Connie Kennedy Edmonton’s number one real estate lister and seller of condominiums W
hen it comes to condos in Edmonton, Connie Kennedy is on top. She is the city’s number one real estate lister and seller of condominiums. Her success reflects a long career filled with hard work, passion, and many firsts. Kennedy’s career in real estate began in 1968, selling the first condominium ever in Canada right here in Edmonton. “I had just started in real estate and I was asked if I would like to sell condominiums,” she recalls. “It became a passion. I made a life out of it, and I love my life.” The walls of Kennedy’s office, covered in plaques and certificates, document a career with a plethora of achievements. She has been in the top 1% of Re/Max Residential in Canada year after year. Kennedy joined the Re/Max Hall of Fame in 1993, became a Life Member of the Realtors Association of Edmonton in 1997, and in 1999 received a Re/Max Lifetime Achievement award. In 2009, Kennedy was awarded the Re/Max Circle of Legends, the highest professional honour a Re/Max Associate can receive. Most recently, Kennedy received the Re/Max Chairman’s Award in 2011. As well, she is the first woman real estate agent to become a member of the Edmonton Real Estate Board, who selected her as “Realtor of the Year” in 2006. In person, Kennedy exudes confidence combined with a sincerity that reflects her values of honesty and integrity. She takes a personal interest in all of her clients and loves working with them. “In real estate you are almost always dealing with happy people,” she explains. “People are happy when they sell and people are happy when they buy. It’s exciting for them and for me to see people doing things like jumping up and down and taking pictures.” This year, Kennedy attended the Re/Max Western Canada Convention in Victoria in February and the Re/Max International Convention in March in Las Vegas, where she took educational courses on various aspects of the current economy and situations affecting the real estate business. “I felt when I came back that I could help my clients even more,” she says. Born in Three Hills, Kennedy made Edmonton her permanent home in 1959. “The two highest buildings were the Hotel Macdonald and Legislature,” she recalls. Indeed, Kennedy has paid close attention
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to the changes that have taken place over the decades, and looks forward to the continued growth of the city. Kennedy has blazed the trail for women in other aspects of her professional life. Prior to her career in real estate, she was the first woman to sell television airtime in Canada (for CFRN) and worked for a time in the newspaper industry, in charge of advertising at the Edmonton Free Press. She was the first woman on the Executive of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. Kennedy loves being called a “pioneer” and the “Condo Queen” and has mentored many women in business. “I love to see women successful as lawyers and doctors and engineers and realtors and architects and in trades where men were traditionally in the forefront - and now women are right in there with them.” A key to Kennedy’s success is her strong work ethic. Her day begins at 6 a.m. and she works every day, including Saturdays and Sunday afternoons after church. At the same time, she maintains a work/life balance which includes being an avid reader of non-fiction, staying on top of current events by watching the news daily, and visiting her cottage where she enjoys driving her boat. Kennedy gives back to the community through the charities she supports. A portion of every sales commission is donated to the Stollery Children’s Hospital and the Realtors Community Foundation. She also donates annually to Camp He Ho Ha (Health, Hope & Happiness) and supports the Robertson Wesley United Church’s outreach program by providing funds for the food purchased for their community meals each year. Family is also important to Kennedy, a mother of two adult sons and grandmother of three. As an entrepreneur, Kennedy enjoys the flexibility of her schedule. “Real estate is a wonderful career for any person with a family because, if you plan your year accordingly, you can take time off during Christmas and Easter. You can be home to make lunch for your children,” she explains. Unlike others at her stage of life, Kennedy shows no sign of slowing down. “I fit my personal life around my business life. I don’t know anything different. This is the way it has been for 44 years, and I love it that way. I don’t feel like I’m working. I’m helping people.”
100, 10510 - 121 Street Edmonton, Alberta
EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
12851 - 56 Street, Edmonton, AB T5A 0C9
Tel: 780.454.3444 Fax: 780.454.3222
www.edmontonians.com Published by: Cedar Publishing Corporation President Moe Najmeddine moe@edmontonians.com Editor Barb Deters bdeters@edmontonians.com Sales Manager Joe Nashman info@edmontonians.com Columnists Jey Arul • John Berry • Ben Block • Linda Bodo John Chwyl • Cheryl Croucher • Marty Forbes Lynn Fraser • Cheryll Gillespie • Kelley Keehn Bob Layton • Norman Leach • Barbara Ashley Phillips Erin Rayner • Sam Shakura • Charles Strachey Ian Wachowicz • Mark Wardell FEATURE WRITERS Barb Deters • Erin Woods-Cripps • Paula E. Kirman PHOTOGRAPHERS John Berry • Bruce Clarke • Bill Cowan • Cheryl Croucher • Barb Deters • Jen Hammer • Tracy Kolenchuk Von Milan • Holly Robson GRAPHIC PRODUCTION Rage Studios Inc. All rights reserved by Cedar Publishing Corporation. Reproduction or transmission of all or any part of this publication by any means whatsoever is strictly forbidden without prior written permission from the publisher. Although great care is taken to avoid errors in the preparation of advertising material and editorial content, any errors or omissions on the part of Cedar Publishing Corporation are limited and dealt with solely by printing a retraction statement and or correction in the following issue. Edmontonians Newsmagazine is a product of Cedar Publishing Corporation.
in this issue...
Volume XXIII Number 3 Fall 2012
About Town VoxPop
Marty Forbes puts the ‘focus’ on local business................................................................... 4 Bob Layton recalls some memorable gigs............................................................................ 6
Sizzling in the City... Then & Now Erin Rayner revisits 2007 Sizzlers Block and Turko who wed in Italy,................................ 10 and 2009 Sizzler Korris who graduated in New York......................................................... 11 Social Scene ZooFest 2012 was a hoot!................................................................................................. 46
Business Business Briefs
Norman Leach highlights three initiatives.......................................................................... 38
Mergers & Acquisitions
Jey Arul wonders if buyers know what they want.............................................................. 36
Professional Development
Mark Wardell points out positives of productization.......................................................... 39
You & The Law
Ben Block talks incorporation and protecting business names.......................................... 37
Features Sizzling Twenty Under 30
Introduction and 2012 Sizzlers’ List.................................................................................. 12 Sizzlers’ Profiles by Erin Cripps-Woods.......................................................................14-33
Rock N Wash
Paula Kirman features Sylvain Blouin’s unique concept..................................................... 41
Lively Lifestyles Absolute Bodo
Linda Bodo upcycles old wool sweaters............................................................................... 9
MenuMagic
Chef John Berry meets a master scotch distiller........................................................................ 8
Creative Interiors
Cheryl & Sam want homes to be seductive....................................................................... 43
The Fashion Guy
John Chwyl introduces Real Clothes, Real People............................................................. 34
Home Envision
Elissa Scott stages the show suite at Jasper Gates............................................................ 40
Canadian Publication Mail Agreement # 40041145 If undeliverable, please return to:
Cedar Publishing Corporation 12851 - 56 Street Edmonton, AB T5A 0C9
www.cedarpublishing.com EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Walking the Talk
Barbara Ashley Phillips says ‘follow your gut’................................................................... 42
Opinions Civil Wars
Nejolla Korris questions transparency and accountability.................................................. 10
Visionaries
Cheryl Croucher highlights Lorne Babiuk’s career, and innovations................................... 44
3
Marty Forbes
I
...With Marty Forbes & Bob Layton
Alberta Cancer Foundation, No Stone Left t’s certainly common now that city. The key? Being sincerely involved in Alone and Fierce Awards. Dean and Sue Edmonton! many companies here send millions roll out that privilege to their staff members Focus Communications is a partner with of dollars in profits to owners based for their favourite charities… and they’re the School of Retailing at the University elsewhere. welcome to use in-house assets: boardroom; of Alberta School of Business and Media outlets, food stores, creative services; brainstorming, web enthusiastically participates in the Executive restaurant chains and Big Box retailers have resources. Round Table events, including awarding two taken over—and overtaken—many of our Over the years, Focus has been involved $1500 bursaries to students at the annual local small businesses. It’s getting harder with Edmonton Minor Hockey Week, Henry Singer Awards. and harder to develop that uniqueness in our CFRN Good Neighbour Fund, City of Both Dean and Sue are highly engaged in city that was here when Ma and Pa Shops Edmonton “Fight Violence” Campaign, social media and regular participants in SM abounded. Autism Society of Edmonton and many events, such as tweet-ups and the Girl Geek Granted these companies do employ local others. dinners. personnel, but more and more often major I sat down with Dean and Sue to find out Dean is the chair of the Edmonton decisions are out of their hands thus the Tier Street, more: Humane Society Board, and has been12851 - 56 2 reference. Edmonton, AB T5A 0C9 involved with the board for six years. Sue is In this column I’d like to salute companies the director of examinations for What do they love about Edmonton? that are a) local, b) Ma and Pa in style, c) Tel: (780) 701-3715 the International Association “We think Edmonton’s strength is its unique, and d) smart and tough enough to of Business Communicators’ voluntarism. People are willing to give Fax: (780) 454-3222 take on the ‘big guys’ in business. accreditation program. generously of their time and talents to make Dean and Sue Heuman started Focus Focus also provides pro things happen. What’s exciting now is to Communications, an advertising and public bono services to several see things happen organically—people see relations company, back in October of 2002, T H E P E R organizations S O N A L I each T Y year O F B U S I N E S S I N aTneed H E orCanAopportunity P I T A L and R Ethey G I take ON with just a staff of two—themselves. including charge. If you’re not currently Slowly but surely, and with commitment active in Edmonton, through from first clients like United Cycle and the a community group, City of Edmonton, they have grown to 10 Date: special interest group employees… and have become a major force or professional in advertising, promotion and public service To Appear in: Sue and Dean you in Edmonton. Attention: Date: association, are missing out. These days, Focus regularly handles more than 25 active accounts—big andFax: small—in To AppearWe’ve in: had the opportunity marketing, social media, public relations, Date Purchased: to meet stakeholder consultation and more. and work This success—up against mega with some advertising companies with triple the staff wonderful and budgets—proves to me that many people businesses like being in touch with the who are corner office and with two people who truly making not only understand Edmonton but are a difference socially engaged in many aspects of our
Edm
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here. Giving back to the community is everything—we want to pay back to the city in which we make our living.”
like having more family members. We never wanted to hire someone only to lay them off. So far, that’s never happened.”
Is the advertising business shifting back to more boutiques?
How big is too big for Focus Communications?
quickly, so keeping up is critical. Age has nothing to do with SM. It’s for people wanting to keep up, learn, and use it. Things are maturing and the sheer 12851 volume of- activity on 56 Street, twitter helps you get closer to the customer.”
Edmonton, AB T5A 0C9
“I think you will find that there is a more “This is as big as we get… we have no desire What’s the next Tel:dream? (780) 701-3715 cooperative spirit here than other cities: “coto be a big corporate entity. We like the ability Sue: “Image consulting! I’m taking a course Fax: 454-3222 say in NASCAR—where to work with small and medium businesses. New York and hope (780) to help mature women T opetition”—as H E P E R Sthey ON ALITY OF BUSIN E S S I N T H E C A P I T A L R E Gin IO N companies collaborate to provide the best Nimble. Our clients want to know they’re recognize that you can look contemporary as solutions. We are a boutique operation… there talking to the two of us—our names are on part of their success.” are 10 of us and we all do whatever it takes to this.” Dean: “This will always be a part of me: get the job done. I was assembling Race Week The people aspect of the business is in my Edmonton lanyards… while Dean was helping You’re business partners. You’re DNA. I’m passionate about racing—Race with the Go Kit Races!” married. How does that not impact Week—and simply having fun.”
ADVERTISING PROOF
Attention: Would you do it all over again? Fax: “I think we would have engaged a business consultant to help us set up the administrative Date Purchased: and operations side. We know marketing and
PR cold. But running your own business is a whole other thing... and we learned a lot along the way, especially about invoicing and collecting money! One of the things we were really cautious about was taking on more staff. Every time we added a person, we did it slowly and thoughtfully recognizing that it’s
on you?
Date:
“Marriage offers challenges, but we have the ToonAppear same work ethic… we are always the job and share ideas and talk it through. But, then it’s over and we just try to get down time and relax.”
You’re recognized as leaders in social media: thoughts?
