Canadian Small Business Women

Connection, Synergy, Community

Vendor Events

 

Can you believe that half the year is over?  I personally can’t.  Time goes by really quickly when you are busy planning for all your events.  In your planning, please keep the events below in mind.  We have featured events from us at Canadian Small Business Women, as well as events from some of our supporters.  We look forward to seeing you soon.

SMALL BUSINESS SEMINAR – AUGUST 2014

Small Business Seminar

Join us for our 3rd Small Business Seminar on August 9th , 2014 from 9am – 4pm at Sheraton Parkway North Toronto(Hwy 404 and 407). We are very excited to be hosting our Seminar on the Northeast end of the GTA. This gives us a chance to expand our network and showcase what our business has to offer. We are currently seeking 30 vendors/exhibitors for this show as well as a few workshop hosts. You can fill out our Vendor Agreement Form by clicking HERE.  Advance tickets are now available for only $20 (a 33% discount) by clicking HERE.

PERKS: As an exhibitor, you will receive a 6ft table with table cloth, access to our workshops (please do not leave your table unattended), lunch, and 5 complimentary tickets! There will be great opportunities to not only sell your product, but to also network with fellow entrepreneurs.   There is no limit to the great connections that will be made at this event.

Our Workshops

Secrets to Starting and Building Your Network Marketing Business with Susan Kirschling

Online Marketing Tips and Tricks for Small Business with Dwainia Grey

Your Fastest Path to Cash: What every business needs to know to make money now! With Susanne Hemmet

Social Media: Beyond The Basics with Kelly Farrell

5 Keys To Making Your Goals A Reality with Sandra Dawes

Free Online Tools to Get More Leads and Make More Money with Hanna Guerra

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FOOTBALL AND NETWORKING WITH THE TORONTO ARGOS

October Argos Event

Last year, we were honored to host our first networking event with the Toronto Argos.  It was a huge success!!  We had a chance to not only listen to two fantastic speakers, but also enjoy the festivities that came with watching the Argos play and support such a needy cause.  We also had the chance to network with The Argos front office and view their Grey Cup rings.  Join us this year, as we host another spectacular event, brought to you in part by us at Canadian Small Business Women.

Networking and Football – in support of CFL’s Pink Day to raise Cancer Awareness

This will be an afternoon of networking, speakers, prizes and football.

We welcome you to take advantage of our special rate for this event.

This event will include:
*A guest speaker
*Networking Opportunities
*On Field Tour before the game
*Meet and greet with the Argos Cheerleaders
*Prizes
*Networking with the Argos players after the game at Shoeless Joe’s (King Street location)

**Pre-game networking will be held o the 200 level patio (or the Bacardi Lounge weather depending).

Ticket prices: $35 + HST for Bronze Level Tickets
Get your tickets HERE
YOUR ADMISSION TICKET WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU ONE MONTH BEFORE THE EVENT ONCE PURCHASE IS MADE VIA THE EVENTBRITE SITE

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IMMIGRANT WOMEN’S SMALL BUSINESS EXPO

museum

This year, we are hosting two large feature events that are FREE of cost to our guests. We will be hosting our Immigrant Women’s Small Business Expo in Ottawa and in Toronto. Our Ottawa event will be held at the elegant Canadian Museum of Nature on October 4th, 2014 from 9am -5pm. This event will feature businesses from around the Ottawa area that offer services or business opportunities for our guests. We are expecting over 1000 guests to attend this one of a kind event. We will be inviting members of the Canadian Government, speakers from across Ontario and prominent members of the Ottawa Immigrant Community. We are currently seeking Exhibitors from business sectors such as education, legal, consulting, Immigrant Services, Real Estate, and more. Please view our event WEBSITE for further details. To redeem your FREE ticket to our event, click on the following LINK.

Metro

Our Toronto Edition of the Immigrant Women’s Small Business Expo will be held at the iconicToronto Metro Hall on November 9th, 2014. This event will be the premiere Immigrant Small Business event of the GTA. Our guest list will be similar to that of our Ottawa event. To redeem yourFREE tickets for this event, click the following LINK.

