Reveal Niagara - Business Magazine - Volume 1 | Issue 2

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t is with great pleasure that we deliver our second issue of Reveal Niagara Business Magazine. After concluding our first 2 years in publishing, it was clear to us that bringing this magazine to life was a necessity we could no longer put off. Our first issue that released last year confirmed that we were not the only ones who felt this way, as we continue to receive an outpouring of positive feedback from our community as well as our international audience. It’s no secret, Niagara’s economic landscape is growing rapidly, and we are happy to provide a quality forum to showcase it, both online and in print.

note from the

PUBLISHERS

We are also extremely proud that we, too, as publishers are growing. With our own brand of magazines increasing in popularity and demand, we had to increase the size of our team so that we can continue exceeding expectations and producing high quality publications.

We are energized and excited for what 2020 brings us, and the strategic partnerships and collaboration we have developed are ones we are truly grateful for. Part of what pushes Niagara’s fiercely competitive business network forward is the strength of that same business community choosing to collaborate on projects together.

By adding even more talent to our design and editorial team, and partnering with powerful technology partners, we have been able to produce more publications that deliver our unique (and stunning!) style and quality that readers have come to expect. We offer more flexibility and value to our advertisers through worthwhile content, targeted and reliable distribution, and engaging and innovative technology and digital enhancements.

Alongside the growth of our team, our audience continues to grow significantly. More than 1 million readers are engaging with our brand, and we are connecting with 28 countries online - because Niagara is intriguing, competitive and worthy of investment.

Do you have topics you’d like our team to research and write about? Get in touch! We’d love to continue our collaboration through to the community, to hear from you and to continue the important conversations.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

– Helen Keller

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REVEAL Niagara Business Magazine • Volume 1 Issue 2 • 2019

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and stay up to date with the latest updates. Just like & follow @ revealniagara Sincerely,

NIAGARA BUSINESS MAGAZINE Volume 1 • Issue 2

PUBLISHERS Rowe Prudente Brandy Henderson CREATIVE TEAM Tina Lanzillotta Megan Pasche

With Niagara’s ever-changing economic landscape, it is critically important to deliver highly relevant and engaging content to the businesses here while connecting the leaders of today and tomorrow throughout the region. It is out commitment to be the leading platform that delivers meaningful, effective and thoughtprovoking content, both internal and external to out community. We are proud to empower Niagara by bringing you this regional B2B publication, offering vital information for your business and the latest information impacting our Niagara community.

on the cover

ACCOUNT MANAGERS: Brian Fletcher brian@owneragroup.com 905.380.4005 Steven Cahill steven@owneragroup.com 905.321.6970 Miguel Mori miguel@owneragroup.com 905.980.0856 TECHNOLOGY PARTNER Julio Batres-Gavidia, Paradigm Ventures Niagara DIGITAL COORDINATORS Raine Gould Kyle Cofell PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTORS Alistair Harlond stock photos @unsplash WRITERS Brandy Henderson Tina Lanzillotta Megan Pasche Gabrielle Tieman-Lee CONNECT WITH US linkedin.com/company/owneramedia instagram.com/revealniagara facebook.com/revealniagara GET IN TOUCH owneramedia.com publishers@owneramedia.com 289-501-0090 4551 Zimmerman Ave. Niagara Falls, ON Canada, L2E 3M5

The History of Glass pg 27

Reveal Magazine is published by Ownera Media, a subsidiary of Ownera Group Inc. Opinions expressed in Reveal Magazine are not necessarily those of Ownera Media or Ownera Group Inc, their owners, employees or stakeholders. All submitted content inclusive of photography is assumed to be intended for publication. The right to edit, alter or refuse content is assumed. All material and content submitted to Ownera Media for purpose of publication is done so at the risk of the submitter. Ownera Media does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information contained in this publication. Ownera Media is not responsible for any products or services of any third-party advertiser or the content in any advertising of such advertisers.

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REVEAL Niagara Business Magazine • Volume 1 Issue 2 • 2019

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REVEAL Niagara Leisure Magazine • Volume 2 Issue 1 • 2019

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NIAGARA BUSINESS MAGAZINE

expand your reach OUR MAGAZINE IS READ AND SHARED IN OVER 29 COUNTRIES. If you like what we have to share, and you would like to be part of the Reveal community as an advertiser we’d love to hear from you!

To find out more contact us at letstalk@revealmags.com.

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REVEAL Niagara Business Magazine • Volume 1 Issue 2 • 2019

CONTENTS marketing economics

11 12 15

17 19 21

APPS FO R BUSINE SS PO DCASTS FO R BUSINE SS PAG E TURNE RS

TE CHNICALLY INCLINE D LIVING WAG E INTE RNATIO NAL TALE NT

cover feature

27

HISTO RY O F G LASS

incognito

3 0

SUPPLY AND DE MAND

business

the edge community

32 36 41

LE ARNING THE SIDE HUSTLE YO UTH IN BUSINE SS TIPS FO R STARTUPS

42 44

INSPIRATIO N FO R SUCCE SS HE ALTHY LUNCHE S

48 5 0

NE TWO RK ING IN NIAGARA CHO O SING THE RIG HT CHARITY

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Niagara Falls Ryerson Innovation Hub powered by Spark

Are you an innovative entrepreneur?

The Niagara Falls Ryerson Innovation Hub (NFRIH) is an incubator for small businesses looking to grow fast. The incubator is focused on growing digital products and services for entrepreneurs based in Niagara.

Founded by the City of Niagara Falls, Ryerson University and Spark Niagara, NFRIH has created an educational ecosystem, which will foster entrepreneurial growth.

Our 4 month program will provide business owners with access to hands-on advice from experienced leading industry experts and entrepreneurs-in-residence (EiRs) who have done it all before. They will equip you with the strategies and resources you need to take your business to the next level.

How to Apply Applications for the NFRIH program are open year round, however we run set 4-month cohorts each year.

To apply visit niagarafallsryersonhub.ca If you have questions regarding the NFRIH program or your eligibility please contact us at NFRIH@sparkniagara.com.

marketing

Digital assistance...

For small business owners, anything that can make the day a little bit easier and more efficient is welcome with opened arms. Thanks to technology, there are several apps that can help business owners achieve these goals.

Evernote

Rescue Time

Salesforce1

Square

This app has several features that you may find quite useful. It has a “web clipper” feature that allows you to save any useful information you find online. Screenshots, articles, web pages..they can all be sorted and organized. It has several templates available for meeting nots, allowing you to choose the template that best suits your project. It allows for syncing of all your notes, whether you start one on your phone or laptop.