“The trick is staying up with the next greatest platform… it happens so fast. We haven’t reached the apex and there’s more coming
I highly suggest Edmonton businesses
in:help support Edmonton-based businesses…
and Focus Communications is one I highly recommend! The more we help local business grow the less we will need “Image Improvement Task Forces”—just my humble opinion! √ Marty Forbes is president of Radiowise Inc. Contact: marty@edmontonians.com – and on Twitter: mjforbes
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5
Bob Layton
A
Continued with Bob Layton
s you visit a loved one in a
because the ballrooms are in the basement and, expand. Who could have known, as Herzog on a cold winter night, you can load in enjoying writes, that 50 years later it would be declared the warmth of the underground parking. It was unfit to live in? As with other businesses, the at the Chateau Louis that the president of a changing times brought other establishments Lions club, who used a white cane, held my arm with competing amenities and the client base as we went along the dinner buffet. He asked me would change. to describe every dish so he could decide if he I spend time regularly in city hotels, either wanted some. At the Fantasyland Hotel, I did a speaking at conventions or doing a comedy comedy show for the Auctioneers’ Association, show or rolling in Layton Music for a wedding and recently became a licensed auctioneer dance with my son, DJ Dave. I never played myself. the Cromdale. (Editor’s Note: Bob wasn’t here when Tommy Banks prevailed in its swanky Paddock Room, and hosted internationally-known singers.) d The first hotel I worked in was in12851 - 56 Street, The Crom the 1950s in Edmonton, AB T5A 0C9 d 1971, just after I came to 630 CHED. e k loo I got a one night job playing bass in a Tel: (780) 701-3715 pick-up band at the Strathcona Hotel on Whyte. We played forFax: tips and(780) back 454-3222 then a $40-night was good money. There are so many stories about bizarre gigs Over the years, while many gigs were that Dave and I are writing a book called, I’ll memorable, some are downright Puke in Your Pocket. That’s what a groom said unforgettable. when the curtains parted for the opening dance I did my first paid ventriloquist and he saw we had a mirror ball that would show at the Palace Hotel. As I tory.org adversely affect him. He had not disclosed to his emceed a wedding at the Holiday nuehisDate: e v a Attention: Date: : to o Ph lawyer bride that he suffered from vertigo. Inn, a fake wedding party sat down As I age and wait for my in a seniors’ at the To Appear in:head table. As guests stared at Fax: Toturn Appear in: center, those hotels are aging right along with their wedding invitations and then at each other, me. It will be sad if I see a wrecking ball take wondering how they all came to the wrong edition of RealDate Estate Purchased: out a place where I spent an enjoyable evening place, the real bridal party did a “gotcha” from Weekly. It contains a wonderful article by entertaining. When that time comes, unlike the wings. At the Coast Terrace Inn, it was our Lawrence Herzog, entitled The Rise and Fall the Cromdale, at least I’ll be able to say I first night with wireless mics and we set up only of the Cromdale Hotel. Quoting, in part, from remembered it “when”. √ to discover another DJ somewhere in the hotel the Edmonton Journal, he describes a smart was on the same frequency and coming through and snappy building that opened in 1954. It Bob Layton is the News Director for Edmonton our speakers. Dave picked up his mic and, had well-appointed beverage rooms, a coffee Corus radio stations 630 CHED, iNews880, in a mock menacing voice, said “Get off this shop and a dining hall. Every hotel room had CISN Country, and JOE FM. His awardfrequency. Don’t make me come and find you.” a telephone and wall-to-wall carpet. This was winning editorials can be heard on 630 CHED As we prepared to use a corded mic, whoever the year television came to Edmonton and the at 8:12 a.m. and 5:12 p.m. and seen on Global was in that other room disappeared from the Cromdale ordered one for every room. This TV at 6:40 p.m. airwaves. DJs love the Coast Terrace Inn venture was so successful the hotel had to
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seniors center and you see other elderly residents shuffling along with their walkers, do you ever wonder who they are or what they did in the decades before old age came upon them? You should ask, especially if they have no visitors. You might just hear a great story. I wondered the same thing as I saw people beaming about the Cromdale Hotel coming down. As we look at the now empty space, I did some research and discovered a 2004 ale as it
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6
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(780) 471 4039 www.yellowheadauctions.ca EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
TY
CIVILWARS
with Nejolla Korris
Tax dollars at work…
W
e learned a while
? y e h t e r a r o
There will always be those who question who if the government department is Canadian, we are to judge whether a person is legitimately American, federal, provincial or state. back that provincial 12851 or not. But there needs to be transparency Absenteeism by bargaining unit employees has - 56illStreet, government managers had to openly report it. We expect other sections of reached unprecedented highs.Edmonton, AB T5A 0C9 received a four-percent pay government operations to be made transparent... Some argue that management salaries are so increase after having had a (780) 701-3715 but anything to do with the bargaining unit is not much higher than bargaining Tel: unit wages that it is freeze on increases and bonuses since 2009. up for the same level of scrutiny. unfair to compare them. To that I say: Wrong! In As usual, there was a public outcry and the Fax: (780) 454-3222 O Wildrose F B U SParty I Nleader E S SDanielle I N Smith T H Edecreed P PI TEA R ENG If weT want my knowledge TCHAEthat R LSlimited O AILOI TNY ofOtheFpublic B Uservice S I N and ESS IN H E toCbeAeven P I more T A Lsimplistic R E Gabout ION the potential impact on the operations of data coming from a source, it has been observed the increases were an outrage during this time of government, why not just have a cursory look that on any given day there is up to 37 percent economic crisis. It’s so easy being a member of at how many people are absent on just Fridays absenteeism in the workplace. What does this the opposition isn’t it? You can complain about or Mondays, especially during the summer mean to us? It means that a) the taxpayer is anything and everything without ever having to months? You would be astonished. paying for a lot of people who are not showing be accountable for what you say. But that is a It’s time to show up at work! Absence is up to work, b) that the work is not getting done, topic and opinion for another column. Date: Attention: Date: being noticed. √ and c) that the current employment model is How’s this for a simple formula? The inefficient. organization hires you. You come to work. To Appear in: Fax: To Appear in: There is no commercial business on the Nejolla Korris is an international expert in area You get paid. It would be interesting to see the planet that factors 20 percent—let alone 30 of interviewing skills and linguistic lie detection. Purchased: Provincial Auditor undertake a humanDate capacity percent—absenteeism into its organizational She is a keen observer and fan of the human audit. What is the cost to government in lack of plans. That would cripple productivity for most condition. Dubbed the “Human Lie Detector” productivity due to absenteeism? organizations but is de rigueur—the order of the by some clients, she is a popular speaker on lie In my world of accountability, transparency day—in government. detection, fraud prevention and investigation, and responsibility, the one thing that is rarely Illness plans are developed for those with workplace fraud, and organizational justice. measured by government departments is the legitimate medical reasons not to be at work. So, Nejolla recently launched a new speaker’s series absenteeism rates of government employees. how often is this abused? Does anyone know on the differing communication styles between The bigger question is why? Is it because how many civil servants take at least one sick men and women. there is fear of retaliation by the unions? This day per month, every month? Contact: nkorris@working-it-out.com discussion is a universal one, doesn’t matter
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Badlands: Mile Zero Dance
Tracy O‛Camera Photography www.tracyocamera.com EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
7
MENUMAGIC
Cragganmore Single Malt
with chef John Berry
Aye… I’ll hae a dram…
H
e doesn’t want to be
known as a “whiskey wise-ass.” But, if anybody has earned that title, he has. Meet J Michael Nicholson, Master Distiller from Scotland. Not only does whiskey run in his veins, but there’s a fire burning deep in his soul for the love of all things connected to Scotch. He is a third generation distiller, having distilled such outstanding scotches as Lagavulin, Dalwhinnie, Cardhu and Blair Athol. In the industry for 36 years, he is much more than a walking encyclopedia on one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Oh wait… Scotch isn’t one of the Seven Wonders? Should be! Michael’s goal is to debunk the mystery and stigma that often surround Scotch, and to introduce newcomers to the malt arena. “Scotch can be scary, with too many protocols, too many rules.” So he’s come up with two simple rules. “Rule number one: Don’t beat yourself up over this. It’s supposed to be fun. Rule number two: Get the right whiskey, forget the rules. Add water.” Simple enough. But, for newbies, it can be downright frightening. First, find a reputable merchant who can start you out on some mild blends… work your way up to the single malts that can be more complex, more full-bodied and intriguing. You’ll learn how to smell—called ‘nosing’—your scotch to savour all of the incredible flavours in the glass… like caramel, a rich bouquet of flowers, vanilla, tobacco and so on. When you take a sip, it’s pure ambrosia. Now add a slash of water and see what happens: There’s an incredible release of all of those aromas. Case in point, one woman said she didn’t drink Scotch... that was her husband’s “thing”. So Michael patiently instructed the group on nosing, tasting and whether or not to add a splash of water. Then have a sip with the meal. “She was quite timid but, by the end of the night, she had drunk more than half of her whiskey.” He proved his point that Scotch is not scary… “One more of us… one less of them!” If you are going to approach whiskey, do it the easiest way. “Do it in a nice place, with nice people, a nice whiskey, and with something nice, like in a cup of tea.” (Green Tea and Scotch) “Scotch,” Michael believes,” is occasiondriven”. A blend after work perhaps, and a
8
rare single malt for an anniversary. “Lagavulin is known as the Prince of Whiskeys. But you wouldn’t serve it on your corn flakes.” This was a special occasion, so Michael chose the Glenkinchie to go with several hors d’oeuvres: Tomato and Basil Canapé, Fennel Orange Prawns, and house made Ricotta and Saskatoon Berry Marmalade. This scotch married exceptionally
J Michael Nicholson, Master Distiller, with server Beth Babson well to the three starters. It was light and just brought all of the flavours together. Once seated in the elegant private dining room at Sorrentino’s, we were presented with one of my favourite scotches, the Talisker. The chef expertly paired it with a Crab and Fontana bake… raising a few eyebrows since this is a very bold, full-bodied scotch with the aroma of the seaside and smoke intertwined. On my pallet, the richness of the crab dish was tamed
Chef Jeff ith Jackson w ée tr his Elk en
and the scotch took the succulent flavours to a whole new level—9.5 out of 10. I was eagerly awaiting our next two dishes. Venison Carpaccio with lemon orange marmalade, coupled with Singleton of Glendullan. The surprise here for me was not the excellent carpaccio or marmalade, but the scotch. This 12-year old is matured in American and European woods, giving it some unique coconut and fruity flavours—7.5 out of 10. Next, Elk loin, medium rare with smoked paprika tomato coulis, green peppercorn sauce, and Cragganmore, distilled right on the River Spey. The loin was perfectly cooked and the coulis rocked. Together on the palate, the flavours intertwining were ambrosia. This scotch did not have the floral element of the Speyside. It was much darker, dense, with caramel and tobacco flavours. As Michael said, “This scotch works blissfully with any game”— 8 out of 10. To finish, a blended scotch, Johnny Walker Blue with some components rare and aged—up to 40 years, I’m told—and a Citrus Marscarpone and a Pistachio Brittle Lasagna and olive oil cake. What a magnificent way to end a feast. The cake and marscarpone blended beautifully with the Johnny Walker Blue. No need to add water to this one. It could be described as slippery going down your throat—9 out of 10. What an incredible evening. What an incredible Master Distiller. In my 40 years—in in and out of the kitchen—this was one of the most unique and best culinary experiences of my life. Well done! √ Chef John runs his own in-home catering company, John Berry’s Celebrity Kitchen Catering. He can be reached at chefjohnb@shaw.ca or 780.473.3339. EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
ABSOLUTEBODO with Linda Bodo
P
lans to avoid a costly trip to the
drycleaner have backfired. Your fabulous cashmere sweater has shrunken three sizes, a victim of Maytag cruelty and aggravated fibres. The matted mess of wool that once wore like a glove has irreversibly knotted, never to fit you again. Sigh. Once you have recovered from the shock, don’t take the loss too seriously. There are a multitude of new roles you can bestow on your old fave—from toasty throws to snuggly slipcovers and posh pet beds; dilapidated
sweaters can maintain value in a second life. If you don’t have a ready supply of knits on hand, check out local thrift stores or flea markets for fabulous finds. Unraveled pieces that are homely or holed are perfect specimens for upcycling. You can also repurpose a sentimental piece that you just can’t seem to part with, like that cheesy Santa sweater that has been exiled to the back of your closet since 1999. Warm your heart and home with these knotty knickknacks—the perfect accessories to cozy up the joint for fall.
Don’t Sweat It! This isn’t just another shady idea. Turn plain into plush by cloaking a lamp shade with knit fabric and use low wattage bulbs to avert over-heating.
Leather furniture absorbs the cold when the temps plummet. Slip it into something warmer, such as a couple of cable-knit pullovers. No time to tailor custom covers? Try swathing a seat with a turtleneck… or shroud a stool with angora for instant gratification.
Keep the cold outside where it belongs with draft dodgers filled with grains or sand.
This eco-friendly floor covering is a nice touch underfoot. Woven with sweater strips, the resulting rug is comfy and keeps the chill off. Eco-conscious, practical and cost saving hot water bottles are making a comeback. Wrap one in a knit sleeve for extra warmth, then curl up in a toasty patchwork quilt from sweater swatches. Add a little decadence with sweatered pillows.
If Cuddles isn’t overly impressed with her upcycled hand-me-down, mold a sweater into a toasty nest that will have her yarning for more. Not a pet owner? Craft the cot from cast-offs and donate it to your local humane society. EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Add rusticity to a games room with these animal friendly wall trophies created with woolies, wads of fibrefill and wire.
FELTING THE FABRIC
Felting isn’t absolutely necessary for these home decor projects. But, if a denser, fuzzier fabric is desired, felt your sweater before cutting and/or sewing. Felting will also help to stop the fabric from unraveling as you work. Wool, wool blends and other animal-hair weaves work best for felting; some synthetic blends are designed to withstand machine washing and won’t felt easily or at all. Get mitt it. Stop chairs Simply machine-wash your sweater in hot water. Use regular from scuffing floors detergent and add a towel to the load—the towel will aggravate the with custom leg-ings… fibres of the sweater, causing it to felt. Machine-drying the sweater or give new meaning on high heat—with or without the towel—will encourage the fibres to panhandling with a to continue felting and increase shrinkage, creating a denser fabric. √ comfortable stockinette. In an era of social consciousness, sustainable living has become the latest designer trend. The concept has caught on with eco-logical artisans, or upcyclers, who create iconic pieces from waste stream materials. These objects articulate a poignant message of today’s consumerism while inspiring creative methods to reduce our carbon footprint. Blur the line between art and craft with recycle-based designs through The Art of Upcycling with Linda Bodo. www.absolutebodo.com
9
with Erin Rayner
“…a shame if they’d never met” ~ Grampa Geno
E
ntrepreneurs are generally
busy folks. It’s almost a mantra: “I’m really busy right now…” as though the busy-ness will come to an end someday, and Mr. and Ms. Entrepreneur will be left with all the time in the world to devote to all the non-busy-nonbusiness things. For some entrepreneurs, this busy-ness is incheck and balanced with healthy hobbies and relationships with friends and family outside the business. For others, the busy-ness of business causes a relationship wasteland where only the strong, patient and understanding survive. For most high functioning, type-As, these are not the conditions best suited to creating, never mind sustaining, a romantic relationship. A couple of Edmontonians Sizzling 20 under 30s have managed to beat the odds and maintain their super-achiever status while relishing being soul mates and tying the knot. For my Summer 2011 column, I connected with 2007 Sizzlers Ben Block and Krista Turko and wrote about their blossoming romance and recent engagement. At the time, Ben was about to begin articling at Hillenbrand Kozicki LLP and living his dream as a lawyer… Krista had just finished writing her first book, Letters from My Mother. Since then, Ben is building his practice at Hillenbrand Kozicki, and has become a fellow columnist for Edmontonians. Krista continues to manage the couple’s web design company and is planning to begin editing her first novel. But, what enquiring minds really want to know is: How did the two Sizzlers tie the knot? First things first, Ben had to propose. After asking every member of Krista’s immediate family for permission, he whisked her away on a birthday weekend to Banff. On August 26, 2010 (her birthday), Ben took her on a picnic at the top of Sulfur Mountain. He had imagined they would be alone when he popped the question but, at the peak of summer tourist season, that was not to be. So he found the quietest place he could. “Krista didn’t know I was proposing until halfway through my schpeel.” In her defense,
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Krista explains, “that’s because you always say nice things to me. But I really knew when he went down on one knee.” Without hesitation, she said ‘yes’ and then shared the happy news with everyone on the path! In fact, her response is aptly described at kristasaidyes. com—only a former graphic and web designer would choose that as the wedding website domain! When it came to the nuptials, they had their hometown in mind. “Originally, we thought a big wedding in Edmonton, but we had to postpone due to Krista’s dad’s cancer diagnosis. Once his health started looking better, we thought ‘let’s just do what we’ve always wanted to do and go travelling…if we could get
married in any way what would we do?’ And it wasn’t a big wedding in Edmonton.” So they followed their hearts’ desires to the rich, rolling hills of Italy’s Tuscan countryside. On May 27, 2012, at a charming villa called the Lazy Olive, 20 family members gathered in an idyllic setting. Krista’s Dad proudly walked her down the aisle. Their parents, siblings, cousins and two sets of grandparents looked on as Ben and Krista shared their vows. Ben’s grandmother was unable to attend but, thanks to Skype, she watched the day
unfold from her home in Fort Saskatchewan. The emotional ceremony took place outside, overlooking the fields around the villa. But Italy EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
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does not recognize outdoor ceremonies, so the entire wedding party made the short journey to the local village hall for the signing of the documents that made the marriage official. “Then we had a the longest dinner ever at an outdoor table at the villa.” Krista’s cousin Brad Lazarenko, owner of Culina Millcreek, was thrilled at the opportunity to add his talents to the villa owners’ Italian culinary team. Ben quipped, “It’s dangerous to travel with a chef, he’s always ordering for everyone. Try this! Try that! It was all delicious!” Both the couple’s brothers gave speeches but it was Krista’s Grampa Geno Lazarenko who got the details down. After sharing his pride in all of Krista’s accomplishments, he surmised that if Ben and Krista hadn’t been the goal achievers they are, they wouldn’t have been named Sizzlers and it would have been a shame if they’d never met. Married life certainly agrees with these two. I could hear the care and love in their voices. For Ben, the wedding was “far and away the happiest day of my whole life. I joked while I was waiting for Krista (at the altar) about how far into my vows it would take before I got choked up. It took three words…” Krista shared similar sentiments “At the end of the day, when it was all done, I felt like this was my fairy tale day. It was the most romantic day of my life.” With the wedding over and the marriage underway, I had to wonder what was next for this busy, always-on-the-move couple? “Just enjoying married life,” says Ben. Sometimes a little less ‘busy’ goes a long way. Congratulations!