We are also seeking volunteers for both events. Our volunteer hours are split in two shifts: 6am – 12pm and 12pm to 6pm. We require volunteers in the areas of check-in, set-up, greeting, workshop organization and tear down. If interested, please email us at info@canadiansmallbusinesswomen.caor canadiansmallbusinesswomen@gmail.com and provide us with your name, age, event of interest, volunteer experience, contact information (including phone number) and hours of availability.

We are also seeking VOLUNTEERS for both our events. We are seeking 50 volunteers for each of our Expos. We welcome students, community groups and corporate groups as well. Volunteer areas available are: Exhibitor Check-In, Guest Entrance, Guest Check-In, Media Check-In/Escort, Direction Assistant, Workshop Assistant, Dignitary Check-In/Escort, and Event Check-Out. Please view our Website for our Volunteer application.

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MONARCH GIRLS EVENT

 MonarhGirls-Logo

All proceeds from the event will go to funding our after-school high school empowerment program starting in the fall. “Authentic Me” is a 32-week program for girls grades 9-12. It will cover empowerment workshops, career counseling, leadership training, financial education and more.

Mission: To empower young women through self-discovery, self-healing, self-respect and self-development.

Event: The Monarch Girls Day objective is to develop community awareness, raise funds to support our Empowerment Program while providing a networking opportunity.

For more information: Contact Dwainia Grey at 647-799-1090 or at dgrey@awesomebizonline.com or visit their Facebook page HERE

Alicia Vianga – Canadian Small Business Woman of the Month of September 2013

Alicia Vianga

Alicia is a big-hearted entrepreneur who combines her expertise in trend forecasting, bra fitting, and fashion knowledge to give women in Toronto an authentic and educational shopping experience.

Before starting her journey into entrepreneurship and advocating for women who have battled breast cancer, Alicia spent over 19 years in hospitality.  As a catering and sales specialist in the industry she had the opportunity to work for esteemed organizations such as the University of Toronto, Colony Hotel, Hotel Plaza II, and the Marriott Hotel Bloor Yorkville. While she attributes her business savvy to her experiences in the hospitality industry, Alicia knew she was meant to start her own business and fill a niche many women didn’t know existed. This led Alicia to found Premier Jour Lingerie and Swimwear, a boutique that provides its customers with unique lingerie and swimwear as well as certified bra fittings.

Since starting her business Alicia has been sought out for her expert bra fitting skills and knowledge. From befuddled husbands shopping for a loved one, to the readers of her blog for the Huffington Post and Revive Magazine, people are hungry for her specialist opinions. One of Alicia’s biggest and most interactive audiences has been held at Dundas Square where she gave a bra fitting workshop for over 1,000 women.

Alicia and her company Premier Jour have been featured as a pre and post breast augmentation bra fitter on Hollywood’s 10 Best This Week, Entertainment Tonight Canada, CFRB 1010, Rogers Day Time TV, Weddingbells Magazine, Toronto Star, Slice TV’s Plastic Makes Perfect, LOVE INC, Jeanne Beker Post News, SNAP Magazines, and Avenue Magazine. Premier Jour was also voted the Best of the Best Readers Choice Lingerie Boutique in 2012.

Alicia strongly believes in giving back to the community. She is an active board member of the Corso Italia BIA, whose goal is to preserve and promote the beautiful neighbourhood of St. Clair West in Toronto. Alicia also supports non-profit events such as The Jeanne Lottie Pink Bedroom Party, and Covenant House-Celebrate Mom.

Alicia, in conjunction with Premier Jour, was asked to review the official Bra Fitting Guide for a major hospital chain in Toronto. Through this affiliation with the Hospital, Alicia identified a major gap in the health care system; there is no program that provides necessities for women who have battled breast cancer who are financially strained. It was this realization that encouraged Alicia to found After Breast Cancer, a charity aimed at ensuring survivors of breast cancer lacking financial means have access to necessities such as bras and/or prosthesis. Alicia understands that when women move from breast cancer patient to breast cancer survivor, the world is a different place for them.  Obtaining properly fitted prosthesis and bras enables survivors to begin their journey to regain their self confidence and restore their feeling of being whole again.

After Breast Cancer was launched on October 14, 2012 during Breast Cancer Awareness Month at a Toronto Argos Game. The charity has been featured in Toronto Is Awesome, OMNI Television’s Culture Avenue, Samaritan Magazine, Girls of T.O, Urban Moms, CP24 Breakfast, and Global News’ Susan Hay Making a Difference segment.

