Canadian Small Business Women

Connection, Synergy, Community

Ottawa Panel of Experts: Canadian Small Business Woman of the Month of September 2015

Rima Aristocrat, Kelly Farrell, Catherine McGillivray, Praveeni Perera, Arti Sharma and Elcho Stewart are six dynamic women who will round up our Panel of Experts this year at our Ottawa Expo.  These women are experts in their own right and have made themselves available to support aspiring entrepreneurs.  The topic of this year’s panel is Women in Business, Technology and Healthcare.  The Panel of Experts discussion will take place at The Westin Ottawa on October 4th, 2015 from noon until 2pm.  Admission is absolutely free.  Find out about our ladies below and for how you can meet them and ask your questions, go to www.immigrantsmallbizexpo.ca

Panelists Elcho Panelists Kelly Panelists Rima Panelist Praveeni Panelists Catherine

Panelists Arti

Elcho Stewart: Canadian Small Business Woman of the Month of November 2014

elcho

Elcho has plus 25 years as a professional in the life insurance and financial field including 7 years with one of Canada’s largest life insurance companies. Today she is the principal partner at Weblife Financial (www.weblifefinancial.com) and is licenced to practice in 5 provinces.

Elcho’s interests are diversified: She has coached her daughter in basketball; led a folk singing and dancing troupe in Montreal; delivered several sermons at the Valois United Church in Montreal before joining Fourth Avenue Baptist in the Glebe – where she is now an active parishioner and she is a consummate connector of women in business.

In 1995 Elcho founded the Network of Black Business & Professional Women (www.nb2pw.net) that grew to some 350 members in Montreal. After a hiatus from the presidency and a move to Ottawa, she resumed leadership of the Network which has grown to become a multi-city organization with Virtual Members throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. The Network stages several annual events, hosts Monthly Mixers; collaborates with other women’s groups, and fund-raises for various charities including the Ottawa Hospital Foundation and the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Elcho is a public speaker, Mistress of Ceremony (M.C.), moderator, social media enthusiast, and is a driving force in the city for planning and executing a variety of events. In 2013, she was instrumental in bringing Ms. Linda Clemons, the world renowned sales-trainer and life coach, to a packed room at the Chateau Laurier, Ottawa, to speak on the Art of Body Language. In the fall of 2014 she brought award winning image consultant, Ms. Shelley Jarrett, to speak to a full house, red carpet tribute to our Women in the Media which was held at the Pine View Golf Club in Ottawa.

Elcho’s seminars: Femmeonomics-911® (aimed at women) and You’ve Got Money® presented to a general audience) engage and empower attendees by increasing their knowledge about money and the financial security planning process. She is published in the Capital Woman magazine, the Spectrum, the Montreal Community Contact, and the internationally acclaimed, Inspirational Woman Magazine which can be found online and on select newsstands (www.inspirationalwomanmagazine.com).

 

Our Q & A with Elcho:

*What inspires you?

The question is what does not inspire me?  I get a kick out of interacting with people and giving back. Whether in my life insurance and investment practice or through the sisterhood at NB2PW every day, every week, every month where – by the way, we defy the stereotype that women tear each other down! You really have to be the change that you desire and whatever the situation, people, or things that have come my way, good or bad, I try to learn something from everyone and everything. At the end of each day, I am exhausted but connected, inspired, and feel great about just living my life.

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

Not just surviving the sudden death of my spouse, but stepping up my business acumen once I came through the terrible fog about a year later. I challenged myself to use technology to assist me in business and my personal life.  I not only remarried two years later, I also expanded my practice from one province to six Canadian provinces.

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

We live in a dynamic world; embrace change in self, others and technology.
*What new things can we look forward to from your business in the upcoming year?

My financial column “Common Cents” and my financial literacy workshop “Femmenomics-911 have been resonating with women so I am responding to a lot more requests from women’s organizations for financial literacy workshops. There are lots of speaking engagements on the horizon.

Elcho will also be hosting NB2PW’s 4th Annual Christmas Cocktail Evening on December 14th in Ottawa at the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Please connect for tickets and information at info@nb2pw.net or their website.

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

  *******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

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

 ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* 

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.

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

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

Stay Social with Canadian Small Business Women: