Once again for 2019-20, the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) is presenting an outstanding lineup of high-quality and inspiring speakers for the upcoming season, which runs from September to June.

The 2019-20 program launches in September with a keynote presentation that reinforces this year’s theme of “Be You”.

Complementing the speaker line-up are networking trade shows, development opportunities, the annual holiday gala and auction, and more.

Throughout the season, WBN member meetings will take place at Holiday Inn Waterfront and other venues in Peterborough, with networking at 5:30 p.m. dinner at 6:30 p.m., and the keynote speaker at 7:30 p.m.

The meetings are included as part of WBN membership, but anyone can register online and come as a guest (the cost is $50 for dinner and speaker) – but don’t wait, as spaces fill quickly!

Here’s WBN’s program for 2019-20 (we’ll update the program as it’s finalized):

September 4, 2019 – Season Kick-off – “Becoming Your Own Hero” with Parmida Barez

Location: Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George Street, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 7:30 p.m.

Parmida Barez is an author, award-winning motivational speaker, educator, personal empowerment and public speaking coach, who has worked with numerous individuals, corporations and non-profit organizations in Canada and internationally.

Parmida uses life-changing tools, lessons, and perspectives learned from her own experience of overcoming anxiety disorder, depression, panic attacks, and agoraphobia to empower others to become the heroes of their own lives and set themselves up for real, sustainable success. Her unique delivery, creativity, and passion on stage captures individuals from all walks of life.

Parmida’s educational background is vast, ranging from degrees in political science, business, and education, as well as professional training in etiquette and hypnotherapy.

For more information, visit www.parmidabarez.com.

October 2, 2019 – “Mentorship: 5 Steps to Successful Relationships” with Trish Tonaj

Location: Personal Touch Banquet Hall (1135 Lansdowne Street West, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 7:30 p.m.

Trish Tonaj is the founder of Phaze2Wellness. The author, health and wellness coach, and entrepreneurial mentor believes in mentorship and the power of storytelling.

With a passion for speaking, she shares stories that inspire great ideas with anecdotes on finding “The Mentor” who will help you create your own brand of magic.

Trish has written two books: Breaking Barriers and A Diary of Change: 12 Personal Tools. She also co-authored a complimentary magazine called W2 = Wealth and Wellbeing.

Celebrating over 25 years as an entrepreneur, Trish is a master coach practitioner, working with entrepreneurs and enterprise leaders who build a culture of success while mentoring their team.

She has a certificate from Harvard Law School Negotiation Institute in Mediation and Dispute Resolution, is a certified personal trainer, a yoga instructor, and a nutrition and wellness specialist.

She is a managing partner of an online education program called Mechanics of FLOW2, is a contributor to the Thrive Global Network and canfitpro magazine, and is the blog host for Share Your Story.

Love, laughter and adventure is Trish’s personal mantra and focus for achieving life’s balance between wealth and wellbeing.

For more information, visit www.phaze2wellness.com.

November 6, 2019 – “Sustainable Development: Empowering Future Generations as Changemakers” with Kehkashan Basu

Location: Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George Street, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 7:30 p.m.

Kehkashan Basu is an iconic youth leader, global influencer, environmentalist, champion of children’s rights, peace and sustainability campaigner, and passionate advocate of women’s rights.

Winner of the 2016 International Children’s Peace Prize from KidsRights Foundation, the United Arab Emirates native has been impacting the global fraternity with her work on children’s rights, promoting gender quality, mitigating climate change and social upliftment.

Spreading the message of peace, happiness and sustainability has been her passion since she was eight years old, and she has worked tirelessly to enlist the support of children and youth across geographical boundaries.

In 2013, at the age of 12, she was elected for a two-year term as United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Global Coordinator for Children & Youth and a member of its Major Groups Facilitating Committee. She is the youngest person and the first minor ever to be elected into this position in the history of UNEP. She is also a United Nations Human Rights Champion for her work on protecting children’s rights.