It has a “space” feature, where you can allow a team of people to have access to the same files, notes, etc. Depending on which features you want to take advantage of, you can either sign up for the free plan, a premium plan that costs $9.99 a month or the Business Plan, that costs $14.99 per user, per month.

This time tracking app will help you figure out where exactly your time goes so you can make the most of it. It works in the back of your phone or computer and automatically tracks where most of your time goes.

You can set alerts, so that if, for example, you spend longer than 20 minutes on Facebook, the app will let you know.

It can also block certain sites during certain times, to make sure you stay focused, plus much more. Plans are available for individuals or teams.

This app is meant to accompany the Salesforce software you already have, and allows you to access everything from Salesforce on your mobile device. Other features include a voice assistant that lets you capture notes, update data and create tasks.

You can also get personalized daily briefings.

The app allows for a lot of customization which allows you to make the most of its many features. Gives you analytics for marketing, sales and customer service.

This app lets you process credit and debit card payments in person with one small card reader. It makes sales super easy for you. They also offer a Square stand if you are going to be using it in store, as well as a couple of other options.

If you are just using the small square, the charge is 2.65% per transaction.

Fees will be dependant on which option you choose.

Dropbox Business Dropbox allows you to sync files across various platforms. The app lets you access the files from your mobile device.

There are plans available for all different sizes of business.

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Entrepreneurs on Fire

Biz budz...

Motivational and informative, these podcasts are a jolt to your business sensibilites.

This award winning podcast hosted by John Lee Dumas feature over 2000 interviews with many experts in their fields. New episodes come out every week an teach you how to start on your path to financial freedom.

Youpreneur This podcast is hosted by Chris Pucker, a British entrpreneur, a best-selling author and keynote speaker. He covers many different topics, including creating a personal brand, how to delegate, launching online products and more.

Mixergy This podcast features interviews with some of the top start-up founders in the world an provides tips and tricks for business owners just starting out.

HBR Ideacasts This podcast from Harvard Business Review releases a new episode every week which features leaders in business an management. Hosted by senior editors at the HBR Alison Beard and Curt Nickisch.

Masters of Scale This podcast hosted by Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, aims to show how companies grow from small to large, based on theories he has about scaling. Features guests such as Mark Zuckerberg, Brian Chesky and Selina Tobaccowalla.

The Tim Ferriss Show The author of the best-selling business book, The 4-Hour Workweek, also has a podcast that has repeatedly found itself on the top of many “best of” lists.

Guests are from all different areas of business and provide tips, tactics an tools that business owners an apply to their own businesses.

Business Wars This relatively new podcast picks two competing businesses (ie. Netflix vs.

HBO or Nike vs. Adidas), an examines the story of each business anyhow they compete with each other.

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REVEAL Niagara Business Magazine • Volume 1 Issue 2 • 2019

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OBusiness WLeisure N E R Magazine A MEDIA P O D C2 ST C I N G S13 OON REVEAL REVEALNiagara Niagara • Volume 1AIssue 12 O• M2019

OVER

CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS Located in the heart of North America’s most affluent consumer market, Niagara Falls is a dynamic, internationally renowned city with a prosperous business community. Niagara Falls is a global marketplace destination with a direct, same day market area of over 150 million consumers, and is built on an economic foundation anchored by tourism, manufacturing, commercial retail, and knowledge-based sectors.

We are linked to the world by extensive road, rail, water, air, and telecommunications networks. In addition to having desirable industrial and commercial real estate, Niagara Falls offers a reasonable cost of living and some of the most attractive residential communities in all of Canada. With these advantages and amenities, it’s no wonder that local, national, and international companies exceed their expectations and expand their operations in Niagara Falls. We welcome your business. Come see all the opportunities that flow in Niagara Falls, Canada.

• • • • • • • •

Strategic location advantages in include: Internationally Recognized Address Canadian Foreign Trade Zone Designation Niagara Economic Gateway Incentive Programs Ontario’s extensive 400 series highways and I-90 corridor through the United States Five airports within a 90-minute radius The St. Lawrence Seaway commercial waterway Commercial and passenger rail crossings connecting the United States and Canada.

Four bridges connecting Niagara to the United States

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Niagara Falls City Hall 4310 Queen Street Niagara Falls L2E 6X5

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SERGE FELICETTI Director of Business Development sfelicetti@niagarafalls.ca 905-356-7521 Ext. 5102

REVEAL Niagara Business Magazine • Volume 1 Issue 2 • 2019 niagarafallsbusiness.ca

OF

FUELLING

FULL SERVE SELF SERVE NIAGARA FALLS Thorold Stone Rd. at Montrose Rd. Thorold Stone Rd. at St. Peter Ave. Drummond Rd. at Scott St. Stanley Ave. at Valley Way Lundy’s Lane at Carlton St. Bridge St. at Victoria Ave. Portage Rd. at Norton St. NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE York Road Niagara Stone Rd. at Creek Rd. FORT ERIE Gilmore Rd. ST. CATHARINES St. Paul St. West at Louth St. Ontario St. at GM Plant Welland Ave. at Francis St. Martindale Rd. at Hannover St. THOROLD Collier Rd. at Confederation

OW NED & OPER ATE D

page turners…

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown A book about the power of vulnerability and how it can transform all areas of our lives. Dr. Brown has spent more than two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy. She is a research professor at the University of Houston.

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight In this book, the creator of Nike shares the inside story of what is now one of the world’s most recognizable brands.

Purple Cow by Seth Godin This philosophy behind this book is that for your business to be successful, it needs to be remarkable. He challenges business owners to rethink the way they market their businesses.

Contagious by Jonah Berger This book examines how and why things go viral. Why do some products/events/etc seem to spread like wildfire and others don’t? Why do some just fade out? Jonah Berger is a marketing professor at Wharton and he’s spent his career examining and trying to answer these questions.

Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg New York Times reporter Charles Duhigg dives deep into the power of habit, how to change habits and why habits even exist in the first place. The only way to change a habit is to understand how habits work. And this book does just that.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill This age old best-seller examines the way in which people have achieved great wealth. The book shows you what to do and more importantly, how to do it.

4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss This book examines how to live more and work less. It’s a whole new thought-process about how often we work, where we work and why we work.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie This is an oldie but a goodie, and it is still just as relevant today as the day it was originally published. It helps you to reach your maximum potential and includes six ways to make people like you, twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking and the nine ways to change people without arousing resistance.

