Step Ahead Participants Make Top 100

and plan to attend our holiday celebration in December. You won 9t be disappointed A huge thank you is also extended to Paulette Filion for directing a group of Centennial College student volunteers to develop our soon-to-be-unveiled Web site. I had the pleasure of working with Paulette on this project and applaud her professionalism.<br><br> We 9ll be announcing the Web address soon&and hope you 9ll agree that our presence in the cyberworld takes Step Ahead to the next dimension. We are also thrilled to have another dynamic group of par- ticipants as part of our 2002-2003 One-on-One Mentoring program that kicked off in September. Check out the highlights in this issue.<br><br> And, remember, as a past participant, you can now join selected sessions to refresh your skills and network with this high-energy group. And many thanks to all our ongoing sponsors (listed on page 4) and new sponsor Export Development Canada (EDC), whose combined support is allowing us to 8step ahead 9 and grow indeed! Susan Baka, Editor 2002 Wrap-Up Step Ahead mentor Sabine Schleese , CEO and Managing Director, Schleese Saddlery Service Ltd., came in at #90 (with $4.4 million in revenue) in the Top 100 Ranking of Canadian Women Business Owners compiled by PROFIT and Chatelaine magazines.<br><br> The awards ceremony, now in its fourth year, was held in Toronto in October. Canada 9s Top 100 women contributed combined revenues of $2.3 billion to the economy in 2001 (up 10% from the year before). Sharing some of her secrets to success, Sabine emphasized the importance of having a mentor.<br><br> cI 9ve had many mentors over the years, all of whom have contributed in certain areas to my success, d she says. Her first mentor was her father, the CEO of a large steel manufacturing corporation who retired in 1984. Nowadays, she learns from her business peers and the women she deals with through her involvement in organizations such as Step Ahead .<br><br> cYou can learn something from everyone you meet 3 you just have to know their expertise and apply it to your advantage. d Number 83 on the list, Jennifer Mulholland , President, Rock Wood Casual Furniture (with $5 million in revenue), has been a Step Ahead participant in the past and sees the mutual benefits. cAs a protégée, you not only learn business skills, but you also come to realize that everyone goes through the same stuff and that you 9re not alone in the struggle for success, d she says. cAs for being a mentor, it forces you to think about what you 9re doing 3 you have to take stock of your processes and ask yourself if your success has been based on business sense. d A past Step Ahead speaker, Kim McArthur , President of McArthur & Co.<br><br> Publishing Ltd. (with $10.9 million in revenue), has garnered her share of success. She ranked #35 on the list and last year was honoured with a Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award.<br><br> Kim has two of her own mentors, both of whom are investors in her com- pany. cIt 9s important to have someone to turn to who is supportive and has been there before, d she says. Kim completes the cycle by mentoring some of her employees.<br><br> She offers them the same assurance and guidance that she continues to receive from her own mentors. Her last word of advice is a recurring theme among successful women entrepreneurs: cOf course, d she says. cIt also helps to love what you do. d For more details on Canada 9s Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs, visit PROFIT 9s Web site at www.profitguide.com Step Ahead Participants Make Top 100 online coming soon!<br><br> Here 9 s a sample of what you 9 ll find: " Upcoming Networking and One-on-One Mentoring Schedules " Success Stories 3 with profiles of members making waves " Members-only Section 3 with networking lists and valuable event summaries only members can access " Upcoming Events 3 you won 9t want to miss Watch for more details and our Web address soon! Reserve Now for Christmas Networking Reserve Now for Christmas Networking 68%^*>? 68%^*>?<br><br> Join us December 4 for our special Christmas celebration! (see page 4). Join us December 4 for our special Christmas celebration!<br><br> (see page 4). PROFIT magazine's October issue featured Canada's Top 100 ranking of women entrepreneurs. Business Snapshot: A designer and manufacturer of women 9s career and casual clothing, Jean retails her exclusive line under the label of Clews Clothing Co.