Sizzler wins prestigious award
Pinning down a globe-trotting protégé is not easy task, especially if he’s a Sizzler. Nothing a persistent profiler can’t handle. Founded in 1917, the Manhattan School of Music has produced an impressive list of accomplished and world-famous musicians, composers and entrepreneurs. As of May, that includes 2009 Sizzler Taddes Korris. His mother, Nejolla is Honorary Consul for
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Taddes’ grad recital took place two days after the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra played in Carnegie Hall. Timing was right for his first double bass teacher Jan Urke, principal bass of the ESO, to attend the recital. When I finally caught up with him, Taddes was just back from Germany after participating in of orchestral and chamber music programs, learning from the musicians of the Berlin Philharmonic with the Carl Flesch Akademie in Baden Baden, and touring with Lithuanian, an international the Moritzburg consultant and Edmontonians Festival Academy. Taddes columnist. The former GM “Orchestral music is wit of the Edmonton Opera and the main niche of any and gra h mother Nejol ndmoth opera companies in Europe, bass player but I also er Emili la a she immersed her son in enjoy chamber music the culture of classical because it’s more music. Taddes began playing piano and the intimidate,” Taddes saxophone… but when he laid his hands on a explained. double bass in high school, there was no turning The highlight of the tour was playing in back. He studied bass in Montreal, Switzerland the Konzerthaus Berlin, built in the early and Germany. 1800s. “The concert in Berlin was absolutely A serendipitous lesson with New York amazing… because it was such a historical Philharmonic double bassist Orin O’Brien, venue… the East German concert house… and set the wheels in motion for his audition and having a chance to explore since I’m a bit of subsequent acceptance into the Manhattan a World War II buff. Living in NYC is pretty School of Music in 2009. historic and interesting, but something about On May 11, surrounded by a cheering section Berlin was interesting and astounding.” of friends and family including his 88-year old The world moves quickly for this Sizzler grandmother Emilia Karosas, Taddes graduated Alum. He’s back in New York as the only bass with a Bachelor of Music Performance degree. player accepted into the Orchestral Performance He was also honoured with the Homer Mensch Master’s Degree program. This highly Award. Mensch, who died in 2005, was a competitive program is meant for super human prominent classical bassist with a distinguished musicians. “It’s like the Olympics,” suggested career with the Pittsburg Symphony, New Taddes. √ York Philharmonic as well as the Manhattan School of Music. The award bearing his name is given to a double bass student who shows his Erin Rayner is president of ED Marketing and dedication to the instrument and exemplifies the Communications Inc. spirit of this remarkable musician. Contact erayner@edmontonians.com ris Taddes Kor Profile
780.940.1288 www.momentsindigital.com EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
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elcome to the
Erin Cripps-Woods
2012 edition of Edmontonians Sizzling Twenty under 30. With the introduction of another 20 dynamic, young entrepreneurs from the Capital Region, we have entered our second decade of showcasing the faces and stories of accomplished and impressive men and women. The Sizzlers are self-starters… promising professionals… gifted artists and performers… hard-working entrepreneurs… motivated community
Holly Brattberg Susan Brattberg Managing Partners The Brattberg Group of Companies: Academy of Learning, Digital School, Complete Corporate Training, Global e-Training #304-10205-101st Street, Edmonton City Centre East 780.414.0200 hollyb@globaletraining.ca susanb@globaletraining.ca www.globaletraing.ca www.academyoflearning.com/AB Ashley Callingbull Actress, Beauty Queen, Motivational Speaker ACTRA, Miss Universe Canada Organization Student, Television Arts, NAIT a_cbull@hotmail.com http://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=17568281 2486772&refid=5&ref=stream
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volunteers. They are the products of our colleges, universities and life’s experiences—driven by the need to succeed. They represent the best of the best who are as dedicated to causes as they are to careers. The finalists’ stories pay homage to all the nominees. Profiler Erin Cripps-Woods, a graduating student from the journalism program at Grant MacEwan University, described her internship: “My experience really opened my eyes to what Edmonton has to offer in the area of business and voluntarism. After meeting so many different people, who all contribute to the greater good of the city in some way, I am amazed by how much each Sizzler does despite their busy lives.” Our thanks to photographers Bruce Clarke and Tracy Kolenchuk. Annually, Lexus of Edmonton—together with Edmontonians and numerous corporate sponsors— hosts a blazing reception to recognize our Sizzling Twenty under 30 rising stars. Coverage of this special evening will appear in the Winter edition of Edmontonians. √
Daniel Costa Chef/Owner, Corso 32 10345 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton 780.937.2276 eat@corso32.com www.corso32.com www.danielcosta.ca
Dan Davidson Lead Singer/Songwriter Tupelo Honey/Hive Productions 780.893.3263 tupelohoneymusic@gmail.com
Megan Demers Controller, Conroy Ross Partners 1650 Canadian Western Bank Building 10303 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton 780.432.5490 780.868.5945 mdemers@conroyross.com
Sameer Dhar Co-Founder & Vice-President, GEOMEER Intern, AIMCo BComm Student, University of Alberta 780.982.0115 sdhar@geomeer.ca David Feldman Organizational Alchemist Trisula Solutions Inc. david@trisula.ca www.trisula.ca Twitter: David_Feldman Shawn Hawley Professional Drift Car Driver Sales Representative, Certified Radio West 17194-111th Avenue, Edmonton shawleymedia@gmail.com Facebook.com/shawnhawleyracing Twitter @ shawleydrift YouTube.com/shawleydrift EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
James Knull Realtor/Owner ReMax/James Knull Real Estate 780.340.1340 james@JamesKnull.com www.JamesKnull.com
Kylee Quinn Marketing Coordinator Edmonton Eskimo Football Club Member, Edmonton Eskimo Cheer Team 780.448.1586 kylee.quinn@esks.com
Vicky Mittal Co-Owner/ Director Marketing/ Manager/ Social Media Coordinator/Technology Specialist Eunoia Consulting Ltd. 11024 - 82nd Avenue, Edmonton 780.908.5263 vmittal@consulteunoia.com www.consulteunoia.com
Faaiza Ramji Co-Owner, The Chopped Leaf Commerce Place Partner, Intlgnsia 780.934.7644 faaiza.ramji@gmail.com www.faaizaramji.com www.twitter.com/faaizaramji www.linkedin.com/faaizaramji
Andrew Parker Co-founder/Coach, Patrick and Parker Basketball Academy Member, Edmonton Energy Pro Basketball Team Assistant Coach, Grant MacEwan Men’s Basketball Team 780-289-5133 agparker@ualberta.ca https://twitter.com/andrewparkerAGP www.facebook.com/andrew.parker.agp www.youtube.com/user/northsideagp Kristopher Porlier Manager of Training St. John Ambulance Council of Alberta Sergeant, 15 (Edmonton) Field Ambulance 780.293.1437 780.722.4534 porlier.kn@hotmail.com
EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Christina Reboh Restaurant Leader, Earls St. Albert 10 McKenney Avenue, St. Albert 780.966.5635 creboh@earls.ca Dr. Mélanie Robinson B.Sc., ND Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Optimum Wellness Naturopathic Medical Clinic 780.439.1200 Lakeland Holistic Centre (Bonnyville Clinic) 780.264.4722 dr.melanie.robinson@gmail.com www.optimumwellnessclinic.ca www.lakelandholisticcentre.net http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Dr- Mélanie-Robinson-NaturopathicDoctor/237880752963289
Ryan Stark Account Executive, Incite Marketing Inc. 10507 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton 780.423.5552 ext: 325 rstark@incitemarketing.ca www.incitemarketing.ca
Sarah Torkoly Owner/Director/Choreographer Dance Code Studio Inc. Burlesque Boom Inc. 10575-115th Street, Edmonton 780.916.7095 dancecodestudioinc@gmail.com @Dancecodestudio @STorkoly
Monika von Hauff Investment Advisor RBC Dominion Securities Suite 2400 10235-101st Street, Edmonton 780.426.7773 Monika.vonhauff@rbc.com www.vonhauffwealth.com
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he motto of Delta Upsilon is “building better men”. James Knull recalls meeting a member who said he was trying to do good each and every day. He chose to follow suit. “I like to create win-win situations.” That’s what James has been doing throughout his career. He started growing his business in his early 20s and he’s been working hard to make others successful ever since. James specialty is in the area of rental properties, both as an owner and landlord. As a realtor, he helps people acquire similar portfolios. Currently, he is employed by Remax and also runs his own agency, James Knull Real Estate. Through the process of buying homes, he learned how to successfully rent safe affordable housing and provide top-notch homes to families. As he gained expertise, he began raising capital to share the financial returns this type of investment can provide with others. James has given presentations to The Real Estate Investor’s Network and the Edmonton Rental Property Investor’s Association. He finds that his time at the University of Alberta proves to be a valuable resource in his field. James graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Philosophy and was part of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. The goal of the organization is to create a culture of mentorship for young men and ultimately help develop the life skills necessary to be successful leaders. Coming from an arts degree background, he attributes much of his business acumen to skills he acquired planning philanthropy and social events, and running a 20man house with a monthly budget of over $10,000. His current role as alumni advisor is to mentor the vice-president of recruitment through developing and executing a successful recruitment plan. James also makes time for short-term volunteering, including working at the Food Bank, handing out hot chocolate for the Youth Emergency Shelter Society, and assisting with the spring
neighborhood cleanup in Bonnie Doon. But, his primary focus is as a member of the Urban Spirits Rotary Club. It is in the process of allocating approximately $50,000 raised for its legacy project for youth at risk. “It’s an exciting time for the club and I’m proud to be part of such a big project.” The 29-year old has earned the accolades of his clients, one of whom stated: “What struck me unique about James, when we began working together in building my portfolio, was his ability to draw from his own experiences as a seasoned real estate investor. That may seem obvious, but the simple truth is that very few realtors have the experience or the portfolio of their own, to provide real life application in acquiring and managing real estate investments. To this day, I still call James and lean on him for advice or perspective on tenant issues, legal issues, property/ building problems and real estate management challenges.” “I take a lot of pride in knowing I am helping people plan for their financial future, and that I’m helping bring more quality suites to a rental market that needs them,” says James.
JAMES KNULL Rental portfolio owner/advisor
His plans are to enhance his reach of educating others on how to grow their own rental property businesses, and to create projects that take run-down buildings back to quality rental units. He believes this approach will aid in transitioning neighbourhoods for the better. Indeed, James is currently purchasing a building in the heart of the Stony Plain Road revitalization area. He wants to attract the kind of renters who will take pride in their community and thus improve the overall area. “This is just the start; I can’t wait to move forward in the future.” √ ~ Erin CrippsWoods oto
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Sharing expertise
EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
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hristina Reboh is an idealist: She wants to love everything she does and cherish every moment she has. This native Texan came to our fair city 11-and-a-half years ago after meeting the love of her life on a vacation cruise ship. Only 18, “Christina gathered her belonging and followed her heart” more than 3000 km north. She has since completed a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies at the University of Alberta, and become a mother, while building a career. Christina attributes her success within the Earls Restaurants organization to her diverse background as a teen leader back in Dallas and her knack for motivating people to enjoy their work on a daily basis. Because of her abilities, she was sent all over North America to put new restaurants through training marathons. She even authored a manual on front-of-house operations. Upon returning from maternity leave, she was named Regional Trainer. Now, her hard work has been further recognized. The 29-year old has been promoted to Restaurant Leader at Earls St. Albert—the first female general manager in the Edmonton area in 20 years. Christina’s husband, Joel, shared a touching story that exemplifies her ability to boost morale, especially in difficult times: “After five of Christina’s young Earls employees had a parent pass away from cancer in a matter of months, she was deeply saddened. However, in normal Christina fashion, when morale is down because of uncontrollable circumstances, hard work will help turn things around. For many of these partners, she became a confidante and coach, so she wanted to show them how much she (and Earls) supports them during such hard times. She dreamt of a gala to benefit the Alberta Cancer Foundation (ACF) and bring awareness to this shocking reality of cancer’s reach. With the assistance of some of her peers, in just three months, she turned her dream into reality. The first Annual Earls Lobster Gala took place in October 2010 and raised $8000. While on maternity leave, Christina pushed to ensure the event continued; the second annual ACF Gala raised almost $12,000.”
CHRISTINA REBOH Motivator, mother, manager
Ever the optimist, Christina is known to sum things up with one of her favourite lines: “At the end of the day, if we don’t burn down the place, it will be okay.” Motherhood has not slowed Christina down. She still makes time for others: from organizing a new mom’s group to being an active member of the Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Centre boards to making sandwiches to serve at the Bissell Center on Christmas Day. “The smile on people’s faces is what makes volunteering worth it.” She recently became chair of the Israel pavilion for Heritage Days, leading the committee through its total reconstruction, expansion and modernization—a project past members were reluctant to take on. Trying to represent a country as religiously and culturally diverse as Israel is no easy task. Christina recruited young adults, eager to become involved, tapping into the strengths and interests of each member to bring the project to fruition. She says, “…the last two weeks were a crunch, but we got it all done! Overall the Israel Pavilion had an increase in food sales, had a line-up for the cultural tent exhibit, and received third place for entertainment. Our vision became a reality and we look forward to continued food development and tent enhancements next year.” Christina and Joel, an investment advisor and 2011 Sizzler, are both committed to their careers and their community. But, their most precious time is spent with their 16-month-old baby girl, Gaira. One thing is sure, Christina will always follow her heart. √ ~ Erin Cripps-Woods
Following her
HEART EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Photo by Bruce Clarke
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Living
r. Mélanie Robinson proudly advertises herself as the only licensed bilingual naturopathic doctor in Edmonton. She’s pleased with where her career has taken her in a few short months and is excited to have opened an outreach clinic in her hometown of Bonnyville in June. “I always knew healthcare was the right fit for me.” Mélanie graduated from the University of Alberta’s Campus Saint Jean with a Bilingual Bachelor of Sciences degree in 2006. She took half of her classes in French, making her studies both interesting and challenging. At a career fair, information on naturopathic medicine caught her eye, and she knew what her next step would be. She enrolled in a fouryear program Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in Vancouver. While at the Institute, Mélanie initiated its first medical brigade to volunteer internationally for Natural Doctors International (NDI) in Nicaragua where she participated in treating local patients and learned about international health. In June 2011, she received the Clinical Excellence Award at her medical convocation. Upon her return to Edmonton last year, Mélanie joined the Optimum Wellness Clinic. She describes naturopathy as having a multi-faceted exposure to all natural holistic practices, and then specializing in what resonates most with her patients. A strong proponent of individualized treatment, she has a passion for informing her patients on how to improve their health, giving them the opportunity to contribute to their treatments, and assisting them in overcoming obstacles to healing. Mélanie is a dynamic, self-starting professional and entrepreneur who thrives on helping others and giving back to the community. She speaks fondly of her mother as having a strong presence in the francophone community and being her role model.
Photo by Bruce Clarke
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DR. MÉLANIE ROBINSON Holistic proponent, practitioner
She is an active board member of the Alberta Francophone Sports Federation and headed the medical section of the Alberta Francophone Games. In addition to writing health articles for its monthly newsletter, Mélanie is a monthly keynote speaker for the Federation where she informs various groups throughout the province on sport’s nutrition and healthy living. Last March, she was a guest speaker for a nutrition course at the U of A. In April, she donated some of the proceeds from her ‘Gut Health’ workshops to the Edmonton Celiac Association. When she is not advocating for natural health, Mélanie enjoys being in the outdoors. She loves participating in a variety of sports such as skiing and kayaking. Travelling is one of her other exciting extracurricular activities. So far, she has visited 20 countries. Mélanie aspires to have her own practice one day and to teach alternative medicine at the university level. “I want to empower and educate people to set health goals.” √ ~ Erin Cripps-Woods
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EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
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tell you, if anyone thinks this city isn’t vibrant and full of amazing individuals—they have their eyes closed!” So says Ryan Stark, whose passion for Edmonton is reflected in all he does. In this instance, he’s referring the previous evening’s Pecha Kucha Nights presentations on local ideas, projects and musings. Ryan is a director of NextGen, serving as co-chair and co-host of the event. He and his team create the opportunity for people to share their knowledge, experiences and inspirations with over 500 attendees. In Japanese, Pecha Kucha means “sound of chitchat” and refers to the 20 slides x 20-second per slide descriptions, a format made popular worldwide by Klein Dytham Architecture. More than 125 presentations have been given in Edmonton in the past three years on topics ranging from professional on-line gaming to neighbourhood revitalization projects to in-vitro meat products and everything in between. Ryan is a popular media spokesperson for the PKN committee which administers a $10,000-budget, and has generated $36,000 in cash and $45,000 in-kind sponsorships since 2009. He applies the same level of enthusiasm to his clients at Incite Marketing where he has been an account executive since August 2011. He develops communications strategies that have been pivotal in creating opportunities that strengthen local businesses while empowering them with the resources that they need to grow in the Edmonton community. Ryan learned about the value of strong business and making a community stand out when he attended the University of Alberta, earning a Bachelor of Science degree, with a biological sciences major and business minor, in 2008. Following graduation, he joined the City as project coordinator for the Edmonton EXPO 2017 bid, which had been launched in 2007. Ryan coordinated communications and marketing; organized events and presentations; researched material for international relations; and liaised with consultants from a variety of fields and government, business, and community leaders. Despite wide-spread support, the federal government declined to commit funds for EXPO 2012, essentially killing the bid in November 2010. Ryan shifted his attention to managing the operations of Sir Winston Churchill Square and Centennial Plaza, and developed strategies to increase casual use of Edmonton’s civic centre. As project coordinator, he worked closely with local festival organizers, vendors, tenants, and maintenance personnel to accommodate events, such as Youth Career Day, that supported and encouraged downtown core activity and vibrancy.