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THE FIRST RULE OF ANY TECHNOLOGY USED IN A BUSINESS IS THAT AUTOMATION APPLIED TO AN EFFICIENT OPERATION WILL MAGNIFY THE EFFICIENCY. THE SECOND IS THAT AUTOMATION APPLIED TO AN INEFFICIENT OPERATION WILL MAGNIFY THE INEFFICIENCY. – BILL GATES 16

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economics

TECHNICALLY INCLINED

BY GABRIELLE TIEMAN-LEE

T

echnology has had a major impact on the modern business. Not only have tech advancements revolutionized how you both market and operate your business, but it has transformed how you reach and interact with current and prospective customers – helping you do so effectively and efficiently.

Unlike the popular belief that technology is hurting the job market, technology has been proven to help staff perform their jobs more proficiently and can create more positions within a company.

And though some customers and employees may be resistant to technical changes, either because it seems daunting or confusing in the moment, that does not mean you should avoid making changes to your business.

Without becoming a computer wizard, here are a few easy and non-intimidating ways you can easily and effectively improve your business with technology: Create a Brand with Social Media: Creating an image and brand for your business has never been easier than with today’s plethora of social media platforms. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Snapchat and YouTube: each platform is designed to share easily content such as images, videos and to the point literature with your customers. With over 80 per cent of North Americans having at least one of these social media profiles, if not more, it is a no brainer that these are the avenues to use when reaching your customers.

Think of social media as the modern Zagat Guide – people visit Instagram before choosing a restaurant so they can see the food first, they read customer reviews about hotels on Facebook before booking, they watch performance clips on YouTube before buying tickets – if you are not present out there, they might just overlook you as irrelevant.

Plus, interactive websites, online chat

support services and 24/7 customer service via social media can set you apart from your competition and help increase your profits by making you accessible.

Invest in Targeted Marketing: Companies who market themselves properly reap the rewards in the long run. Targeted marketing identifies an audience likely to buy your services and products and promotes them exclusively to that audience – utilizing your marketing money efficiently and ensuring that finances are not wasted on uninterested groups (example: who would you rather target as a bridal store: engaged females or single young men? That’s what we thought!).

Companies, like Google, have created software that help businesses to identify these key groups and formulate a marketing plan once they have been identified. Email marketing can also be effective, allowing you to reach out directly to subscribed customers with news, updates and special offers on a personal level.

Invest in Hands-On Technology: No matter your business, it is always important to look modern and at the top of your game. An easy way to upkeep your business is to ensure your in-house technology is kept up to date with what your customers are becoming accustomed to seeing and using. Technology to consider can include: up to date Point of Sale equipment [including platforms that accept Tap, Apple Pay, mobile payments, etc.], self-registration technology or fob access which allow customers to check in seamlessly without wait, self checkout machines, etc.

And though it may seem impossible in today’s ever-advancing era to keep entirely up to date all the time, investing in upkeep can help you keep old customers as well as attract new ones.

REVEAL Niagara Business Magazine • Volume 1 Issue 2 • 2019

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REVEAL Niagara Business Magazine • Volume 1 Issue 2 • 2019

OPINION

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER PAYING A LIVING WAGE BY: BRANDY HENDERSON

It seems like a long time ago when a cluster of organizations in NIagara began announcing their commitment to pay a proper living wage. I personally recall the Pen Financial announcement in 2018, which is when the conversation really started to buzz about why an employer should be paying such wages. Since that time, I have been privy to countless discussions where I have had to bite my tongue.

I have to say, while I am extremely proud of the companies across Niagara who have announced becoming a living wage certified employer, I am equally surprised that more have not.

For many years, this was a very touchy for me because of how much time on a daily basis was committed to discussing finances for the company I worked for. Budgets and forecasts and financial discussions every day of the year talked heavily about capital investment, productivity and performance. We constantly assessed our overall financial health right down to the minute (literally, in 60 second increments). We monitored and measured every fraction of time to negotiate contracts and maximize profitability. We discussed where to cut budget and where we had to invest in order to maintain or increase those margins. It was always exceptionally frustrating to me how infrequently we would advocate for increasing

the rate of pay for our employees directly responsible for driving that revenue.

What continues to amaze me years after leaving the corporate environment, is how easily we can justify ROI when discussing an investment in hardware, furniture, or machinery but struggle greatly when it comes to what we pay our employee base. In my experience, it is actually harder to show an actual financial return on investing in anything other than our people, because we lack the hard data, yet those are the investment proposals that are approved.

Now, I’ve been in business long enough to know why this can be hard to do. It can be quite painful at first because of the impact on your short term profitability, especially if you’ve locked into a forecast. Over time, though, it does far more than improve your company culture and overall morale - it saves you a tremendous amount of money. These financial savings come predominantly from two major areas: employee retention and performance efficiency.

If you have more than 1 employee, than you likely know (or can find out) how much money it would cost to replace that employee if they left your organization. To recruit, hire, train and then onboard that staff member is a large investment of both time and money.

Retaining talent and reducing these costs could save you hundreds of thousands, depending upon the size of your organization.

Additionally, when your employees generate a higher level of output, you need fewer employees to accomplish necessary tasks. In the simplest example, 9 top performers being paid $50,000 a year will cost you less than 14 average being paid $30,000 a year.

Increasing employee salaries is an investment toward a more productive, higher-quality, profitable business. There are so many factors to consider when looking at this - every organization is unique and different and by no means am I implying these changes are easy.

Attracting and retaining the right talent is hard, and having a higher cost associated with that is of course risky. Each organization has their own risks to weigh, which will define different strategies and outputs.

What I would like to encourage, is to begin considering these factors more regularly. Every business, no matter the size, stands to see gains from reviewing their data and at minimum understanding the short-term impact and the long-term gains. By understanding the data, you can revisit it as your business evolves and beginning planning for a better future, one that benefits the financial health of your employees and your business.

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I N T E R NAT I O NA L

TALEN T I N N I A GA R A Are you missing out on a great hire?

Courtesy of the Niagara Work Force Planning Board

Employers in Niagara are always looking out for skilled and enthusiastic talent to join their teams.

However, some employers report difficulty finding the right people to work for them.

Meanwhile, many highly skilled, highly motivated people living in Niagara report difficulty finding employment in their field of expertise.

In particular, many of these job seekers are newcomers – recent immigrants and refugees. These are people who’ve come to Niagara with many years of experience and education to share with a new employer, but are often lacking the local connections that would allow them to find a job as quickly as their locally-born peers. Newcomers also sometimes face additional social challenges in their new community, which can impede their ability to find work.