Her internationally acclaimed work on sustainability has resulted in her appointment as the Honorary Advisor for the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development – New York, a member of KidsRights Youngsters, Global Advisory Council member of Young Men 4 Gender Equality – USA, and a member of World Oceans Day Global Youth Advisory Council and EarthEcho International Youth Leadership Council. She is also the youngest member of Canada’s Women in Renewable Energy forum.

Kehkashan is the founder of a youth organization, Green Hope Foundation, which provides young people in 12 countries a networking platform to engage in the sustainable development process. In January 2018, she led a team of Green Hope members to Syrian refugee camps on the border of Lebanon and conducted environmental workshops for over 600 refugee children, turning into reality the UN mandate of “leave no one behind”.

In her role as the voice of children and youth, she has spoken at more than 75 United Nations and other international summits, travelling to over 20 countries, notable among them being the Y20 Youth Forum in Argentina and the 67th session of the DPI NGO forum at the United Nations.

For her environmental advocacy at a global level, Kehkashan has received multiple international awards. She was also named as one of Toronto’s most inspiring women changemakers.

December 4, 2019 – WBN Holiday Gala and Auction

Location: The Mount Community Centre (1545 Monaghan Rd., Peterborough)
6:30 p.m.

“The Magic of The Holidays” gala features a selection of hot appetizers and spreads to delight your senses! Vegetarian and gluten free options available. Funds will be raised for YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.

January 8, 2020 – “Finding Your Community” with Abeer Al-Salihi

Location: Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George Street, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 7:30 p.m.

Originally from Syria, Abeer Al-Salihi moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with her husband in search of better employment and life opportunities.

Trained as an engineer in Syria, Abeer worked in the UAE as an engineering assistant after a few months struggling to find work. She taught herself English at home, eventually becoming a teacher and receiving her teaching license.

After the war broke out in Syria and she lost her family home, Abeer and her family travelled to Canada where they sought asylum.

Following three months in Toronto, they settled in Cobourg, building a new life for their family of four.

Abeer is motivated to help others find their community and says “Anytime or any moment I found an opportunity to help any newcomer, I would run and participate.”

In 2017, Abeer was one of 21 recipients of the Canada 150 Constituency Awards in Cobourg for her volunteer work in resettling Syrian refugees, and in 2018 was awarded the Excellence in Public Education Award by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation Union – District 14.

Abeer is currently working at the New Canadians Centre in Peterborough as a settlement worker in schools (youth worker).

February 5, 2020 – “Stand Up, Speak Out: Communicate Your Confidence & Magnify Your Presence” with Carol Schulte

Location: Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George Street, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 7:30 p.m.

Carol Schulte is a professional speaker, trainer and certified coach who has been engaging and entertaining international audiences for almost a decade. She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance, an MA in Communication, and two postgraduate certificates in coaching and mentoring.

As the creator of ‘Women Living BIG’ and ‘Spark your G.E.N.I.U.S.’, she is committed to helping leaders step out of their comfort zones, initiate action and inspired change, and ultimately achieve what they never thought possible.

Carol can certainly walk her talk: she has lived in Ashrams in India to vans in New Zealand, volunteered in orphanages in Chiang Mai and Mother Teresa’s Missions in Calcutta, shaved her head for breast cancer, and bungee-jumped in her birthday suit.

Carol is a contributing author to three best-selling books, has been featured in numerous magazines and podcasts, and appears as a returning guest expert on Rogers TV. She has lived and worked in 16 countries, travelled through an additional 25, and brings her global expertise on people and empowerment to all she does.

When she’s not helping women learn to surf In South America or climb Kilimanjaro in Africa, you can find her volunteering as a bereavement facilitator, training for her next triathlon, or practising her serious carpool karaoke game.

For more information, visit www.carolschulte.com.

March 4, 2020 – Annual Member Trade Show & Workshops

Location: Highland Park Reception Centre (2510 Bensfort Rd., Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m.

