I am the owner/operator of “Design House BC”, a business I started with my husband, Bruce in 1994. I am an Associate of Interior Design as well as ...
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Next Meeting |
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January 24th, 2012 |
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5:30 to 9:00 pm |
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At the Royal Coachman |
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| Guest Speaker | |
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Shari Molchan, Money Momentum |
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Spotlights, |
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*Marie-Louise Mulder, RBC |
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Kathi Cameron, Real Life Health |
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Get the year off to a great start: invest in yourself! |
Fun Christmas Facts!
A traditional Christmas dinner in early England was the head of a pig prepared with mustard.
An artificial spider and web are often included in the decorations on Ukrainian Christmas tress. A spider web found on Christmas morning is believed to bring good luck.
During the Christmas/Hanukkah season more than 1.76 billion candy canes will be made.
It is estimated that 400,000 people become sick each year from eating tainted Christmas leftovers.
"Rudolph" was created by Montgomery Ward in the late 1930's for a holiday promotion. The rest is history.
If you received all of the gifts in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas", you would receive 364 gifts.
In Mexico, wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve is said to bring new love in the upcoming year.
US scientists calculated that Santa would have to visit 822 homes a second to deliver all the world's presents on Christmas Eve, travelling at 650 miles a second.
Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made wtih beef and spices.
The tradition of putting tangerines in stockings comes from 12-century French nuns who left socks full of fruit, nuts, and tangerines in the houses of the poor.
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Here's to a Happy and Healthy 2012!
BPWN Newsletter
Subscribe to our Newsletter!
BPWN December 2011
The HAPPY HOLIDAYS Edition
Merry Christmas from the BPWN
| News | Articles |
Message from the President
The November meeting was one of our first meetings where the focus was on the membership. Everyone had a chance to stand up at the podium and talk about their business and explain what they do and/or sell. This was very informative and everyone got to know a little more about everyone's business. The comments afterwards were fantastic and there was time after our presentations to go and network further with our fellow members. We would like to do two more networking meetings next year and would appreciate ifeedback [at] bpwn [dot] org (member comments) and suggestions for this. We all enjoyed a fabulous turkey and ham dinner at the Coachman and look forward to our next meeting on Tuesday, January 24.
We have a lot planned for the new year including two great speakers lined up for January and February; you can find out more information on January's speaker by reading on. Remember, member feedback is always appreciated and you can send your comments to feedback [at] bpwn [dot] org.
I wish everyone a very happy Christmas season and a prosperous New Year!
Cheers, Corinne Matheson
Member Spotlight
Evelyn M.
What do I do?
Currently, I am involved in three complimentary ventures...
1. I am a contemporary west coast artist. I have been an artist my whole life and started my online gallery - EvelynM.com in 2010.
2. I have been an Associate of Interior Design since 1981. My business, Design House BC, was started in 1994 and brought to Campbell River in 2007. DesignHouseBC.com became active in March 2011.
3. Most recently, in partnership with my husband, LocaLHomeSpot.com became active and is an online directory for homes and home improvements. At LocaLHomeSpot.com, we found it for you.
Why do I do it?
My love of creating both art and interior spaces has always been a part of me. While other kids played with Barbie, I set up homes for Barbie. While other kids played games, I drew pictures. More recently, while others read books, I surfed online.
What are my passions?
I am lucky enough to have been able to turn my life long passions into my profession and have them co-exist with my husband, Bruce of 19 years, and my two golden retrievers, Xena (7) and Dax (1).
What is my personal / professional philosophy?
Work and life should flow organically, shifting and reshaping as the years go by to continually be relevant to the needs and requirements of myself and my family in the present day.
What makes my business different?
1. As an artist, the "raised sketch" within my contemporary west coast canvasses is a recipe that I created and has not yet been duplicated by another artist that I know of.