As a result, many employers miss out on a great opportunity to bring in new team members with considerable skills. International talent is readily available in Niagara. Niagara’s newcomers are often just as highly trained and experienced as local talent, and ready to work. Niagara Workforce Planning Board (NWPB) has collected a wealth of data on this often overlooked population. >>

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table 1: TOP FIVE NATIONS OF BIRTH for immigrants & newcomers to the Niagara Region

Who are Niagara’s immigrants & newcomers?

ALL IMMIGRANTS

When one takes into account that many immigrants are now long-time residents, the immigrant population of Niagara is larger than most people think. According to Statistics Canada’s 2016 Census numbers, 16.3% of Niagara’s total population is comprised of immigrants. The number of immigrants living in the Niagara region totaled 72,855 in 2016.

The country of origin for immigrants and newcomers has changed over time. Table 1 shows the overall breakdown of the top five nations of birth for Niagara’s immigrant population, as well as the current top five nations of birth for Niagara’s newcomers. Generally we see that the immigrant population has shifted from individuals arriving from European countries, to individuals arriving from countries throughout Asia.

United Kingdom

Italy

United States

Netherlands

Poland

India

United Kingdom

NEWCOMERS

Philippines

China

United States

Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census of Population, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-316-X2016001

What kind of training do newcomers bring with them?

Many newcomers to Canada arrive with valuable skills and experience. When comparing immigrant and newcomer populations with the non-immigrant population in Niagara, one finds that the breakdown of qualifications is fairly evenly matched across the

board. The notable exceptions are Bachelor’s and Graduate degrees; there we find that the percentage of immigrants and newcomers holding these degrees is noticeably higher than the non-immigrant population.

table 2: Percentage breakdowns of

POST-SECONDARY QUALIFICATION HOLDERS in Niagara

%

%

%

%

%

Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census of Population, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-400-X2016269

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REVEAL Niagara Business Magazine • Volume 1 Issue 2 • 2019

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REVEAL Niagara Business Magazine • Volume 1 Issue 2 • 2019

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As for areas of expertise, a look at the top major fields of study among the newcomer population as of 2016 shows that fields including business, health care, engineering, and social sciences are significantly represented.

Table 3: MAJOR

FIELDS OF STUDY

for the newcomer population in Niagara Business, management, marketing and related support services

595

Health professions and related programs

430

Engineering

220

Social sciences

120

Education

100

Computer and information sciences and support services

85

Personal and culinary services

85 Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census of Population, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-400-X2016269

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REVEAL Niagara Business Magazine • Volume 1 Issue 2 • 2019

What does this mean?

We know that a sizeable portion of Niagara’s population is comprised of immigrants. We know that Niagara also sees plenty of newcomers, many of whom are highly educated, but struggle to find work.

From here, then, it’s a question of how to connect employers with this population.

Has your business considered outreach to immigrants and newcomers? Are you interested in doing more to help bring international talent into the local workforce? If you’re looking to tap into this demographic, NWPB provides an Immigrant Mentorship Program pairing highly trained newcomers with established local professionals to help bridge some of the cultural gaps that prevent newcomers from finding meaningful employment. Whether you’re interested in talking with some of our mentees or considering becoming a mentor yourself, our Mentorship Manager, Josie Faccini, can help. Get in touch with her today at 905.641.0801 x126, or email josie@niagaraworkforceboard.ca, to connect for success.

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At Reveal Magazine, we apply our four unique social media strategies on your behalf. The strategies are represented by four compelling and dynamic feathered species cruising above different altitudes. Utilizing their characteristics and valour, the strategy you pick can enhance your brand's visibility across your prefered social platform.

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Many scholars be bility to make gla ver a prolonged nd was influence ras; according to cal evidence, gla o have been disc our thousand yea potamia – a hist Western Asia. It s ound in Egypt, w 26

REVEAL Niagara Business Magazine • Volume 1 Issue 2 • 2019

elieve that the ass developed History tory period oflass time of Glass ed by countless o archaeologass is believed covered over ars ago in Mestorical region of soon after was where the first cover feature

By Gabrielle Tieman-Lee I Photos by AJ Harlond

or centuries, glass has been used as a material for creative expression. From delicate, intricate pieces to grand architectural design elements, glass has long been viewed as a symbol of elegance and power. Today, glass has evolved from a meager molten tool into the boundless creative material used commonly in modern architecture and design.

Many scholars believe that the ability to make glass developed over a prolonged period of time and was influenced by countless eras; according to archaeological evidence, glass is believed to have been discovered over four thousand years ago in Mesopotamia – a historical region of Western Asia. It soon after was found in Egypt, where the first man made glass bottles have been uncovered – dating back to 1450 BC. In ancient times glass creation was slow and tedious process; indicated by findings from this era – pieces which were delicate and rarely translucent like modern glass.

It is believed that for the next 500 years, Egypt, Syria and other countries along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea were the main centers for glass manufacturing; with glassmakers in Syria prospering during this time – specializing in plain bowls of single, brilliant colours. Evidence of this can also be found in the glass beads characteristic to the Hindu culture of roughly 200 BC – which were discovered in excavations.

It was not until the 1st Century BC that Syrian craftsmen are said to have invented the blow pipe iron [used to direct streams of gases into the molten glass] which allowed for greater manipulation of the material. This revolutionary discovery made glass production easier, faster and cheaper and more readily available to the masses for purchase.

These techniques are still used today – including the use of a blowing iron for crafting a blob of molten glass and rolling it into a suitable shape. This shape could then be blown inside a

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top left: A glass artwork tribute to John’s late uncle, Sergio Simonetti hangs prominently in the entrance to Glass Inc. Top right; The team at Glass Inc. from left to right:Angelo Simonetti, Karen Chan, Rick Horning, Tom Butera, John Simonetti. opposite page: Owner John Simonetti on location at Glass Inc.

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mold or freely in the air with occasional reheating to help keep the glass malleable.

From there the art spread to Greece and into the Italian peninsula where it continued to evolve. But it wasn’t until the conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC that glassmaking skills spread to the East.

During this time, colour was introduced to glass as well; with the most popular colors being royal blue and turquoise blue – colored by the addition of cobalt oxide and copper oxide – colorants which are still used today. Glassmakers were said to be attempting to imitate semi-precious stones, such as turquoise, which were valued by these early cultures. This addition of colour to glass helped to pave the way for stained glass production – which flourished in the Roman Empire and spread from Italy to all countries under its rule. Evidence of the art of making stained glass could be found commonly on churches and cathedrals across the continent; influencing the finest cathedral windows produced in the 13th and 14th centuries.