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RYAN STARK
Champion of causes and clients One of the not-for-profits he contributes both his professional expertise and personal time to is the Youth Emergency Shelter Society (YESS). He is also a member of the Fashion with Compassion Steering Committee which plans the flagship fundraiser for Compassion House, a place for those in the midst of breast cancer treatment. As a member of Junior Chamber International Edmonton, Ryan works with community leaders under the age of 40 to create positive change within Edmonton. He has been president of Core Development Club of Toastmasters International for the past two years. Since the age of four, Ryan was trained in Ukrainian dance, and performed with the Vohon Ukrainian Dance Society in Brazil, China, Thailand, California and Western Canada. As president from 2008 to 2010, he led projects such as the revision of bylaws and fundraising for international touring. Ryan has a passion to connect with people and places, while building community and ideas that will strengthen this growing city. Through events, leadership opportunities and professional development, he is committed to supporting initiatives that will allow Edmonton to flourish for years to come. “I want to leave things better than I found them,” the 26year old says, adding, “Life is full of opportunities.” √ ~ Erin Cripps-Woods
Advocate for Edmonton
EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Photo by Bruce Clarke
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an Davidson is the lead singer for Tupelo Honey, an awardwinning rock band that has earned nationwide recognition. “We like to play big anthemstyle rock songs… my inspiration growing up came from the Foo Fighters.” The band’s roots go back to 2003 when Dan and the other members attended Grant MacEwan University’s music program. Shortly after its formation, Tupelo Honey was invited to perform at the famous Stage 13 outdoor festival, headlined that year by Our Lady Peace. In 2005, the band won a prestigious national songwriting award—the first time a band west of Toronto had ever won, raising many eyebrows in the music industry. Dan acknowledges success is all about the people you surround yourself with. “Having a good support group is very inspiring to me.” Despite receiving a number of offers from record labels, Tupelo Honey chose to stay independent, realizing the traditional route was in massive transition given music downloading was now a reality. Signing on with the mammoth Agency Group (Toronto) has led to an impressive string of performances alongside acclaimed Canadian rock stars: Default, Theory of a Deadman, Bif Naked, Three Days Grace, Thornley, The Trews, Billy Talent and Sam Roberts. Tupelo Honey has played with Papa Roach, and opened for the one and only Bon Jovi before more than 13,000 screaming fans at Rexall Place. Things have progressed at a dizzying pace… from playing shows across Canada including during the prestigious Canadian Music Week in Toronto to recently touring through Los Angeles, highlighted by a stop at the world-famous Whisky A Go-Go.
At the inaugural Edmonton Music Awards earlier this year, Tupelo Honey garnered six nominations (more than any other artist), and won both Rock Album of the Year and Album of the Year. Tupelo Honey was featured in advertisements for Travel Alberta promoting the Grey Cup, and more recently for juicemaker Sunkist, as well as in an episode of iconic TV show Degrassi: the next generation. Along with two music videos on Much Music and (literally) millions of views on YouTube, there have been many top-40 songs on the Canadian rock charts. The Edmonton Journal chose Tupelo Honey’s Can’t Stop as its official hockey rock-anthem at Edmonton Oilers games. In July, when Theory of a Deadman was stuck in Kansas, Tupelo Honey saved the day at Capital EX. The band is writing a promotional song for the United Way
campaign, and releasing another album in September.. On and off the road, Dan volunteers for various groups. He is an active member of the Alberta Music Industry Association, mentoring fellow artists through jury panels, and teaching at information sessions. With his band mates, Dan donates performances at fundraisers and benefit concerts supporting causes such as cancer research and the Slave Lake wildfire tragedy. Personally, he volunteers for the Mark Mercier Foundation, dedicated to Parkinson’s treatment and research. Graduating with his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Grant MacEwan, spending time with his wife Jen, running his music publishing and auto paint businesses in St. Albert, performing with the band, doing freelance songwriting and guitar sessions, and volunteering keep this front man very busy. The 28-year old says it comes down to multi-tasking: “You learn to juggle it all; you just start throwing stuff up in the air and keep juggling.” This year, he and a friend started Hands Up, a pop-production company. “I’m just trying to make stuff happen around Edmonton.” Each day, Dan reminds himself to “Be great and don’t go away.” √ ~ Erin Cripps-Woods
DAN DAVIDSON Singer, songwriter, producer
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EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Beautiful! ...Inside & Out
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shley Callingbull is not what you would call the ‘typical pageant girl’—she admits she is a tomboy at heart. Having struggled through hardships, the 22-year old has inspired thousands of young women around the globe to pursue their dreams. She advocates for living fearlessly, and loving each and every person for their own individuality. She looks up to her mother as a woman of strength and unconditional love. “My mother has pushed and motivated me the whole way.” Ashley’s story begins when she lived in poverty and saw the harsh side of humanity. She grew up first in Hobbema and then on the Enoch Reserve just west of Edmonton. So began the pageant years: By the time Ashley was 10, she had consecutively won all Enoch’s princess crowns. To overcome the hardships she faced, she embraced her spirituality and worked hard for a better life. Ashley truly believes that education is the basis of all her success. At the age of 16, she graduated from high school, and is pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree at NAIT, focusing on drama and acting/ television. She is a professionally trained dancer in tap, ballet, jazz and pointe and performed in the Nutcracker. Her acting began with a commercial for The Bay, and has expanded to a television miniseries, numerous stage performances and voice-overs for cartoons. Ashley appears in Blackstone, a television show in its third season, aired on APTN, Showcase and Maori Television in New Zealand. She is now in the midst of filming for a documentary called The Dream Catcher Diaries.
ASHLEY CALLINGBULL Ashley`s devotion to her culture and people, and pride in her Cree heritage, are evident in her volunteering with community elders and mentoring aboriginal youth. The loss of some very close family members has led her to support the Stollery Children’s Hospital, Walk for the Cure and Run for the Lung. She was recently promoted to Youth Representative on the Stollery Family Centred Care Network Board. In 2010, Ashley excelled on the pageant circuit: second runnerup in Miss Universe Canada—the first Cree First Nations Woman to achieve this goal. During her tenure as a finalist, she traveled to hospitals and schools to speak about her life and reach out to others. She was chosen as Miss Canada for the Miss Friendship International Pageant in Hubei, China, and the Queen of the World Final in Germany. Ashley then represented Canada at Miss Humanity International in Barbados in 2011, and was in the Top 10 at the Miss World Canada competition in 2012. She was the keynote speaker for an All Ivy Native Council at Harvard University, Boston, and TED Talks. Through her pageant involvement, Ashley broadened her volunteer efforts, raising funds for the S.O.S. Children`s Villages, and for the Variety Children’s Charity to increase awareness of those with special needs. For her overall dedication to charity work, she received the Role Model Award at the Dream Catcher Gala in Calgary 2011. Among her travels around the globe, Ashley says one place stands out: the Gobi Desert in China, where she went sand tobogganing and rode camels. “It is the most calm and silent place I have ever been.” Given her passion for her acting career, her volunteer activity and her commitment to inspiring youth, Ashley may have to find a way to someday return to the solace of the Gobi. √ ~ Erin Cripps-Woods EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Photo by Tracy Kolenchuk
Actress, role model, student
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Inspired by
Italian Ideology
DANIEL COSTA Creative culinary visionary
Photo by Tracy Kolenchuk
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ven as a child, Daniel Costa knew he wanted to be a chef. To fulfill his destiny, he enrolled in the NAIT Culinary Arts program at age 19 and was inspired by instructor Nigel Webber… did his practicum at the Blue Pear Diner and graduated in 2005… later learned creativity in cooking from Chef Drew Noble at Suede Lounge, the art of simplicity from local cooks in small Italian villages, and classic techniques under Chef Peter Jackson at Jack’s Grill. Daniel combined this knowledge with his inborn passion for Italian food and his desire to be his own boss, explaining “I wanted to create my own vision rather than working for other people.” So, he and a friend opened De Capo, then Daniel moved on to success in private catering. But, he yearned for a permanent kitchen which led him to Red Star where he focused on quality and innovation in a pub environment. His latest foray into entrepreneurship has been described as “wildly successful, due to Daniel’s unfaltering commitment to the food.” In the Spring of 2011, he opened Corso 32 on Jasper Avenue just east of 104th Street, a trendy downtown neighbourhood. Its name is in homage to his father Mario’s home address in the small town of San Pietro Al Tanagro in Campania, Italy. These are the roots of Daniel’s passion: Mario “came to Canada when he was 18 and brought his family’s cooking methods with him. I was fortunate enough to adopt the Italian ideology of food at a young age.” Within months of the restaurant opening, Western Living magazine named Daniel among its Top 40 Foodies under 40, while enRoute magazine deemed Corso 32 one of Canada’s best new restaurants.
Corso 32 is open for dinner service only, Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations are a must… usually required weeks in advance. The intimate Italian eatery has seating for 34, including places at a large family-style table where patrons might find themselves dining with strangers. “Corso 32’s vision has always been to be a very small, humble restaurant that is food focused rather than bothering with the cliché purposes of restaurants.” The one-page menu changes almost daily: About half of the dishes are semi-permanent due to their popularity—like the slow-cooked short ribs—while the rest are based on product availability and the direction Daniel’s creative juices are flowing. Up to four chefs lovingly prepare the hand-made pastas and featured inspirations. Daniel is committed to learning more about wines, an interest which is reflected in current offerings. Numerous Italian red and white wines are presented by region and range in price from $40 to $300 per bottle. As well, there are 12 brands of Grappa, grape-based brandy, to choose from. This 28-year old chef/owner clearly loves the culinary world he has created. He often tests his latest creation by giving away food to delighted customers… and he isn’t secretive about preparation. His personal website—danielcosta.ca—is worth a visit. He posts his favourite recipes, suggests wine pairings and shares music from the kitchen. Daniel’s message—in and out of the kitchen—is “Be bold in what you do and don’t compromise your vision.” His motto? “If you work very hard, good things will happen.” And so they have—for Daniel and the diners who have become his disciples. √
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want a champion montage made to show people what it means to live in Edmonton.” Kylee Quinn’s enthusiasm for the Eskimos football club is infectious… it will win you over and keep you coming back for more. The City of Champions has a devoted team of cheerleaders who volunteer their time to pump up the crowd and team during every game. Kylee has been part of the cheer team for four years now and loves every minute of it. “I feel privileged, humble and blessed to be recognized.” There is no free pass on to the cheer team… auditions are held annually and the final roster is announced in mid-March. During the offseason, prospects attend multiple dance classes, stunt workshops and prep sessions. This year was especially challenging for Kylee, who shared her angst on her blog:
Kylee made it through the next auditions, earning her place on the 42-member squad of young women and men. In 2011, a mere 44 days after graduating from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and psychology, Kylee was offered her “dream job” by the vice-president of marketing for the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club. He had worked with her on various promotions that she had organized for the Cheer Team. He was impressed with her efficiency, professionalism, and absolute belief in the importance of creating a football team that brings the community together and unites them as Edmontonians first, and sports fans second. As Marketing Coordinator, Kylee’s goal is to create an experience when fans go to games rather than having them simply watch a sporting event. Through ‘fans for life’, she hopes Generation Y will bleed green and gold. Kylee and the cheer team have been to the
situations. She also has a really strong work ethic.” Over the years, Kylee has volunteered countless hours to everything from walks and runs for various charity organizations to activities that highlight civic pride. Children who have seen her at promotions and games frequently approach Kylee to tell her that she is a role model for them. Currently, Kylee is enrolled in distance learning Public Relations diploma program at the University of Victoria, and eventually wants to pursue her education to the Master’s level. At the next Eskimos game, let’s hear it for Kylee and the Cheer Team! √ ~ Erin CrippsWoods
KYLEE QUINN
Marketing coordinator, cheerleader “…my experience at the 2012 tryouts was something out of the ordinary. I had surgery, and I was unable to dance in the first round of tryouts… forced to sit in the stands and watch all of the girls learn the new material… It broke my heart to be taking notes on the choreography so I could learn it before the next tryout date, instead of being a part of the action with the rest of my teammates. I love to perform, so it was devastating to have to live this experience vicariously… “While it was hard to sit on the side… it also let me watch the prospective team from the view point of a fan. It reminded me of how important it is to be in shape in order to have the stamina to perform the high-energy routines, while smiling, performing, and making the dance something interesting for the fans to watch.”
past three Grey Cup games. This year, she represented the dance/cheer team in Moncton, Ontario for the Touchdown Atlantic. Her mother, Dalyce, a teacher, describes the 23-year old as “…a well-rounded young lady who has great morals and a solid character.” For her part, Kylee points out, “My mom taught me so much about perseverance and seeing the positive in
Photo by Bruce Clarke
e e l y K
Go
Go!
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he entrepreneurial spirit is strong in Faaiza Ramji, business owner and multi-talented woman. “When you have an ambition and goal in mind, it’s great for someone to recognize that as something extraordinary,” she said about being designated a Sizzler. Her first foray into business was in the second grade when she started buying/selling marbles. However short-lived—she had to give the marbles back—Faaiza sees that venture as a success. She attended the University of Alberta School of Business and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance in 2004. She thought she was going to be an investment banker so she moved
away… within just two days (!) she knew it wasn’t where she fit. Fast-forward to finding her niche at 91.7 the Bounce radio station. She then teamed up with John Yerxa, one of her role models and an icon in the local broadcasting scene, to help conceive, launch and build Hot 107. The radio station hit the airwaves in October 2009, and Faaiza settled in as Director of Marketing and Promotions, and Assistant Program Director. She also helped her parents with their Wok Box franchises, an experience that prompted her to become a co-owner of The Chopped Leaf on the main floor of Commerce Place. The franchise operation, featuring chef-designed salads, wraps and soups, is popular among downtown workers for breakfast, lunch and take-home. Yerxa sold Hot 107 a few months ago, and Faaiza decided it was time to move on at the end of July. She has now started Intlgnsia, a full-service marketing agency, with one of her partners from The Chopped Leaf. She’s up for the challenge: “Do things that you’re excited about. I’ve been lucky enough to be able to wake up every single morning and be excited to go to work.” Even with so much going on in her life, Faaiza believes “volunteering is more than just giving your time.” As the deputy convenor of marketing and communications for the Aga Khan Foundation Canada, she is responsible for developing a strategy to support fundraising efforts for the World Partnership Walk. It raised over $700,000 locally and over $7 million across Canada in 2011... matched and multiplied by CIDA to help end global poverty. One-hundred-percent of funds raised by the Walk are used for projects on several fronts including health care, education, children and women, and agriculture.
FAAIZA RAMJI
Consultant, franchisee, adventurer Faaiza is spontaneous and adventurous, stating “It’s your life so live it how you want to” and try out new things all the time. One day, she discovered a seat sale—Tokyo for $400— so off she went for 10 days. Ideally, she “…would love to have multiple homes in multiple locations around the world. I need a change of scenery to recharge and get remotivated.” Even this superwoman takes a break sometimes and, when she does, she loves watching movies, relaxing on patios and hanging out with friends—own of whom describes Faaiza as “always positive and enthusiastic no matter the circumstance…” ~ Erin Cripps-Woods
From marbles
Photo by Tracy Kolenchuk
to marketing
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orkplace mediation and consulting is the world David Feldman lives in, and he grounds himself by being in an environment of calm meditation. “I have an interest in conflict because it is where teams grow.” He is an Organizational Alchemist who heads up Trisula Solutions Inc. which he describes on his website as specializing in strategies that “help bring out the wisdom that is already in the room and help build it into your organizational strategy; whether that is in corporate communications, human resources, marketing, project management or organizational leadership. We have seen over and over again how a lack of strength in communication is the folly that prevents success. Dialogue is a two-way street. We specialize in helping organizations develop the skills to achieve the most from their people by engaging them in conversation.” David graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science degree in math and psychology in 2006. He then achieved certification as a Qualified Mediator from the Alternative Dispute Resolutions Alberta Society, also known as ADR Canada. Everything David does—his work, his studies, his volunteer activities—is and has been dedicated to improving
organizational structures and increasing their effectiveness. “I am currently half way through my Masters of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. My focus in research is on internal communication within teams, groups and organization when it comes to conflict. I’m interested in how recognizing differences between how team members see the world can lead to innovation rather than conflict if the team has the systems in place to be able to address it and explore those differences before they become a problem.” He expects to graduate from the Royal Roads University program in 2014. David truly believes that “there is no such thing as a momentary lapse in integrity… and, if something is not worth criticizing, then it is not worth doing.” While he was at the U of A, he served as executive director/treasurer for the campus Food Bank. During his two-year tenure, David created and executed a long-term plan and redevelopment project to rebuild the organization. Fundraising increased by 300 percent, volunteer staff increased from 45 to 150, and the culture of the organization transitioned to allow the administrative board to mature to a policy governance model. As the program manager for the Alberta Business Family Institute from January 2008 to June 2010, David was the first point of contact for family and staff seeking assistance. ABFI is a the multi-disciplinary organization that specializes in change management in order to enable family owned businesses to transition ownership between generations without causing division within the family unit, senior management and key stakeholders. He also was a volunteer instructor with the Board Development Program for three years, and is now one of its certified facilitators. This unique service assists not-for-profit boards in the area of governance through customized workshops, provides print and web-based resource materials, and collaborates with organizations in the community. Among other volunteer commitments, David was chair of the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters’ Society board from September 2009 to October 2011, and was campaign manager for a candidate in 2012 provincial election. In his personal life, David enjoys going on meditation retreats, playing with his dog Karuna, learning the practice of compassion in the Buddhist culture, challenging his wife Sarah to board games such as Agricolla, and hosting board game nights for his friends. David’s thirst for knowledge is unending. The 28-year old is the epitome of the lifelong learner… and aspires to teach at the university level. Over the years, he has taken numerous courses and programs from first aid and CPR to Verbal Judo to media relations and beyond. His ultimate goal is “to leave things stronger and better for the community.” √ ~ Erin Cripps-Woods
DAVID FELDMAN Conflict and communications specialist
of change Photo by Tracy Kolenchuk
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usan and Holly Brattberg call themselves social entrepreneurs because they have the skills and passion to run businesses that genuinely change lives. They take their roles very seriously and understand that the more successful their companies are, the more people they can help people—the true measure of success. The sisters are Managing Partners of the Brattberg Group of Companies: Academy of Learning, Digital School, Complete Corporate Training, and Global E-Training. They have been involved with the core family business since their teens when their parents acquired Academy of Learning, a private school franchise, 15 years ago. Entrepreneurship is a way of life: In their younger years, the sisters had a business selling popcorn to fireworks viewers on Canada Day. “We would dress up in our red and white gear and go out to sell the popcorn,” laughs Susan. Their business ventures continued with a Student Works Painting gig while attending the University of Calgary. Susan graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts with a sociology major and management minor, and received her Master’s of Business Administration in 2010. Holly graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in biomechanics in 2006, and a Master’s of Business Administration in 2011. Between 2003 and 2009, they each took various courses from the business diploma program at Academy of Learning. During her time at the U of C, Holly also went on an exchange program to the University of Queensland in Australia. She had one year of intensive research on molecular muscle mechanics, using nanotechnology research techniques. Susan, 29, and Holly, 28, have worked closely with their parents to transition the company into educational endeavours with a worldwide reach. “We have been on every continent and are excited to take the company local to global,” says Holly. The idea for Complete Corporate Training started on the back of a napkin. During the oil boom in 2006, vocational training in Edmonton faced an important crisis, as people got high-paying jobs easily. It was difficult to keep enrollment and retain staff. Holly and Susan reasoned that, if companies were willing to hire low-skilled employees, it would be in their best interests to invest in training these employees. They oversaw every aspect from creating business plans to hiring experts in corporate training and initiating training projects… to creating marketing materials and the website. This company now has large projects with Alberta-based businesses and government organizations, and has developed programs specifically for foreign workers to facilitate integration into a new culture and labour market.