<br><br> at the Comfortable Clothing People in Port Credit and also at a summer location in Port Carling in the Muskokas. Background: Originally a law clerk in Sarnia, Jean moved with her husband to Toronto in 1980 and, while working for five Supreme Court judges, began studying fashion in the evenings. She designed a line of basic cotton clothing, retailing it at craft shows and home fashion parties where it was an instant hit.<br><br> Jean continued designing on a part-time basis until 1985 when she retired from law to pursue her love of fashion full-time and opened Clews Clothing Company. What began in a two-bedroom apartment is now located in a 6,000 sq. ft.<br><br> building, with both manufactur- ing and retailing facilities, employing 12 people. Jean 9s designs have evolved into fashions for the active, sophisticated, multi-faceted woman who juggles her lifestyle between career and family. Why Mentor?: cI wanted to give something back.<br><br> I have been very fortunate over the years and wanted to share my experiences with like-minded women. d Value of Step Ahead: cI have mentored six women and have learned something from each and every one of them. All have diverse businesses; however, every business has the same challenges 3 financing, marketing, human resources, etc. It is so beneficial to have someone to brainstorm with.<br><br> Sometimes I think I 9ve benefited more than my protégées! d Mentor Profile Jean L. Price, Owner Clews Clothing Company (905) 271-0830 clewsclothing@sympatico.ca Year Started: 1985 Business Snapshot: A manufacturer of pulleys and sheaves (for use in motors, conveyor belts, motors, mining equipment, etc.) combined with other machine shop capabilities such as boring, drilling, tapping and keyway cutting. The company 9s particular niche market is in customized special sheaves.<br><br> Background: Cynthia started with Actex in 1978 as a bookkeeper, and after 21 years bought the business. cI knew as much about the company as anyone, and had taken courses in accounting and machine shop to upgrade my skills, but I also knew it was a male-oriented business. I had to consider all the factors, including the frequent response from male callers, 8Don 9t worry about it, I 9ll call back when one of the guys is in 9.<br><br> Also, it was simpler as an employee; I was responsible for the bookkeeping and secretarial work. Now I handle everything from deliveries and quoting to making tool patterns and working in the shop 3 and I still do the book- keeping and secretarial work. d Why Joined Step Ahead: cMy ultimate goal is to have our own building, but I would also like to update our machinery and design a cata- logue. All of this entails research and I 9m looking to my mentor for advice. d Value of Step Ahead: cI 9m impressed.<br><br> The speakers have been very good. And I know I 9ll definitely learn from the others in the program. When you 9re tackling the challenges of your business, you can never go wrong when you put more heads together. d Cynthia Ayres, President Actex Drives Ltd.<br><br> (519) 653-5742 actex@on.aibn.com Year Started: 1978 What do women like best so far about the Step Ahead One- on-One Mentoring Program? Here is what some protégées and mentors from the 2002 program say: cI was hoping to be exposed to ideas and people that would have a positive impact on my development 3 and I have! The program has a great collection of participants 3 friendly, wise, open and fun. d Lisa Wiseman, President, Eldercare Home Health Inc.<br><br> cI have gained so much from the friendship of so many talented women, many of whom have helped me in my business, and I enjoy being able to pass this experience on to my protégée. d Elisabeth LaFontaine, President, The Paragon Group Inc. cIt was comforting to hear someone else say, cI was afraid of losing my house 9 3 I found out I wasn 9t alone. d Marianne Carefoot, Owner, Divertimento cThe easy communication between participants is what I 9ve enjoyed most so far. d Joanne Andreychuk, Owner, Inter Alia Originals Our Participants Speak Protégée Profile " cT hink like a customer and develop an 8Opinionaire 9 to ask your clients what they think. d Donene Lashbrook, President, Lashbrook Marketing Communications " cT hank your clients 3 write thank you notes, mail discount coupons or include candy in outgoing packages 3 because you 9re also conditioning them to buy from you on a regular basis. d Paula Bass, President, KBC Tools & Machinery Inc. " cMake a habit of asking satisfied customers for a brief quotation about their positive experience with your company and include the kind words in your next proposal. d Jane Tattersall, President/CEO, Tattersall Casablanca " cPromote your business within the community by sponsoring an event. d Lisa Wiseman, President, Eldercare Home Health Inc.