This use of glass had switched the course for the material – as it was now used to tell stories and impress power among people inside the building via grand windows. By the 17th century colored glass was being used in almost all churches and cathedrals throughout Europe.

The Industrial Revolution brought, even more, methods of producing and using glass.

The production of stronger types of glass, as well as the development of new construction

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methods, allowed for the use of glass for things other than windows. Glass was no longer used just as a cover for openings in walls but for the walls themselves.

The Chemical Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries brought greater understanding of the principles of glassmaking – with the development of systematic quantitative chemical analysis in 1808. This led to the development of durable soda-lime-silica glass and the modern composition. In 1932 W.H. Zachariasen published The Atomic Arrangement in Glass, a classic paper that is said to have had the most influence of any published work on glass science and the understanding of glass structure and its relationship to composition on its modern footing.

Bringing us to modern society where glass boundaries are non-existent and can be used in countless applications both structurally and decoratively.

Glass Inc. understands that modern glass design is far more than simply windows. Renowned for their one-of-a-kind custom glass and mirror products and concept accent pieces, Glass Inc. embraces the idea that the possibilities are endless when designing the glass finishes inside your home or business.

Founded in 2014, Glass Inc. is located in Niagara Falls and specializes in custom glass and mirror work: from frameless shower enclosures, wine rooms, customize back painted glass backsplashes, mirrored walls, glass guards

and rails – to name a few.

Their experienced team understands that the most important part of any project is to give a personal experience; they are happy to provide the guidance and knowledge needed to craft your dream into reality, no matter the size of the project, as their solutions and concepts are endless if you have the inspiration.

“The fact that everything we do is all custom makes this trade unique,” says owner of Glass Inc. John Simonetti, who has been in the construction industry for over 15 years. “It’s our team that separates us from the rest.”

Following years of working in the Greater Toronto Area providing builders, contractors, interior designers and retail customers with a variety of glass and mirror solutions, Simonetti decided to open Glass Inc. in Niagara Falls.

“As a resident of Niagara, I felt that there was room for a trendy trade like [Glass Inc.] to step in the market down here,” said Simonetti.

Simonetti said that Glass Inc. was founded with two simple but important principles: “Service and quality workmanship,” said Simonetti. “We all can provide the same type of glass. Its service and the ability make our customers feel like they hired the right trade with our execution. I can honestly say, we have never left a job with a customer being dissatisfied. We all make mistakes. There might be a measuring error, a purchasing error or a mistake in fabrication - its how quick you are to rectify it is what really counts.

“We work with many residential home builders and local contractors in the [Niagara] area and from the GTA,” said Simonetti. “I’d like to think we can take on any size job, but sometimes the volume of work we are doing with the new builds will interfere with larger commercial projects. I’d rather let a job slide to our competitors if we feel we can’t execute the demand on a prompt manner. I feel it is better

residential and commercial projects and are able to work alongside builders, contractors, interior designers and retail operations to bring an idea to fruition.

Due to the creative nature of their custom projects, along with an estimate, Glass Inc. goes one step further when mapping out a project: to help customers visualize the final product, their team can provide a fully dimensioned CAD

“As a resident of Niagara, I felt that there was room for a trendy trade like [Glass Inc.] to step in the market down here…”

– John Simonetti, Owner, Glass Inc. to be honest than to disappoint.”

For this reason, Glass Inc.’s experienced team who is able to offer free estimates and consultations to their customers in order to ensure project confidence and a mutually beneficial project outcome. They provide service to both

drawings and 3D rendering of the concept – on request. This way, customers can tactically visualize their ideas before committing to a final design.

For more information visit www.glassinc.ca to book your consultation.

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incognito

OPINION

SUPPLY & DEMAND Why new development in Niagara is not the cause of our affordable housing issues

BY MARLEY “MK” KEYNES Whenever the topic of affordable housing is raised the inevitable question that arises is “how can the government fix this problem?”

Solutions range from mandating a set number of affordable units in each new housing development, government subsidies to build housing and of course a very popular suggestion from those without economic background is rent control.

One of the simpler solutions, however, is the exact opposite of what many people are claiming to be the cause. Quite simply, we need to build more homes.

You might be thinking, that’s crazy – all the new development in Niagara has driven prices up. Time and time again we see projects that are never approved or are stalled so frequently with red tape that they are abandoned in the planning stages which is creating a rise in housing costs for the long term.

The housing market is just that, a market. And market rules do apply, more specifically the rules around supply and demand.

When there is more supply than demand prices drop, this is such a universal truth of economics that such divergent thinkers as Adam Smith, the father of modern capitalist thought and Karl Marx, his counterpart on the communist side, acknowledged that supply and demand affect price.

So why does it seem as though our politicians do not embrace this solution? If you ask me, it’s not sexy to campaign on because there’s no immediate results. Voters expect results and if you point to successes of affordable housing in places like Tokyo, you better have results like Tokyo by the next election or your opponent will trot out your “failures”. Furthermore, the best solution has particularly bad optics for politicians; you need to build more high-end houses, the so called “McMansions”. A politician running on a “build more homes for the rich” platform is not going to win any elections. Yet it’s a solution that makes a perverse amount of economic sense.

Everyone outside the top 0.01% of people purchase houses on a budget. People will typically purchase new over used when given the opportunity. Now what happens when you have two families with an after-tax income over $150,000 bidding on the same house? The price goes up! Unless you have a sufficient amount of new upper tier housing, removing the predicament altogether and providing the family that lost the bid a chance to simply find another home to purchase.

Dare I say, it’s time we encourage and embrace more housing development throughout Niagara. This has become more than a place to visit, and with more people looking to make Niagara their home regardless of how we might feel about that, we need to be prepared to welcome them. The only way to do so without putting our existing residents at risk is to build new development at the rate we require.

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business

learning Side Hustle the

By Gabrielle Tieman-Lee There is nothing more appealing than making extra money from the comfort of your own home. For this reason, side hustles are quickly becoming the new second career – with one-in-three working Canadians managing their own side business and 42 per cent working more than one job, according to a new SAGE Survey.

From the dorm-room side project turned social media giant Facebook to the frustration-fueled wardrobe disaster turned into the must-have SPANX, there’s no shortage of success stories that started out as side businesses. But for every breakthrough, plenty of ideas stay in the garage.