HOLLY BRATTBERG Educational entrepreneur, e-training expert
Recognizing the tremendous opportunities that computers and the Internet offered, the sisters took advantage of technology. First, they grew Digital School, a private vocational career college, based in Edmonton, which specialized in computer-aided drafting and design training. Then they determined that they had the technical expertise internally to create an online, on-demand training system for Autodesk software. It became their EMBA integrated project to create an e-training system that was available around the world. For the past three years, Digital School has implemented Global e-Training courses as blended learning to enhance the classroom experience, and is the first private college in Canada to be licensed for online delivery. Global e-Training is now available through a reseller distribution network of Autodesk training centres and education institutions. It currently has thousands of people around the world accessing its courses; however, this is just scratching the surface, given that Autodesk has two billion users internationally. It has been generating a lot of interest
Sister Photo by Tracy Kolenchuk
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worldwide in the architecture, engineering, construction and manufacturing industries. Technical schools and school boards have also expressed interest to implement e-Training for Autodesk software. Susan and Holly’s roles are complementary. In a nutshell, Susan handles the front-end business development, opportunity sourcing and client relations, while Holly works more closely on the back end analytical and creative strategic initiatives and business models. Susan’s expertise is in working with industry, community and government partners in Alberta and around the world to create and implement effective training programs. She manages a team of more than 100 people, liaises with clients, creates customized programs, administers awareness-raising sessions, ensures that courses run smoothly, and provides public relations for all Brattberg Group companies. She delivers sales support to 47 Global e-Training resellers, and works directly with Global e-Training and Complete Corporate Training education and corporate clients. Holly’s focus is on business planning and project management, where she utilizes her strengths of researching, analyzing and strategizing new developments. As she has the ability to envision the big picture and effectively develop strategies while paying close attention to the small details, she works with the management team to ensure that plans are implemented efficiently. She is currently hands-on with Global e-Training to lead the company through a strategic growth phase. “Hearing the success stories of the students reminds me that I truly do worthwhile work that makes a huge difference in people’s lives,” says Susan. Academy of Learning has been a national sponsor for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for eight years, and each year Brattberg Group staff and students obtain pledges and participate in the JDRF Walk, contributing approximately $15,000 per year to the foundation. Each vocational campus does fundraising for charities of their choice. Often campuses have bake sales and raise funds for breast cancer, and do food bank drives during student appreciation day events. Susan and Holly are supporters of Plan Canada Education campaigns because they believe in making access to education available to everyone. They made it their charity of choice for Global e-Training, as they feel aligned to the objectives.
SUSAN BRATTBERG Educational entrepreneur, client liaison
Individually, Susan fundraises and supports the MS Society of Canada each year and has participated in various MS Walks and Bike Rides, and has contributed over $1000 to MS Canada in the past five years. For more than 10 years, Holly was a volunteer karate coach and instructor. She is currently coaching a girls’ high school basketball team twice per week and on weekends during tournaments. Being on the road a lot has made the sisters appreciate home and having fun when they can. The two also enjoy traveling together. Susan recalls the trip to the Winter Olympics in Torino, “We were the backpackers with tons of layers on, carrying our snowboards through the city.” While on her exchange program in Australia, Holly remembers, “We drove all over the country with our surfboards,” she said. They recently returned from Bali. Each has had a moment of validation that confirmed she was doing the right thing with her life. Holly had hers during her recent birthday: “I’ve recognized so many opportunities.” Susan experienced hers when their MBA project, Global e-Training, launched. Their strength is rooted in their synergy and aspiration to make a positive impact on how and where people can learn and attain meaningful employment in their communities—wherever in the world they might live. √ ~ Erin Cripps-Woods
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passion for community and business is what drives Megan Demers to do her best each and every day. She is a go-getter and likes to be challenged on a regular basis whether it is with her work or volunteering. Megan says she always knew business was the right fit for her. She graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Commerce with majors in Accounting and Strategic Management and Organization from the University of Alberta. She completed her Certified Management Accountant designation in 2010. “I feel like you can never know too much about the financials behind a business.” Megan is the controller at Conroy Ross Partners, a leading business advisory and executive search firm with offices in Edmonton, Calgary and Regina that assist clients by selecting leaders, building effective teams, and enabling growth. During her four years at Conroy Ross, she has gained experience working with several client organizations in the creation of strategic plans, performance evaluation, cultural assessments, and post-merger integration. She is proud to be part of a corporate culture which focuses on staying connected to the community and encourages employee involvement in volunteer activities.
Photo by Bruce Clarke
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Kindness Commitment A MEGAN DEMERS
Corporate strategist, community volunteer Megan is motivated by her mother’s words of advice: “Be kind to everyone.” To this end, she joined two organizations that would enable her to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. At the same time, she saw the opportunity to learn more while giving back to community. She has been a member of the Junior League of Edmonton since 2010, recently accepting the position of president-elect for 2012-13. For the past two years, she has served as the volunteer coordinator for one of the Junior League’s flagship fundraising events, Homes for the Holidays. Megan was awarded 2011 Active of the Year for her involvement with the Junior League’s various initiatives that benefit children, youth and families at risk. She is also on the board of Edmonton’s YWCA, where she is the secretary and a member of the governance and nominating committees. In February 2012, Megan represented the organization at the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women in New York City. Somehow, in the midst of her work and volunteering, Megan trained for and completed the New York Marathon last November. When she learned about her nomination as a Sizzler, she was surprised and flattered to be recognized. However, she still feels as though she has been part of a much larger group of amazing people. Megan considers each experience as a part of her journey. “You feel like you’ve taken so much more from the experiences than you’ve given.” √ ~ Erin Cripps-Woods
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Drifting refers to a driving technique and to a motorsport where the driver intentionally over steers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels through turns, while maintaining vehicle control and a high exit speed... ~Wikipedia
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t’s fun to be out of control but in control at the same time,” says Shawn Hawley. The self-motivated and hard working 25-year old is a professional drift car driver in the Drift Mania Canadian Championship—DMCC—and in the Driftwest Drift Series. When he isn’t on the track or working on his car, he is one of the top salespeople at Certified Radio. Shawn wasn’t always behind the wheel. He started behind the camera in 2005, filming DMCC practices and events. A huge fan of four-door Toyotas, he placed the winning bid on a JZX90 Chaser that came up at auction in Japan in 2008—one of the first legal (for import) manual JZX90s he had seen. He intended it to be “a fun daily driver”, but that changed when he was visiting friends in Portland.
Photo by Bruce Clarke
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They had rented Portland International Raceway for a drift day, and he took the Chaser out. “After I got back to Canada, I started going to more drift practices to drive rather than to film and, over that winter, I prepped the car for DMCC” safety specifications. In 2009, Shawn signed up for the pro season and came out with Rookie of the Year. He is rated among the top five pro drivers in Western Canada. He travels to events around Alberta—including Castrol Raceway near Devon—and British Columbia. Shawn’s worst wreck was a head-on collision going 120km per hour. He says it took a while after the crash to race again. With encouragement from his parents and friends, this talented drifter got back behind the wheel. His day job doesn’t pay the full tab for his drit car—tires can cost $5000—so
his expenses are supplemented by a group of sponsors: Clarion Car Audio Canada, Certified Radio, Mishimoto, Clutch Masters, Vertex U.S.A. and Wheels-Plus. Shawn admires Andrew Moschuk who pioneered the sport of drifting in Alberta, and is committed to helping grow drifting in Canada. He promotes the sport through his YouTube videos, his blog and personal appearances. He has volunteered his time at many local car shows and related events. He has appeared at The Edmonton Indy to do a drifting demonstration in front of thousands and to sign autographs. There are also times when a lucky kid will get a ride around the track with Shawn at the wheel. “As for myself, I would first like to be able to compete in DMCC East and West in the same season; then eventually I would love to hit up some American events—anything from XDC to Formula D!” For this drifter, it is all about living life to the fullest and working hard for what you want. “If you have a goal, you can reach it.” √ ~ Erin Cripps-Woods
SHAWN HAWLEY Professional driver, racing enthusiast
ADRIFT – and in control
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Photo by Tracy Kolenchuk
unoia is the shortest word in the English language containing all five vowels. Don’t be fooled by how small this word is… its meaning is big and powerful. In fact, Vicky Mittal and his business partner Nathan Mison are staking their reputations and careers on Eunoia—beautiful thinking. They hope to establish a strong presence in Edmonton and have a lasting impact on the non- profit sector. Eunoia specializes in fund development strategies and project managing memorable events that will entice people to support their clients’ causes. For the past 12 years, Vicky has been providing technical analysis and web administration support services to various companies, and has launched several successful online advertising campaigns. During this time, he earned a Network Engineering Diploma from NAIT in 2006. A couple of years ago, he began to look for a way to give back to the city he calls home. Nathan had already started Eunoia Consulting Inc. and Vicky saw it as a means to that end… a perfect way to achieve his personal goal in a corporate setting. Nathan and Vicky work closely with not-for-profit organizations to identify priorities, challenges and opportunities that will result in increased charitable donations and revenues. That can involve everything from event planning to strategies that increase volunteer pools to preparing grant applications and launching awareness campaigns. “The idea of being a one-stop-shop for non-profits that take an event, program, campaign etcetera from inception to conclusion at an affordable rate is something rare,” says a client. Eunoia’s latest projects are a golf tournament and gala. As Eunoia’s Director of Creative and Marketing, Vicky is billed as its “resident tech genius” whose “passion is creating efficiency through technology.” He also manages the in-house team of copywriters and graphic designers.
VICKY MITTAL
Not-for-profit tactician, event planner Reputed to never say no to extra hours helping out non-profits, Vicky frequently volunteers at Bhartiya Cultural Society. He is co-chair of the Forgotten Feast which raises awareness of homelessness in the city; co-organizer of the Moonlight Ball at Moonlight Bay for the Bissell Center; and a volunteer at the Verry Merry Unbirthday which gives Inner City kids a birthday party. As well, he has been influential in raising the profile and professionalism of the urban Aboriginal community. He loves to make people feel good and, in turn, he gets to see the smiles on their faces when he volunteers or attends the events he helps plan. The 28-year old likes to emulate positive attributes of certain people—like Warren Buffet, Richard Branson, Rupert Murdoch and Tim Ferris—and apply them to his own life. In business, his father is the person who has taught him the most. His dream is to have $85-million and an empire in five years, he says with a smile. “I want to create a legacy to live on forever.” Vicky strongly believes that he has learned more from people rather than books… and relishes the opportunity to experience everything the world has to offer. √ ~ Erin Cripps-Woods
Beautiful Thinking
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Professionally diligent… Socially consciencious
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uite frankly, Monika von Hauff has finance and voluntarism in her DNA. She has followed in the footsteps of her mother Donna, a corporate businesswoman and consummate volunteer, and her father Peter, a banker. But, Monika clearly is paving her own path in the world of professional investment and commitment to her community. In 2008, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, English and management sciences from Concordia University College of Alberta. Monika received her Canadian Securities, Life Insurance and Accident & Sickness Insurance licenses in 2010. Last year, she completed courses in Conduct and Practice, and Wealth Management Essentials. Now, as an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities, Monika has undertaken the development of her career with the same energy and commitment as everything she does in life. She is described as “a diligent student of the markets who provides her clients with the best investment advice possible. She has a vision for the future of her business… has grown it very rapidly in her time in the industry… and has a notfor-profit emphasis in her practice and seeks to offer sound advice for them also. The 29-year old has a well-developed social conscience and is well-regarded as a person who participates in causes aimed toward the betterment of peoples’ lives, and who inspires those around her through her volunteer exploits. “I want to treat people with respect in the hopes that they treat me the same way.” Monika recalls her upbringing as exciting and, at the same time, business-oriented, influenced by accompanying her mother during corporate charity endeavours. When she was only 11 and Donna was with the Caritas Foundation, Monika helped with events like the Banff Jasper Relay by ferrying water and nourishment back and forth to the runners. As a teenager, she was on every council in high school. When she attended Concordia, where Donna was a vice-president, Monika volunteered for the Concordia Eskimo Open, the Grande Masque Gala and the President’s Dinner from 1997 to 2007.
MONIKA von HAUFF No job was—or is—too big or too small. Monika is a director of SAFFRON: Strathcona County’s Sexual Assault Centre, the Robin Hood Association Golf Tournament Fundraiser to assist children and adults with disabilities to achieve their personal best and experience a quality lifestyle, and New Generations of the Rotary Club of Sherwood Park. She also participates on various networking groups such as “Ladies Loving Life”, and remains involved with Concordia. Monika is currently starting a Walk Team at RBC Dominion Securities for “Light the Night” in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. “I grew up in a family of seven and we always had various pets around our farm,” and some were less traditional than others: “I had a turkey named Norman.” Recently, Monika rescued a racehorse named Cash who now shares the paddocks with the Peruvian Paso horses her mother breeds. Apparently gifted with boundless energy, she is also an avid soccer player and runner… taking welldeserved quiet time to read and go on walks with her boyfriend, Dan Heddington, and their two dogs, Harley and Bobby. Monika’s advice to others is “to take care of yourself and your environment because you only have one body, and there is only one Earth.” √ ~ Erin Cripps-Woods EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Photo by Tracy Kolenchuk
Financial advisor, energetic volunteer
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ameer Dhar is an extraordinary 19-year old. He’s entering his third year as a Bachelor of Commerce student with a 4.0 average. Impressive, yes—but that’s not what makes him “extraordinary”. It’s his compassion for underprivileged families… his determination to ease their burden… his ability to inspire others to take up the cause. While still in high school, Sameer initiated a blood donor clinic, a campaign which raised $14,000 in less than two weeks for earthquake relief in Haiti, and launched Helping Hampers which collected $16,000 in goods for needy families. But that was just the start. In Grade 12—he was enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Program—he established GEOMEER with his teacher and cofounder, George Heidt. The foundation was intended to expand the efforts of Helping Hampers by engaging youth in recognizing poverty in their communities and in actively supporting families in dire financial need. Sameer motivated fellow students to work in groups to collect specific donations that would support a family’s needs for two to three months; each hamper is valued at approximately $2000. Although initial efforts were focused in Edmonton, campaigns have been very successful, operating in 77 schools across the province and, during the past holiday season, raised approximately $150,000 in monies and goods. School principals identify one struggling family and deliver the hampers to ensure the anonymity of recipients. Last year, a second program was launched. Suit Up! addresses back-to-school clothing needs. Working with Edmonton Public Schools and Old Navy South Edmonton Common, GEOMEER gave the identified children gift cards and arranged for two hours of shopping so the kids could pick their own clothes. Overall, in the past two years, GEOMEER has raised approximately $250,000. “The foundation goal is to try and overcome the band-aid solution,” Sameer says. Sameer still runs GEOMEER and has a large team behind him. He does concede that the task of running the foundation and being a student at the University of Alberta has been difficult at times. He is working toward becoming an investment banker and interned at Alberta Investment Management Corporation—AIMCo—for a few months, before spending the summer in Toronto with another management corporation. In typical “Sameer style”, he participated in a fundraising walk the day before he left. In June 2011, he was named one of Canada’s Top 20 Under 20, a national competition that recognizes young people who have demonstrated a significant level of innovation, leadership and achievement.