Along with founding After Breast Cancer, Alicia is also the creator of Bras for Congo, a charitable organization that accepts donated bras which are then given to women in the Congo. Each year, Alicia accepts hundreds of bra donations from the public to distribute to hospitals in the Congo.

Alicia is a socially responsible, passionate, and determined business woman and she lives her life trying to make a difference…one bra at a time.

 

 

Q & A with Alicia

 

*What inspires you?
*As a small business owner, what achievements make you most proud?

As a small business owner, I am most proud of seeing the smiles, and sometimes tears of happiness from my clients face.

As the owner of Premier Jour Lingerie and Swimwear and a Certified Bra Fitter; I know that a bra is not just a item of clothing. The right bra gives a woman hope, it could make her feel whole again, it could make a mother feel alive and renew after nursing her child/ children, it’s a foundation to a woman’s beautiful posture, it’s give a new job seeker confidence and allow her to sit and stand tall. A good bra, give woman relieve from back pain and nick pain.

I am very proud of my charity “After Breast Cancer” because this program changes women’s lives.  It gives them hope. It provides resources that contribute to woman’s Quality of Life (QOL) due to breast cancer. We provide women with no insurance and limited financial resources with bras, camisole and breast prosthesis at no cost to them after breast removal surgery (mastectomy).

Women undergoing breast cancer treatment face many “out of pocket” expenses and the cost of breast cancer to the individual has been well documented.

Through the work of After Breast Cancer, we are beginning to address the aftermath of the devastating blow that breast cancer continues to deliver to our mothers, sisters, friends and their families. We are just beginning to scratch the surface in terms of the support services required to give survivors the whole and meaningful life that they fought so hard to live for.

Our Goal at After Breast Cancer is to help eliminate as much stress from women’s lives as they goes through the healing process of breast cancer, we want our friends/ sisters/ mother to focus on getting well and not worrying about as my survivor friends once said to me… “I just want to feel whole again”
*What advice would you give to other aspiring small business owners?

Do something that you love and most importantly, always give back, because the more you give the more you will receive.  Be kind and loving.

Owing your business could be very rewarding, and it gives you a sense of accomplishment. But having a business takes lots of hard work, sometimes sleepless nights, because you are the accountant, the marketing director and window washer.  Be mindful if you have a family, and don’t ignore them to get rich.  Most of my older mentors tell me that’s their biggest regret.

And most importantly, don’t forget to smile; smile when you are on the phone and smile when you see a new or old client.
*What new things can we look forward to from your business in the upcoming year?

This year, we hope to launch our on line shopping for Premier Jour, we get lots of request from our clients who already know their bra or swimwear sizes and they just want to shop on line.

We look forward to continue building great relationships with the community and our clients.

we are excited at Premier Jour as our “Bras for the Congo” program is growing and this year we hope to ship 2500 bras to women in the Congo, the rape capital of the world.

And we so look forward to the growth of “After Breast Cancer” as we launch our program in two more cities within Canada

 

Contact Alicia at:

 http://pjlingeries.com

Facebook.com/afterbreastcancer
Twitter.com/ABC_program_

 

Catherine McCormack-Canadian Small Business Woman of the Month of April 2013

birthday

Catherine McCormack is an experienced Marketing and Communications Professional, a breast cancer survivor and advocate, a realtor, a wife, and mother who battles with Multiple Sclerosis.  She began her professional career in Ottawa in 1996. Over the course of her career she has worked for Canada Trust, TD Bank Financial Group, McDonnell Haynes Advertising and Keller Williams Advantage Realty. She has a long history of volunteerism and in addition to her advocacy and spokesperson work for Breast Cancer; she has served as an Ambassador for the MS Society of Canada for a number of years.

A breast cancer survivor, and avid kickboxer, she took it upon herself to spearhead a successful, high profile event while going through treatment in 2011. Kickbox for the Cure ‘kicked off’ Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Toronto, raising $250,000 in Corporate Sponsorship and donations in support of Rethink Breast Cancer in just three short months. Her experience with this and her advocacy and spokesperson work for both Breast Cancer, and the MS Society of Canada have inspired to seek out an opportunity that supports Breast Cancer Awareness, Education and Survivorship Support. In her role as the new Executive Director for the World Breast Cancer Organization, she is looking forward to doing just that. She also continues to practice real estate with Keller Williams, and is enjoying what both roles bring, balancing business, and finding a way to give back to two causes she cares deeply about.

