB compliance filings. Kelly understands your frustrations with tax so liaises with Canada Revenue Agency on your behalf so you don’t have to. Tax doesn’t have to be scary. Also provides Sage 50 (previously Simply Accounting) software set-up, assistance and training. Is a member of CGA-BC and the Kelowna Women in Business group.

~ Every Season is Tax Season ~

Lower Mission, Kelowna 250-317-0300 www.kellywalkercga.com

Audrey Mitchell Marketing Manager

Audrey has a genuine passion for working with seniors and their families and it definitely shows. She takes great pride in her role as the Marketing Manager for The Chatsworth, from getting to know the seniors and their families to ensuring a residents smooth transition for new residents. Audrey is a graduate of the University of Victoria where she acquired her Business Administration Certificate and has spent many years working with the public. Please contact Audrey for a personal visit of our wonderful community and stay for a complimentary lunch. You’ll soon see why so many seniors are proud to call The Chatsworth “home” and why Audrey is so happy to be part of the Chatsworth Team.

“Changing the way you think about Dentistry” CALL TODAY 1831 Parkview Crescent 2033 Gordon Drive 250-860-1414 www.kelowna-dental-centre.ca

(Parkview & Leckie)

250-860-1064

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWSC

How to restrategize to meet 2013 demands

R. Kay Green

CONTRIBUTOR

Have you met your strategic goals for 2012? 2011? 2010? Have you experienced recession, bankruptcy, or downsizing? With 2012 soon behind us, planning personal and professional goals for 2013 has become a priority for people in business and entrepreneurship. The fourth quarter of the previous year is the best time to reflect on the progress of your career or business; in planning for professional and personal goals for 2013, honesty is key. The takeaway? When your strategies aren’t working, the goal must be to figure out something new.

This may be the time to reinvent yourself for the upcoming year. When you reinvent, you have reached a point when repositioning and restrategizing haven’t worked and it’s time to create a new version of yourself. This is the point when the artist throws out the original canvas and starts again on a new canvas. Re-inventing yourself is when you come to realize that the person you are, the career you are in, or the business you lead, no longer fits with your future. These are the times when you must reassess who you are and what you are doing, come to terms with the things that aren’t working, and completely re-invent. If you reach the point

where you feel you must reinvent yourself or your business, consider these three key strategies: Start with a clean slate. Trying to hold onto certain strategies that may have worked for you in the past is the surest way to prevent a reinvention. Avoid the tendency to want to drift back into previous strategies. Create a new you. Start off with the mindset that the old you doesn’t exist anymore. Imagine yourself as a student fresh out of college. Remember the way you felt back then? You were a clean slate and a world of possibility stood before you. That’s how you should think of yourself now. Nothing you have done to this point happened or mat-

ters. All that matters is what you will do with the new you. Decide what you want to be. Remember, that thing you want to be can’t be the same as it once was. You’re a new you. This is a tough reality to grasp because most of us spend so many years dreaming about achieving that one given thing. When it doesn’t work out, it’s tough to let go of the old dream. But here, we’re coming up with a new you, and that new you must do some soul-searching to determine what the best new path might be.

What are the honest strengths you bring to the table? Consider shaping your strengths into a branding approach that you admire. What are the brands you value most? Is there anything about you that matches up with that brand? Get out and take action. With most things in life, the first step is always the toughest. When you reinvent, that first step tends to be even tougher. You are, after all, dispelling everything you’ve ever done to this point and doing something completely different. That can be scary. Terrifying even. But don’t let your

Pausing with no time to spare Patricia Katz CONTRIBUTOR

Deborah Stewart CE, CPE, CLT

Elfi Eades RT, CLT

Owned and operated by Deborah Stewart, Custom Laser Hair Removal specializes exclusively in permanent hair removal using LightSheer Diode XC and EC laser technology and electrolysis. We are your one stop for permanent hair removal in the Valley, providing the best possible results to both men and women of all ethnic backgrounds. The results are here! Deborah obtained her credentials as Certified Esthetician and Certified Professional Electrologist in 1990 and expanded her permanent hair removal credentials in 2004 when she obtained designation as Certified Laser Technician. She has been providing permanent laser hair removal and electrolysis in Kelowna since 2004 and in March 2008 opened Custom Laser Hair Removal, providing clients with successful, expert, professional treatments. Her extensive skin care background compliments and enhances the safety and efficacy of both laser hair removal and electrolysis treatments for unsurpassed results time and time again. Colleague and fellow Certified Laser Technician Elfi Eades RT, has over 15 years experience in the laser hair removal industry with 24 years in the health care field. Combined with Deborah Stewart, the clinic brings attention to detail in a relaxed, friendly, confidential and warm atmosphere. The clinic offers custom requests to ensure that your needs are met to the highest standard at each visit. Deborah, Elfi and fellow Certified Laser Technician Shannon aspire to continue to respond to increased demand for permanent hair removal for both men and women of all ethnic backgrounds. Come see us in our new location in the heart of the medical community; 1 1/2 blocks from KGH.

765 Rose Avenue (1 1/2 blocks from KGH) www.CustomLaserHairRemoval.com Open Mon-Sat 250-861-1141

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EARLY DETECTION = BEST PREVENTION CLINIC DATE: FRIDAY, MARCH 8 (hosted by the Mission Naturopathic Clinic) To book your appointment call: 1-866-242-5554 or online at bookings@medthermonline.com

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

#202-2900 Pandosy Street, Kelowna 250-862-8791 • www.missionnds.com

fear cause you to drag your feet. Don’t stall. Don’t wait. Get out there and take action. The important thing to remember is that you’re not the first person to reinvent yourself. Keep that in mind when it comes time to go back to the drawing board and you will be in better position to make the honest, accurate, and appropriate decisions that will lead to greater success in the future. R. Kay Green is CEO/ president of RKG Marketing Solutions and author of the new book, I’ve Been Called the B* Word…Now What Do I Do? 13 Rules for the NewAge Professional Woman.

As much as it may feel that you’ve no time to spare, there are ways of going about your everyday business that will help you be more present to the moment and less frenzied about the future. Here are 10 ideas to get you started: 1. Give one simple mundane task your complete attention. Hang your coat on the hanger with care. Admire a plant as you give it water. Note every muscle you use to sit down. 2. Anchor yourself. Lean against the wall or door jamb while you finish a conversation. Feel the support. Be present to the moment and the exchange. 3. Be generous with your smiles. Become a beacon of warmth and encouragement. Share a smile with the shopkeeper, the receptionist, and the stranger in the street. It costs nothing, takes no extra time, and warms your world. 4. Pen a few words the way you learned to write in grade school—fully forming each and every letter. Sign your name. Add a task to a list. Whatever it is, write with care and attention as if your teacher were standing over your shoulder. 5. Give ‘urgent’ requests the acid test. Do they feature blood, guts, or gore? Is life or

property in danger? If not, don’t get agitated. Respond from calm, not from panic. 6. Recognize extraordinary ‘one-of-a-kind’ events. New babies, projects won, missions completed are all important reasons to take a break and celebrate. The work will wait. 7. Flip the techno switches in your life for just a moment. Send the phone to voice mail. Turn off your beeper and cell phone. Blank the screen on your computer monitor. Feel what it’s like to be on human time again. 8. Take frequent mini mental holidays. Surround yourself with photos and mementoes of happy times and valued relationships. Let your eyes and your mind rest on these treasures throughout the day. 9. Zero in on a piece of art or a landmark. Choose something that is a part of your everyday experience. Examine it and enjoy it as if you were meeting it for the very first time. 10. Scan an obituary that catches your eye. Attend to what’s valued and honoured by those who are left behind. Carry that insight into your day. Patricia Katz is a guest speaker, author and consultant in the U.S who helps individuals and organizations restore the rhythm of renewal to work and life.

Diane Moore How does one survive in an industry for 40 years and still remain at the top of their game? 1) Superior Knowledge - of that industry. 2) Innovation - by always being on the leading edge of change and thinking outside the box. 3) Service - the clients come first and they deserve the very best. Real estate is often their largest investment. Today most of my business comes from referrals and past clients. I consider myself fortunate for this and am thankful to have found a career and work that I love. I look forward to meeting past clients and all their referrals as well as meeting new and future clients.

Diane Moore & Associates Premier Canadian Properties

Phone: 250-717-1886 Toll Free: 1-877-717-1886

Email: diane@dianemoore.ca

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Why retire?

Ten ways to live in the moment Patricia Katz

Lisa Taylor

CONTRIBUTOR

Boomers everywhere are speaking up about work and retirement. If common wisdom says we should stop working around age 55 and life expectancy is now reaching the 80s, then we will spend more than 25 years “in retirement.” We need new approaches towards career planning for this phase of life. Boomers don’t want to continue doing what they do now, but they also don’t want to retire. Recently, Globe and Mail columnist Margaret Wente declared that “Andy Rooney had the right idea about retirement” when he worked right up until the month before he died at age 92. She suggested that retirement as it is currently defined is an empty, meaningless time and that “Freedom 55” is wildly unappealing. Wente discusses how she, like Rooney, the long-tome broadcasting stalwart of 60 Minutes, has a career that she hopes to continue in until she dies. Within two days, over 187 people wrote in to comment on this perspective of retirement. Many noted that this approach is great for people who love their job, but not for those with boring, soul-sucking work. What comes across loud and clear is that Canadians over 50 don’t want to continue in their current jobs and are wondering how they’ll find new ones. People at any age can re-evaluate their needs and harness their talents to do something they love. Just because you are in your 50s doesn’t mean you have to stop working. You may just want to do something completely different from what you have done before. It may need to fit into a more leisurely lifestyle. Or, perhaps, it must accommodate renewed family obligations as you help care for grandchildren. Whatever your situation, there is a right combination of meaningful work and leisure for you. Accountants do become book reviewers. Marketing managers do open boutiques. Sales executives do become professional fundraisers. And CFOs make fantastic corporate intrapreneurs. Your job in adolescence didn’t tie you to a career in mid life. Why should your mid life career commit you to activities in your encore years? Stanford economist Jon Shoven declares the way we look at old-age to be old-fashioned. He suggests that, rather than considering everyone over a certain age as being “old,” we should work from end-of-life backwards. Basically, we should reserve the term old-age for those who are facing mobility, health, cognitive and other challenges that impair their ability to be active and contributing members of society. What a great way to think about aging. According to this model, you aren’t old until you are…well…old! For some, this definition of retirement may describe the last 10 or 15 years of life. For Andy Rooney, it lasted one month. I certainly agree that he had the right idea.

As much as it may feel that you’ve no time to spare, there are ways of going about your everyday business that will help you be more present to the moment and less frenzied about the future. Here are 10 ideas to get you started. 1. Give one simple mundane task your complete attention. Hang your coat on the hanger with care. Admire a plant as you give it water. Note every muscle you use to sit down. 2. Anchor yourself. Lean against the wall or door jamb while you finish a conversation. Feel the support. Be present to the moment and the exchange. 3. Be generous with your smiles. Become a beacon of warmth and encouragement. Share a smile with the shopkeeper, the receptionist, and the stranger in the street. It costs nothing, takes no extra time, and warms your world. 4. Pen a few words the way you learned to write in grade school—fully forming each and every letter. Sign your name. Add a task to a list. Whatever it is, write with care and attention as if your teacher were standing over your shoulder. 5. Give urgent requests the acid test. Do they feature blood, guts, or gore? Is life or property in danger? If not, don’t get agitated. Respond from calm, not from panic. 6. Recognize extraordinary one-of-a-kind events. New babies, projects won, missions completed are all important reasons to take a break and celebrate. The work will wait. 7. Flip the techno switches in your life for just a moment. Send the phone to voice mail.

Glenda A. Peacock Glenda is a lawyer with the firm Smith Peacock. She obtained her Bachelor of Commerce Degree at the University of Calgary and her Law Degree at UBC. Glenda has been practicing law for over 20 years in Kelowna. She specializes in the area of civil litigation, with an emphasis on family and estate litigation matters. Glenda is certified as a Family Law Mediator and is also a member of the Okanagan Collaborative Family Law Group. Glenda’s goal is to achieve positive results for her clients in a cost-effective and timely manner.

Turn off your beeper and cell phone. Blank the screen on your computer monitor. Feel what it’s like to be on human time again. 8. Take frequent mini mental holidays. Surround yourself with photos and mementoes of happy times and valued relationships. Let your

eyes and your mind rest on these treasures throughout the day. 9. Zero in on a piece of art or a landmark. Choose something that is a part of your everyday experience. Examine it and enjoy it as if you were meeting it for the very first time.

10. Scan an obituary that catches your eye. Attend to what’s valued and honored by those who are left behind. Carry that insight into your day.

Patricia Katz is consultant, public speaker and author.