Maybe you discovered your idea already exists or you realized you’ll be putting in the hours only to be pulling in pennies – there’s nothing more disappointing than getting excited about a new source of income only to find out that it’s actually a bust. >>

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some side hustles Start an Etsy Shop

Hand knit mittens for babies, punny cross stitches for your bathroom, delicate beaded jewellery, custom wood signs – you can sell just about anything creative you can think of!

Care for Critters

Dog walking services, over night pet sitting, cat companionship, grooming – people love their pets and are always looking for good people to care for them when they can’t.

Cleaning Services

Are you a neat freak who loves to clean? Monetize it! Organizing and decluttering services, packing companies, car detailing, clean homes – if you can make your own cleaning products to use, the better.

Break a Sweat

Start a fitness class with a niche (pre-natal exercises, mom and baby Pilates, running with your dog), become a personal trainer or small group trainer – people love intimate workout classes outside of a gym!

Here are a few tips to building a successful side hustle while managing your career.: DO YOUR RESEARCH Finding a side hustle can be hard. Although hopping on a trendy bandwagon may be appealing (we have all considered selling makeup at one point or another) a side hustle that fills a niche in your area may be more lucrative in the long run.

Consider what is missing from your own life: do you wish there was a service that walked your dog? Are you searching for a custom sign for your kids’ room? Chances are what you wish existed - others probably wish for too!

With That in Mind - Invest in your Creative Skills: Are you incredible at crocheting? Are your friends constantly raving about your homemade jams? Can you propagate succulents like no other? These may seem like minute hobbies, but these are creative skills that many others do not possess – and have a huge interest in purchasing. With the rise of shop local initiatives and the growing culture around farmers markets and handmade fairs, a skilled artisan can really profit from their creative outlets if they are willing to put in the work, create and promote their products.

DREAM BIG BUT FOCUS SMALL You might already be dream pitching your ideas to Shark Tank while you are in the shower – but slowing down and perfecting your ideas can go a long way in building a successful side hustle. Speak to your friends and family about your ideas, do your research, hone your skills and build a customer base. Later, you can leverage that customer base – and everything you’ve learned – to successfully hunt bigger game.

DON’T SPEND MONEY THE CUSTOMER WON’T SEE Many businesses require spending money before making money; unfortunately, when it comes to a kicking off a side

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business, you may not have that much disposable money to spend – isn’t that why you are taking on a side job to start with? With what money you do have to invest in yourself, ask yourself first “does this investment touch the customer?” If it doesn’t, don’t buy it. You don’t need fancy office furniture or new business clothing.

Instead, purchase a domain name, register for a craft fair booth, etc.

TAKE ACTION Making a plan is great. But life can happen, things get in the way and all of a sudden your big idea has been sitting on a mental shelf for six months. It’s easy to think and plan yourself out of ever initiating your side hustle. If you are truly committed to an idea, spend a little time planning and then spend a lot more time doing. Look at starting your side business as an experiment or as extra Me Time at the end of each day.

Plus, a lot of people need flexibility in their side gigs, and often side jobs appear flexible when they really require a strict time commitment. You will never know how much time your venture will take up until you start putting the real work in.

NO MILLION DOLLAR IDEA? JOIN A CORPORATE SIDE HUSTLE No, we aren’t talking about “Buy to Sell” companies or pyramid schemes which trap you into spending money in order to potentially earn later. We are talking about established companies who hire employees wanting side hustle-type hours. Think ride share companies which allow drivers to commit to as many or as little hours as they would like; successful ride share companies like Lyft and Uber are currently in over 18 cities across Canada – including the Niagara Region – and offer their drivers the ability to make their own hours.

2017 2017 2018 2019

Honour your home.

NIAGARA HOME RENOVATORS

EST. 2008

MAKING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN NEW & OLD 905-324-1928 • QUEENSTREETCARPENTRY.COM REVEAL Niagara Business Magazine • Volume 1 Issue 2 • 2019

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youth IN BUSINESS

By Gabrielle Tieman–Lee

To a motivated young tycoon, running a business is child’s play. Venturing far beyond the time-tested lemonade stand and paper route, today’s kids are becoming more creative and open about their business ideas. With the right help and encouragement, kids and teens alike are contributing some of the best new ideas to modern society. Did you know a 15-year-old invented the earmuffs and 16-year-old invented the trampoline? It is this kind of creative thinking that can change the world.

It is important to understand how to foster serial entrepreneurship at any age. But once the idea has taken root, how can you become your own boss and bring your idea to life?

If you want to start a business but don’t know where to start, don’t worry – you are not alone.

No matter what your idea or motivation is, you can start today, by understanding where to start, who to reach out to and how to stay encouraged while growing your business. >>

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“Children are great imitators.

So give them something great to imitate.”

— Anonymous CREATE THE JOB YOU WANT FIRST

Given the economic reality and job-scape of our time, more people than ever have discovered that the job they thought was waiting for them after school, did not exist. This is especially true for today’s youth; those uninspired by after school jobs at a fast-food chain or retail store are turning to their own creative ideas for ways to make money.

So how do you encourage these dreams into reality? First, it is important that children be passionate about what they would like to do – so you do not wind up with time spent working on a project only to have them lose interest and be back to square one.

Have your child brainstorm their goals and discuss the passion behind their business ideas – no matter how silly it may be in the moment. Then, have them think about all the nuts and bolts needed to turn their idea into a reality: What kind of equipment, supplies or training do they need?

If they’ll be mowing lawns, do they need a lawn mower, gas for the lawn mower, proper footwear, etc.? If they’ll be starting a child care or baby-sitting service, should they take a sitter and first aid course beforehand?

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Once they have the right idea, but you feel as though they need more guidelines for fostering their idea into a tangible business, research literature you can share with them that can help inspire them further and explain the steps required to bring their business to life. Kidpreneurs: Young Entrepreneurs with Big Ideas! by Adam Toren and Matthew Toren is a book that not only stokes a child’s desire to get involved in business but also outlines some basic tools and strategies kids can use to gain valuable experience in starting, managing and growing a successful business venture.

LEARN ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY

Do you live in a rural area that is in dire need of an agriculture-centric business?

Do you live in an apartment building with neighbors who need help caring for their pets? Understanding your immediate community is a huge aspect to building a successful business – one that can prosper and fill a niche in your area.

A safe and informative way to get to know your community and their needs is to reach out to your local city hall and inquire

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about any enterprise centres or programs that may be available that can help guide you and fine tune your ideas on a local front.

