Future
The best way to predict the future, is to create it!
STYLE MEETS SERVICE
Chantelle Mailer’s background was originally in fashion, something she found was easily transferable to home fashion and kitchen jewellery.
Gone are the days of choosing appliances simply between white or almond, with the majority of the store’s 57 different brands of products now coming in a wide array of colour selections and styles.
Mailer is the owner of Courtenay Appliances, now in its 33rd year. The store has had two different locations, both on Puntledge Road. Mailer says most customers are deceived by the exterior of the building, not realizing how expansive it is until they get inside and see the wide array of products in her showroom.
She believes it is one of the largest selection showrooms on Northern Vancouver Island and notes that it is also a ‘dog-friendly environment.’ Customers will
often remark on the dogs that come to work with her and other team members. Mailer says it’s something she encourages for the team and customers for therapeutic reasons.
Courtenay Appliances prides itself on being a customer service based business and considers the team as being customer educators and consultants, rather than salespeople. With a team of approximately 10 employees, Mailer says she tries to maintain a diverse team of people.
She does however note a ‘super proud moment’ when one of her female employees recently scored 100 per cent in forklift training beating out the rest of the team. Mailer also believes her employees should be diverse in order to match her customer’s demographics.
She says the largest change in demographics is where women were once the
primary cooks, there is now a huge shift as men have discovered that the love of cooking as well.
As an ‘Island girl,’ Mailer says it’s important for Courtenay Appliances to be giving back to the community through groups like 100+ Women, Hospice, YANA and the Transition Society. Her special focus though is helping and supporting women and children in the community.
Floor Supervisor in Training
Sales Associate Che Balmer
General Manager / Sales
Chantelle Mailer
Logistics Manager / Sales
Darryl Bennett
Sales Associate Harsha Vallabh
Lexi
SMILES WITH HEART
The staff at Quantum Dental know that theirs is a profession people really don’t enjoy visiting.
Many times their customers come to them with complaints of being in pain with swelling or infections and perhaps are even unable to sleep at night.
Chief operations officer Sonya Friend says helping those customers through those ordeals is their goal and provides a great deal of satisfaction after they are resolved. Quantum is the convergence of a half-dozen different dental practices under the umbrella of Dr. Chris Becir who started with one practice and grew to six within six years.
Five of the practices are in the Comox Valley and the sixth is located in Nanoose Bay. Becir had a vision of making a difference in the community and his goal
is today shared by the 62 staff members that make up the team.
The overwhelming percentage of those employees are female, some of whom have been in the dental industry for upwards of 20 years. Friend says the personal investments those employees have put forward are rewarded through the close relationships they develop with their patients, even though they may only see them a few times per year.
Perhaps unique to the team is Copper, a four-year-old King Charles cavalier that can often be seen wandering the halls of one of the clinics. Copper doubles as a therapy dog for the more nervous patients and if needed, can even rest on the lap of someone undergoing treatment to ease their anxiety.
The empathetic and caring-nature of the Quantum Dental staff also extends far outside of the exam rooms, as they work to help several organizations in the community that support women and children by providing food, clothing and shelter.
Friend says is the team’s way of making a difference in the world, even if it’s through one person at a time.
Christopher Becir
Sonya Friend
Chloe Bullivant
Sara Bieber
ADVERTISING SALES
ALLISON BROWN allison.brown@comoxvalleyrecord.com
MARK MIDDLETON mark.middleton@comoxvalleyrecord.com
TRACEY LAWRENCE tracey.lawrence@comoxvalleyrecord.com
PUBLISHER
ARTUR CIASTKOWSKI
artur.ciastkowski@blackpress.ca
We’re excited to share the new ‘Future Forward’ women’s magazine with you! Look out for our online video series starting this week, where you’ll discover how local women are making a difference. Thank you.
EDITOR
ERIN HALUSCHAK
erin.haluschak@comoxvalleyrecord.com
As a full-time journalist at the Comox Valley Record, Erin looks forward to showcasing in-depth stories of the culture, community and people of the Valley.
