Women in BUSINESS conduct them in a number of locations around the province. “They are business owners themselves and they bring a lot to the table in terms of in-depth knowledge,” Meaney said. A Campbell River woman is an example of how successful this program can be. Heather Greenwood runs Magic Moments Montessori. “I had been an unemployed single mother for six or seven months before I approached NIEFS WorkBC for some options and to help my situation,” Greenwood said. “No one was hiring in my field, I couldn’t find childcare for my son (age bracket 0-18 months) every centre had a wait list. Owning my own business was an option and a goal of mine since I took my Montessori training in 2004 so I thought I better take a chance.
Heather Greenwood owner of Magic Moments Montessori.
“I had amazing help from NIEFS WorkBC in getting direction in where I go, who I talk to and what I need to do to make this all come together. I had a lot of support and guidance toward fulfilling my dream. “I am the proud owner of Magic Moments Montessori. We opened Sept. 8, 2013 with three children and ended in June with 12 and opened
in September 2014 with 18 children and I was $255 away from a break-even in my first year.” Another success story involved a women from Bella Bella who engaged the program through NIEFS Port Hardy office. “Prior to contacting the NIEFS WorkBC office in Port Hardy I was unable to find full time work in my home community of
ASSISTED LIVING SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY & HOUSEBOUND
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Bella Bella,” said Ramona Starr. “There are limited employment opportunities for me in Bella Bella and that was my main challenge. I worked with a case manager at NIEFS who helped me conduct labour market research that confirmed my business idea was valid and then she referred me to the Self-Employment program that is facilitated by Community Futures Mount Waddington. I am now the successful owner of my own business in Bella Bella. “Bella Guest cabins is located on the central coast of British Columbia in the community of Bella Bella we are nestled in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, and perched high on a hilltop - overlooking spectacular coastal mountain and ocean views. “As new entrepreneurs,
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we were very fortunate to receive support and guidance with key advice on how to develop our concept, structure the business as a partnership, and develop a marketing plan that is specific to the needs of the community and customers that we serve. Without the financial supports and guidance, we would not have been able to become small business owners, and make our dreams come true.” What NIEFS and WorkBC don’t’ do is provide capital and those kinds of costs for a business. That kind of support is provided by Strathcona Community Futures and organizations like that. For more information about NIEFS – Work BC Self Employment, visit NIEFS website at www. niefs.net/self-employment or phone 250-286-3441.
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Josie Coak • 778-346-4446 charcare@shaw.ca
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Sitting L to R: Erica Chan-Lafrance, Amanda Striga, Jorja Hird. Back L to R: Danna Lamb, Heather Sullivan, Marlo Zimmermann, Summer Henderson, Karen Stewart, Demi Stremecki, Cara Mann, Dale Woods and Tracey Price. Missing ladies were: Shelly Boates, Kelly Cain, Janis Bossenberry, Kathleen Veldhuis, Kristen Mason, Heather Todd, Erin Yancey, Gbemi Falade, Julie Chenard, Samantha Hebert With a team of 30 professionals, 22 of them are women at the offices of Chan Nowosad Boates, Chartered Accountants. That includes Shelly Boates, Erica Chan-Lafrance and Karen Stewart, 3 of the 5 partners of the firm, who collectively have 60 years of experience in accounting in public practice. “We are very proud of all our Women in Business” says Erica Chan-Lafrance, “they are a key part of CNB’s success”. Having been in business since 1983, Chan Nowosad Boates has grown to be one of the largest CA firms on Vancouver Island. Their size has afforded them the luxury of having access to plenty of talent and expertise. “Many of our women – and men – have focused areas of work, which allows us to provide our clients with the highest quality of service”. They provide a wide range of services ranging from payroll and bookkeeping, year end Notice to Reader and Review Engagements, personal and corporate tax planning and preparation, estate planning and non-resident reporting, consultation on buying or selling a business, to audits of non-profit and large municipal organizations. They are also very much a community minded firm. Many, especially the partners, take an active role in the community by sitting on numerous boards and committees. In 2014, Chan Nowosad Boates was the recipient of 2 awards – Excellence in Workforce Development and the Community Spirit Award – at the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce Business Awards of Distinction. At the same event, Shelly Boates was honoured to receive the 2014 Board of Governors Award, which recognized her outstanding leadership, volunteer advocacy and commitment to the community.
Chan Nowosad Boates Chartered Accountants
980 Alder Street, Campbell River, BC (250) 286-0744 www.channowosadboates.ca
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