“I would much rather have regrets about not doing what people said, than regretting not doing what my heart led me to and wondering what life had been like if I’d just been myself.”

— Brittany Reese

Jaime Briggs Jaime has been an award winning professional REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty since 2006.

Jaime specializes in relocation, selling/listing residential homes and new home construction. Jaime has always been highly involved in the Kelowna business community and is a member of the Downtown Kelowna Rotary Club. Jaime knows that the real estate market is a busy and ever changing industry. As one of the top REALTORS® in her office, she works hard to keep up-to-date on the newest innovative technology and ongoing changes in the market place. For the latest Real Estate advice, market statistics and property listings go to www.BriggsOnHomes.com. You can also follow BriggsOnHomes on Facebook

and Twitter.

250-860-7500

Telling your story most accurately —the Capital News

Judy Bradshaw, RHN, ROHP Judy has offered her services as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist in her own practice for the past ten years, and during that time, has found that the time taken for an in depth one on one consultation brings results. She understands that the mind and body are linked and that each contributes to our well being. Uncovering the root cause of unwanted symptoms is the key for change. Judy uses her knowledge as a holistic nutritionist along with energy testing techniques to assess the body’s needs and dislikes so a personalized protocol can be made for the client. Judy is looking forward to the continued growth of her Kelowna practice after her recent move to the Okanagan. She would like to thank all of her Lower Mainland and new local clients for their trust and referrals. Physical and emotional health is a gift we all deserve; together we can find your optimal health.

#201-1180 Sunset Drive Kelowna, V1Y 9W6 Phone 860-7868

Balance Within Coaching Building physical and emotional well being

#200-2903 Pandosy St. 250-861-1156 www.balancewithin.ca

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

Don’t lose sight of business fundamentals Yan Barcelo CONTRIBUTOR

As some economists fear things will get worse, Chartered Accountants are advised to stick to the fundamentals with their clients. Doom. Gloom. Slowdowns and recessions—these are indeed portentous times. “What we see in the economy today will be in history books in 50 years,” says Robert Guerriero, a chartered accountant who manages finance and administration for Pelican International, a 300-employee manufacturer of kayaks and pedal boats in Laval, Que. It seems likely that tomorrow’s history books will have to devote a few chapters to our present predicament. Of course, it is entirely possible that the waters will remain quite still and the Canadian economy could simply skate over a recession without falling into it. But things could also get worse, much worse, as many economists fear. “I think demand is shrinking rapidly,” says John McKenna, partner and senior vice-president of the corporate advisory and restructuring group at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Toronto. There is a similar shrinking demand for Pelican products at large retailers such as Walmart, Costco, Canadian Tire and others in Canada and the U.S. “Clients are more reluctant to place purchase orders and we (don’t really know) when they will renew them,” says Guerriero. The banks are getting more finicky about loans. “If we want new money, it could be a difficult challenge,” says Oren Nutik, president

CAPITAL NEWSC

of MDS Power Inc., a Montreal-based distributor of conversion equipment that has offices in Canada and the U.S. and deals with a bank on each side of the border. “(The banks) are nervous and they’ve been checking all our financial ratios and loan covenants. They even asked to visit our U.S. locations.” “The mentality of banks has changed dramatically in the past six months,” says McKenna, “and they are all currently very conservative in their dealings with both existing and new customers.” It seems that the economic landscape will increasingly change, so prudence should

Harvey Zalcman, partner at RSM Richter Chamberland LLP in Montreal, believes accountants should stick to fundamentals because people get into trouble when they forget them. That means keeping a sharp focus on cash flow, receivables and payables, expenses and so on. But sometimes, fundamentals are not quite enough. Here’s an overview of what a CA should keep in mind if and when things get worse economically. In many peoples’ minds, fundamentals refer only to

to potential opportunities, but should also recognize that the market and economy have changed for the worse. Companies must consider what impact these changes will have on their businesses. This can be particularly difficult in certain settings, especially in companies where managers mistake their wishes for reality. “I’m amazed at the number of companies that just muddle along, hoping to sell their way out of their problems,” says McKenna. “I call it the ostrich mentality. People see their problems, but won’t deal with them until it’s too late.”

be the watchword. As McKenna predicts, input prices will oscillate, the dollar will gyrate with changes in raw material prices, banks will be miserly and competitors will be hungrier. So, what can CAs do for their companies or clients to help them navigate increasingly uncharted waters?

the technical stuff—numbers, ratios, the bottom line. But these are end results. At the outset, a business is about people, passion, expectations and attitudes. Today, CAs should bring a new mindset to their clients by being pro-active realists, says McKenna. They should not be blind

The pro-active accountant will make it a point to bring up problems on a timely basis and suggest concrete ways to solve them. But there are corporate cultures that simply do not allow anyone to rock the boat or blow any whistles. Business assumptions and expectations may be deeply ingrained

ATTITUDE AND ALTITUDE

Bobbi Kittle

and sensitive egos higher up on the corporate ladder do not want to be challenged. If things have settled this way, then it is probably too late. The CA shouldn’t hesitate to ask the unpleasant questions: “Is it time to proceed with such an investment? Can sales projections be as rosy as you say?” However, the coming slump, if it deepens and brings a lot of anxiety, could be a good time for CAs to reassert their authority and enhance their value to the organization, McKenna says. He believes accountants’ pro-active realism must not stop at the general ledger. “They should ensure that their clients look after their personal affairs as well as the business, especially if they are entrepreneurs, and not let their judgment be clouded by the sweat equity they have in their company.” McKenna has witnessed situations where an entrepreneur pledged his or her personal assets to cover corporate debt in his or her sinking company or didn’t pay sales or payroll taxes to Canada Revenue Agency (which can create personal liability issues for the officers and directors) and used the money to buy inventory. If rough times do materialize in the future, such situations will inevitably pop up. “This is a point where the chartered accountant can be objective and make an independent assessment of the business opportunities and then be honest with his or her client,” McKenna says. “In certain situations, the best advice might be, ‘Close the company in an organized manner, Bob—don’t put your personal assets at risk just to buy a bit more time.’”

FLIGHT PLAN

Numbers count, but not as much as the company’s strategic plan. Five years ago, your company thought it was flying high to El Dorado, but meanwhile the Earth has shifted and now you may be flying to bankruptcy. This is the time to question the business plan, even the business model. And this is where a chief financial officer can play a major role, says Grant Robinson, partner at Robinson and Co. in Guelph, Ont. “He or she can make financial models to help management visualize where the business can move to,” Robinson says. “The CA should encourage a client to revisit a highlevel strategy,” McKenna adds, “and formulate a plan based on these new realities.” This revisiting can happen at a simple level where tough questions are required—Can we expect demand to remain firm? What will sell at this moment? Should we liquidate slow-moving inventory to generate cash? But the revisiting should also happen at a more strategic level, McKenna says. What are the company’s strategic advantages, what truly drives your profitability? He recalls the recent example of an Ontario company that designed and manufactured parts and got into financial difficulty due to customer pricing pressures. With the help of his CFO, the president performed a competitive advantage analysis and came to the conclusion that the design team was where the added value resided See Sight Page 33

Kathy Wiebe

After having my children in my 20’s I found myself 50 lbs overweight and knew I needed to make lifestyle changes to lose the weight. Within months of healthy eating, exercise and some determination I lost the weight! I wanted to be able to help others achieve the same health & fitness benefits. I became a Certified Personal Trainer & Fitness Instructor and started my mobile business… Pursuit Fitness! 11 years later I am pleased to offer a variety of land and pool fitness programs for individuals of all age groups, abilities, needs and goals. Some programs include Seniors Fitness programs such as Fibrofit (in 90º heated pool for individuals with Arthritis/Fibromyalgia), Osteofit, Personal Fitness Training Programs, Nutritional Coaching and Bobbi’s Beach Ready Bootcamp. Along with my initial weight loss 11 years ago, I lost another 25 lbs. in 2011 combining my love of fitness with clean eating and portion control. The results are here! I want to MOTIVATE and INSPIRE you to reach your Individual Fitness Goals!

250-317-3508 www.pursuitfitness.ca email bobbi@pursuitfitness.ca

Rosebuds is a lovely, large designer consignment boutique located on Kirschner Road in Kelowna that has been serving the Kelowna area for the past 24 years. Rosebuds carries about 30% new at any given time, and prices are often discounted up to 75% off regular retail. Many that come in say Rosebuds has the look and feel of a Los Angeles Boutique. Kathy laughs and replies that is the exact look and feel we are moving towards. We believe every woman can afford to look beautiful. Everything from prom and party dresses, to Lululemon workout wear and most everything in between. We specialize in higher end labels but at lower end prices. We have many regular shoppers that call us their “retail therapy” but we always have room for lots more new friends. In these troubled times consignment shopping can be a day full of fun and adventure. You never know what you are going to find so fill up your car with your friends and stop in and meet the friendly staff at Rosebuds Designer Consignment Boutique. We are here to serve you. NEW at Rosebuds. Designer inventory buyouts - selling at consignment prices. Fashion shows. Private Shopping Parties. Some estate services available. Cinderella Fund - for students aged 18 to 88. Forms available at the store or on-line.

150-1855 Kirschner Rd., Kelowna 250-861-1911 Open Mon-Fri 10-5:30 • Sat 10-5 • Sun 12-4

www.rosebudsconsignment.com

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Sight from 32 and was the reason why customers came back. However, there were only 30 people on the design team and 370 people in manufacturing. Still, the president tackled the problem head-on. He closed the three manufacturing plants, outsourced production and, as a result, successfully returned the company to profitability. One might ask if this is the time to make such a radical move. “By all means,” says McKenna. “Such a plan is more important now than ever. Unless you’re in a survival or crisis mode, now is the time to do it. “The accountant is the one who should ask what opportunities the company needs to capitalize on. For example, if a competitor fails, what do you do? Buy its equipment? Buy its intellectual property? Buy its clients?” Your flight plan should prepare you to seize such important opportunities.

INFORMATION FEED

“In difficult economic times, information is a question of life and death,” says Sylvain Vincent, managing partner for Eastern Canada at Ernst & Young in Montreal. “ The accountant has to find the way to deliver information, even if it is not complete. But it must show what’s happening in critical areas—sale slumps, delinquent accounts receivable, stock level alerts, profit margin dips, expenses that have to be reduced.” Of course, upholding such a regime can be very demanding and the IT department may not be able to follow, Vincent acknowledges. “That means the management team must sit down with the IT people to solve the problem and find temporary solutions. It could mean displacing employees from routine tasks to ensure that the relevant information is accessible to decision-makers.” In many cases, companies don’t even have access to accurate information, let alone timely information, says McKenna. “Often, when companies run into trouble, it’s just because they have rotten information. So it’s important to recognize what key information is relevant and help tidy it up.”

CASH IS KING

It is important to get your company to focus on liquidity because cash is king right now, McKenna says. Cash-flow forecasting is therefore of the essence — forecast at least six weeks ahead, ideally 13. Why is this important? “Many companies are still profitable, but their liquidity is slowly being eroded,” McKenna says. “Look at Lehman Brothers, Wachovia and

the other Wall Street giants—their immediate downfall was caused by a lack of liquidity. If you have a liquidity problem, the earlier you can see it coming, the better. You don’t want to come in on Wednesday and learn that you can’t pay your workers on Friday.” Unfortunately, many companies only forecast cash flows on a weekly basis and don’t forecast out beyond that. “You’d be surprised at how poor cash-flow forecasting can be in companies,” says McKenna. A frequent situation he sees among clients with serious liquidity issues is supplier cheques released in the afternoon based on the customers’ cheques that were received that morning. “They are living on the edge and have no idea whether the situation will be better or worse next week.” Fiscality is an additional, but often neglected, way of bringing in cash. Companies should consider claiming past tax dollars for losses on accounts receivables, inventory or other areas. “It is probably better to take the loss and ask for fiscal compensation rather than to ignore the loss,” says Vincent. He also points to the mounds of dollars that many companies neglect to claim in research and development tax credits for which they could be eligible. “In a difficult year, it can be worthwhile to maximize this credit, especially when you consider that you can recuperate unclaimed credits over the previous two fiscal years.”

CRANKY 600-POUNDERS

Then there is the fine art of dealing with banks, which is akin to assuaging a cranky 600-pound gorilla. “Banks are very nervous and asking for higher rates, more collateral, more stringent ratios,” says Zalcman, noting the old equations don’t stand up anymore. For example, the bank might exclude specific clients when financing receivables, or exclude certain categories of inventory or change the aging of inventory it is willing to finance. This is where the CA as pro-active realist can play a starring role. “Don’t surprise your banker,” says Vincent. “The company that just had a downturn and whose accountant calls the banker without a plan in hand looks like an amateur. I’ve been stuck in such situations, and they are the worst.” The advice is particularly important for the entrepreneur who has never experienced hard times. Such an entrepreneur can become irrational and indignant with a bank he claims he has been loyal to for the past 20 years. “Understand what your options are, have your gun loaded and don’t ruin your relationship if you don’t have an alternative,” Zalcman says.

Shilo Verhaegen Ashbury Boutique ...Refined opened November 2012 in downtown Kelowna, and is the newest, most eclectic consignment bridal and grad gown boutique of its kind. Catering to the cost-savvy, eco-friendly bride and grad, Ashbury Boutique offers beautiful designer gowns at a fraction of the cost of ordering new. And for the bride who is short on time to order a gown… life just got a little bit easier. Ashbury Boutique offers an extensive and varied collection of gowns and accessories. At Ashbury Boutique we pride ourselves in providing exceptional customer service in a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere where brides and grads will experience the one on one attention such an important decision deserves.

“Say yes to the dress... love it forward.”

1619 Ellis Street 250.469.2371

Appointment recommended

www.ashburybridal.com

Teresa Dickson

Investment Advisor/ Financial Planner

Terri joined RBC in 2006 while still involved with her own family dental practice having experienced first hand the need for sound comprehensive financial advice. Through her own personal experiences, she recognizes the need to stay current with continuing education, while ensuring her clients have confidence in her expertise. Terri is aware of the challenges that many business’s and dental practices are faced with. Terri has earned three designations that will set her apart, and is currently enrolled in the Family Enterprise Advisor program. As a Certified Financial Planner, Wealth Management services are a strong part of her practice for each one of her clients. Terri has recently expanded her team and is currently accepting new clients. If you are interested in a comprehensive review or second opinion, or booking an appointment to meet, please contact Terri.

1-877-695-6635 Toll Free Teresa.dickson@rbc.com

Ashley Anderson Since 2006 Ashley has graced Sunwest travel guests with her friendly smile and kind approach. Ashley has developed a passion to see the clients every desire realized in their travel experience and dedicates herself to assuring the customer experiences the best from Sunwest. Formally trained as a Therapist Assistant working with Elderly and Disabled, Ashley’s compassion shines through and is enhanced by her strong work ethic and love for serving others. Ashley has experience in sales, product development and currently heads up the company’s focus on data collection and growth strategies.

Candace Desjardins First joining the company as a star sales agent in 2007, Candace now focuses on new product development, sourcing suppliers in exotic destinations and ensuring the quality and integrity of Sunwest tours are first class. Candace brings determination, vision and light hearted fun to the company which is clearly reflected in the many varietal vacation and tour products that Candace develops.

Colleen Wright Customer turned Sunwest family! Colleen literally joined the company after taking an interest in tour directing while on vacation. Not one to sit idle, Colleen brings energetic enthusiasm and passion to Sunwest and always goes the extra mile to ensure the experience is nothing less than outstanding. In charge of development and training of Sunwest tour guides, Colleen’s focus and attention on perfection translates into a quality experience which in large part makes up the Sunwest Gold Standard the company prides itself on.

153 Pinto Road, Kelowna 250-765-9016 1-800-667-3877 www.sunwesttours.com

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWSC

Believe in yourself but don’ t be afraid to ask for advice Tina Campbell CONTRIBUTOR

Bethany Armstrong, co-founder and current owner of Okanagan Bridal Expo, operates three different businesses in the Okanagan. She now owns Peace of Mind Weddings (a company that specializes in planning weddings), Freedom Tattoo and Body Piercing (a body art studio) and the Okanagan Bridal Expo (a wedding trade show). In 2006, while planning her own wedding, Armstrong realized that she wanted her career to go in a similar direction. After her wedding, she began helping friends and family plan their weddings and three years later she finally felt ready to get started in the business. With all of the information and connections she had gathered in previous years, Armstrong felt strong enough to make it in the wedding industry. She held a small wedding expo in Vernon and soon determined the potential the event could have if it was planned with great care and grandeur. While thinking about her options,

Armstrong decided that to create a larger impact, it would have to be held in Kelowna and include the entire Okanagan. She knew the job may be too large a task to handle on her own and enlisted the help of a fellow wedding planner. The two picked the largest venue they could find (Prospera Place) and went to work creating what was to become the Okanagan Bridal Expo. It has since become the largest wedding trade show in the Okanagan Valley and has continued to grow every year in attendance and participation. The Okanagan Bridal Expo displays the work of 110 of the top wedding vendors in the Okanagan Valley. The event is designed to help future brides and grooms plan their wedding in one day, with everything they could possibly need displayed in one place. The expo puts on a fashion show to present all of the top bridal stores and also includes an appearance from a celebrity guest who gives a short seminar. Armstrong has learned that to own organized businesses such as her own, it is not only important to be orderly, but also to be up to date, open-minded and creative.

Creativity is the key to staying with the industry’s changes. Armstrong works with many different companies, some of them even being her competitors, as working with them helps keep her successful. She has learned that every minute of every day is important and there is no precious time to waste when you own a business. Armstrong’s advice to women looking to take a similar step to hers is to “believe in your heart that you will succeed.” She knows that there will often be times where things happen that will make things difficult and try to push you one step back, but you need to push back harder and with more determination. “You can never assume anything and should always double check things for yourself,” she says. Armstrong says she has learned that while you need to believe in yourself in order to succeed, never be afraid to ask for help or advice. She also believes in keeping the same mentality when you are successful and a beginner comes to you for guidance. “Be courteous and remember that you were once in their shoes.”

CONTRIBUTED

BETHANY ARMSTRONG operates three businesses in the Okanagan, including the Okanagan Bridal Expo.

Creating a living legacy from your business Daneal Charney

In my coaching practice I work with many clients who have let their business success Not making the impact be side-tracked by a frantic you want in your business and ‘busy-ness’ or by kids, elder work life? Feeling like you care, partners and life in genare not living up to your po- eral. tential? This is why it’s so cruYou may need to refocus cial to take the time to revisit on what success means for and re-envision the living legyou. acy we once wanted to create As entrepreneurs we are through our work and busioften so busy ‘doing’ that we nesses. forget about the big picture for Your living legacy may our businesses and lives and have started with a deep paswhat we are really capable of. sion for the business you are CONTRIBUTOR

in. In the next few paragraphs I will take you through an exercise that will help you create a kind of business mission statement. I call it a living legacy statement. It’s the contribution you may be already making or wish to make in the lives of your customers and beyond. I have seen how this 10 minute exercise can change people’s lives by helping them redefine what their mark can be and taking concrete steps towards it.

Many of us, including myself, get stuck in the situations of our lives because we convince ourselves there is no other way. One of the most powerful things we can do is to realize that our situations are simply a snapshot of what is going on or one viewpoint. If we can learn to reframe this viewpoint, we are on our way to creating the legacy we really want and are capable of. When I had my first-born

in 2003, I learned how powerful reframing can be. Reframing requires first being aware of the way you are viewing your life or situation. In my case I realized I was stuck in a 9 to 5 mentality of work. The second step was coming up with other ways or ‘frames’ of viewing my situation. I came up with several and consciously chose a more flexible work schedule that See Legacy Page 35

Nadine Westgate

Tanya Englert FRIENDLY, DEDICATED, FASHION SAVVY… Tanya joined the FASHION ADDITION Team in Aug. 2009, embracing the position of Manager in our then Orchard Park Store. She brought with her years of Fashion Retail experience and a sense of Purpose to help amaze our Clients! She was instrumental to making the Location change to Our Current SPALL PLAZA Store. Tanya and her wonderful group of Sales Associates take pride in introducing our clients to a plethora of Designer Fashion Brands showcasing Plus-Size clothing unique and flattering to the full figured woman! If you are looking for a Positive, FUN, and Rewarding shopping experience you need for look no further… Tanya and her staff of professional ladies invite you to their SPALL PLAZA Store and would be delighted in helping to make YOU SHINE!

Spall Plaza

1950 Harvey Avenue DESIGNER FASHIONS | SPECIALIZING IN SIZES 14 - 24

At a retreat I ran in 2002, one of the participants realized that she was not living the legacy she was capable of and took giant strides to make this possible. She refocused on her professional career and health, both of which had been put on the backburner for the last four years. Today, she has tripled her income and is working in her dream job. She is half way to her ideal weight and has lost 31 pounds.

250-717-0911

As managing broker of Realty Executives of the Okanagan, Nadine recognizes that we live in a “connected” world… and that IT’S TIME TO RECONNECT. The current economy combined with our fast-paced world of new technology has forever changed consumer behavior. Realty Executives is aware of the cultural shift and, with our long history of innovation, we are poised once again to revolutionize the industry with the right tools to stay ahead of marketing trends through emerging technologies. As such, Realty Executives has launched executive web connect platforms and, as well, we have offered a mobile connectivity platform and proudly utilize local businesses to help facilitate these technologies. An international organization, we offer a full service brokerage with centrally located offices in Kelowna, Vernon and a presence in Lake Country, and are moving towards an expansion into West Kelowna. Realty Executives is differentiated with innovation and integrity as a basis, truly reflective of the Okanagan’s entrepreneurial nature and spirit. We look forward to serving you.

Please visit us at 212-1980 Cooper Road, Kelowna or call us at 250.861.5122 or email nadine@realtyexe-kelowna.com or visit realtyexecutives.com/okanagan

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Be willing to reframe your purpose behind career choices Legacy from 34 would allow me to have some stability with the space to grow a new business venture. Lastly I took action—negotiating a three-day a week schedule which was job shared by my replacement. The legacy I am creating today through my business started with my willingness to reframe and re-envision who I could become and let go of who I was. Now it’s your turn to re-envision your impact. You will be creating your own business mission statement and defining the contribution you will make in your work and business. For this 10 minute exercise you will need a piece of paper and pen in hand and some privacy. Now write on the top of the paper: “What is my business legacy?” and leave some space. Under this write: “What is one step I will take today to move one closer towards it?” Now take two to three minutes to get comfortable. Relax and close your eyes. When thoughts come into your mind push them into the back and park them for later. When you feel settled let your eyes settle back on the text. Now imagine you are given a stage of 1,000 of your target customers. Close your eyes if this helps. They are ready to hear your message and take any actions as a result. You have 90 seconds to

‘‘

work you do—your ‘living legacy?’ Try to express this in one or two sentences so it is something you can look at and refer to on a continual basis. MANY OF US, It may be something you INCLUDING MYSELF, look at each morning and ask yourself, “Am I moving GET STUCK IN THE towards this living legacy? SITUATIONS OF OUR What is one step I can take toLIVES BECAUSE day to do that?” WE CONVINCE Make sure before you complete this exercise you OURSELVES THERE IS commit to at least one step NO OTHER WAY. you will take today to move Daneal Charney one closer to your legacy. Tell two friends to make it real and increase your acWOW them—to present a countability. Re-envisioning your livcompelling story or theme. What is the essence of ing legacy can go beyond what you want to say? What business and work. We may not be aware of it actions do you want them to but most of us have a motto or take as a result? Record your answers on a philosophy in life. Ask one or two of your fresh page. Now consider a second closest friends to guess what scenario and when you are your personal motto is. Is it, ‘don’t ask, don’t get!’ done, record your answers on or, ‘Just do it!’ another page. You may want to do a simYou have decided to retire. A friend calls and asks you to ilar exercise with your kids. You can get each one to mentor someone who wants to follow a similar career or draw their hand-print as a metaphor for their impact on business path. You agree. One of the the world. What do they want questions this young per- to happen to the world? What son asks you is, what was the can they do to make this hapimpact you feel you made pen? Are you just starting a through your business? A kind of personal mark. business or wanting to take What is the legacy you are your business to the next level? leaving behind? Now go back your original question. Daneal Charney has Based on the two scenarios you have envisioned, what 17 years of experience as a is the mark you want to make leadership coach and facilithrough your business and the tator.

Tracy Gray Founded and owned in Kelowna since summer 2003. Our second location is opening summer 2013 in Kamloops!