SAMEER DHAR
Photo by Tracy Kolenchuk
Inspirational student, foundation founder While admitting, “It makes me feel great for the work being recognized,” Sameer is adamant that GEOMEER’s co-founder be given credit for his role. “George has always been a big part of the initiative.” Sameer humbly focuses on what he can give back and rarely on what he gains from being part of what is now an Alberta-wide foundation. “It’s fulfilling to see the impact of what GEOMEER does, and know that I have seen this organization being built from the ground up.” He has mobilized a dedicated team that has connected schools, clubs, businesses and community leagues to work together on projects with a common goal. “Because community matters” is the motto of the foundation, and Sameer plans to continue to be very involved for that reason. √ ~ Erin Cripps-Woods
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matters “ EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Stepping is what he does
I
n 2003, he took time away from school to go to the B.C. wildfires and help with the military after hearing of the devastation in Kelowna. When he wasn’t on the fire line, he volunteered in the medical tent. In 2008, he interrupted his university studies to serve in Afghanistan for eight months. When people asked him what they could send, he wanted “things I can give out”—mostly hygiene items and school supplies—to locals. This week—last and next—he will put in one or two shifts at the Victim Services Unit of the Edmonton Police Service where he has taken training in suicide awareness, death notification and many aspects of victim assistance. He’s also on-call three days a week and might have to help someone cope with loss of a loved one, “He” is Kristopher Porlier. Stepping up wherever he is needed is what he does. After a successful 11-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces, Kris has taken a civilian job with St. John Ambulance as manager of training. He helps set training standards in the province for one of the oldest not-forprofit organizations in the world. He also volunteers to teach its volunteers, and conducts exams for the EMR program.
KRISTOPHER PORLIER EMR trainer, decorated reservist
During his military service, Kris received the Medical Excellence Award and a Certificate of Commendation in 2006. A year later, he became the first—and remains the only—reservist honoured with the Major General Barr Award of Excellence. He then accepted the Land Force Command Surgeon Trophy in 2009. Outside of the military, Kris earned the Academic Achievement Award from the Justice Institute of British Columbia for top academic marks in 2011. In the Military Reserves, Kris reached the rank of sergeant three years ago. In addition to regular duties, he runs voluntary physical training sessions for his unit, and is known for his leadership style and work ethic. Kris lives by the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. “It feels good to give back,” he says. In the past, he has volunteered with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, where he met his wife Rosaria (they married this spring). Prior to deployment to Afghanistan, Kris organized shifts of soldiers to help in the kitchen at the Herd Jamieson Centre, something he had done previously with his reserve unit and Little Brother. He has assisted in leading youth groups at Morinville United Church, and now teaches first aid to volunteers at summer camp. He serves on the Inglewood Business Association board. According to Rosaria, Kris “never shies away from a challenge… like buying a house and then renovating the whole thing when he had barely even lifted a hammer before.” Kris is quite the adventurer and loves to go scuba diving and swimming. On a belated, honeymoon, he was planning to do both, exploring the clear blue waters off Bermuda. He’s earned time in the sun to relax… unless he meets someone who needs his help.√ ~ Erin Cripps-Woods
Photo by Tracy Kolenchuk
EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
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A
ndrew Parker lives by the words “How will you be remembered?” He attributes his success as an athlete and all-around gentleman to his basketball coach Thom Elniski, and to his mother. He admits his coach kept him out of a lot of trouble and pushed him to do better on a regular basis. After Coach Elniski passed away in 2004, Andrew had his name tattooed on his arm in memory of his role model. At 6’5”, Andrew is an enthusiastic person on and off the court. When he isn’t playing ball, he works with business partner JR Patrick on a number of initiatives, including the Patrick and Parker Basketball Academy, Summer Camp series, and Pride of the North Side Streetball Tournament. The Pride of the North Side is one of a kind and hosts hundreds of players—regardless of their experience level—from around the city. Andrew really enjoys this event at the Londonderry outdoor courts because it’s a chance for young athletes to come out and have a good time playing ball. In addition to coaching responsibilities with the Grant MacEwan University basketball team, Andrew continues to volunteer coach at M.E. Lazerte High School—something he’s done for the past seven years. Not surprisingly, he also organizes the annual pep rally for the Thom Elniski Memorial Tournament. He relates to and advocates for young people who are struggling, and knows first-hand they can make a better life. “I understand where they’re coming from because that was me back when my coach was asking how I wanted to be remembered.” He relishes the opportunity to have a positive influence on these kids, but is humble about his ability to motivate them. “I don’t like to take credit because, in the end, they worked hard and they made their goals happen.”
Andrew played college ball for two years with the Concordia University College of Alberta Thunder before transferring to the University of Alberta, where he joined the Golden Bears basketball team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2008, and then played professionally in Germany, Brazil and France. Andrew is in his fifth season with the Edmonton Energy Pro Basketball Team… and has become somewhat of a poster boy for the team. Andrew is also involved with the National Black Coalition of Canada. He works with the organization during Black History Month in February, and has hosted its awards banquet for the past two years. He was this year’s recipient of the Mary Burlie Award which recognizes individuals who are delivering effective programs and services to the black community. The 29-year old attributes his outlook on life to his inspirational mother and his faith in God. “She had my back like no other. She had patience like no other.” His beliefs have pushed him to pursue a livelihood centred on basketball—not the norm in Edmonton— excelling as an athlete, coach and businessman. Andrew admits he is an idealist but he says it’s worked for him so far, so he will continue to have big dreams. He aspires to be a teacher and is taking his Bachelor of Education after degree program at the U of A. The legacy of a coach is not only in his actions but the values that he instills in those who learn from him… It is a legacy of inspired leadership that Andrew hopes his students will pay forward. “When you start to view other people’s children as your own, you start to build a community.” √ ~ Erin Cripps-Woods
ANDREW PARKER
Professional athlete, coach, youth mentor Photo by Tr
huk
olenc
acy K
Legacy of Leadership
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EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
S Photo by Bruce Clarke
arah Torkoly has been dancing as long as she has been walking. She and her two sisters were encouraged by her father Paul, a dancer, and mother Lynn. Now, all three have promising careers: Sarah is the owner of Dance Code Studio and coowner of Burlesque Boom. The oldest, Brandie, travels around the world for dance and is currently in Cancun, Mexico. The youngest, Erika, teaches at Dance Code. The way Sarah sees life as a dancer is you either make it as a starving artist or try to open a studio and keep going, even after your body says ‘no more’ to dancing. She made her choice and opened Dance Code in October 2010. As well as being a businesswoman, the 23-year old continues her pursuits as a professional dancer. “This career is definitely a hardball game of doing both, but it’s paying off now.” By all counts, she has enjoyed much success. In July, at the World Championships of Performing Arts, Sarah won two silver medals and one-year of unlimited training with Dance Millennium Studio in Los Angeles. Over the years, her travels have taken her to Cancun, Disneyland, Vancouver and Toronto. Many Edmontonians will remember her appearances in CTV’s season one of So You Think You Can Dance Canada! Sarah’s role models are all people in the dance community. Stacey Tookey and Jason Parsons challenge her in choreography… and the owners of Dance Millennium are showing her how to build a business from the ground up. The one aspect that makes Sarah’s studio different from many others is that it offers drop-in dance classes for the 16-and-up age category. Her vision has always been in bringing an older group of people into the studio to continually learn more about dance. She admits the younger dancers will sustain a studio, but she still wants to create a place where anyone can come in and discover what dance has to offer them at an older age. Her ultimate goal is to have professional dance training for kids aged two to 18. She recently merged with another director, Kathryn Treadwell, who brought a lot of young students with her—an exciting addition to their roster. Dance Code Studio also features an incentive program aimed at giving budding choreographers time to hone their skills by teaching classes at a reduced rate.
SARAH TORKOLY
Innovative instructor, professional performer Burlesque Boom is Sarah’s latest—and most fun—project. These classes focus on fitness and making this unique genre comfortable for women to try and enjoy. They have attracted at least 500 women every week. The University of Alberta did a study showing how effectively the class helps women gain strength, lose inches, tone up and increase flexibility. Currently, Sarah has two local troupes holding auditions at the studio. She also has developed a burlesque program syllabus, and recently launched the fall program. Sarah somehow finds time to also for the SOS Children’s Safety Magazine, fundraise for the Children’s Wish Foundation, choreograph a local flash mob, teach dance in place of gym class at some public schools, and help at local dance competitions. “You get a high on life when you reach out to help somebody.” Whenever she feels overwhelmed by everything she has committed to doing, Sarah thinks about her deep-rooted and unabashed love for dance. “That is what keeps me going every day.” ~ Erin Cripps-Woods
Unabashed
Love of dance
EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
33
THEFASHIONGUY With John Chwyl
For several seasons, I have been talking about the changes and trends in fashion—for a whole lot of years now—and the one constant has always been my focus on real clothes for real people. There is a whack of images, blogs, multi-media articles and information that features the latest runway trends or celebrity style. It’s all good information to consider, but does it really fit in our lives? For sure, there are some people for whom up-to-the minute styles are most important, but there is a ton of information for fashionistas all over the web, TV and other media. What I do has always been geared to those of us who do not live and breathe the latest trends, but rather want fashion to blend with our lives, our families or the other activities that make us who we are. I also don’t live in a world of unlimited money to spend on fashion, and I am pretty sure my audience is the same. So these articles are going to offer suggestions on how you can add something current to your wardrobe that is on trend, but will go with what you already have. I will find you fashions and styles from the local stores we all shop in and offer suggestions on what you should consider adding for this season. I hope you enjoy them! ~ John, the ‘Fashion Guy’
Real Clothes, I
t’s that time of year again.
Summer is near its end and fall is right around the corner. It is time to stock up on some great new fashions. Colder weather often means warmer, more textured fabrics like wool and chenille—we see that every year. But it is in this season’s fabulous silhouettes where I’ve seen most of the changes this year. I do have to say one trend I really like is mixing those heavy textures, like wools and knits, with light weight and shiny fabrics like silks. We saw a bit of that mixing up last year, and this
34
trend continues. It’s even more popular now with elegant shiny fabrics in some of fall’s most beautiful and feminine designs. For women, classic, comfortable silhouettes are the name of the game… with belted coats and fitted pencil skirts that put the emphasis the waist. The belt continues to be a perfect accessory choice to help create and define this shape. And the bigger the belt, the better! This is in contrast to the girly, full-skirted dresses that were common this past summer. In fact, some of the fall styles we’ll see are edgier and more fitted
to the body. I do like the shapes for outwear that I’ve seen. It is a more defined swing style with mid to fuller lengths. It does seem at first glance that no wardrobe is complete without a tailored vest or coloured blazer. And forget big, chunky parkas. Look instead for funky, oversized wool or leather jackets or a tailored peacoat in warm tones to keep you toasty and stylish. For menswear, vintage-inspired styles remain popular with particular emphasis on designs from the 1920s and 1960s. Knitwear is as popular in menswear this season as it is EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Real People for ladies’ wear. Dressed up or down, worn with jeans or a sport coat, it can serve as your fashion staple through fall and into winter. I just purchased a great sport coat and a warm button up sweater—both with patches on the elbows and I love it! Finally! A bit more style for men’s fashions. Look for edgy, unique accessories that accent your style. Hats, for example, have become the latest must-have accessory. Cloche, pillbox, fedora—hats are everywhere, mirroring all of the great tones and textures found in this season’s EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
clothing. Bold cuff earrings and bracelets are common in a variety of styles. Rococostyle accessories in brocade patterns are also current, playing into the heirloom theme that we’ve seen over the summer. Of course, scarves are an ideal accessory for Edmonton winters…and summer…and spring… and fall! As the leaves turn from green to gold, keep your eyes open for all the new styles and accessories in stores—whether you’re looking for a woolly wrap to ward off the chill… something to add dramatic texture
to your wardrobe… or a way to incorporate fall’s colour palette into your season. Just remember: Have fun with it!
John Chwyl, the ‘Fashion Guy’ is the Director of Marketing for Kingsway Mall. John has been a local fixture in the fashion scene for over 20 years. His energetic approach to fashion and focus on wearable fashions has been shared on TV, radio, print and other media.Contact john.chwyl@gmail.com
35
MERGERS&ACQUISITIONS
Do small business buyers really know what they want?
R
ecently, we had a buyer
come across some that they never thought of owning but somehow spark their interest who called us on a bakery because of a specific feature. This often leads business we had for sale. This to further investigation and understanding was the business he was sure more about the industry and sometimes ends he wanted to buy—until he up in them buying the business. A few real found out that someone, most likely he, had life examples from our office show what to get up at 2AM to get dough started to make interesting turns the road to buying a business the sweet smelling buns and bread a reality. It can take: is important that before falling in love with a • A former project manager for Lilydale business, prospective buyers understand the Canada purchased a small sub-trade realities and think hard about their own likes in Icaulking H E P E R Sconstruction O N A L I business T Y Oinvolved F BUS NESS and dislikes. Obviously, if one likes aTgood and restoration work; night’s sleep, the bakery business might not • An IT and web manager specialist be a good business to get into. purchased a retail business selling maps I wanted to take a look at what really and picture framing; motivates someone to want to buy a business. • An environmental science professor from At VR Business Sales, we receive on average U of A purchased an electrical construction 50 buyer inquiries a week; that is 200 Attention: business; and inquiries a month or 2,600 a year. However, • Finally, for something completely our data shows that over 90 percentFax: who call different, consider the former CFO for on us do not buy a business. Of the 10 percent a publicly traded liquor company who DatethatPurchased: who do, only 14 percent buy a business purchased a franchised retail tire business! they originally inquired about. It is therefore a He now owns three tire stores in smaller faulty assumption that business buyers know communities in Alberta. the exact kind of business they want to buy. Or is it? These examples might seem extreme, but Most buyers looking for a small business often start with those they think will be “easy” they are more common than one realizes. Our experience and observations also led to operate or that they are familiar with from us to conclude that often money is not the working in the industry. Typically, during the key motivator in someone seeking to own a searching and investigating process, they will
with Jey Arul
business. Other factors—balancing work and life, control of one`s own destiny, flexibility to work at own schedule, self-reliance, challenges, pride in ownership, recognition, status—are the primary driving force behind someone’s business buying decision. Most serious buyers instinctively have a “gut feeling” of what they want from owning a business. However, it often takes the right opportunity, some soul searching and some luck to accomplish the dream of ownership. sellers I NTheTkey H Efor C A P isI TtoAquickly L R Erule G out ION the 90 percent of potential buyers who will not seal the deal. They have to spend more time learning about the prime motivation of the serious buyer and try to emphasize the desirable quality that appeals to the buyer, which might or might not be the same reason Date:his/her business. the business owner started As for the buyer who owning a To dreamed Appearofin: bakery, he is purportedly now content, testing the wares in the mattress section of his newly purchased furniture business. √
T F
E
ADVERTISING PRO Jey Arul is president of VR Business Sales in Edmonton, AB. He started the mergers and acquisitions company in 2007 after leaving his position as a senior commercial banker for a Canadian Bank. Jey holds a BA in Psychology and an Executive MBA. Visit www.vralta.com
CANADA’S LEADING CAREER TRAINING PROVIDER. CDI College has been helping people launch successful careers for more than four decades. With 4 campuses in Edmonton, choose from over 50 market-driven programs in Business, Art & Design, Technology and Health Care. To get started today, visit choices.cdicollege.ca or call 1.877-658-3977 /CDICollege
/CDICollege
/CDICareerCollege
36 Sizzling 20 under 30.indd 1
EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012 8/16/2012 10:49:52 AM
YOU&THELAW
Young Entrepreneurs
with Ben Block
With this being the Sizzler issue, featuring some up and coming young business people, some of you are no doubt inspired to start your own venture. With that in mind, I thought I would cover a couple common questions asked by would be entrepreneurs.