When people find out that she has been battling MS and breast cancer, most are shocked and don’t understand how she can be so high functioning. They are baffled by her energy, fitness and drive. While she certainly has had her days through both of her respective battles, she continues to believe that the only way through these challenges is to face them head on with humour, courage, and a positive attitude.

A little over five years ago, she took up the sport of race-walking, inspired by her mother who reinvented herself at the age of 60 when she trained to power-walk a half marathon. Inspired by her mother’s drive and the elation she felt when she achieved her goal, Catherine embarked on her own quest to join her in a half marathon. Little did she know she would eventually go on to win half marathon walks and eventually meet her coach, Canada’s national racewalking coach. When she asked to train for the Canadian national championships in 2010 at the ripe age of 38, he put together an aggressive training plan which was very challenging considering her young family (boys were 4 and 6 years old). They supported her and she managed to place 5th at the 2010 Canadian Track and Field Championships, competing alongside young women in their 20s. She was elated that she could accomplish this in spite of her battle with MS.

She firmly believes that sport has been responsible for her remission from the symptoms she suffered with MS. It has allowed her to stop taking the daily, painful injections that she was told would stave off progression of the disease, yet were a daily reminder that it was there, even if she was having a good day. She is thrilled to say that she has been asymptomatic for more than five years, and sport is her new drug. When faced with the diagnosis of aggressive, locally advanced breast cancer in late December of 2010, she attacked it with the same level of defiance that she did with her MS diagnosis. Her motto has always been that she has MS, but it doesn’t have her. This motto can also be applied to her cancer battle, though her subtext, “denial is a useful coping mechanism” doesn’t quite work when your long hair falls out and you face yourself raw in the mirror.

Her professional skill set ranges from her foundation in marketing and communications, to fundraising, event management and planning, business development, and public relations. She is also a nationally ranked track athlete who applies the same discipline and drive on the track to all that she tackles. You can follow Catherine on Facebook through Catherine-Gariepy-McCormack, World Breast Cancer Organization, or Kickbox for the Cure.  You can contact her via email at catherinemccormack@rogers.com

Here is a link to an article she wrote for a special Toronto Star insert (page 7), which details her story:  http://doc.mediaplanet.com/all_projects/7788.pdf.

*What inspires you?

  • I am inspired by taking my own experiences and the challenges I’ve faced and making every effort to turn them into something positive and constructive. I truly believe that we are not given anything we can’t handle, no matter how tough; it’s what we chose to do with the hand of cards we’ve been given that make a difference.

*As a small business owner, what achievements make you most proud?

  • I’m most proud of the work that I have been able to do in support of both of the diseases I’ve been afflicted with. As an MS Advocate, I have aimed to prove through my accomplishments in sport, and maintaining a positive attitude that you can have MS, but it doesn’t have to have you. The event that I spearheaded during my breast cancer battle, Kick-box for the Cure is also an accomplishment I’m extremely proud of. Between my focus on putting together the event, and my sporting accomplishments (I competed at the Canadian Track and Field Championships in the 20K Race-walk just three weeks after my 8th and final chemo, placing 4th), I was able to manage my cancer battle while maintaining a great quality of life in spite of it all. In terms of my real estate career, I love the city I live in, and the community I’ve been a part of for over 13 years, and the Keller Williams brokerage, who are more like a family, have been so incredibly  supportive throughout the journey that began shortly before I joined their Leslieville/Beaches Toronto team.

*What advice would you give to other aspiring small business owners?

  • Take a leap of faith, believe in your dreams and vision, and avoid the nay sayers. Anything is possible if you put your mind and passion into it.

*What new things can we look forward to from your business in the upcoming year?

  • I look forward to continuing to grow my real estate business, and I’m thrilled about the opportunity to make real change, and provide much needed support through my role as ED with the World Breast Cancer Organization. We are hard at work planning for our next conference which is slated for June of 2015 and will be taking place in the fantastic city of Calgary, Alberta.

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