Many cities offer seminars and workshops which focus on creating business plans, offer information on how to secure local permits, teach basic business money management skills and help connect entrepreneurs to other business start-up resources that may be helpful – including bursary and scholarship opportunities for students.

BUILD YOUR NETWORK

Once your business is conceived and your product created, it is time to test run your ideas out in your community and build your network locally. Local business fairs and community events [including markets, town halls, etc.] are a great place to first debut your business and see first hand what level of interest there is within your region.

Once you have showcased your ideas and word has spread, take to social media to promote your business past the confines of your neighbourhood. Social media marketing is free and an easy way to spread word about your business much faster than simply word of mouth.

Niagara Organizations

for Kid-preneurs NIAGARA CHILDREN’S BUSINESS FAIR – Jordan / Balls Falls Conservation Area: Children ages six to 14 have an opportunity to launch their very own start up and showcase their business to the community. Leading up to the event, kidpreneurs will develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy and gain valuable insight from local entrepreneurs. At the event, the kidpreneurs will come together to proudly display and sell their products or service.

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FUTURPRENEUR - Niagara Falls: Futurpreneur Canada has been fuelling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for nearly two decades. They are the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Futurpreneur Canada says they “look at character, not collateral, when providing futurpreneurs with prelaunch coaching, business resources, low-interest financing, and industry-leading mentoring”.

The internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of volunteer mentors.

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YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAM; SUMMER COMPANY - Niagara Falls and St. Catharines: Designed for students between 15 and 29 years of age who are looking to start a summer business, the Summer Company Program is a great chance to develop entrepreneurial skills and make money at the same time. Students receive hands-on coaching and mentoring and up to $3,000 dollars to help them start and operate their business.

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TIPS FOR

Start Ups

“When you start a business you will more than likely be wearing multiple hats. You will be the marketing department, HR department, sales department and so on. Look at what your strengths are and use your networks to find experts in areas your knowledge isn’t as strong. There are only so many hours in a day so make them count. As your business grows you will find yourself working more “on your business” rather than “in your business” – Michael Warchala , Small Business Consultant, Small Business Enterprise Centre, City of Niagara Falls

UNDERSTAND YOUR MARKET

LONG TERM STRATEGY

Take the time to do market research and really understand the characteristics of your number one client.

What age group, gender, income, occupation - what are their interests and their challenges.

Resources are tight, time is flying by, and you are getting pulled into handing day to day challenges and tasks. Be disciplined and always carve out time every week to review what you are doing to ensure the long term viability of your business. Things like marketing, training and development, community involvement, and financial and capital growth are all items that you cannot put off to the future - they are your future.

REMEMBER YOUR WHY Many people are inspired to begin their business not only because of their desire to bring their passion to life, but also the deep need to build out a custom designed life for themselves. Understanding exactly what this ideal life looks like and then reflecting upon that regularly is what will give you the drive and motivation to continue.

BE WILLING TO ADJUST Listen to the feedback from your customers, what they are reacting to positively, what they are asking more of.

This feedback will guide you to ensuring your vision for your business can evolve to meet the demands and desires of your target customer base. Always run the feedback against your original business plan, and stay true to your core values and vision, but be willing to be flexible.

MENTORSHIP & LEADERSHIP Take any opportunity available to get around people doing what you want to do, that have results in that same area, and be a sponge.

RESEARCH INNOVATION No matter what your business or field, there is always an opportunity to incorporate new innovation and stay competitive. What are you doing differently than your competition. What makes you a better value. Are your products and services solving a problem for the community in an efficient manner?

“Starting a new business is one of the biggest challenges someone can take. It is important to start with research, a plan, and a team of supporters including mentors, business professionals, and fellow entrepreneurs. The St. Catharines Enterprise Centre helps new startups with information and guidance to get through those challenging first couple of years.”

– Rob Belchior, Small Business Consultant, Small Business Enterprise Centre, City of St. Catharines

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INSPIRATION FOR THE NEXT LEVEL OF SUCCESS

the

“Never look back in regret: move on to the next thing.”

– RICHARD BRANSON

Set big, scary goals.

You’ll never know what you might achieve unless you do.

TIME IS MONEY, MONEY IS TIME, TIME IS MONEY, MONEY IS TIME… Everything takes twice as long and costs twice as much as you think it will, and that’s ok.

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be persistent…

Persistence is always applicable. In service and sales - If someone has not given you a direct “no thank you”, it’s likely they’ve been busy focusing on other priorities. Following up is not nagging, and you may find more often than not that they are interested in what you have to share.

the edge

It’s OK to Take a Break

It may feel like everything will fall apart or there’s not enough time as it is, but sometimes taking a break to mentally reset is exactly what your business needs to propel forward.

Surround yourself with people whose strengths are different than your own.

Don’t Let it Define You Your job, career or business does not dictate you’re selfworth, no matter what state it may be in. Evaluate your prior-

ities, your intentions and stay true to what matters to you as a person and you’ll find the upside and move ahead.

BE PREPARED TO FILTER BETWEEN ADVICE AND OPINION

Slay The Dragon

Dragons take on many forms – the hardest task of the day, a new responsibility, an impending deadline, or even dealing with conflict – and the trick is to just slay the dragon and move on. Don’t overthink it. To succeed, you have to have the confidence to take things head on and keep moving forward.

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HEALTHY LUNCH

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It can be difficult to eat healthy during the work week. It’s very tempting to just call Skip the Dishes, or head out for lunch with your coworkers. And while that is all well and good every once in a while, it’s beneficial to have some other options, so you don’t find yourself falling into a pattern that is both unhealthy and expensive.

MAKE

A DESK

PANTRY

Sometimes, you forget your lunch, or perhaps you are just bored by what you quickly grabbed one morning.

An easy solution is to always have a stocked “desk pantry” so you have some alternatives constantly available. Some options to include in your “pantry”: Oatmeal, whole grain crackers, heat and cool grains such as rice or quinoa, bread and tortilla wraps (if you have access to a freezer at work), cans of tuna and salmon, nut butters, salt & pepper, hot sauce, dijon mustard.

TH E

LU NCH

C LU B If you can find some co-workers of a similar mindset, why not set up a work lunch club? Each person is responsible for making a healthy lunch one day a week for the whole group (ideally, you can find four other people to do this with, but if not, even making lunch every other day would be an improvement).

Ideally, only one big meal to prepare for the week, and you are done! You just need to find the co-workers who have the same goals of healthy eating as you do. >>

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TRIED & TRUE EASY. HEALTHY. YUMMY. Jar of Salad.