<br><br> " cHelp out your clients by mailing them pertinent industry information they 9ll find useful. d Donna Kutter, President/CEO, DARE Marketing Inc. " cPost community events that you 9re involved in on your Web site. d Margaret Hachey, Executive Vice-President, Duocom Inc. Top Marketing Tips: Business Fair Highlights Meeting Highlights 1.<br><br> One-on-One Mentoring Program Our meetings continue to be an excellent forum to hear about business trends and to network with dynamic entrepreneurs and speakers. 2. Step Ahead Networking October 2002 3 The Marketing PowerBoost Marketing consultant and speaker Frank Emmerson (tel: 416-447-0881) guided members through the critical success factors that are the foundation of any successful marketing program.<br><br> He emphasized that effective marketing is not about focusing on brochures and activities but about developing a strategy for creating the right material in the right media in order to gain maximum benefit. Here are five essential questions to ask yourself in order to increase your business 9 marketing effectiveness: 1. What specific result do you want to achieve?<br><br> (Objective) 2. Who do you need to reach to achieve your intended results? (Audience) 3.<br><br> What must they believe, know, understand or do to achieve the result? (Message) 4. How can you deliver your message with maximum impact?<br><br> (Media) 5. How will you know what specific results you 9re getting? (Measurement) Members showcased their products and services at our first Annual Business Fair in October that included guest speaker Cora Mussely Tsouflidou of the famed Chez Cora restaurants in Quebec.<br><br> Her recipe for success? cLife is a big cafeteria 3 you get what you put on your tray. d Below are a few more tidbits she shared with attendees: " Success depends only on your attitude, so get rid of negative thinking. " When your thinking paralyzes you, jump in and act.<br><br> " Work well and listen to your clients 3 they will tell you what they want. " Trust your desire to be the driver of your own life. " There is risk in business 3 learn to live with it and calculate it.<br><br> Kudos go to Barbara Smythe for arranging Cora as our speaker, to Leah Duckman for emceeing the evening, and to the whole Volunteer Committee for organizing our first fair! September 2002 3 New Beginnings October 2002 3 First Annual Members 9 Business Fair Linda Lundstrom , President of Linda Lundstrom Ltd . (tel: 416-696-2818), shared her story of cnew beginnings d that began in 1974 when she started a fashion house with $10,000.<br><br> Her roller-coaster ride to success involved a high of $12.2 million in sales, and a low of near-bankruptcy. Now under a new restructuring plan, Linda 9s business has been revitalized, and she has found a new appreciation for what 9s important in business and in life. Here 9s what she learned from her journey: " Pay attention to things you see when your eyes are closed.<br><br> If you get an idea or vision about your business that won 9t go away, act on it. " Everything you receive, whether good or bad, is a gift: accept that, and make use of it. " Your journey is unique.<br><br> When you 9re given advice, mould and shape it to fit your journey, not someone else 9s. " The most important relationship is with yourself. Take special care of your spiritual, physical and mental health.<br><br> (l to r): Business Fair exhibitor Wendy Banting of Secural Datashred Inc. with Leah Duckman and Annabelle Wood . (l to r): Mary Palmer of Export Development Canada with Step Ahead protégée Lisa Wiseman .<br><br> (l to r): Volunteers Paulette Filion and Donna Kutter representing Step Ahead at the first Members 9 Business Fair. Cora Tsouflidou of Chez Cora shared much food for thought. Calendar Of Events News Clips Brag Book Feel free to contact any commitee member with your suggestions on the Step Ahead program.