VIDEOGRAPHER, JOURNALIST
GORD KURBIS
@cameraguygord.bsky.social A seasoned media professional, his diverse career spans five decades, including news editing, videography, and corporate video production.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
TAMMY ROBINSON
tammy.robinson@blvdmag.ca
Tammy is an award-wining full-time graphic designer for Black Press with more than 15 years experience.
Available online: comoxvalleyrecord.com/e-editions
PHONE: 1-236-269-2266
MAILING ADDRESS: 407-D Fifth Street, Courtenay V9N 1J7
Future Forward is published by the Comox Valley Record. The points of view or opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher of Future Forward. The contents of Future Forward magazine are protected by copyright, including the designed advertising. Reproduction is prohibited without written consent of the publisher.
Future Forward Magazine recognizes and respectfully acknowledges that it is produced on the traditional unceded lands of the Puntledge, E’iksan, Sahtloot, Sasitla and K'ómoks First Nation.
Welcome to Future Forward, a multi-channel platform designed to empower and connect women in business within the vibrant Comox Valley community. We are thrilled to share the inspiring stories of local women who are leading, innovating, and shaping the future of our region. Join us as we celebrate the power of community and the remarkable women who make it thrive.
GET READY! The video rollout for Future Forward begins soon. We hope you enjoy the stories and videos, compiled by Gord Kurbis, as they’re released over the coming weeks on the Comox Valley Record’s website, showcasing the narratives and dedication of these incredible women to the Comox Valley business community.
Thank you,
ANDERSON
Owner, Operator Tara
BLINDS AND BALANCE
Tara Anderson’s entrepreneurial efforts throughout the past 15 years definitely reads like a small-business success story.
She gave up her job working for the Vancouver Parks Board, a career she loved, in order to pursue a better work/ life balance. Knowing something had to change, she purchased a Budget Blinds franchise on the Lower Mainland.
While simultaneously raising her four young daughters, Anderson’s ‘go big or go home’ philosophy fuelled her efforts, growing the start-up business out of her garage and living room and quickly expanded it into two additional franchises.
In 2016, Anderson would eventually succumb to the draw of Vancouver Island living, opening three new locations in the Comox Valley, Cowichan Valley and Nanaimo. In 2021 she sold her Lower
Mainland franchises but continues to operate the three on the island where she is supported by an incredible team of 25 staff members, all of whom play important roles in the operation.
Anderson says each employee is an important face of the business and believes it’s essential for each team member to be accountable to her customers, from their first call right through to the final installation. She says that philosophy in supporting customers is just as true outside of the business.
Her three locations generously support groups like Y.A.N.A. and little league baseball, soccer and hockey teams up and down the Island. Anderson believes it is important to support the community and believes in return, the community will support her business. She says despite
purchasers becoming accustomed to ordering products on-line, hers is a business that benefits from face-to-face interaction.
Anderson notes customers want to see, touch and learn about the products in person - a product line that goes far beyond simply just blinds but also includes draperies, shutters, soft-treatments as well as beddings and pillows.
FEMINISM
As relevant as ever
Violence against women, workplace discrimination and pay inequality are all still very much part of our social fabric. That’s why it’s as important as ever to come together and express our feminist values in celebration of all women.
For this occasion, the Canadian government is inviting the population to take steps toward a fair, equalitarian society and to denounce the social and economic inequalities that are still pervasive today.
Systemic gender discrimination, government policies affecting women disproportionately, and widespread sexual violence — as brought to light by the #MeToo movement — are some examples of the barriers against equity and equality that we must overcome as a society.
WHY EQUALITY?
While equality between women and men is a staple of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and a value upheld and defended by politicians and citizens alike, there’s still room for improvement in many areas. Here are a few statistics from the Government of Canada that illustrate some of these challenges:
• Women are underrepresented in leadership positions. In 2016, only 21.6% of board members of Canada’s 500 largest companies were women.
• Women are still largely responsible for caregiving. Women spend more than twice as many hours per week on unpaid child care (50.1 compared to 24.4 hours) and are almost twice as likely as men to spend 10+ hours a week caring for a senior.