2. As an Interior Designer, my training goes beyond the standard 2 to 3 year college course. After I graduated from Douglas College in Interior Design, I then continued my education at BC Institute of Technology for 3 years (night school) studying western frame construction as well as post and beam. I then spent another 3 years (night school) at Emily Carr College of Art and Design. With my artistic insight, I am able to think visually and can "see" the solutions to a homeowner's special dilemas and can solve problems for them that they where previously resigned to living with. With my extensive training and experience, I am also aware of what is involved in order to bring these design solutions to fruition in a cost effective manner.
3. LocaLHomeSpot.com is heads and tails above the rest because we were able to design it in a way that we knew would work both from the consumer's point of view as well as the trades and buisnessess needs and requirements. At LocaLHomeSpot.com people can check out Xena's List for an a-z directory of all their home and home improvement needs.
What is my definition of success?
Success is fluid and means so many different things at different times. Currently, with our newly created LocaLHomeSpot.com, it means a job well done.
What do I do for fun?
I try to keep my work "fun". I enjoy making my customerrs fall in love with their homes all over again. I love knowing my artwork is enhancing the walls of houses and I take great pride in the development of LocaLHomeSpot.com. Beyond that, simple pleasures such as long drives or walks with my husband and/or two golden retrievers and an occasional small dinner get together with one or two friends is enough for me.
Consider this...
Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement. - Golda Meir, 4th Prime Minister of the State of Israel
Are you looking for professional development opportunities?
Canadian Training Resources offers a wide variety of professional development for anyone looking for "real-life, homegrown business training".
You can find more information about what they offer at www.ctrcanada.com.
Pssst...Interested in Professional Development Support?
Why not apply for the BPWN In-House Busary?
What?
In keeping with the Campbell River Business & Professional Women's Network motto "Women Empowering Women", the BPWN will offer 1 bursary annually (two bursaries will continue to be awarded to NIC and Continuing Education to help women in our community) . This bursary is offered to encourage and support BPWN members who wish to enhance their current skills through professional development. Courses or workshops must be from an accredited institution or professionally recognized group / association. Note: the successful candidate must not have been awarded the busary in the past two years and be at the Board's discretion.
Who?
The successful candidate will meet the following criteria...
1. Be a member of the BPWN in good standing for a minimum of one years.
2. Be willing and prepared to participate fully in the busary application process.
3. Be willing to do a small presentation of the learning as a result of the bursary to the general BPWN membership.
4. Be willing to demonstrate, in writing, the benefits of receiving this bursary and the impact it has or will have in your work/business.
How?
When completed, please submit your application via email to info [at] bpwn [dot] org. Title your email: BPWN BURSARY APPLICATION, CONFIDENTIAL
The winner will be announced at the regular dinner meeting sheduled in May. Deadline for submission is March 31 of each year.
Five things you do TODAY to manage stress TOMORROW
Taken from Tucker Dinnes's "15 thing you can actually do about Stress!" list, the following are a few suggestions that will enhance your health and quality of life...for life.
1. Although it is human nature to personalize what others do or say. It is important to remember that the behaviours and words of others are about them...not you. Try your best to not take it personally. Personalizing can not only add stress to our lives, but effect our relationships and emotional health.
2. Did you know the healthy dose of sleep is 7 - 8 hours of quality zzzz's a night? One of the best ways of reducing stress is getting enough of it. Not getting any? Try removing the TV from your bedroom and cutting the screen time 30 - 45 minutes prior to bedtime. This will allow your brain to calm down and prepare for a night of high quality rest.
3. Get moving! Daily physical activity can give those nasty stress hormones a run for their money (get it...run?). To ensure you stick with it, get active with friends and be sure it is enjoyable! A ten minute walk stretched out three times during the day is all you need for enhanced health!
4. Enjoy all foods in moderation and thoughtfulness. A nutritious diet will provide the neccessary "good stuff" to combat the negative effects of stress. To make changes in your diet, start small; add a few new vegetables or drink an additional cup of water a day. Avoid eating on the run and try to enjoy sit down meals as much as you can.
5. Take a "time out" for yourself. Everyone knows that to take care of others you need to take care of yourself first. So why do we not head these wise words? Even if you reserve 30 minutes of solo time a day, be sure you are kind to yourself first and your family (and stress level) will reap the benefits!