The WBN’s annual tradeshow provides three members with the opportunity to speak to the membership about their areas of expertise: Carrie Wakeford of Black Cap Design will teach you how to create a website that will appeal to both your human and robot visitors, Theresa Moloney will share the 10 healthy habits of highly successful people, and Janet McLeod will speak about “cause marketing”.

April 1, 2020 – “Innovation and Design Thinking” with Shelli Baltman

Location: Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George Street, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 7:30 p.m.

Shelli Baltman is the president and founding partner of The Idea Suite, a Toronto-based boutique innovation agency. She started her career as a management consultant with Mercer Management Consulting in Toronto and then joined McKinsey & Co. in London, UK, after completing her MBA at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.

In 2002, she joined ?What If!, the world’s largest independent innovation agency based in London, UK. She then started and built their customer experience innovation practice into a $4 million business before being promoted to managing director in 2007.

Moving home to Toronto in 2010, she founded and built the innovation division at market research agency Hotspex and also turned it into a multi-million-dollar business.

Since founding The Idea Suite with partner Fiona Stevenson, Shelli has worked building global brands and launching new products with clients including Starbucks, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Verizon, Mondelez and Hain Celestial. She’s a prolific speaker on the topics of insights and innovation, and you can frequently find her thought leadership alongside Fiona Stevenson in Strategy magazine.

Shelli is committed to supporting women in business and entrepreneurship through mentoring and speaking and training engagements. She is devoted to her family, including her three-year-old son and a Labradoodle named Doctor, and is also a passionate downhill skier.

For more information, visit www.theideasuite.com.

May 6, 2020 – “True-To-You Leadership” with Kelly S. Thompson

Location: The StoneHouse Hall (2195 Lansdowne St, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 7:30 p.m.

Kelly S. Thompson is a writer and retired captain in the Canadian Armed Forces, with a specialization in human resources.

While obtaining a degree in professional writing from York University, she joined the Forces at the age of 18 in 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In 2011, she was medically released from the military due to an injury and returned to her passion for writing.

Kelly has a certificate in publishing from Ryerson University, a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of British Columbia, and is a PhD candidate in literary and critical studies at the University of Gloucestershire. She has taught creative writing at Trent University, Royal Roads University, and more.

Her writing has won several awards, and her “Battle Fatigue” article on military sexual harassment was runner-up for feature article of the year with the Professional Writers Association of Canada. Her essays have appeared in anthologies and literary magazines across Canada, and her articles have published in Chatelaine, Maclean’s, The Globe and Mail, and more. Recently, her memoir Girls Need Not Apply: Field Notes from the Forces, was an instant Globe and Mail bestseller and the paper named her memoir as one of the top 100 books of the year.

In her talk, Kelly will share what she learned when, at the age of 21, she was placed in charge of a platoon of soldiers while being a bubbly, feminine young woman. She will examine negative stereotypes towards female leaders, issues of harassment in the workplace, and how, after nearly a decade in the Forces, she learned to be the sort of leader who led with kindness, staying true to herself and her values.

June 3, 2020 – WBN End-of-Season Celebration

Location: Surprise location to be announced

Details will be available closer to the event date.

For more information about the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough, visit www.womensbusinessnetwork.net.

Are you new to Peterborough and looking to make connections? Returning home and looking to reintegrate? Seeking networking opportunities? Business advice and professional development? A night out with women? Mother-daughter time?

The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) can offer all this and more. And for proof you need look no further than the reasons current members have for joining.

Since 1961, WBN has been a positive, welcoming space for women entrepreneurs in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. With membership numbers at an all-time high, there’s no indication WBN will be slowing down anytime soon.

This year, 176 women entrepreneurs make up the long-standing business networking channel. This marks the first time in WBN history that membership has sold out before the early bird deadline.

This growth in membership can be attributed to a few key initiatives.

To start, WBN has prioritized recruiting and retaining younger members in their recent five-year strategic plan to ensure the continuing operation of WBN. As an example, last year marked the first time in WBN history where a mother and daughter (Diane Wolf and Christine Teixeira) both served on the organization’s board of directors.