• Women continue to earn less than men. Canadian women in full-time positions earn roughly 27% less than their male counterparts.
GREENING PATHWAYS
For the staff at CORE Landscape Products, the pathway to success is literally at their feet.
The Comox Valley company offers a variety of landscaping products for residential and commercial needs but the foundation (pun intended) of their business is their CORE Gravel Foundation Products.
Imagine a honeycomb style grid that is placed on the ground, covered in gravel to prevent any sinking or shifting of people’s pathways or driveways. These grids, called Permeable Foundations, are made from recycled ocean plastics and are injection-molded, married to a geotextile backing to create a closed-cell system.
This product is being used internationally by homeowners, do-it-yourselves and largescale developers, even catching the eye of television’s twin home renovators, The Property Brothers.
At the core of the business (hey look, another pun) is Caroline Rutledge who founded the company in 2010 after working as an in-house biologist for an engineering firm. She saw the detrimental effects hard surfaces were having on the environment.
She is joined by her daughter Megan Rutledge, who works as the company’s Privacy Screen Director to partner with artists to transform their art into functional pieces.
CORE truly is a woman-owned and women-led business. CORE says it has always been about more than just products - it’s about the people behind them; many of those are women.
Take Amanda Hall, the company’s in-house artist and the talent behind every flora and fauna design in CORE’S privacy screen collection. Or Jade Cook, the assistant relationship manager who’s valuable skill sets are creating compelling marketing campaigns for the company.
Paige Whitehead is the founder of Lux Bio, who worked with CORE for several years and became fascinated by the company’s glow aggregates. That led her to develop the world’s first bioluminescent glow stick, earning her a feature on Dragon’s Den.
But beyond the products, CORE Landscaping believes in giving back, including to organizations like the WeCan Society to which the company donates privacy screens.
SOCIAL MEDIA
A minefield for women’s rights
The rise of misogynistic behaviour online is a growing concern for authorities worldwide. International Women’s Day is an opportunity to acknowledge this issue and commit to working together to find solutions. Here’s an overview.
WESTERN SOCIETY
Many Western countries are seeing troubling online behaviours. On social media, masculinist influencers perpetuate the idea that women should revert to traditional roles as homemakers. This discourse fuels other antifeminist trends online, including bullying based on women’s appearances, shaming their sexuality and revealing private, personal information with intent to cause harm.
ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD
In authoritarian countries, governments often control social media and promote rhetoric that undermines women’s emancipation. By keeping women out of influential public roles, these regimes aim to weaken opposition movements.
THE RISE IN TOXIC ONLINE
behaviour discourages many women from speaking out or asserting their rights because they fear the backlash. As a society, it’s important to promote healthier social media use. If you know a woman or girl who is being harassed online, offer your support and encourage her to report her attacker.
GlacierViewLodgeishometo101residents,80adultdayprogramclients,24communitybathclients, 1respite,andmanystudentsandvolunteers.Ourvisionis“feelslikehome”andalldecisionsaremade withthisinmind.
Asanonprofit,weleanonourcommunityforsupporttoprovidequalityinitiativessuchasanewbus, soakerbathtubs,gardengazebos,andpetsupplies.ThankyouforjoiningusonourannualWalkforGlacier ViewLodge,supportourLegacyofLight,andincludingusinyourlegacygiving!
COMPASSIONATE CARE, COMMUNITY STRONG
Throughout its extensive history, Glacier View Lodge has always maintained a close relationship not only with the residents it cares for, but also with the entire Comox Valley.
The lodge is the North Island’s longest operating long term care cacility, tracing back to a 1946 founding by the Women’s Institute of Northern Vancouver Island.
Located on a 10-acre site in the Back Road area, Glacier View serves as home to 101 residents ranging in age from 19 to 107, all with complex needs.
Caring for loved ones from the Valley is just one of the ways Glacier View Lodge serves the community, they also support 80 adult day program clients seven days a week, 24 community baths, one respite bed as well as provide evening caregiver support groups and mentor students.