<br><br> We want and need your input! Step Ahead 250 Consumers Road Suite 301 Willowdale, Ontario M2J 4V6 Tel: (416) 410-5802 Fax: (416) 495-8723 E-mail: mbordeleau@baseconsulting.ca " If you haven 9t yet responded to our e-mail about your interest in a golf tourna- ment and banquet next spring, please reply to Marie Bordeleau at mbordeleau@baseconsulting.ca with your yeah or nay. Even if you 9re not a golfer, you can join in for the networking banquet afterwards.<br><br> " The Rotman Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year (CWEYA) Awards will be held on November 21, 2002 in Toronto. Fee: $175 per person. To register, tel: (416) 923-1688, toll free: 1-800-354-3303, e-mail: awards@cweya.com or visit www.cweya.com " Have you thought about going global, but don 9t know where to start?<br><br> Would you like to establish business contacts 8Down Under 9 cost-effectively and without having to leave home? Take advantage of the first Virtual Trade Mission (VTM) for Canadian and Australian women entrepreneurs, set to begin in January 2003. Participants will post their profiles on a special Web site and take part in two video- conferences throughout the nine-month VTM.<br><br> Spearheaded by Women in International Trade, Ontario, cost of the VTM is $75 ($50 for WITO members). Sponsors include Industry Canada, RBC Royal Bank and Westpac Bank in Australia. Info: Candice Rice at 416-973-5157 or e-mail: rice.candice@ic.gc.ca " Young entrepreneurs can get a kick start by participating in the recently launched Kickstartyourbiz.com program for Canadians under 35 who want to start their own business.<br><br> Participants have six months to complete the nine-module training course and it all happens on-line, so there 9s no need to set foot in a classroom. For more information, visit www.kickstartyourbiz.com Quotable Quotes Step Ahead Committee Sponsors: Association Office: Marie Bordeleau, Base Consulting & Management Inc. (416) 410-5802 Commitee Members: Susan Baka (416) 410-1654 Wendy Banting (905) 763-7428 Marg Hachey (905) 508-1740 Donna Kutter (905) 569-6445 Patti McGuigan (416) 695-8600 Dianne Ramster (416) 492-8500 Newsletter Team: Susan Baka Editor (416) 410-1654 Nora Camps Design (416) 255-1261 cBeing in business for yourself is the best thing in the world for a woman 3 being in control gives you freedom beyond your dreams. d Cora Mussely Tsouflidou, Owner, Chez Cora Franchises Inc.<br><br> December 4, 2002 Christmas Gala: cA Balancing Act d Join Step Ahead 9s Networking group and the 2002-2003 Mentoring Program mentors and protégées for a holiday-themed evening and learn how to balance work and life in a healthy way from Louisa Nedkov, President of Solo Session. Colleen Walker, President of Catered Affare Fine Foods Inc., will also address how to keep that balance in the midst of Christmas parties and holiday celebrations, especially if you happen to be the host. Fee: Members $45, Non-members $65.<br><br> Contact: Marie Bordeleau at 416-410-5802 or mbordeleau@baseconsulting.ca 2002-2003 One-on-One Mentoring Program If you haven 9t signed up for the year-long program, you 9re still invited to attend the seminars on an individual basis at $45 each, or select a handy series of three sessions for $120. (Note that former mentors can attend free of charge!) Offerings include: January 8: Bargaining with Financiers, featuring a panel of speakers including Dora Deluca, ScotiaBank; Irene Segal, Investors Group; and Frances Fast, Toronto Venture Group. February 5: HR Issues for the Woman Entrepreneur M arch 5: Creative Financial Management April 2: Doing Business in the Future M ay 5: Ethics for the Woman Entrepreneur June 4: Graduation The stylish draperies of Norma MacCormack , Owner, MacCormack and Sons, were displayed in the March 2002 issue of Architectural Digest magazine as a key element in the featured home& Lisa Wiseman , President, Eldercare Home Health Inc., was recently signed on as a speaker with Investors Group to address the realities of long-term health care for the clients of their insurance representatives.<br><br> Resources Creating Successful Mentoring Programs: A Catalyst Guide teaches readers how to identify and advance high-potential women, recruit and train new employees, and avoid common pitfalls of formal mentoring programs. This recently updated report takes you step-by-step through implementing a formal mentoring program. To order, tel: 416-815-7601, e-mail canada@catalystwomen.org or visit www.catalystwomen.org " 68%^*>?68%^*>?68%<br><br>

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