Q: A:
Do I need to incorporate and if so, how do I go about doing so?
Incorporating your business offers a number of benefits including personal liability protection from creditors, a structure for investment by third parties and, in some cases, tax benefits (although an accountant is the better source of information on that point). However, with these benefits come certain upkeep requirements, including annual returns, tax filings and so on (again… ask your accountant) before jumping to incorporate consider: • Will I have co-owners (i.e. shareholders) other than myself? • Do I expect to enter into contracts that protection from liability may be wise? • Will my revenues justify the “housekeeping” needs and costs of a corporation? • Will my sales be high enough to benefit from lower corporate tax rates? If you answered yes to any of these, it may well be worth incorporating. Bear in mind that it is very possible landlords or lenders will require you to personally guarantee leases and/or loans. A personal guarantee means that
you agree to be personally responsible for the obligations of your company—this is common when dealing with financing or leasing to new corporations with little history or assets. That said, by incorporating you may still reduce your liability to other creditors, insulate from personal exposure to law suits, and perhaps create the opportunity negotiate limitations on personal guarantees. For those who have decided incorporating is the right choice, a common error is simply going to a registry and creating a new corporation. While this might appear to be an inexpensive option and would technically create your company, you will very likely not have attended to a number of key steps. For example, it is likely that no shares will have been issued (so no one actually owns your company); there may not be designated directors; you may not have a corporate minute book containing your company documents; and you almost certainly will not have a Unanimous Shareholder’s Agreement (setting out the rules to govern how the coowners interact, if required). The cost of having a lawyer’s assistance at this initial stage ranges, depending on the lawyer you are working with and your specific needs, but is well worth the investment to set your company off on the right foot.
Q: A:
Serving Leduc, Nisku & Edmonton International Airport With Pride & Excellence Since 1976
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780-986-4532 5409-45 ST. LEDUC, AB
www.leducelectric.com EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Proud Member
I have a great business name, how do I protect it?
There are various ways in which to create a business name, each offering differing degrees of protection. These options include a registered trade name, the legal name of your corporation, or a trademark (registered or unregistered). Trade Names: This sort of registration can be obtained at any registry and is
essentially a declaration that you are operating under a given name. This can be done easily by an individual or a corporation and, at best, offers only evidence of your use of the name, but no proprietary rights. Corporation Names: This is a step in the right direction, but still offers very limited protection. A registered corporation’s name cannot be exactly duplicated; however, slight variations will still be permitted and it will be up to you to deal with any “imposters”. Trade-marks: This could be a long discussion unto itself; however, in short, this is the best protection of your business name (or brand, product name, etc.) A registered trade-mark is applied for through the federal government and provides the right to use the trade-mark throughout Canada with respect to certain identified products or services. An unregistered trademark operates similarly; however, your rights are restricted to the geographical area in which your name is known. Practically speaking, a registered mark is more costly to obtain but is readily defensible throughout the country, whereas protecting an unregistered trade-mark poses certain challenges. These include proving your reputation within the market, misrepresentation by a third party, and what damages have been suffered. Trade-marks are complex but are certainly the best option to protect your business name, and I would recommend speaking with a trade-mark lawyer such as Jillian Swainson at Brownlee LLP for more detailed information (she can be reached at 780.497.4802 or jswainson@ brownleelaw.com). I hope that will help some of you wouldbe Zuckerbergs, Winfreys or Bransons out there. Of course, there are many more legal questions to be answered when starting a business and, as an entrepreneur myself, I would be happy to assist in any way I can. √ Ben Block is an associate with Hillenbrand Kozicki LLP, and focuses his practice on civil litigation, real estate and business law. Ben was an Edmontonians Sizzler in 2007. Call 780.809.2389 or email bblock@hklaw.ca.
37
BUSINESSBRIEFS
With Norman Leach
O
PERATION SANTA EEDC searches far afield CLAUS– CHRISTMAS for workers for alberta The numbers are staggering. By some accounts IN SEPTEMBER Alberta will be short over 114,000 workers by
The Canadian Armed Forces, 2021. The cause? Decreasing birth rates and an through volunteers across ever-aging group of baby boomers. Canada, is again supporting our troops overseas In response to the employment challenge by supporting Operation Santa Claus. Edmonton Economic Development Whether they are teaching police and soldiers Corporation (EEDC) recently led a recruitment in Afghanistan or on a peace keeping mission drive in the Seattle area, in elsewhere, each and every service person—over collaboration with industry, 4000 of them—gets a present s d e e to fill vacancies for heavyn ta from Operation Alber workers equipment technicians, d Santa Claus (an le il sk welders, steamfitters/ official part of pipefitters, power engineers the Canadian and construction staff Armed Forces). professionals. These special According to the EEDC, packages bring a “The drive ran in July feeling of home through online, mobile to those serving in and radio advertisements, remote Canadian and a roving community locations and cruiser at local events—all of which will promote overseas. www.opportunityawaits.com, where interested For many individuals can view position details, find out members of the Forces, the Op Santa Claus gift more about Alberta and submit applications. is the only one they will receive on Christmas Shortlisted candidates will be invited to in-person Day. For others, the treasures they find in the interviews...” boxes will be given out to children on patrol “Our economy is expanding and we need routes and at orphanages and hospitals across more workers,” says Mike Wo, EEDC executive the globe. director of economic development and growth. Operation Santa is asking Albertans, but “We are looking for hard-working individuals especially in Edmonton, to help by donating who are considering working in Alberta for a few new personal items like tube socks (a particular years while economic conditions rebound in the favourite) or company branded items that are no U.S.” longer current (wondering what to do with the To put Alberta’s economic growth into context, shirts from last year’s golf tournament? Now around $193 billion of major investments are you know!), or items like playing cards and underway or in the works, equivalent to 211 board games. CenturyLink Fields or 175 Hoover Dams. Items must be into Operation Santa Claus by “For those in search of opportunities, Alberta early September so they can make the long trip offers some of North America’s highest wages to Afghanistan and other remote locations in and standards of living. Newcomers can expect time for December 25th. to be welcomed with one of the English-speaking I have volunteered to help gathering up world’s best education systems, leading-edge the donations here in Alberta. Let me know, health care and a quality of life coveted by by email nsleach@telusplanet.net, what you many,” says Wo. might have and I will see it gets to our troops. The recruiting efforts will continue throughout Canada’s Army, Air Force and Naval personnel the fall of 2012. thank you in advance.
38
CSG-WEST ANNUAL MEETINGS
According to the organization’s website “The Council of State Governments–WEST (CSG-WEST) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that serves the western legislatures of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Associate members include Alberta and British Columbia, and the Pacific islands of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.” CSG-WEST was created to serve western legislatures through regional cooperation and advocacy. The objectives are to encourage, promote and pursue a regional vision and regional issues that cross state and international borders, and to build on common western interests. A CSG-WEST media release said, “Founded in 1947, CSG-WEST is one of four regions of the Council of State Governments that form part of a national community of states. CSG’s regional and national structure invites focused participation from members on a more intimate, regional level while also providing a national platform to exchange ideas and information. Moreover, this structure provides Western lawmakers an opportunity to engage with state officials of all three branches of state government, access a myriad of national policy research and to stay abreast of national trends and developments in Washington, D.C. impacting states.” CSG-WEST annual meetings rotate among its 13 western member states and have also been held in both British Columba and Alberta. In 2013, the CSG-WEST annual meeting will convene in Las Vegas from July 30th to August 2nd.√
Norman Leach, president of Norman Leach & Associates, is an Alberta-based business consultant, university lecturer and writer who works with companies and non-profit organizations to expand both their domestic and international markets. EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT
Productize
with Mark Wardell
Your Business & d n a r B r u o Y d il u B
W
hether you’re a
service-based business or a supplier of other people’s products, developing your own product just might be the most effective way to take your enterprise to the next level. It’s true, the productization of a company isn’t the most frequently discussed business tip; it’s a complicated undertaking, the success of which hinges on many factors. Yet when it works, the rewards are great. Developing a product can provide a new revenue stream, and has the potential to bring your overall business branding to the next level. Here are the points to consider, when deciding if productizing is the right move for your business. • The first question to ask yourself is this: Do your customers perceive you as an expert in your industry? Industry leaders have an advantage here, because they have a stronger built-in market base. For most servicebased businesses (such as business consultants, marketers, engineers, electricians or architects) your clients (aka your target market) look to you for specific knowledge and expertise. In other words, they’ll pay attention if you create a product. • A great product solves a problem… so what problems need to be solved in your industry? One of our clients,
EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Mainland Machinery, developed a line of tanks for storing drilling fluids, solving an important problem in the industry and cementing its expertise at the same time. The product Mainland created served to strengthen its branding while providing a new revenue current for their business. Another great example is the story of 3M and the discovery of the post-it note. This research company was focused on mineral grinding when their research team stumbled across an adhesive that stuck but didn’t leave marks. Voila, the post-it note was born. Not only did this product create a huge new revenue stream for 3M, but it opened the door to the development of many other products using the same non-stick adhesive. The lesson here is to remain open to developing new solutions to existing problems. • For many businesses, developing a product means designing a package and finding an existing product to call your own. If you’ve already got a market at your fingertips, you’ve got opportunity. This tactic is most commonly employed by retailers (think Presidents Choice, Home Hardware, Target). But, it can also work well for other types of businesses. The key is to supply a gap in the current market that differentiates your product from the others out there. Another way to launch a product
is to take existing elements and turn them into something totally different. For some businesses, this in a business model of its own (Edible Arrangements comes to mind) while for others, it’s more a matter of ingenuity around what you’re currently working with. I recently came across a carpet manufacturer in Australia that’s in the process of developing a high-end line of carpet tiles for home decor, traditionally only used for industrial flooring. It will also re-package and market its own set of installation supplies to send to customers, enjoying a substantially higher mark-up than if it would have assembled the tools separately. Ultimately, a brand is something that builds on itself. When you productize, every product you make is an advertising vehicle for your business. That is, of course, if it’s a great product! While creating a product is not a simple undertaking and not for every business, when it works, the payoffs can be substantial. √ Mark is President & Founder of Wardell Professional Development (www.wardell.biz), an advisory group that helps business owners plan and execute the growth of their companies. The author of seven business books, Mark also writes regularly for several national business publications, including Profit Magazine, the Globe and Mail, and CGA Magazine. Email him at mark@wardell.biz
39
HOMEENVISION
with Elissa Scott
Urbanhipster
J
asper Gates is home-sweet-
home to the take-off-and-go Urban Hipster who tosses on a messenger bag, cycling to nearby downtown. Ideal for those who enjoy spending time trailblazing outdoors, even if it’s for local beer on Whyte Avenue patios, listening to live beats or tapping away on the latest techno devices. Bordering the hub of city center, Jasper Gates is nestled in the quiet area of 10140-150th St., neighbouring lush river valley trails. Many will love the convenience of the new LRT extension along Stony Plain Road in the next few years. This newly built community oriented walk-up has edgy Vancouverite style, emphasizing the open-air natural world in earthy colours. Rugged stone stacks along exteriors, throughout inside common areas and on insuite fireplaces. Surfaces are walnut, charcoal and medium ash woods. There are four colour palettes to choose from: “Diamond” with glossy white cabinets and blizzard granite, “Amber” in Scandinavian tones with light woods in a tight grain, a darker grey “Pearl” and the “Opal”. The show suite’s oatmeal walls are the backdrop to stormy chocolate floors. Architectural trims pop in snowstorm white. I wanted a feel of eco-mindedness and original organic products which can’t be found at common stores. West
40
Coast style with whimsical bicycle decor, funky artwork and lush greenery scattered throughout home. My task was to decorate the show suite on a budget, creating a space to celebrate resourcefulness, a conscious lifestyle and adventurous spirit. From working in film and television set design, I’d discover treasures at thrift shops, where a talented eye could find design inspiration. At Habitat for Humanity Restore, I found two kegs for $40 each. Two round metal Ikea trays ended up randomly on top of the kegs during the move, fitting perfectly. Sometimes blunders make for the best creations! With a tight budget, wall art had to be ultra-creative. So a chalkboard was painted on the den office wall. It produced a focal point and area of interest, further
setting the imaginative theme of the space. Fabrics and accessory colours were selected in graphite charcoal, grayed linen and trendy hues like zesty lemon, fatigue green, ink blue and watery turquoise to merge seamlessly into one cool palette. I found a fun Boy Scout shower curtain (www.29 armstrong.com) for the cheater ensuite and added cut wood rounds and driftwood accents. The walk-through closet leads to the master bedroom with the two-way glass pebble fireplace peeking through to the living room. Dusty leathers, worn furniture and vintage pieces are reminiscent for the grown-up who dreams of days of youth, triggered by the seductive freedom found from real life responsibility. Throw in a dash of machined vintage motorcycle masculine chic with leather, chrome and weathered finishes. The feminine, yet independent lady into yoga will love the delicious granite eating bar hub and stainless steel kitchen where vegetarian creations abound. After all, Jasper Gates is just breaths away from Bikram Yoga. Pets are family in this lifestyle, like the unleashed Chocolate Lab who dutifully tags alongside in the river valley and joins random weekend mountain camping trips taken at whim. There are no pet restrictions which will appeal to many condo homeowners. (www. jaspergates.com) √ Elissa Scott specializes in inspirational design concepts, creative colour schemes and custom art creations elissa@gruuvyroomz.com or 780.970.8860. EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
U n i q u e c a r wa s h c o n c e p t a first for Edmonton By Paula E. Kirman
G
oing to a car wash is not
usually a memorable outing— at least not for adults. Local entrepreneur Sylvain Blouin wants to make going to the car wash not just a necessity, but an experience. He has come up with a new concept that combines a car wash with the music and memorabilia of the 1950s and 1960s: Rock-N-Wash™. “I wanted a business that I would run on my own and would offer a better service to the consumers, while having the ability to scale to several locations,” says Blouin of his decision to enter the car wash business. “I looked at RV storage, and then mini-storage… I settled on the car wash business as I knew our local market could use something fresh.” A themed car wash ties in with Blouin’s interest in that era. “I’ve always enjoyed the ’50s and ’60s music, the nostalgic aspect of the era. I wanted to bring back some of the nostalgic ambiance and, in the process, simply be different. My wife actually came up with the name Rock-N-Wash™. We had our trademark agent research Canada and the USA to make sure it was not already taken and it was not, so we trademarked the name in both countries.” Blouin certainly has the background and experience to develop an exciting new business concept, with over 18 years in senior leadership. “During my tenure in the corporate world, I was fortunate to be able to handle a significant merger, a couple of business ramp-ups for a Fortune 500 company from scratch, managed several hundred employees, and improved business processes, culture, and systems. I call that my University of Hard Knocks which gave me a solid foundation to become an entrepreneur.” But, what sets Blouin’s car wash apart isn’t just the theme. Rock-N-Wash™ will have some unique features for its customers. Here are just a few: • This is the first three-door car wash in North America with a patent pending on the design. Clients will never have to back out of a wash bay. • A fog free environment—visibility won’t be an issue. • Clients will be able to pay via their EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Photo by Bruce Clarke
Rock-N-Wash™ Ready to Roll!
Sylvain Blouin broke ground in late August... posed as Elvis for a trade magazine (below)
smartphones, credit cards, fleet cards, gift cards, bar code, promotional coupons, cash and a membership program. There will be no token and/or push-card time at the facility. • Radio Frequency Identification payment method will allow customers to use the Tunnel without exiting their vehicles, and/ or use any other payment method • Two 110-foot long wash bays for trucks, RVs, and semi-trailers. • A high end, customized, 100 percent friction-free Belanger Tunnel will wash upwards of 75 cars per hour. Clients won’t have to wait the typical 15-20 minutes in line before going through a touchless tunnel.