In return, the lodge benefits from the
support from the community. Recent examples were during the early days of the pandemic when community members delivered home-made face masks and gowns made out of bed sheets or when the lodge fundraised for their new bus in six short months.
Additionally, many family members from previous residents families have become Glacier View volunteers. Local schools continue to provide well wishes on holidays and Friends of Glacier View Lodge provide personalized birthday cards and flowers for every resident and client.
Of the facilities 250 staff members, 150 employees are full-time and more than 80 per cent are female. Leading the staff’s efforts is an all-female management team who encourages growth opportunities for all employees.
Many of the female staff have transitioned from housekeeping or care aide roles progressing into recreation, nursing and administration.
Being a non-profit facility on a shoestring budget, much of the training for staff is done in-house and ‘out of the box’ thinking and creative problem solving is a daily practice. Above all, the staff work hard to ensure that every resident enjoys a sense of belonging and receives compassionate care.
Kelli Crisp
Gen Lefebvre
Debbie Smethurst
Laura Laliberte Norah Fish
Harassment of women politicians
FINDING SOLUTIONS
Modern politics is seeing increasing levels of female representation. More women than ever serve as city councillors, mayors and members of legislatures and Parliament. With this surge in female representation comes an increase in visibility, resulting in a growing problem with harassment of female politicians.
Although men in politics can also be targets of threats and criticism, numerous reports and studies have established a direct link between intimidation and being a woman in this field. Female politicians often endure gender-based attacks that target their appearance, integrity and legitimacy.
In addition to receiving hateful comments on social media, politically engaged women frequently struggle with toxic work environments. Many persevere in the face of these challenges, but some feel compelled to resign due to a lack of adequate support.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Several initiatives have been launched worldwide to counter the problem, including legislation to regulate online platforms, charters aimed at preventing the intimidation of female politicians and education on appropriate online behaviour. These measures are a significant step forward.
Women rightfully belong in politics and deserve the opportunity to advance without the fear of intimidation.
Bornin1986,AmyBaudaishasbeenadedicatedparticipantoftheComoxValleyChildDevelopment Association(CVCDA)sinceshewasjust18monthsold.StartingattheCumberlandlocation,shebenefitedfrom physiotherapyandspeechtherapy,whichhelpedherthrive.
Afterabriefdeparturewhensheenteredkindergarten,AmyreturnedtotheCVCDAatage13,joiningthe CommunityIntegrationProgramonFridayevenings.Followinghergraduationin2005,Amyandother familiesfacedashortageoflocalprograms.Inresponse,herparents,alongwithothers,helpedestablish ProjectInclusion in2008undertheCVCDAumbrella.Here,shefoundasenseofbelongingandforged lastingfriendships.
Overtheyears,Amyhasbeeninvolvedinfundraisingactivities,includingcookbookcreation,gardeningprojects, andsellingspiceblends,whichsupporttheprogram’sgrouptravelandcampingexperiences.Ahighlightofher journeywasspeakingataconferenceinVictoria,whereshesharedherlifeexperiences. oday,AmylivesindependentlywithanotherparticipantfromProjectInclusionandworksattheCVCDA,where shehelpssterilizetoysforchildreninotherprograms.
The CVCDAishonouredtohaveAmyasthe50thTelethon2025Ambassador,recognizingherresilience, contributions,andinspiringjourney.
EMPOWERING EVERY CHILD
Among the multitude of offices and facilities that make up the Comox Valley Child Development Association (CDA) is The Pam Crowe Autism Centre of Excellence.
The building was named in recognition of Crowe’s 35 years spent as a board member of the CDA as well as countless hours during that same period as chair of the association’s annual telethon. She is now the organization’s official ambassador and speaks to community groups about the outstanding work done by the centre’s staff, she jokes that she is the association’s historian.
The association was created in 1974 by a group of parents with children all afflicted with cerebral palsy. They banded together to assist families located between Oyster River to Bowser and as of
today have remarkably assisted more than 4,000 families.
Crowe says a great compliment to the efforts being done at the CDA is the fact many military families with children with special needs specifically ask to be stationed at CFB Comox so they can attend the centre.