The organization has accomplished a lot in the last 58 years and is striving to ensure that a new generation of women business leaders are able to lead to organization into the future.

Grace Reynolds, the 2019-20 WBN President, is also indicative of the trend of increasing numbers of younger women entrepreneurs joining the organization and taking on a more prominent role in the local business community. Grace attributes this season’s growth to WBN’s commitment to supporting an inclusive and diverse membership, which can be seen in the variety of women-run businesses that make up the network.

In addition, WBN has expanded its networking, leadership, and marketing opportunities for members and has focused on developing relevant and current programming.

“The board of directors is working extremely hard to provide an excellent program for the year and to bring high-profile and inspiring speakers to our membership,” says Grace. “I am excited to see what this new season brings.”

As varied as WBN members are, they all share similar reasons for joining this group of driven, hard-working entrepreneurs and business women.

Here are some of them.

Endless Opportunities for Business Networking

Perhaps the most obvious reason why women join WBN is for the opportunity to network with other women in business.

Hope Robbins is a healthy living coach, guide, and mentor at Inspired by Hope. Hope joined WBN last year because she wanted to meet other like-minded business women.

“I’ve met some amazing ladies and I’ve learned a lot from them,” says Hope of her first year as a WBN member. “I feel more connected and informed about what’s happening in the Peterborough area. Becoming a member helped me promote my business.”

For Merridyth Marshall, having just returned from maternity leave, WBN provided the perfect opportunity for her to get back into business networking. Merridyth is a Senior Marketing Manager at MasterBrand Cabinets, one of the largest manufacturers of cabinetry in North America.

“I joined because I’m looking to get more involved in the local business community,” says Merridyth. “I love meeting new people and sharing experiences. I’m also really looking forward to the amazing line-up of speakers this year.”

April Boyce has been a member of WBN since 2018, having joined after opening her own private practice coaching ADHD clients. Prior to launching Looking Glass Coaching, April was a teacher with KPRDSB in Port Hope for 12 years. She lost touch with the business community when she was working out of town, but knew she needed to develop business contacts when she started her private practice.

“I’ve always known about WBN,” says April. “I moved here in 1988 and I can’t remember a time when it didn’t exist. When I launched my private practice, I knew it was a great opportunity to get involved and network with other business women.”

As this year’s membership alone has shown, there is always someone new entering WBN — making for endless networking opportunities.

Educational Opportunities

WBN events include guest speakers, trade shows, special events, and gala socials, which offer great opportunities to network and become well-integrated in Peterborough’s business community. They also offer the opportunity for education and professional development.

Each season, WBN hosts guest speakers covering a wide array of business-related topics. These guest speakers offer valuable, first-hand knowledge about what it takes to make it in business and the lessons they’ve learned throughout their careers in the industry.

“From my perspective, the cost of being a member is nominal for what you get,” says Barbara-Anne Elstone, a representative for ZYIA athletic clothing who has just officially joined WBN.

“There are so many educational opportunities and I was so impressed with the speaker on the night when I attended as a guest. She offered financial planning advice, something that I needed to learn about having just become a representative for ZYIA.”

A Positive Space for Women

Not only do women join WBN to network within the business community, they also join to become part of a community that supports, encourages, and uplifts other women.

“I knew WBN was a welcoming space to connect with great, strong, powerful women in the community,” says Carlotta James of Three Sisters Landscaping, who joined WBN a year ago. Upon becoming a member, Carlotta was excited to learn more about female entrepreneurship and to create long-lasting connections in the community.

Carlotta says she meets someone new at every meeting and benefits from the creative discussions that help her brainstorm new ideas for her landscaping business.

“I’m thankful that WBN women have been supportive of my business and my project ideas,” she says. “With women standing beside you, you feel like you can do anything.”

Likewise, April Boyce has only one word to describe the community environment at WBN: positive.