Discover Wines is the number one BC Wine Store in the Province. We sell more BC wine than anyone! We are focused on sourcing hard to find wines, and providing exceptional service and corporate gift ideas . I often travel to international giftware trade shows to find unique product lines. Our Wine Club is an important part of our business where members receive a mixed case of twelve different wines every two months accompanied with a full write-up, food pairing and cellaring suggestions. Awards: Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award, RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur of the Year, Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, Eat Magazine Readers Choice Best Wine Store, Okanagan Life Readers Choice Best Wine Store Join our newsletter, like us on facebook, or follow us on twitter. www.discoverwines.com

2080C Springfield Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 9N7 250-868-3990

The Wellness Spa Sharon Strang, owner and operator of The Wellness Spa, has been in the health field for over twenty years. Her vision is to support people in taking time for themselves and to educate them on the enormous value a el ng A , on ar Kelly, Sh of releasing stress. As a mother & business owner, she recognizes the need to take care of oneself. The Wellness Spa specializes in facials, massages, & waxing. Over the past 10 years, we have built a reputation of friendly service, tranquil surroundings, and beautiful treatments. We are a convenient oasis for weary travelers here at the Best Western Hotel, but we value our local clientele and offer special packages for you! Guinot is our exclusive skin care line, for every skin type & condition. It is produced in France & made from plant botanicals, helping your skin stay young the natural way. We invite you to peruse our website for more information or just take an hour or so and come to our oasis for a mini-vacation! Online booking and online gift certificates available.

wellness spa

“You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back” —Barbara DeAngelis, researcher on relationships

(at the Best Western Plus Hotel & Suites)

www.wellnessspa.ca

250-860-4985 1-866-860-4985 2402 Hwy. 97 N. contact@wellnessspa.ca

Sarah Williams & Andrea Cosar Bella Clothing & Dandy Diva Accessories are two unique companies sharing one retail boutique. These two local, female entrepreneurs have combined forces to create a unique boutique experience for the Women of the Okanagan. South Pandosy Street is a destination for locals and tourist alike! You will discover a wide variety of clothing (semi-formal, career and casual), handcrafted jewellery (sterling and semi-precious stones), purses, shoes, belts, hats and everything in between. The boutique concept is created by only offering limited sizes to keep a fresh quantity of apparel arriving weekly.

Canadian artists supply all the different jewellery collections, with the main collection created by Andrea herself. Come down and work with the artist to create your Custom Gems & Jewels for any special occasion (graduation or bridal). They also offer private and corporate shopping parties and showcases. Both women believe in supporting their community by hosting an annual fashion show fundraiser each Spring, as well as attending many different fundraiser events and showcases throughout the year. The ladies have just finished a major renovation of their boutique. Andrea, Sarah and their staff invite you to come and see their updated space! Embrace your BellaDiva at 3005 Pandosy Street!

3005 Pandosy Street 250-868-0220

www.bellaclothingboutique.com www.dandydiva.com

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

Travel adventure desires take new direction

CAPITAL NEWSC

New demographic of vacationers want an authentic experience from their holidays

Sometimes we just need a little vacation; a little “me” time to reinvigorate the body, relax the mind and nurture the soul. But what does that mean for you and your vacation desires? How do you plan a trip that meets your interests, your personal and travel needs? There’s a lot of work that goes into properly planning a vacation and a little expertise can go a long way. Sunwest Tours is a full service tour and travel planning agency with offices in Kelowna, Vernon, Salmon Arm and Penticton. The company offers clients, or as referred to at Sunwest, their “travel guests” a

multitude of travel experiences by air, land and sea, offering travel within Canada, the U.S. and abroad. Aaron Young, president of business development and marketing for the company, notes that an emerging trend in the industry has caused the company to make adjustments to meet new customer travel desires. “Traditionally we’ve focused our business on landbased sightseeing and casino gambling vacations. We’ve been very successful in both these areas of the travel industry, and we continue to offer the best packages and the best service available,” Young said. “But after 34 successful years in business, we have a

want to offer more in terms of options, and we see a need to broaden our market segment by offering new, and targeted products.” He says today the demographic of the tourism market is changing, as an ever increasing number of couples and singles in the 45-plus age range actively seek out new travel adventures. “This group of travel guests are the fastest growing segment within the tourism industry,” Young continued. “They’re career women, career men, in some cases they are newly, or nearly empty nesters. “They’ve worked hard in life, they’ve earned their stripes and they want to take

some time for themselves. “We are responding by creating travel experiences that are targeted for this demographic. We are creating products to provide a travel experience which is organic, authentic, and truly unforgettable.” Young says when Sunwest sets out to create new products, they ask what need

“Rejuvenation, relaxation, peace of mind, wellness, adventure, whatever the client is seeking to achieve it will become a new reality with Sunwest.” For example, Young says currently the company’s newest packages are suited to working career women. “For us this demographic

does the product we’re designing achieve for the clientele we’re targeting? “We then put ourselves in those shoes and create the travel experience in a way that will satisfy the needs and accomplish the job of ‘checking out.’ “Let’s face it the reason we take a vacation is to change the current reality we have in our everyday lives, and allow us the ability to forget our worries and recharge.

represents a bright future and we are very focused on establishing our client base. “One product we are excited about is a fun-filled tour of New York. The package is six days in total, includes three days of shopping all at different locations including the famed 5th Avenue. “There is a Broadway show, evening events, and sightseeing. We’ve themed this fun-filled trip after the popular TV show Sex and

Denise Martell Candace Chisholm Every day presents a new opportunity for a better financial future, where there is peace of mind and dreams are realized. Regardless of where you are financially, the door is open and the possibilities are endless. All you need to do is take the first step. With the help of World Financial Group (WFG), a leading financial service organization in North America, your financial past does not matter. We are ready to help you achieve your dreams beginning today. We have the experience, tools, and strategies to put you on the path to financial freedom. We build our community by: helping people from all walks of life reach their financial goals. Empowering families to create and grow wealth through a variety for best-in-class financial products and services. Educating our clients on financial fundamentals, so they can make wise choices and better manager their own money. Contact us to help start your future today.

No family left behind

2009E Enterprise Way, Kelowna BC V1Y 8G6 Denise: 250-212-1780 Candace: 250-863-7488

Sandra Avila Sandra holds a Bachelor of Accounting Degree and a Diploma in Business Administration Management. She has over 20 years of experience in the industry working both independently for small and large organizations. Sandra speaks two languages, English and Spanish, and offers an array of services from bookkeeping, monthly financial statements, business analysis, payroll, inventory control and personal income tax. Through her practical experience in industry she has developed a detailed reporting package for clients requiring full monthly operational statements giving them complete control and insight of their finances. Sandra prides herself on giving value for money allowing her clients to concentrate on their business.

For more info please contact us at 250-212-7735 or email savilab@shaw.ca

the City, starring Sara Jessica Parker and the trip takes in a sightseeing tour with features of that show.” “If the big city isn’t the pace they’re looking for, we have many other products ranging from our very special Rest, Relax, and Rejuvenate packages to shopping trips in the U.S., couple get-a-ways and sightseeing trips.” Equally entertaining to the products for women, are a whole range of trips that are specifically appealing to men, Young notes, everything from Casino-Golf packages and ocean fishing, a trip to a UFC event, as well as sporting events such as the New York Yankees versus the Seattle Mariners. “We’re always developing new product so we encourage our clients to check with us frequently where one of our star sales agents will be happy to help you find a vacation of a lifetime,” Young said. “Travel is a sensory experience. The way we make memories is through what we see, hear, taste, touch and do. “That’s what creates an experience and that’s why it’s so easy to forget our worries when on vacation. “When you’re immersed in a completely different reality, your attention is focused in the present. When you capture a moment in memory and hold onto it for the rest of your life, it’s like buying a piece of time. “No one can take that from you and that’s why it’s an investment.” This article is contributed by Sunwest Tours. 1-800-667-3877 www.sunwesttours.com

Zobeida Breitkreutz Zobeida is an independent stylist with 11 years of experience. Her goal is to provide a warm and welcoming environment, make every client comfortable and to provide good value combined with great quality of work. She speaks two languages, English and Spanish. Zobeida is committed to ongoing education and training to keep current with today’s trends. She wants the best for her clients and uses CHI color Ammonia Free. Individualized and family service. Come and relax in this one-on-one environment and enjoy a fresh coffee or tea. Make an appointment and let me inspire you! Where style is created.

1694 Feedham Avenue 250-491-1221 www.zobeidasalon.com

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Real estate agent opens doors to help children Tina Campbell

the construction company she owned with her husband for more than 20 years. She felt like real estate was the obvious next step in her career, which she took on sevKelowna realtor Annette Lipkovits has been a huge supporter of various local charities en years ago. Since then, Lipkovits has won many Cenand events for many years. tury 21 awards including Centurian Award, a Over the last decade, Lipkovits has taught Masters Team Award, and an Award for Excelfitness classes, led and developed youth prolence in Customer Service. grams, and provided training Also for 2012, Lipkovits to adults and youth in the comproudly accepted the Central munity. Zone Realtors Care Award for She did this while both emher exceptional community serployed and as a volunteer at the vice. Kelowna YMCA and as a real She says selling real estate estate agent for Century 21 Real has allowed her to continue her Estate. Lipkovits also supports the passion for volunteering. She Easter Seals Program, the Keuses her career to make volunlowna Burn Fund, and the Umteering a part of her daily roubrella Foundation in Nepal. tine, and likes to involve family, In 2013, Lipkovits will be clients and colleagues in her enAnnette Lipkovits taking part in three charity camdeavours. paigns—the Century 21 Kids to From her experiences, LipCamp, one with Easter Seals, and the charity kovits has learned that it takes personal comthat Century 21 chooses to support. mitment to achieve your goals. Added to that is her ongoing support for “You need to work hard, be honest with the weekly Pub Quiz Night and her third year yourself and those around you, and find a balwith The Umbrella Foundation’s volunteer ance in your lifestyle,” she says. program. Lipkovits says has learned that it is possible And while in Nepal in October, Lipkovits to achieve your goals and maintain a healthy, will work with conflict displaced children, happy, and fulfilled life. by helping them with their studies and af“The first step is to prioritize your goals, ter-school activities. and define your ‘why.’ It is incredibly importBy doing all this, Lipkovits is motivated by ant to make sure that your plan reflects your the hope to help provide kids in need with the goals, so that you can achieve them through childhood they deserve. hard work. Once you have made a plan, joinLipkovits’ real estate journey began with ing the correct organization is vital.” CONTRIBUTOR

YOUR KELOWNA ROCKET Ladies

Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd. A S S U R A N C E R E A LT Y L T D .

Connected to More™

250.869.0101

www.c21assurance.com

251 Harvey avenue, Kelowna BC V1Y 6C2

AMANDA WESTRHEIM Licensed REALTOR® | amanda.westrheim@century21.ca For Amanda, being a REALTOR® is a lifelong passion, not a job. She was raised in Kelowna & has almost 10 years experience in the real estate business! She enjoys playing ‘tourist’ in her own town, attending events throughout the valley & enjoying the lake, wineries & snowboarding. Amanda wants you to “Love Where You Live!”

ANNETTE LIPKOVITS Licensed REALTOR® | annette.lipkovits@century21.ca Annette was born & raised in Kelowna and is married to a local firefighter. They take advantage of Kelowna’s 4-season playground enjoying local lakes in the summer & mountains in the winter. Annette has been involved in the Real Estate industry building & selling homes for over 25 years.

JACKIE LARGE Licensed REALTOR® | jackie.large@century21.ca Jackie is blessed to be a 3rd generation Kelowna resident! She has been a REALTOR® for over 10 years in the Okanagan. Her passions are travel, connecting with others, self-development and spending time with family and friends. Jackie thrives on change, has an adventurous spirit and embraces her work.

JANET SIME Licensed REALTOR® | janet.sime@century21.ca Janet has a wealth of knowledge and skill from her 30 years of expertise in real estate. Janet enjoys the Okanagan lifestyle with her family and friends. Yoga, alternative medicine, equestrian events, singing in choir, tai chi and golf are just some of Janet’s passions – “Life is my passion!”

KIM WALDHERR Licensed REALTOR® | kim.waldherr@century21.ca Kim has been a REALTOR® with Century 21 Kelowna for the past 8 years. She and her family have lived in Kelowna since 1997, moving from Saskatoon. She enjoys the four seasons with skiing, golf, wineries, lakes and more.

LISA MOLDENHAUER Licensed REALTOR® | lisa.moldenhauer@century21.ca Lisa’s family has enjoyed the Okanagan lifestyle since 1995 and can’t imagine living anywhere else. With a busy family life involving sports and cultural events and an active real estate career, Lisa says “it just doesn’t get any better!” L to r: Jane, Anne-Marie, and Kim. Missing: Carrie and Theresa

Anne-MArie HAMilton – Director of Marketing and Game operations

Marketing, Advertising and Group Ticket Sales, Promotions Execution, All Game Day Operations, Chair – Rockets Alumni Association

CArrie PAnseGrAu – executive Assistant to President/General Manager Bruce Hamilton Liaison with the General Manager, Western Hockey League, Director Player Personnel, Player - Agent Contracts and much much more!

KiM sylvester – office and Merchandise store Manager

Manages the day to day office responsibilities, purchasing and merchandising the Rockets Store “In the Crease”

MAUREEN YAKIMCHUK Licensed REALTOR® | maureen.yakimchuk@century21.ca Maureen is a grateful prairie transplant loving every minute of her life in the Okanagan with her young family. She loves her busy life of family, sports, travel and, of course, her dynamic and FUN career in real estate. She pinches herself daily, “living the dream,” never having to pack up and leave the Okanagan playground!

tHeresA Molley – Bookkeeper

SANDRA CIOLFI

JAne BowerinG – office and Merchandise store Assistant

Licensed REALTOR® | sandra.ciolfi@century21.ca

Rockets Finances and Liaison to the General Manager Assists Kim with the Office and Merchandise Store Duties on Game Days and when Kim is away.