She adds the association’s 100 full and part-time employees, who are primarily female, all serve as great advocates for the children and their families.
Much of the association’s funding for keeping the lights and heat on comes via the annual Child Development Centre Telethon. Held the first Sunday of each November, the event has also helped purchase specialized equipment and even buildings for the centre. Amazingly, the
telethon celebrates its 50th year in 2025, a remarkable achievement that continued through Covid shut-downs in 2020.
Crowe believes it is one of the longest-running, continuous telethons held anywhere and serves as a testament to the generosity of the people of the Comox Valley.
CDA
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Are you inspired by the bold and determined businesswomen in your area? In addition to uplifting the local economy, they act as role models for young girls who are thinking about their professional futures. Here are a few reasons why joining a professional business network can help women propel their careers forward.
HELPFUL SERVICES
Women entering the business world face many obstacles and challenges. For example, they must wear many hats and tackle unfamiliar tasks like writing a business plan, applying for financing, acquiring certifications and so much more.
Fortunately, businesswomen’s networks offer services such as conferences, training seminars and one-on-one mentoring to help women start their own business or take their business to the next level — and build their confidence along the way.
continued on page 18
STRENGTH IN COMMUNITY
Bouncing around her studio with limitless energy, Leanne Zdebiak-Eni leads her clients towards their fitness goals with great enthusiasm.
Zdebiak-Eni started Inner Pursuit Fitness (Studio IPF) 21 years ago and says she loves the way her business and the fitness industry are constantly evolving. Studio IPF offers a diverse range of fitness classes, yoga, Pilates and TRX Suspension training, all designed to build strength and enhance overall wellness in a supportive group setting.
Zdebiak-Eni and her team of nine dedicated instructors are passionate about creating a fun, encouraging environment where clients not only get stronger physically, but also build mental resilience. Women of all ages and fitness levels come into the studio with friends or they friends when they’re there, building on a community vibe which is the essence of group fitness.
Those unable to physically make it into the studio can participate by following along through hybrid classes that are streamed online. Zdebiak-Eni says this is something that originated during the challenging COVID period.
She notes some women who come through her doors have never stepped inside a fitness facility before and are often a little shy and unsure, but go through an incredible transformation.
Zdebiak-Eni believes what happens in the studio extends into the outside world, with clients becoming stronger and more confident, expanding to do things in their life they never thought they would do, be it starting new careers, exploring new activities or travelling to places they once only dreamed of.
Most of the clientele in her studio are female and are 40 years of age or older, with some even being in their 80s. Zdebiak-Eni adds it’s her thriving, active
agers that really inspires her.
The team at Studio IPF gives back to the Comox Valley through monthly ‘Bellyfit’ community fundraisers which not only raise money but also awareness for groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, You Are Not Alone and the Comox Valley Transition Society.
Zdebiak-Eni says as a businesswoman it’s important to give back to the local community and does whatever she can to help others in the Comox Valley.
Owner, Director Leanne
FutureForward
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continued from page 16
REWARDING ENCOUNTERS
Being a member of a businesswomen’s network lets you meet new people from various backgrounds. Virtual and face-to-face networking events bring together women who have similar interests and who might never have met otherwise. These exchanges often lead to fruitful collaborations and long-term partnerships.
Finally, businesswomen’s networks are a way to combat isolation, pass on knowledge, obtain support and build friendships. Are you a businesswoman or thinking of becoming one? Whatever your career plans, joining a professional network will help you achieve your goals.
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Asthefirstall-femaleteamtoreceivetheprestigiousJeffCarneyAwardforPlanningExcellence,MandyandKathyhaveset anewstandardinexcellence.Recognizedfortheiroutstandingcommitmenttodeliveringanexceptionalclientexperience throughprofessionalfinancialplanning,theyhaveprovidedthehighestnumberofhigh-qualityfinancialplansinCanada, demonstratingadedicationtoimprovingfinancialwell-being.
Jointhesuccess! PartnerwithBakerandAssociatesPrivateWealthManagementtodaytosecureyourfinancialfuturewith thebestinthebusiness,empoweryouvision.