Throw in some leafy greens, other vegetables, nuts and seeds, and a separate container of dressing. Come lunchtime, pour dressing in the jar, shake up, and you are all set.

Quinoa Bowls.

Quinoa stays good in the fridge for up to a week, so why not do up some quinoa bowls for your lunch? Quinoa goes with almost everything, so it makes it easy to have variety, even if you use quinoa for the base of your lunch multiple days of the week. Feel like a quinoa taco bowl? Throw in some black beans, tomatoes, avocado, sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), corn, lettuce and you are all set. Mix some taco seasoning into the yogurt and you’ll have the perfect topping.

Soup.

Invest in a good thermos that will keep your soup nice and hot come lunchtime. Homemade soup is quite easy to make, and is a great way to get some extra servings of veggies in. Most soups will freeze quite nicely also.

Wraps.

Premake a bunch of wraps and freeze them. They make for a perfect lunch when you need to grab and go. You an do cream cheese and ham or wraps with nut butters. Get creative with them! Wraps are also easy to make quick in the morning.

Throw in some cooked chicken from last nights dinner, some avocado, feta cheese, peppers (or whatever veggies you may have in your fridge), and enjoy!

Chili

This is a great one, especially in the fall and winter. Try a slightly healthier version by replacing the ground beef, with ground turkey, and load it up with as many healthy items as you can: sweet potatoes, lentils and black beans all taste great in chili.

Rice Salads.

Like quinoa, rice tends to pair well with a lot of different veggies and meat (chicken and salmon work well for lunch time rice bowls). Choose brown rice over white, as it will keep you feeling full for longer.

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Healthy Restaurants If you are going out for lunch, there are a ton of healthy options to choose from! Here are just some of them: ST. CATHARINES Freshii 281 St. Paul St.

Alligator Pear 113 Welland Ave, RIse Above 120 St. Paul St.

905 Eatz 30 Church St.

NIAGARA FALLS

Small Batch Juice Co. 204 St. Paul St.

Frijoles 3465 Portage Rd.

Urban Cravings 300 Fourth Ave, Unit 6

Freshii 5875 Falls Ave.

Harvest Barn 1179 Fourth Ave

Commisso’s Fresh Foods 6161 Thoroldstone Rd.

Flavour Fuel 145 Carlton St. Unit 1

BEAMSVILLE Root 8 5041 King St. WELLAND Vegan Hippie Chick 91 East Main St. Black Sheep Cafe 64 Niagara St. PORT COLBORNE The Smokin’ Buddha 265 King St. RIDGEVILLE Nature’s Corner 302 Canboro Road, Unit 1A,

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community

Networking IN NIAGARA One of the best ways to grow your business, especially for those just starting out, is joining some networking groups. They are great for getting support in your journey of owning a business, getting referrals and also simply making friends that are also in the business world. There are many options available here in Niagara, and you can likely find one that meets the restraints of your schedule.

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Some groups meet after work, some before, and some during lunch hour.

There are a couple networking groups we found that are specific to industries, which are great because they promote a forming a community and helping each other, as opposed to competing with each other. And if there isn’t a group here that is exactly what you want, you can always start your own!

TUESDAYS TOGETHER On the second Tuesday of every month, this networking group for creative entrepreneurs get together for coffee, chats, support and inspiration. Tuesdays Together is under the banner of the Rising Tide. Follow the Tuesdays Together-Niagara Facebook page for info on where meetings happen.

BUSINESS AFTER 5 These monthly free networking events put on by the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce take place the first Tuesday of every month from 5 to 7. The location changes every month. Light refreshments are served and you’ll have a chance to mingle with Chamber members and their guests.

NIAGARA TOURISM NETWORK A great place to get to know other professionals in the tourism industry. Monthly meetings happen the second Thursday of each month. The meetings are meant to be a venue for members to exchange information about what is happening in the industry and encourage partnerships between members.

NETWORKING NIAGARA This group has a focus on targeted networking, quality referrals and strategize relationships. There is only one member per professional occupation. Meetings happen weekly. You can apply on their website to be a part of the group.

VINTAGE BUSINESS NETWORKING NIAGARA This is a networking club for business professionals. Meetings happen weekly at 7am and follow a predetermined outline each week. Everyone at the meeting participates. Meetings are on Thursdays at JJ Kapps in St. Catharines, and there are membership fees to join this club.

BUSINESS BUILDERS NIAGARA This group of professionals from a wide variety of business backgrounds, who meet to exchange referrals and ideas. A membership application is available online. Meetings happen weekly.

ST. CATHARINES BUSINESS CLUB With a membership roster of over 80 members this club meets on a weekly basis on Wednesdays from 12:15 to 1:30 at the Best Western Hotel & Conference Centre in St. Catharines.

At PenFi, our 20,000 members value our 'purpose over profit' promise.

We're a financial co-operative committed to transforming banking so we can improve the lives of our members and strengthen our Niagara communities. We put the humanity back into banking.

Learn more at penfi.ca/commitment >

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CHARITABLE CAUSES: making sure your donation counts

a lot

of businesses aim to be socially responsible and to contribute positively to their community, and while this is admirable, it can have its challenges. Companies want to choose to donate to a charity that is close to their heart, but that would have a significant impact and actually make a difference. When choosing a charity, you want to find one where the dollars donated actually go to the charity intended, not int the pocket of an overpaid CEO. When you start reading about it, you’ll find that

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for some charities, sometimes only 22 cents out of a dollar goes back to programming.

There are a couple of websites you can visit when deciding where your donated money goes, but charity watchdog, Charity Intelligence Canada, probably has the most extensive research into Canadian charities and breaks it down into an easy to understand rating system. Charities are giving 1 to 4 stars, depending on how they measure up in several different categories. Things such as how readily available financial statements are

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and how many cents per dollar goes to the charity are examined in detail. For no fee, you can go on the Charity Intelligence site and see the list of charities in Canada that received a 4 star rating, and for a small fee, you can access all the charities that received 1 to 3 stars. Charity Intelligence gets their info from the financial statements of Canadian charities which are often audited. This type of data is the most reliable when analyzing the financial statements of charities (as opposed to something like self reported tax returns). The

site provides an easy to access list of the Top 100 Charities in Canada to donate to. For each of the Top 100 charities, you’ll find a percentage for what amount goes to administrative costs, what amount goes to fundraising costs, how great the need for funding is, and the salary of the highest paid employee.

Wherever you decide to donate your corporate dollars, just make sure to do a little research beforehand, so you can make sure that your dollars are going somewhere that truly does good work.

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