107-1223 Water St. Kelowna

250.860.7825 WWW.KELOWNAROCKETS.COM

Sandra has lived in Kelowna for 14 years after moving from North Vancouver. She started her Real Estate career 10 years ago and loves it! Sandra has over 30 years experience in sales & marketing and is involved with Easter Seals fundraising. She enjoys golf, skiing, Italian cooking, and is an avid Kelowna Rockets hockey fan.

Professional Photography Air Miles Reward Miles

Free Moving Van

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWSC

Using social media marketing to boost visibility Barry Gerding MANAGING EDITOR

Developing a business brand in today’s complex social media world may be one of the most misunderstood tactical marketing objectives, says one of Canada’s topranked social media business strategists.

Melonie Dodaro, who operates her consulting business Top Dog Social Media out of Kelowna, says most people generally know how to operate in the social media world on a personal communication level, but applying that knowledge to growing their business often ends in frustration.

Dodaro herself spent years toiling with social media outlets to help promote the many health and wellness business ventures she’s been involved with. Dodaro said her “lightbulb went on” moment came in promoting a book she had written. “I was finally able to realize how social media pro-

Barbara Ferrier What a difference a conversation can make. Life is busy these days – it can be a challenge to find time for important tasks such as reviewing your financial plan. Yet, each stage of your life has different needs. A regular review is essential to make sure your plan continues to evolve as well. Why not invest a few moments in making sure you – and those you care about – are protected, and that you’re financially prepared for the future? Let’s spend a few moments talking about your plan. It can really make a difference.

Barbara Ferrier Advisor

250-860-6403 ext. 2245

2139 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 7X1 barbara.ferrier@sunlife.com www.sunlife.ca/barbara.ferrier Mutual funds offered by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2013.

Life’s brighter under the sun

Travel Excellence

motion of my book could generate a significant response.” For Dodaro, the time she spent working on social media had made her someone that others sought out for advice, which in turn made her realize there might be a business opportunity for her. “I was giving out an awful lot of free advice, and I started thinking that maybe I could start charging for that. I have always been a kind of serial entrepreneurial person anyway—this is now my eighth business—so I thought why not give it a shot.” Going against what she calls her usual “big thinking mentality,” Dodaro decided to start out on a smaller scale with her consulting business, build up her brand locally and expand from there. “I positioned myself locally in Kelowna and the Okanagan first as an expert advisor in the field of social media use to help businesses, a year later I branched out further across B.C. and Alberta, and then on a global level. But it all really happened organically through my growing online presence.” Today, Dodaro is consulted for her social media expertise with companies around the world, from Switzerland to India to Australia. She helps develop online business strategies, teaches company staffs how to use social media to their employer’s benefit and does public speaking engagements. She is also 90 per cent done on her second book about business and social media. Dodaro says while social media offers a variety of platforms to promote your corporate or business message, one old-fashioned business adage still applies—identify your target customer market.

Melonie Dodaro “I think the hardest adjustment with social media is we have spent past decades doing push marketing, which is to send your message out to the traditional TV, radio and print advertising vehicles, which works in those mediums,” she says. “But the trouble is to take that tactic to social media, it is not going to work. You need to stop worrying about speaking to the world, and find the best way to speak directly to your potential customer and build up a relationship with them through social media while positioning yourself as the best authority on what you are trying to sell.” Dodaro says Facebook is an option that many business owners are drawn to, but in reality it’s often the least effective way for a business to get its message out to its target market audience. “The thing with Facebook that people forget is it was started initially as a way for friends and family to communicate with one another, not as a business marketing tool,” she says. Dodaro says as a comparison, Linked In may not post the user numbers that Facebook does, but it was created for businesses to be linked, has representation from all the Fortune 500 companies, has a higher average income level among its users at $109,000;

and users rely on it as a business to business communication method, which Facebook is not. “Even on Twitter, its use is misunderstood as well. For people who talk about what they had for lunch on Twitter, who cares. But on average, there is a tremendous use among business owners on Twitter, some seven million users, and 65 per cent of Twitter users are over the age of 35.” Dodaro says her singular message about applying social media networks to promoting your business is to identify your target market, find out who they are and what their challenges and struggles might be, and create a social media content strategy based on that analysis. “The technical aspect of social media can seem overwhelming at times. I am a non technical person so they have been a challenge even for me in the past, but that doesn’t mean anything. Today, the average 10-year-old kid can figure that out. A corporate intern today can whip up a new Facebook page in five minutes. “The problem is when you get past the technical challenges, too many people have no friggin’ idea about business and marketing. “When you look at the options available—Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, blogging etc.—you can’ try to be everywhere, and if you do you will fail unless you have a budget large enough that you can spread your message through all those social media resources. “But to have success with social media today, you must clearly define your goals and objectives as a business, and identify the best method to achieve those goals.”

Georgette Johnson Colleen Schellenberg, CTC Travel Consultant

Mona Jansen Travel Consultant

Karen Copp, CTC Manager/ Vice President

Denise Cesselli Travel Consultant

Sun Country Travel is celebrating 28 years in Kelowna this year! We are affiliated with Transat Distribution Canada which gives us awesome buying power. We offer Airmiles on all vacation packages and cruises booked in our office. Our agents are all very experienced, well traveled and can give the personalized service travellers want for the same price as on the internet.

Georgette Johnson has been the proud owner and operator of Turtle Island Gallery, Kelowna’s Native Art Connection for the past seventeen years. Located in Cannery Lane, in the Heart of Kelowna’s arts and cultural district. The Gallery features beautifully created Northwest Coast works of art from various tribes along with featured distinguished native artists from across Canada. You will discover a stunning collection of wood and stone carvings, totem poles, original paintings and exquisite hand carved silver and gold jewellery. Come by for a visit and indulge yourself!

Everything Uniquely Native 115-1295 Cannery Lane, Kelowna 250-717-8235

2009D Enterprise Way Kelowna, BC • 250-861-4575

Mon.-Sat. 10-5 & Sunday in the summer www.turtleislandgallery.com | /Turtle-Island-Gallery

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Putting the customer ﬁrst often overlooked Barry Gerding MANAGING EDITOR

Sherry Cote has a simple philosophy behind what makes a successful business—offer the customer a personal experience through the quality of service you provide. But Cote says a majority of businesses operating in the Okanagan don’t get that idea, and feed into the statistical reality about the high rate of failure among business startups. Cote says only 10 to 15 per cent of new startups make to the fifth year, and some 85 per cent are gone by year 10. “Very few people out there understand the simple and basic concepts of how to be successful in business,” said Cote, nominated for a Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1995. And she’s seen that first-hand as a business workshop leader and consultant for 25 years in Vancouver before coming to the Okanagan 17 years ago. “With most failing businesses here, the problem in most cases is the owner,” said Cote. “I purchased one business that was completely failing, brought in new staff and within 30 days it saw a huge increase in sales. I changed nothing but attitude and management, and that’s what can happen.” Cote said when she taught workshops in Vancouver, she would leave her workshop participants with one message to retain if nothing else from their experience with her. “My parting message to them would be the best gift I could give them: Everyone you meet in the future, whether business or personal, whether supplier, employee, customer or competitor, treat them as though they are wearing a sign across their forehead that reads, ‘Make me feel special.’” While many businesses tout their customer service, Cote says that’s exactly what is often missing for consumers today, especially as stores try to capitalize on social media marketing opportunities, which has little to do with

customer service and more to do with facilitating an opportunity to buy a product at your computer. “Gone are the days when businesses sought to exceed a customer’s expectations, and that is really sad. Most of them don’t feel the need to meet those expectations.” Cote said when she came up with the idea of operating a high-end bed and breakfast for couples, offering premium service at a premium price, she said many people told her it wouldn’t fly in the Okanagan. There were already hundreds of bed and breakfasts doing the same thing across the Okanagan, Cote surmised, so she sought to do something different, starting with the name, Vista Villa Bed & Barbecue in Kelowna. ‘Basically, it just comes down to treating others like you would like to be treated, and in our case people were willing to pay a little more of the experience they had with us was personal and unique.” From that business, Cote sought ways to offer her clients an experience of touring the Okanagan, and found a shortfall to what were her expectations, so she started up a complementary business, Heart & Sol Tours, to give couples something to do during the day. “No hiccups, no lineups, no nonsense,” she laughs. “I wanted to offer my clients a five-star experience and the best way to do that, to control that, was ultimately to do it myself. So I had a touring bus custom built in Denver, Colorado, and we offer five day tours a week.” Cote says business startups that take a common sense approach will be the most successful. “Service recognition and recognizing what your market is. Clients have told me that is way to simplistic, there has to be more to having a successful business than that,” Cote says. “But there is not. Know who your customers are you are trying to reach, and make them feel special from the experience of dealing with you and your business.”

CONTRIBUTED

SHERRY COTE has a very simple – but often she says overlooked – philosophy to operating a business successfully, make your customers feel special.

Dena Abrahamse Happy 2013 everyone, let’s make it a great year! We are a Kelowna sign shop producing quality solutions for over 12 years. The Kelowna sign market demands full service capabilities & top quality products at reasonable prices & we have continually been there to fulfill those demands. Access Signs’ impressive reputation is founded on ensuring 100% customer satisfaction. We are very experienced in working in multiple mediums including wood, 3D, metal, plastic, banners & coroplast. We take care of it all... from real estate, property development, business frontage & sandwich boards to magnetics, decals & site signs. We offer in-house large format printing & vinyl cutting for your interior signage & exterior needs including vehicle graphics & more. Access Signs also gives back to the community by sponsoring a variety of sport teams & events. There is only one thing that matters at Access Signs... your business, & our business is to make your business get noticed. Dena welcomes you to come by the shop or visit our website: www.access-signs.com

#2 - 1980 Bredin Road

“The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of being yourself.”

(behind Cloverdale Paint)

Phone 250-860-1728 • Fax: 250-860-1702 Email: access.signs@shaw.ca

—Anna Quindlen

Experience you can count on.

ALYSON EARL

Garden Center Mgr. 5 Years Experience

TERRI CUMMINS Co-Owner/Operator 12 Years with Canadian Tire

NOLA DONOHOE Office Manager Computer Operator 20 Years with Canadian Tire

JENNIFER PILON General Manager 16 Years with Canadian Tire

JEWEL TURNER Cash/Housewares Manager 6 Years with Canadian Tire

MICHELLE WAPLAK Asst. Store Manager 6 Years with Canadian Tire

WEST KELOWNA CANADIAN TIRE 101 - 3550 Carrington Road | 250.707.3901

Your West Kelowna Canadian Tire Store is locally owned and operated by Canadians just like you!

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWSC

Tax saving advantages of a home-based business Lesley Machan

CONTRIBUTOR

Everyone seems to be somewhat aware of the numerous deductions they can make for having a homebased business. But, how many people are aware these deductions can be applied to their employment income? And even if they are aware, how many people realize they can start their business for as little as $500? It’s true, Canadians pay among the highest personal tax rates in the G8, and the highest in North America. Little wonder that so many Canadians should feel they are paying too much, and wonder what they can do to legitimately reduce their tax bill.

Surprisingly, many people do not realize how easily they may be able to reduce taxes on existing employment income simply by having a home-based business. Self-employed individuals are entitled to claim a host of expenses as long as they are reasonable and incurred to earn income. However, most people logically (but incorrectly) assume that these expenses can only be used to reduce the level of self-employment income that would otherwise be taxable. What most people seem to overlook is the fact that Canada Revenue Agency does not distinguish between income earned from outside employment and income earned from self-employment for tax purposes.

Consequently, expenses incurred from self-employment may be applied against all personal income to reduce the overall level of taxes payable, regardless of source. This includes income earned from outside employment. The most common expenses are goods purchased for resale, office supplies, consulting fees, salaries and benefits, travel, insurance, equipment rental, bank charges, and repairs and maintenance. However, often missed are the entertainment expenses incurred to earn income such as meals, coffee, drinks in the bar, and gifts. If your home is your main place of employment, you may also be entitled to claim a portion of your occupancy

Lillian Czaplan Lillian Czaplan has lived in Kelowna for over 30 years, and firmly believes it was the best move her family made. She has seen the growth of this wonderful city, and knows that Kelowna is no longer a well-kept secret. She is adamant that Kelowna is one of the best places to live in the best country in the world. world Lillian is happy to help with all your residential needs. She is experienced in helping people buy and sell building lots, new homes, older homes, mobiles, apartments, and townhouses. Lillian has helped people in all areas from Peachland to Lake Country, including Big White. She relies on her background of teaching and sales support, and on her experience to aid families find their dream. With her knowledge of the region she loves to “help them get home.” Lillian is ready to help you find your new home or to help sell your present one, with loyalty, integrity and experience to guide her. She is happy to be a member of the Premier Canadian Properties family, and looks forward to helping you with your real estate needs.