• The unique sump pit system will ensure that wash bays are always clean without the requirement of an employee to wash down the bay with fresh water. • Stainless steel dividers will be themed with ’50s & ’60s memorabilia. • For Rock-n-Roll fans, memorabilia will be for sale. • Kids will be able to play pin ball machines for free in the front retail store while parents wash their vehicles. Blouin admits Rock-N-Wash™ had some challenges getting off the ground, particularly when it came to financing. “The banks are very risk adverse and, due to the uniqueness of
RockN-Wash™ and the technology used, I got turned down three times by some of the biggest banks. Anyone in the industry loved the concept but banks were not as receptive.” However, when it comes to being enterprizing, Blouin stresses that perseverance pays off. “My philosophy is: ‘if you can dream it, you can achieve it.’ There will always be naysayers, people that will tell you that it cannot be done, banks that will turn you down. If you know that up front, you will look at it and deal with it differently when it happens. I have had my share of these in this project, yet, it’s becoming a reality!” The first location of Rock-N-Wash™ will be at 4803-55th Avenue (directly north of Leon’s on the corner of 50th Street and Whitemud). A second will be in Estevan, Saskatchewan. Another in Edmonton will open next spring. Blouin plans for future locations of RockN-Wash™ to be built as a turnkey business “to allow people wanting to get into the car wash industry a point of entry.” √ Visit www.Rock-N-Wash.com for updates and more information.
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WALKINGTHETALK
Inner voices? Gut feelings?
Barbara Ashley Phillips
Trust them
H
ow many times do you
listen to what someone is saying and you absolutely know inside that it’s just blah, blah? You have powerful inner antennae that recognize phony instantly. It’s a survival trait. Some call it that little voice within. You can trust that little voice inside you. It has no emotional charge. When you give attention to it, your emotional body is at rest. It doesn’t set your mind racing like opinion. And, it often doesn’t even make sense to you when you’re wrapped up in a narrow sense of what your life is about. It doesn’t punish you, get back at you or judge you. Its feelings never get hurt. It’s always there for you. With such a reliable resource, how do we get so misled at times? It’s so obvious, it is easy to miss: We let our own preferences, emotions and opinions blind us. Here are some examples: Preferences: You talk with someone you really want to spend time with. You propose a movie or a coffee. The answer is ambivalent to you. You don’t hear a clear “yes” and you don’t hear a clear “no”. You really want to have a “yes” from this person. So you may well have tricked yourself into hearing what you want to hear when the person is really trying to politely say, “no.”
42
One of the embarrassing examples from my own teen years was when the boy next door—who I couldn’t stand—asked me out and I told him I had to organize the books in my father’s library. This lame response was no less hurtful to him than if I’d just said, “No. Thanks.” Similar examples of include “see you later” …“sure, coffee” …“someday.” They make it easy to read in our preferences, not tuning into what we actually know inside. Opinions: A good-looking guy is introduced to you as a bright, rising star. You are attracted. You give what he says credence, overriding what your gut is telling you. For many, the gut is where that little voice resides within. In this case, inside, you’re not so sure. Your gut is trying to tell you something but your opinion about him—the higher esteem you hold him in—is getting in the way of your correctly interpreting what you already know inside. So you make up a story to explain your inner discomfort, often blaming it on yourself. Later, you find out that reality and appearances really don’t line up. As you try to regain your inner footing, you see that you’ve twisted your life around perhaps significantly to give time and attention to this person that you actually knew all along wasn’t worth the investment. “Never again,” you say—until the next time you override what you know.
Emotions: Sometimes we ignore what we know inside because we perceive some advantage in doing so. Yeah, this opportunity doesn’t smell good, but gosh—I could make in a week what it would normally take a month. Only later do we learn that those earnings we have now worked so hard for weren’t actually available. And, while we were chasing that particular wild goose, good solid opportunities available to us were lost. It can happen with relationship opportunities. Or a job opportunity we’ve just got to have. You can kind of feel that “gotta have it” energy in your body. It’s a tight, wound-up feeling inside and it’s the tip-off. Take it as a signal to honestly question your direction. That quality of energy in you is the clue that you’re very likely off again with your preferences, opinions or emotions. And this means that what you actually know inside is being overridden. When you listen to and follow the guidance of what you know deep down, your life will change—for the better. √ Barbara Ashley Phillips coaches and facilitates in Executive Café Coaching Circles held around Edmonton. These inner circles bring more of your resourcefulness forward in your life. She is also a public speaker. For her free newsletter and Leadership Tips go to www.co-creating.ca. barbara@co-creating.ca, 780.465.1721
EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
CREATIVEINTERIORS with Cheryll Gillespie & Sam Shakura
Is your home seductive?
O
ur homes should seduce
the senses, draw us in and unfold in front of us. Our homes should be filled with treasures we have collected from around the world… colours we adore should envelop us… textures that attract our hand and eye should always be present… art work that immediately captures our attention should bless the walls… cozy spots to curl up with a puppy, read a book or enjoy a cup of tea with a friend or a glass of wine with a lover should be around every corner in our homes. Like a great work of art, great interiors tell a story. Is your home’s a sexy romance novel or a horror tale? There’s no excuse for not having rooms you love. It’s not about budget and it’s certainly not about time (if we are honest with ourselves, we can always make the time). We must care enough about ourselves to put the necessary time and effort into designing our homes in a thoughtful way that tells our story and seduces us every single time we walk in the front door. It’s imperative that we love our homes; we spend so much of our valuable time there and often with the most valuable people in our lives. Let’s be perfectly clear about how great rooms are achieved. A room will never be truly finished—great interiors evolve over time and are always open to change; as you find new treasures, make new memories, add new photos, new pieces of art, seasonal fabric swaps, and colour trends. Embrace change and never settle in a space. Our rooms, like ourselves, should keep growing and improving. They should appear both timeless and perfectly up-to-date simultaneously. It is in this exquisite balance that our rooms become unexplainably alluring and seductive to us and our guests. Start with a palette that you adore and that is appropriate for the room’s main purpose. Consider colours that you love to wear, that EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
make you feel sexy, energized or creative. A colour palette moves beyond the paint on the walls and includes fabulous textures brought into the room with drapery, pillows, upholstery, flooring, throws and wallpaper. Texture is equally as important as colour—surface textures and fabrics should beg the eye to look closer and even invite a hand to cop a feel. Select furniture with purpose, and include unique and interesting one-of-a-kind pieces that are too irresistible to ignore. Arrange your furniture invitingly and not simply lined up along the walls. Include conversation-starting artwork in every room; perhaps hang juxtaposing styles that playfully wink at the other pieces in the same room. Art does not have to match your space: Hang and display art that catches your eye and that you want to see every day. When it comes to accessories, designers understand the seduction of threesomes. Grouping in threes creates visual magic and harmony. Every room should be dressed in mementoes from your life— heirlooms from your family, collectables from your travels, treasured finds from estate sales, framed black and white photos of you and loved ones—and accessorized with things that truly make you happy. Lighting is the most often-ignored design element. Hunt for great fixtures. Spray a brass chandelier candy apple red and re-hang it off centre. Be creative and mix and match your table lamps. Run rope lighting under a platform bed or sofa. Add spot lights to your potted plants, and
dimmable art lights to framed wall art. Imagine how glamorous and enchanting you feel walking into a candle-lit, dimly glowing lounge, verses walking into a super bright halogen lit medical exam room. We hope you’ve got a sexy night planned with one of your rooms and that it has what it takes to be a seductive date: exciting conversation, great taste, sensually dressed, comfortably confident and unexpected fun! √
Cheryll and Sam are partners in Rock House of Design Inc., Seven Sins Fashion, Rock House Luxury Concierge & At Home the National Radio Show, and can be reached at 778.477.1178. Want more? Visit: www.rockhousestyle.com... Read: www.samshakura.com... Follow: www.facebook.com/rockhousestyle... Tweet: www.twitter.com/rockhousestyle
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Prestigious
AWARD for Vaccine
Scientist
I
n the spring of 2012, Dr. Lorne
Babiuk, OC, SOM, PhD, DSc, FRSC, received the Canada Gairdner Wightman Award for, as the Gairdner Foundation puts it, “his extraordinary national and international leadership in vaccine development and research on human and veterinary infectious disease.” That’s in addition to many previous honours for one of Canada’s premier scientists, including the Order of Canada in 2005 and Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2003. He was also made a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1999. Today Dr. Babiuk is Vice President, Research at the University of Alberta. But 38 years of his scientific life were dedicated to virology and creating new vaccines at the University of Saskatchewan. Looking back of his career, he remembers the first vaccine he developed. “It was against the rotavirus which is a disease that infects every mammal. It causes scours and diarrhea in calves and kills quite a large number of animals each year. Those animals that don’t die don’t do as well once their gastrointestinal tract is damaged. You could see this virus in diarrhea of animals and children, but nobody could ever grow the virus. So I was able identify, using some tricks, a way to grow the virus. As a result of that, we could develop rapid diagnostic tests. Then
44
we developed a vaccine, first in calves, and then the system we used with calves was used to develop a vaccine for children.” This was a significant advance because until then, about 500,000 children a year were dying from rotavirus infection. At the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Babiuk helped build VIDO, the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization. Just before he left for Edmonton and his new post at the University of Alberta, he put the funding in place for the construction of InterVac, a Level 3 bio-containment facility for work on infectious diseases. Opened in 2011, the facility “will allow Canadians and the international community to work with infectious agents where it would be difficult to do under normal laboratory conditions.” Among the most recent vaccines that Dr. Babiuk developed is one against e.coli 0157, the microorganism found in cattle manure that contaminated drinking water in Walkerton, Ontario, killing a number of people. He explains, “It’s a new concept of vaccinating animals to protect humans. Cattle carry the bacterium and never get sick from it, but they shed it into the environment. We found a vaccine that would allow us to vaccinate cows which would reduce the shedding into the environment. So it’s really an environmental vaccine. And we always hear about these recalls of bean sprouts, of radishes, of lettuce. That’s because of these bacteria that are contaminants from animals.” Dr. Babiuk even has a hand in the development of a new whooping cough vaccine. Thanks to a prestigious grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenge in Global Health, his team has focused on creating a single dose vaccine for infants who are too young to receive the Dr. Lorne Babiuk current regimen of five shots. It can also be administered without a needle, a major blessing for use in the Third World. You’d think that after four
decades of working in the lab and developing new vaccines, it would be hard to leave all that behind. But, even now as an administrator, Dr. Babiuk is still finding ways to participate in new discoveries. “My mind did not go into mush just because I moved from active research to being an administrator,” he stresses. “In fact, I was fortunate to just get a multi-million dollar grant from the International Development Research Centre to develop a vaccine against Riff Valley fever which is a problem in Africa. However, I’m concerned that it could come to North America and Europe just like West Nile did. That disease is much more devastating than West Nile virus is. So again, I am not involved in doing the actual experimental work but I’m involved in the intellectual part of it and deciding how best to approach things, and then have other people who are much smarter than me actually do the work. “ As VP, Research, it’s Dr. Babiuk’s job to facilitate research across all facilities and he believes it’s very important to support the social sciences. Art and music, he says, improve our quality of life. And social scientists anticipate public controversy. Using the example of genetically modified plants and the human papillomavirus vaccine, he argues that engaging social scientists early on would have eased the introduction of these new and possibly disruptive technologies. He says it’s a lesson learned in the case of nanotechnology as nano moves from the lab into the marketplace “Everybody is enamoured with nanotechnology. And, as a result of that, we actually have implemented a Arts-Scholarin-Residence at our National Institute of Nanotechnology to be able to get the social science people and the arts faculties engaged in a hard core science which is I think is going to have huge implications for society. We can do the same thing for energy, and how we could have gotten social scientists involved in energy file, and there would be either more or less environmental issues that people are going to discuss.” On October 25th, Dr. Babiuk will step onto the podium at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto to accept his Canada Gairdner Wightman Award and a cheque for $100,000. Who knows what’s next? Since its inception in 1957, 76 recipients of the award have gone on to also win a Nobel Prize. √ EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
With Cheryl Croucher
House Panelization Winner
a Green
at Emerald
gesture, “If you have future generations in mind, why would you want to patent it? You want to start a revolution. It means that you have to collaborate with others who have similar interests in order to not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs by the actions that we are taking today. So it is important for us to not be selfish. If more people are building more responsibly in the right way, everybody would be better off.” √
AWARDS Innovotech’s New Silver
W
again, it’s not available to kill the bacteria. The product we’re working on we’re really excited about because it has a higher charge so it’s more reactive with bacteria. At the same time, we’ve developed formulations that are not readily inactivated by bodily fluids.”
Dr. Patricia Nadworny
inner in the Big
Business category at the 2012 Emerald Awards for Environmental Excellence is the Landmark Group of Builders in Edmonton. For the past nine years, the company has researched and tested an innovative panel technology for building homes. As Landmark’s COO Bijan Mannani explains, “The concept comes from focusing on sustainability. Panelization is the process in which we are utilizing machines and computers, in essence semi-robots, to manufacture any size of home, plan, layout, or elevation. We are modeling the plan in a three dimensional process and then feeding it into a computer that translates it to the machines. The machines will build that panel, floor sections in segments, and then we will erect these components at site in a fraction of the time.” According to Mannani, on average, the panelized process reduces construction waste by 58 percent, greenhouse gas emissions by 6.2 tonnes, and the energy demand of a house over its lifespan by 73 percent. Surprisingly, Landmark is also not patenting its technology. Mannani explains this generous EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Technology
Targets Biofilms
B
acteria can live as single
cells or they can cluster into slimy colonies called biofilms. Biofilms are responsible for about 80 percent of infections, including hospital superbugs that are highly resistant to antibiotics. Edmonton company Innovotech specializes in biofilms and is developing alternate killer treatments based on silver. But as Innovotech’s Dr. Patricia Nadworny explains, it’s not just any silver. And it’s not without problems to overcome. Her position as an Industry Associate is funded through Alberta Innovates Technology Futures. “If you took the silver that’s in jewelry which is metallic silver and has no charge, it will not have any impact on bacteria at all. The other problem is that silver can often be inactivated by bodily fluids Bijan Mannani and so on. So
Dr. Nadworny points out that Innovotech’s silver technology holds promise for applications in agriculture and medicine. Current practice in agriculture is to treat crop diseases with antibiotics or destroy the crops for where there is no treatment for particular diseases. Innovotech is developing a silver-based product to replace the use of antibiotics on crops. On the medical front, the company is developing silver based coatings for wound dressings and medical implants such as catheters and hip replacements. These will greatly reduce the chance of infection while a patient is hospitalized. Dr. Nadworny says Innovotech is making good progress with a particular low weight silver compound that will offset the rising cost of silver on the commodities market. √ Cheryl Croucher hosts Innovation Anthology which is broadcast on CKUA Radio at 7:58 am and 3:58 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays. Download the podcasts at www. innovationanthologyy.com and follow Cheryl on Twitter @CherylCroucher
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SOCIALSCENE Most Photos by Holly Robson
What a hoot!
O
h, what a night!
The Valley Zoo Development Society presented ZooFest 2012 to raise funds for Nature’s Wild Backyard, the next addition in the zoo’s master plan. Patrons had the chance to spend a fun evening with furry, scaled and feathered animals. They enjoyed food and wine supplied by the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel, homemade iced tea compliments of The Tea Place, and coffee donated by Second Cup. Edmonton Valley Zoo’s brand new beautiful Arctic Shores exhibit was showcased. The silent and live auctions featured some wild items, and photo opps with Lucy the elephant, Hula the seal, and Cortez the spectacled owl sold out. The event netted $25,000. Mark your calendars: the next Zoofest will be celebrated on June 22, 2013.
Don & Diana Wilson, owners of Sundance Spas, with Lucy. Photo by Von Milan
Tammy Wiebe, Executive Director of the Valley Zoo Development Society, with Cortez, a spectacled owl. Photo by Bill Cowen
Monica Zeniuk with Mom Bernadine Giovinazzo, who flew in from Kitchener to help with the silent auction. Monica is an Executive Member of the Valley Zoo Development Society, Sales Manager of Coast Edmonton Plaza The CUPE Cuties: Lillian Hotel and Mrs. Canada Dykau, Gayle Bunch and International 2003 Angela Scott came to support the zookeepers, members of Local 30 of the Canadian Union Public Employees
Kathy Schmidt, 2012 Realtor of the Year, and husband Larry celebrated their wedding anniversary with Cortez.
MC Shaye Ganam, Global Edmonton, gets a kiss from Hula the Harbour Seal
Hula the Harbour Seal beginning to paint as Makani looks on. Photo by Jen Hammer
Lewis Lavoie starting his masterpiece which was auctioned off for $1200. He was chosen by the Canadian government to paint during the London Olympics.
Babes Without Babes – Corrine Davis, Monica Zeniuk, Sandi Hunter and founder Seanna Collins 46
Wildrose Critter and Holly Robson
Auctione er Russ F inlay in a ction
Lucy thanked Coast Hotels for the food and wine EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
Date Purchased:
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EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012
47
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EDMONTONIANS FALL 2012