MENTAL WORKLOAD
Invisible work that affects women more than men
Women, regardless of their marital or employment status, tend to carry a significant, invisible burden known as mental workload.
OVERLOAD OF RESPONSIBILITIES
This mental burden involves being responsible for managing, planning and completing all the household tasks, including:
• Housework, such as cleaning, making meals and yard work
• Shopping for groceries, clothes and school supplies
• Making appointments at the hairdresser, dentist and doctor
• Hosting, including buying gifts and sending invitations
• Registering for school, day camps and more
Women are responsible for anticipating their family members’ needs, finding solutions, making choices and following up. This exhausting job can greatly impact their physical and psychological health.
It’s essential to continue discussing the unequal distribution of invisible tasks to work towards a more equal sharing of responsibilities. If you’re a woman overwhelmed by your responsibilities, don’t hesitate to seek resources to take off some of the pressure.
WELLNESS IN BLOOM
Sereia Day Spa is a female-owned and operated boutique spa in Comox that provides professional, customized spa treatments.
Owner Amanda Lohman purchased the Body Craft Therapeutics business from a friend in August of 2023 and rebranded it as Sereia Day Spa. She and her staff then proceeded to expand treatment offerings into the total wellness centre that exists today.
The spa offers a full range of treatments including esthetic services and registered massage therapy. The small but highly-trained, knowledgeable team works with clients to achieve their wellness goals, be it recovering from an injury with massage therapy, or treating a problem skin condition.
Each team member is passionate about helping people and has years of experience perfecting their collective skills to be
able to offer customized treatments and home care plans to suit the needs of their clients.
The spa is an Eminence Organic Skin Care distributor and team members regularly participate in product knowledge training through various courses through Eminence and other vendors. Team members are highly skilled registered massage therapists and take courses through their massage association to continue their registration. Lohman believes that education is extremely important, with new spa treatments and technology constantly changing.
On the community front, Sereia Day Spa is a member of the Women in Business Networking Group, Comox Valley Business in Action and the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce. Lohman says she and her valued team members enjoy connecting with other business
professionals in the community along with charitable organizations.
Most recently, the spa was a sponsor at the Comox Rotary Whiskey Festival along with providing assistance to various community and youth sports fundraisers.
Lohman says her spa team members, many of whom have grown up in the Comox Valley feel very fortunate to live here and love being able to give back to the community.
Certified Esthetician
Certified Esthetician Owner, Certified Technician
Haylee Hendrickson
Kat Swinscoe
Amanda Lohman
Renata Gilnoy
Isabelle Campbell
ALLLEVELS - ALLBODS - ALLAGES(18+)
VALLEY GIRLS
WOMEN’S SPORTS
Gaps that need to be closed without delay
When you think about it, there are very few sports where women outshine men. Although female tennis stars may come to mind, this is an exception. Men’s sports teams, such as football and hockey, and individual sports predominantly played by men, such as golf and motocross, generate the most revenue by far.
INVISIBLE WOMEN
The attention given to sportswomen and sportsmen in the media is anything but equal. According to UNESCO, barely four per cent of global media content was devoted to women’s sports in 2018. And that’s not all! Only 12 per cent of sports news was about female athletes.
So, it’s not surprising to learn that of the 100 highest-paid athletes in the world in 2021, there were only two women: tennis players Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams.
STUBBORN STEREOTYPES
Why are women so under-represented in the world of sports? There are several reasons. First, girls aren’t encouraged to get active and take risks in the same way as boys. As a result, boys tend to join sports teams and develop their potential at an early age.
Women are also the victims of persistent sexist stereotypes. For example, they’re often described as less skillful and weak. In other words, they’re less competent than men. This can discourage them from participating and excelling in sports.
Our sincere appreciation to the visionary women of the Comox Valley who lent their voices to our inaugural ‘Future Forward’ edition. Their powerful narratives of success and community impact have enriched our understanding of the region’s future.
Casa Loma and Comox Valley Seniors Village