Lillian Czaplan REALTOR® Premier Canadian Properties Kelowna 250-717-7053

Tina Van Steen, RMT I am new to Kelowna and very excited to be starting up my own clinic here. After 20 years in business administration in Vancouver, I relocated to the Okanagan in 2009 to complete my 3000 hour RMT training at OVCMT in Vernon in 2012. I am the mother of 3 children and grandmother of 2! I offer registered therapeutic massage in a professional, caring environment. Massage therapy is a non-invasive and holistic approach to maintaining the body’s natural function. As a Registered Massage Therapist, I am trained specifically in the assessment and treatment of soft tissue conditions such as tension headaches, whiplash, tendonitis, sprains, and strains. Massage therapy can provide relief for conditions such as fibromyalgia, stress, arthritis, low back pain, COPD, cancer and pregnancy. I provide mobile massage therapy for corporate groups and retirement residences. Gift certificates are also available. I am registered with BC MSP and I am a ICBC, DVA and RCMP service provider. Registered Massage Therapy is reimbursable under most extended health benefits plans. Call me today to book your appointment!! ”Take good care of your body: it is the only place you have to live!” – Jim Rohn

1405A Richter Street 250-309-1145 www.aspirekelownamassage.com

expenses such as rent, mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, utilities, telephone, and minor repairs and maintenance. The portion you claim varies based upon the amount of space and time the space is used for business. If you use your car for your business, you may be entitled to claim a reasonable portion of gas, repairs, lease, insurance, driver’s license, interest on car loans, depreciation, parking, washes, and 30 per cent per year on the cost of the vehicle used. If your partner or other family members participate in the business, a reasonable salary paid may be deducted. This may be a great tax savings strategy depending upon your circumstances. You might also consider making another family member the owner or partner in the business in order to split income. Sometimes, it is even possible to combine a family vacation with a business trip and expense a portion of the expenses. Suppose you are an aver-

age Canadian worker, living in B.C., single, with a Line 10 employment income of $60,000 and no other income. You would report on Line 150 a total income of $60,000. Without any other adjustments or reductions, you would report on Line 260 a taxable income of $60,000. Assuming your employer made all the standard appropriate deductions, which you used for calculating the Net Federal Tax payable (Schedule 1) plus BC Provincial Tax payable (Form 428) and you had no other deductions or adjustments, you could have paid a total of $16,750 in income taxes with neither a refund nor balance owing. However, if you set yourself up with a home-based business, you could see dramatic results. Expenses incurred in building a business may actually exceed the income earned from self-employment, but this in itself, doesn’t disqualify the deduction. Taxpayers are allowed to use self-employment business losses against other employment because it is normal for

a business to incur losses in the early years as they take the time it takes to grow and be profitable. Consequently, even though it may be years before you actually show a profit from you home-based business, you may continue to claim your business expenses against your combined employment and self-employment income. Result—a tax refund It’s important to note the Canada Revenue Agency does not take kindly to taxpayers only interested in taking advantage of the system to reduce the amount of taxes that would otherwise be payable. It is also important to note that as long as you are making a sincere attempt to grow your business by investing your time, effort and money, you are complying with the intent of the law, even if you are aren’t making a profit yet. So just think about it. With a readily accessible home-based business, you can reduce your tax bill and use those savings to help build a future source.

‘Secret sauce’ of marketing Judy Murdoch CONTRIBUTOR

A couple years ago, I was talking with someone who was, for me, a very challenging client. I’m all about cultivating relationships that result in opportunities to sell. This particular client seemed allergic to cultivating relationships for reasons I never really understood. I remember one such meeting, I was trying to explain to my client the wisdom of first creating trust and credibility before trying to get a sale. And my client was blocking me at every turn with reasons why relationship development would not work for their business. It was maddening.

Finally, I cried with exasperation, “Well, why the heck do you want to keep working with me since my approach doesn’t work for you?” “Because you’re sincere,” the client replied. “Who cares” I thought to myself since it didn’t seem to be to helping my client grow their business. Since that time I’ve changed me mind about the quality of sincerity. I think it’s impossible to have sustainably effective marketing without sincerity. The word, “sincere” is derived from the Latin word, “sincerus,” meaning whole, pure, genuine.

See Marketing Page 41

Brenda L. Fischer Brenda L Fischer, an Edward Jones Financial Advisor has over 25 years of experience in the financial and insurance industries. Brenda offers extensive knowledge and experience in the world of investment planning. Her objective is to act first and foremost in her clients best interest, by offering caring and competent advice to help clients reach their financial goals. At Edward Jones, Brenda can offer retirement planning, mutual funds, stocks and fixed income investments. Brenda looks forward to meeting with you at your earliest convenience for your free portfolio review. Please call or stop by anytime. Member: Canadian Investor Protection Fund

Brenda L. Fischer, CFP Financial Advisor 2690 Pandosy Street, Kelowna, BC Tel: (250) 712-0508 • Fax: 1-877-635-8240 brenda.fischer@edwardjones.com

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

How to get from employee to entrepreneur

Suzanne Mulvehill eCONTRIBUTOR e The first time I left my job nto begin an entrepreneurial -venture, I was ready. - I had money and a business plan. What else did I oneed, I thought? I gave notice -to my employer and to my -surprise, fear set in immedi-ately. x I didn’t leave my job that time. I realized that while I eprepared externally, I didn’t yprepare internally—emotion-ally, mentally, physically and -spiritually—for this life tranmsition. Almost nine years have -passed since I left my job and began my venture as an entrepreneur. - I’ve learned that entreprewneurship is a process—it is glike building and then cross,ing a bridge. e u

I’ve also learned that entrepreneurship takes place “within” an individual—it is not necessarily about leaving a job , but rather about living a life of fulfillment. Entrepreneurial thinking and living takes time, energy, tools, and action. Here are some ideas that have proven to be helpful to my clients in making the transition to entrepreneurial thinking and living.

DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERY DAY

The purpose of this exercise is simply to get your mind accustomed to new experiences on a regular basis. Part of being human is that we develop patterns and are comfortable with habits. By doing something different every day, the mind becomes accustomed to change

and new experiences. I gave one of my clients this exercise as part of her homework; she came back a week later and said, “The homework assignment that I thought was going to be the easiest (doing something different every day) turned out to be the hardest.” Sometimes, we need to practice integrating change into our lives. Here are some ideas to start: • walk your dog on the other side of the street; • valet park if you never valet; • order something different at a restaurant; • get up 1/2 hour earlier. New ideas will come to you once you’re committed to doing new things on a regular basis.

Don’t lose sight of sincerity

e uMarketing from Page 40 d d When you think about today’s business climate, sincerity isn’t a quality that comes to mind. But it’s a quality human beings need to perceive to be willing and able to buy. First, it’s important to remember the real role of marketing in your business. Marketing is not about making a sale. Marketing is about creating a relationship based in trust and safety so that a sale can occur. Regardless of public sentiment towards business, people and companies still have problems that need to be solved and stuff that has to get done. Your prospective customers still need to buy stuff. They want to be able to trust you because they need to buy what you sell. The marketing you do is all about establishing visibility and credibility so that there’s enough trust for the purchase to happen. Now there are also some relatively goodhearted entrepreneurs out there who use hardsell tactics in their marketing. You can get barraged with multiple emails every day telling you about some amazing pro-

gram you “just gotta’ check out.” Here’s what’s important: There is no rest with this kind of marketing. You must work very, very hard to generate this level of noise. And if you’re spending so much time and energy with your own marketing, it’s tough to put much time or effort into where, in my opinion, we should be making the difference: Helping clients and customers get results. That, to me, is why hype-centred marketing with or without a good heart fails. If you want to market your business in a way that brings in a steady stream of ideal customers without burning yourself into a crispy critter, sincere, heart-centred marketing is the way to go. Remember, marketing is all about cultivating trust-based relationships so prospects can buy. And sincerity is a critical factor which enables trust to grow. Can you market your products and services without sincerity? Sure. But you will have to work a lot harder to sustain sales because you won’t be creating the quality relationships that give your marketing real momentum.

Kara Sangha Karen Stephens

Cell: (250)863-1274 kara.apf@gmail.com

www.alwaysreliablerealestate.com

EVALUATE YOUR BELIEF SYSTEM

This is a big one for both new and experienced entrepreneurs. What are your beliefs, particularly about money? Many of the clients I work with have created new beliefs about money because the old belief system no longer serves them. The best example I have is a client who has a for-profit and a non-profit organization. Her non-profit organization raises money for homeless children in Brazil. When she evaluated her belief system, she realized that her old beliefs blocked the flow of money to her, which in effect, blocked the flow of money to the children she was desiring to help in Brazil. She redesigned her belief system and now experien-

ces greater financial success in her business and non-profit organization.

WRITE DOWN YOUR WILDEST DREAMS

We can create what we can imagine. After doing something different every day for about ten days, new ideas will begin to flow to you. Creative thoughts will slip in and out of your consciousness, so write them down when they come to you. By capturing them on paper, you make room for new ideas and can then decide in which “dreams” to invest.

AFFIRM, AFFIRM, AFFIRM…

Affirm yourself, affirm your goals, and affirm your vision and dreams. Miracles happen this way. I worked with a client who

was frustrated with his job; each time he’d return for business counselling, he would share a similar frustration. One day I asked him what he really wanted to be doing with his life, and he said, without hesitating, “I want to live and work in Italy.” So I asked him, “Why aren’t you there, then?” He shared the feelings that were “blocking” him from doing what he wanted. From that point, he and I worked on creating affirmations to help him achieve his goal. He left for Italy six weeks later. Affirmations work. Enjoy the process, achieve what you desire, and become who you truly are! Suzanne Mulvehill is the author of Employee to Entrepreneur: A Mind, Body and Spirit Transition.

Amanda Zacharias 180 Degrees Hair Studio is thrilled to be celebrating their 10 year Anniversary! Located in the Mission Station Mall, on the corner of Cook Road and Gordon Drive, right beside Canada Post. At 180 Degrees Hair Studio we specialize in cutting and colouring. We are committed to ongoing education and training, and strive to keep current with the up and coming trends. Our goal at 180 Degrees Hair Studio is to provide a warm and welcoming environment to make every client feel comfortable. We strive to provide good value and great quality work. We would like to extend a warm thank you to all of our loyal clients for their continued support over the past 10 years and welcome new clients to call or stop in for a consultation. If you would like more information about 180 Degrees Hair Studio, you can visit us on the web at www.180degreeshairstudio.com

#4 - 3818 Gordon Drive • 250-861-9323 www.180degreeshairstudio.com

Mona Mueller

Cell: (250)575-2387 k.stephens@shaw.ca www.movingwithkaren.com

Our 15 years of combined real estate experience allows us the ability to tailor our service uniquely to suit our clients. We strive to provide a personalized, positive, one-of-a-kind service. We truly love and appreciate the relationships we’ve built with our existing Clients and Associates, and are always open and happy to build new ones!

160 Rutland Road N Kelowna, BC V1X 3B2 Phone: (778)753-5899 Fax: (778)753-5844

It has been almost 3 years since Mona, and husband Duane, opened Santa Fe Furniture & Home Décor in Kelowna. The store, being a little deceiving from the small storefront, has 3000 sq. feet filled with unique solid wood furniture, home accessories and much more. “People who have never been in the store are pleasantly surprised when they come through the door.” Mona travels and hand selects all the best that Mexico has to offer. “Although the store does have a large variety of Rustic, Mexican and Southwestern décor and furniture, people with every decorating style can find that unique treasure here as well.” Drop by to see the great selection of solid wood furniture, iron art, yard art, palm trees, copper sinks, wall art and huge selection of indoor and outdoor pottery. New for this year is the large selection of indoor and outdoor fountains arriving this spring.

333 Banks Road, Kelowna 778-478-0676 Open Mon. - Sat. 10-5 pm www.santafefurniture.ca

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

Susan Steen Executive Director

Susan began her career as curator/archivist for the Bank of Montreal in Old Montreal and the love of heritage and history has been a constant in her life and her career choices. Susan’s experience has been honed from over 30 years in the non-profit sector. She has worked in key roles for provincial, national and international charities right across Canada, including Heritage Mississauga, Gifts In Kind International, and Computers for Schools with Industry Canada. She was formerly a CEO of United Way of the Central Okanagan, Similkameen, and served several successful stints with the West Coast Railway Association in Squamish (firstly as their first Executive Director and the secondly as Vice-President). Susan left Squamish in August of 2010 to take on the role of Executive Director for the Central Okanagan Hospice Association in Kelowna. Along with this position, Susan is currently also the President of the Rotary Club of Kelowna-Okanagan Mission and writes a movie review column for the Kelowna Capital News. While Susan has enjoyed her career in the non-profit sector, there are few organizations whose work is as meaningful as the Central Okanagan Hospice Association and Susan is honoured to play a small part in its growth and development.

Central Okanagan Hospice Association #104-1456 St. Paul Street, Kelowna BC 250-763-5511 www.hospicecoha.org

(L to r): Kathy Abel, CA, Business Advisor; Heather Weber, CGA, Okanagan Regional Tax Leader; Karen Christiansen, CA, Business Advisor; Yvonne Sutton, Trustee, MNP LTD.

We make it our business to make yours better. In today’s business environment, it’s more important than ever to make informed business decisions. That’s why you need a business advisor who understands you and your business from a local perspective. With a focus on mid-market, owner-managed businesses, Kathy, Heather, Karen and Yvonne deliver a full range of services to ensure you succeed at every stage of your business, from start up to succession. National in scope and local in focus, MNP offers personalized strategies in accounting, consulting and tax to help clients achieve their goals. Contact kathy abel, Heather Weber, karen Christiansen or y onne sutton at 250.763.8919. yv

CAPITAL NEWSC

Making sense of transition back to PST/GST system Ann Harper CONTRIBUTOR

In June 2011, British Columbians received a referendum ballot in their mailboxes. On Aug. 25, 2011, it was announced that a year after implementation, B.C. residents voted “yes” to extinguish the HST. On April 1, 2013, we will officially move back to the PST-GST tax system in this province. Unfortunately, making the move back to the PST-GST tax system won’t be a snap for small businesses as a bit of paperwork will be required. In a survey conducted by Sage North America last year, 65 per cent of B.C. small business owners/managers reported that the greatest concern they had about reverting back to PST/GST was the increased paperwork required to remain compliant. To help make the transition a little easier for small businesses across B.C., here are some things that they need to know, especially for those which were formed after March 2010 and have never dealt with the PST/GST tax system before. Are there any improvements from the “old” PST? There are other changes being made to improve the PST from its earlier days, including: • new online access for business, including registration, account updates and online payments • due dates for remittances and returns for monthly filers will be moved to the last day of the month to match GST remittances • eight per cent Hotel Room Tax will be incorporated into the PST instead of requiring separate registration, remittances and returns • businesses will be able to register with their federal business number • retailers will be allowed to refund tax to customers in a broader range of circumstances; and • businesses that collect and remit tax will again receive commission of up to $198 per reporting period. When does PST/GST system take effect? April 1, 2013. However, you could have registered for a new PST number as of Jan. 2. Can I use my old PST number? No. You will need to register for a new one. Will I still have to file HST?

No. You will be filing GST at five per cent using the same number and the same method as you do the HST What do I need to do before April 1, 2013? You need to register to for a PST number that will be 11 characters long E-Services for businesses with a business number is accessible at the website www2. gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=FD375F29EBF74FB1ABD5A5438E2A9672. Review the website first because you need to know certain things before you can register. You can also register in person at any Service BC Centre. Mail or fax 1-250-356-2195. What do I charge PST on? The re-implemented PST, like the previous PST, will be a retail sales tax that is payable when a taxable good or service is acquired for personal use or business use, unless a specific exemption applies. PST generally applies to: • the purchase or lease of new or used goods • goods brought into B.C. for use in B.C. • the purchase of most services to goods (for example, vehicle maintenance, furniture assembly, computer repair) • the purchase of telecommunication services including Internet access, non-basic cable, non-residential telephone services, cell phone use, satellite services and fax services; and • the purchase of legal services. What is exempt from PST? The PST will apply to the same goods and services that were subject to PST prior to the implementation of the HST. All permanent PST exemptions will be re-implemented with the new PST, including: • all food for human consumption (e.g. basic groceries and prepared food such as restaurant meals) • most services (e.g. personal services such as haircuts, dry cleaning, funeral services) • admissions and memberships • professional services, other than legal services (e.g. accounting) • bicycles • newspapers and magazines; and • all permanent PST exemptions for business. Ann Harper is a Chartered Accountant who provides accounting and advisory services to business clients.

Monique Kaetler Living in the Kelowna area for 20 years, I have witnessed the growth of the city. I experienced the threat of fires on our homes and watched in dread with neighbors as the beauty of the Okanagan landscape was engulfed in flames. I witnessed a community reach out and draw closer to help their neighbours, friends, strangers and animals. As a former regional buyer, I have extensive experience in managing projects, including analyzing, reviewing, processing and complying with all regulations. My past experience required me to travel most back roads of the Okanagan and all the main roads. In short, I know the area and can find that special quality that you are looking for in a home. With over 15 years managing projects, I understand that my primary responsibility, in all cases, is simple - to satisfy the client. As a Century 21® Real Estate professional, I am dedicated to providing you with the highest quality service possible. My personal knowledge of the local Real Estate market is combined with the power of the Century 21 brand - the most recognized name in Real Estate today. Let me assist you in finding your dream home, in a neighborhood that is right for you, and in the price range you want. Or if you are interested in selling a property, I also have the expertise to help you get the fastest sale possible and at the best price. I look forward to the opportunity of working with you!

250-808-0305 www.buysellhomeskelowna.com

CAPITAL NEWS

Trust your instincts in taking a business risk Tina Campbell CONTRIBUTOR

New to the Kelowna area, Deanna Neufeld had always dreamed of owning her own private practice. Having worked as a therapist for governing health authorities for 16 years, she decided it was time to branch out on her own. After her private practice was slow to start, it was a colleague of hers from Calgary who initiated her purchase of Heart to Heart Counselling in Kelowna. Neufeld is proud to say that her purchase of the practice was very unexpected, but also an example of great networking. Neufeld met the previous owner of Heart to Heart Counselling through her colleague in Calgary. The two shared a great visit over coffee, discovering that they had a lot in common and, seven months later, Neufeld was contacted with a proposal to purchase the practice. After accepting the offer, Neufeld brought everything from her current practice to Heart to Heart Counselling and took control of the client

Deanne Neufeld list and office space. She is happy to say that it has been a joyful and satisfying experience. Heart to Heart Counselling is a private therapeutic environment that allows Neufeld to provide safe and confidential assistance to clients experiencing a multitude of personal dilemmas. Counselling issues can include marriage and relationships, self-worth, life transitions, spiritual well-being, anxiety, grief and depression, family troubles, abuse and trauma, as well as anything else clients need to discuss. Neufeld works with her clients to not only uncover their strengths in character, but also to tackle areas of challenges that clients need

help in addressing. She strongly believes that you can do anything you set your mind to. She has learned from her own experiences that you need to dream big, and never say never. Everything worth having in life requires determination and hard work. “You get out of life what you put in to it, so never give up,” she says. “One day you will look around and realize you have accomplished your goals, and that is the day you will be grateful for all of the hard work you put in”. The greatest advice Neufeld can give is that if you want to follow your dreams, you should make a strategic plan, do your research and take a leap of faith. “You have to take risks in life, but if you truly feel like what you are doing is right, then you need to trust your instincts.” She believes that it is necessary for you to stay positive and surround yourself with positive people if you want to be successful. “Business is all about attitude, and you need to have a good one to make it.”

“You have to take risks in life, but if you truly feel like what you are doing is right, then you need to trust your instincts.” —Deane Neufeld

Shannon Bliss Shannon Bliss is the owner of Health is Bliss, a Wellness Center devoted to the health of its clients, in Kelowna and the surrounding Okanagan area. Shannon has been in business for 15 years and returned to Kelowna four years ago. Shannon is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner (CNP) and a Registered Ortho Molecular Health Practitioner (ROHP). Shannon works with clients who may be experiencing nutrient deficiencies which often present themselves as symptoms like headaches, acid reflux, constipation, hair loss, rashes etc. If not addressed they can lead to further health imbalances. A complete nutritional analysis can detect these. By specializing in, and utilizing Live Blood Analysis, Shannon is able to provide a protocol that will help you get back on track to a more vibrant, energetic and healthy lifestyle. If you are experiencing symptoms that you cannot explain or if they just don’t seem to go away, call and book an appointment with Shannon at Health is Bliss. Shannon can help you discover new holistic approaches to improving common ailments and promote a natural way of healing!

108-3480 Carrington Road West Kelowna 250-801-2798 www.healthisbliss.ca

Local news from your community available online from the Capital News at: www.kelownacapnews.com

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

Kelowna Women in Business

2013 Executive (front row) Kimberley Santerre, Vice President; Rush Ihas Hardwick LLP Chantal Diaz, President; BeneWealth Strategies Inc. (back row) Michelle Belanger, Communications & Paypal Chair; Belanger Communications Ltd. Julie Rae Russell, Speaker Chair; Novarae Interiors Lynn Smilie, Sponsor Chair; Client Connect Business Solutions Patricia Chandler, Treasurer; Prospera Credit Union Lee-Anne Wright, Novarae Interiors (absent in picture) Shae McEachnie, Venue Coordinator Chair; Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty Lisa Alentejano, Special Events Chair; Invis Elizabeth Densmore, Website Chair; Office 2 Office

Members will tell you, Kelowna Women in Business is not your typical networking group. We are about making connections and working together towards meeting the business goals of our members. We provide a comfortable networking environment and offer education, encouragement and inspiration through friendship, support and respect. Kelowna Women in Business (KWIB) is a non-profit organization that was created in 1993 and today we communicate and connect with over 600 women. We are strong and we are committed. We are a group made of business women in the Kelowna and Okanagan areas looking to grow as professionals, whether running their own businesses or working for others. We invite all Kelowna and Okanagan area women to join us at our monthly events, as well to join our ranks to take advantage of great membership benefits and opportunities through our online membership database. Visit us online at kwib.org to learn more and follow us on twitter and LinkedIn. Watch for upcoming announcements for our annual charity golf tournament in June 2013. Hope to see you there.

To register or for event information visit:

www.kwib.org

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

Adjusting to the ins and outs of politics

CAPITAL NEWSC

Holly Sumner I started with Shoppers Drug Mart 14 years ago as Pharmacy Manager and owned the downtown location on Bernard for 5 years. I have been with Shoppers Drug Mart for 14 years and was a Pharmacy Manager before taking on the ownership role. I love being a business owner in Kelowna because of the people! I’ve had great experiences dealing with such a diverse group whether it be patients, staff or fellow business owners. As a pharmacist first, it’s always a good feeling to know you are making a difference in the health of individuals in your community. We offer injection services and also cater to new mothers and families by offering hospital grade breast pump rentals and our V.I.B. (Very Important Baby) program which provides special discounts to new families. I am a first time mother to 19 month old twins so I know first hand how difficult it can be to deal with the challenges of early childhood while maintaining balance in life and business! We also offer specialty prescription compounding services which could be for anyone... babies and pets included! I recently took ownership of a secondary store next to the Mission Medical Clinic on Richter Street - Shoppers Simply Pharmacy.

100-525 Hwy 97 South, West Kelowna, BC 250-769-7012

Dawn Laurienzo I am Dawn Laurienzo and I am Pharmacist / Owner of the Shoppers Drug Mart located at 597 Bernard Avenue in downtown Kelowna. I graduated from Pharmacy at UofA in 1989 which is when I began my career with Shoppers Drug Mart. I started my first business in 2008 as an owner of a store in Calgary where I learned a great deal about retail business and leadership. In 2012 we moved to the Okanagan where there were great business opportunities once again. In March 2012 I took on ownership of the Shoppers Drug Mart store here in Kelowna where it is vibrant during the summer with tourists walking the now revitalized Bernard Avenue. We provide convenient shopping (open 8am - 9pm, Monday to Saturday and 10am - 6pm Sundays and holidays) as well as pharmacy services to many visitors, seniors and downtown patrons. My business delivers health and pharmacy services to numerous facilities in the downtown area and we are very focused on providing treatment for addiction. I consider myself fortunate as a pharmacy retail owner as I am able to continue my practice as a Pharmacist. My pharmacy team provides a range of complimentary services including medication reviews, injections, prescription delivery, counselling, advice and compliance packaging of medications. My goal and focus it to provide the best service for our customers.

597 Bernard Ave Kelowna, BC 250-763-1232

Barbara Hohner As a mother, wife, and retired nurse of 20 years, I’ve seen first-hand how important having financial protection is. A plan gives you confidence that you’re doing the right things to create lifetime financial security for you and your family. Money for LifeTM is a long-term approach from Sun Life Financial that helps you build your savings and protect your family. Let’s talk about how I can help you with your financial plan.

Barbara Hohner

Alistair Waters ASSISTANT EDITOR

Juggling life as a working mother has its share of challenges. Throw in the added role of being an elected official, and life gets even more complicated. Just ask Mohini Singh and Michele Rule. The two Kelowna women have had to make adjustments — in Singh’s case because she was joining city council and in Rule’s case because she was leaving city council. A former CHBC television reporter and wellknown local activist with several charities, Singh was elected to Kelowna city council for the first time in the 2011 civic election. Prior to her election, Singh was working full-time for the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture in Kelowna. She has since had to reduce her work schedule to 3.5 days per week to accommodate her political office duties. “My employer has been very accommodating,” she said, adding that has helped her transition to political life tremendously. Singh says she decided to run for council because she found herself getting even more engaged in the community than she already had been through her daughter’s activities. “I felt I had skills I could bring to the table that I learned during my years as a reporter,” says Singh, who describes herself as someone who likes to think outside of the box. She describes the transition a challenge from working full-time at one job to part-

ALISTAIR WATERS/CAPITAL NEWS

KELOWNA city councillor Mohini Singh outside the entrance to City Hall. time plus filling more than the hours she gave up with her duties as a councillor, but one she was happy to take on. “It is a real challenge but I think I’m making it work,” says Singh. Like many who have preceded her onto the municipal stage, Singh said there was a steep learning curve during her first year in office and with so much to learn and stay on top of, the support of

2139 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 7X1 barbara.hohner@sunlife.com www.sunlife.ca/barbara.hohner Mutual funds offered by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2013.

…just part of The Caring Team Here to affirm, inform, empower and support women facing challenging pregnancies. Because “we can all get by with a little help from our friends.” 201-2622 Pandosy Street

250.763.2112

Life’s brighter under the sun

See Politics Page 45

Theresa, Dale, Joan & Jeannie

Advisor

250-860-6403 ext. 2259

her family was crucial. And she has even managed to combine family time and her political work on the weekends. Singh says as a councillor she likes to not only read the reports she gets from city staff, she also likes to see for herself what is being planned and where.

M-F 10 am to 4 pm www.ovpcc.com confidential@ovpcc.com

A Salute to Women in Business 2013

CAPITAL NEWS

Politics from page 44

“It’s something I learned to do as a reporter,” she says. “Old habits die hard.” In order to stay on top of that, she says every Sunday, following her 12-yearold daughter’s soccer games and practices, the two of them go for lunch and then drive around the city checking out the locations that are subject of reports coming up for council consideration. “It’s time I get to spend with my daughter and she seems to enjoy it too,” said Singh. For Rule, the route back to the working world from being a local politician has also been a challenge. But it’s one she has been able to make, in large part, because she did it on her own terms. “After the (2011) election (in which she did not win re-election), I decided I would stop and take a breath,” says Rule. “I didn’t have a Plan B.” Rule decided she would hold off heading back to work for a month or two, but she found herself being asked for advice by people dealing with City Hall who wanted to tap into her knowledge of the municipal process. Prior to being elected, Rule, the mother of two boys, worked in the non-profit sector. But after the election loss, S she saw an opportunity to use the skills she developed during her six years on council in a business of her own. She found she wanted to help others navigate through the bureaucratic maze that can be occur at City Hall. Rule decided to work only part-time in order to allow her to work with several local non-profit groups she has an interest in, including the Central Okanagan Heritage Society and the Central Okanagan Women’s Education and Re5source Foundation.

“I still feel I’m helping the community, just in a different way.”

—former Kelowna city councillor Michele Rule

“I felt I had skills I could bring to the table that I learned during my years as a reporter.”

— current Kellowna city councillor Mohini Singh

Christine Dib

ALISTAIR WATERS/CAPITAL NEWS

MICHELE RULE has moved on after losing her seat at the city council table in the 2011 election to starting her own consulting business and working in local non-profit groups. “I still feel I am helping the community, but just in a different way,” she says. Like Singh, Rule says the support of her partner and her children has been important to making her return to the working world outside of City Hall manageable. She likes the flexibility her new life affords her, too. She works three days a week advising her clients and the rest of the time with the non-profit groups. It also allows her to spend time with her younger son, who still lives at home. Rule said she only takes on projects she believes in and feels will benefit the community. And, with no advertising so far and based solely on word of mouth, she is attracting plenty of business. Butt hat’s not all that keeps her going these days.

She and her partner, who runs his own technology business, have started another venture called the Heritage Marker Project, which places QR codes on local heritage markers that give readers much more information via a website than can possibly be included on the historical markers. The code is placed on the marker and can be read with a cell phone app. The first code has already been installed on the marker at the Benvoulin Heritage Church. For Singh and Rule, their adjustments to and from life life as an elected official in the city have been challenging but both say they have found ways to make it work. And both feel the adjustments they have made have provided their own rewards.

Buying a car is the second largest purchase made next to buying a house. That’s why Christine makes sure that her customers experience is always unique and tailored to meet their needs. Originally from Edmonton and raised in Kelowna, Christine has a strong commitment to customer service. She is dedicated to her customers and she will always strive to provide the best and most honest experience. She is energetic, enthusiastic, and her professional service always goes above and beyond. I am proud to be on the Harmony Acura Professional Sales team. I bring a different sales experience, and expertise for every guest that comes into our dealership. I look forward to helping you with your next vehicle purchase; I guarantee you first class service!

2552 Enterprise Way, Kelowna Direct: 250-980-4071 Melonie is the founder of Top Dog Social Media, a company that helps businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals use social media marketing to boost their visibility, attract new customers and increase their revenue. Melonie has been recognized by the media as Canada’s #1 Linkedin expert and social media strategist. Top Dog Social Media can help you with:

awaters@kelownacapnews.com

Brenda Bokitch HONESTY, INTEGRITY… words not usually associated with the car business, but Brenda Bokitch is not your usual salesperson. Brenda started out in the car business as a customer care manager; she followed up with both sales and service customers.

Melonie Dodaro

Founder of Top Dog Social Media • Social Media Strategist • LinkedIn Expert • Keynote Speaker

Business owners like to know that their customers are happy with the way they are being treated. She learned a lot about how to care for people through this experience and she uses it every day with her customers at Harmony Honda.

• Custom Social Media Strategic Plans ~ this is your success blueprint • Social Media Management ~ a done-for-you service • Private Social Media Training ~ and affordable online courses • Social Media Keynote Speaking ~ for events, conferences, associations At Top Dog Social Media we know there are two types of social media, one that makes friends and one that makes MONEY! We take a strategic approach to ensure your business makes money using social media, the right way. Download your FREE REPORT now called:

Stop Wasting Time & Start Getting Results With Social Media! Go to: TopDogSocialMedia.com for instant access.

If you are intimidated by the process of purchasing a new vehicle and would like to deal with someone who actually cares that you make a smart, informed decision… come in and see Brenda.

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2550 Enterprise Way, Kelowna Telephone: 250-860-6500

Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of social media marketing options?

@MelonieDodaro /MelonieDodaro

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A Salute to Women in Business 2013

“By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacation-less class.” — Anne Morrow Lindbergh

“A beautiful woman must expect to be more accountable for her steps, than one less attractive. —writer Samuel Richardson

“I am neither a man nor a woman

but an author.” —novelist Charlotte Bronte

Finding inspiration

“A charming woman doesn’t follow the crowd. She is herself.” Throughout our 2013 edition of Women in —actress Loretta Young

“I know what every coloured woman in this country is doing. Dying. Just like me. But the difference is they are dying like a stump. Me, I’m going down like one of those redwoods. I sure did live

Business, we have included famous quotes from women about how women should live their lives. We’ve included a few others on this page that we can all learn from.

in this world.” —author Toni Morrison

“Heaven hath no rage like a love to hatred turned, nor hell a fury like a

woman scorned.” —Playwright William Congreve

“A woman’s guess is much more accurate than a man’s certainty.” —author Rudyard Kipling

Suzanne Chorney Director of Marketing

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• 3,000 square feet • Full food & beverage services • Full service bar • Balcony overlooking Water Street • Variety of seating configurations available • Full P.A. and video presentation screen • Performance staging

Gateway21 is located inside the newly expanded and renovated Lake City Casino, Kelowna’s first class gaming and entertainment facility. This lovely 3,000 square foot room is situated off the main gaming floor and features bright windows overlooking Waterfront Park and Kelowna’s Cultural District. In addition to a wide variety of menu options and room set ups, we also offer a full service bar and state of the art presentation and video equipment. We can accommodate any size group up to 190 depending on your needs. If you wish, we can present your guests with exciting casino add-ons such as private slot tournaments, poker lessons or table game lessons. We can host meetings, conferences, weddings, private parties, cocktail receptions, the options are endless! A truly original destination for your next gathering. Contact Lake City Casino today for more information.

1300 Water Street, Kelowna BC, V1Y 9P3 250-860-9467 www.lakecitycasinos.com www.Facebook.com/KelownaCasino www.Twitter.com/KelownaCasino

“Is it too much to ask that women be spared the daily struggle for superhuman beauty in order to offer it to the caresses of a sub-humanly ugly mate?” —feminist Germaine Greer

“Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door.”— —poet Emily Dickinson “Nobody cares if you can’t dance

CAPITAL NEWSC

well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” —choreographer Martha Graham

“We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily difference we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.” —U.S. activist Marian Wright Edelman

“I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.” —poet Diane Ackerman

treat them as if they were real. Perhaps they are.”

—writer Ralph Waldo Emerson

“No written law has ever been more binding than unwritten custom supported by popular opinion.

—activist Carrie Chapman

Catt

“Women are systematically degraded by receiving the trivial attentions which men think it manly to pay to the sex, when, in fact, men are insultingly supporting their own superiority.”

—writer Mary Wollstonecraft

“In politics if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.”

—politician Margaret

“(Declaration of Thatcher Sentiments, First “An actress can Women’s Rights only play a woman. Convention) We hold I’m an actor, I can these truths to be play anything.” self-evident, that all —entertainer Whoopi Goldberg men and women are “One is not born created equal.” —activist Elizabeth Cady a woman, one beStanton comes one. “Let us treat men —author Simone de Beauvoir and women well;

Deanne Neufeld BSW, MSW, RSW, RPC

Westland Insurance Westland Insurance opened their Kelowna location in May nah 2011 and now have 64 branches , Jen, Tricia, Han ichelle, Wendy M , dh ili throughout BC, including Penticton Ce , el Chan and Princeton. We specialize in all lines of insurance including Home, Auto, Business, Travel Medical, Recreational Vehicle, and Autoplan. Our service oriented team of professionals who have extensive background within the industry will always go that extra mile to ensure your insurance needs are met.

Colleen Brown SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE

Colleen has been a leader in the print and graphics industry for over 25 years, and within that period she has seen many changes take place in the market. One such change has been the acquisition of her old company ‘Menzies Printers’ by Westkey, who have had a presence in the valley for over 20 years. With this recent expansion, Colleen with Westkey can now offer full production and manufacturing in their new facility located in the Kelowna Airport Business Park as well as their other locations throughout BC and Alberta.

Our Kelowna location is open seven days a week, Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, Saturdays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and SUNDAYS 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for your convenience. We are located next to the Liquor Store at the Mission Park Plaza, 27 - 3155 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna BC.

“Working with Westkey I am now able to sell the complete print solution to all my clients, from forms, brochures, marketing and stationary right up to labels and wide format signage, as well as warehousing and distribution. There really is no need to go to any other print provider when we can offer it all under one roof. Being able to offer my clients this solution is of great value, as it saves them time and the dollar on the bottom line,” Colleen explains.

We offer competitive premiums and coverage and believe that YOUR BEST COVERAGE IS OUR ONLY POLICY.

Colleen has clients throughout the Okanagan valley and with her great expertise and knowledge of the industry has become an invaluable asset to both Westkey and her ever growing client list.

27-3155 Lakeshore Road • 250-979-6420 Toll Free 1-800-899-3093 • Fax 1-866-886-4896 www.westland-insurance.com

Cell: 250.808.6484 1660 Innovation Drive Office: 250.765.6661 Kelowna, BC www.westkeygraphics.com V1V 2Y4 colleenb@westkeygraphics.com

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7 Insider Secrets On Showcasing Your Home For A Successful Sale

Top #1 Female 2012 Sales in the Central Okanagan for Century 21 Assurance Realty

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I love helping people, I love living in the Okanagan Valley, and I love real estate. So it’s easy to understand why I am so passionate about what I do. —Amanda Westrheim

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250.863.9230 | www.AOKHOMES.ca | Amanda.Westrheim@Century21.ca Amanda will donate $21 from every sale to Easter Seals Camp Winfield, a local over-night program for children with disabilities.

Serving Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country & Vernon

Women 2013

BUSINESS Our 21st annual comprehensive guide showcasing over 250 successful businesswomen in the Okanagan.