“I work with positive psychology in my private ADHD coaching practice,” says April. “It’s fundamental to what I do. Even without the language being used in their mission statement, a lot of what WBN is based on is positive psychology.”

“Women are encouraged to lift each other up and to find their strengths. That really resonates with me. I’ve not yet heard a negative comment at any of the events. It’s a positive space for women entrepreneurs.”

Fun Social Events

WBN events aren’t only an opportunity to network and integrate into the local community — they’re also an opportunity to let loose and have some fun.

This will be Dr. Ange Wellman’s first year as a WBN member. A local chiropractor, Ange began attending WBN monthly events as a guest in January 2019, a few months after she moved from British Columbia with her husband and two young daughters.

It was a big transition for her family, and Ange felt she needed to get out into the community to ensure her business took off in her new city — but also for her mental health.

“I’m a social person and I needed an outlet,” says Ange. “I was nervous for my first meeting, but I found the women to be fun and inclusive. Now that I’m an official member, I’d have to say I joined because the women are so fun to be around.”

For Ange, WBN is not only about business networking, but developing genuine friendships with other women in the community.

Facilitated Dinners

Many new members are nervous about attending their first WBN event. It might feel overwhelming to enter a room where everyone seems to already know each other, but WBN events are structured with new members in mind.

One of the ways WBN monthly events ensure women get to know each other is by including a facilitator at each of the dinner tables.

The facilitator, an established WBN member, is there to encourage conversation among the women seated at the table. New members will feel welcomed and quickly begin to make lasting friendships and business connections.

Barbara-Anne Elstone says the structure of the events makes it easy for first timers to meet people.

“The facilitators ask you to explain your business and you get to hear about the other women’s businesses,” she explains. “They ask a lot of really great questions to keep the conversation going. It helps you relax and enjoy yourself.”

Attend as a Guest Before You Join

Many of the current WBN members were introduced to this thriving network when they attended an event as a guest.

Ange Wellman, Merridyth Marshall, and Barbara-Anne Elstone all knew they wanted to become a WBN member after their first guest experience.

“I was so impressed by the discussion at our table, the genuine sense of community, and the guest speaker that night,” Ange recalls. “I went home after the meeting feeling inspired and excited for the year ahead.”

Attending as a guest requires little commitment, but opens up a world of possibilities. It’s no wonder women are hooked after their first WBN event.

Since WBN’s 2019-20 membership is already sold out, you’ll have to wait until next year if you want to join the organization as a member. But why not attend a member meeting as a guest this year and discover for yourself why there’s such a great demand for the Kawarthas’ preeminent networking organization for women?

For more information about the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough, visit www.womensbusinessnetwork.net.

Sometimes it takes another person to see the best in you, when you can’t see it yourself. The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) is showing that their new mentorship program is a great way to do that.

The networking organization launched a pilot program last fall designed to enhance the development of female business owners through paired relationships with businesswomen with relevant expertise and knowledge from WBN’s network.

Twenty mentorship pairings were established between participants from diverse sectors.

“It’s really about giving unique mentorship opportunities and access to some highly accomplished women here in Peterborough who have navigated the ropes to get ahead,” says Diane Wolf, WBN’s strategic planning director and program advisor. “It’s also a great membership perk.”

From October to June, volunteer mentors will share advice, connections, and opportunities to support their mentee’s professional development. It’s up to the mentee-mentor pair how often they would like to meet monthly.

“Some of the mentees are just as successful in business as the mentors, so it isn’t a matter of if you’re a beginner or if you’re advanced,” says Diane. “It’s about the next step a mentee wants to take with her business. Is there something in her business that she’s afraid of trying but would like to get into? We try to match the mentee with people who have those strengths and a history of succeeding in that particular area.”

It’s a step in the right direction considering that 83 per cent of women said that having access to role models or mentors would be important to their success, according to a 2012 BMO Financial Group study report.

Mentorship, whether it occurs in or out of the workplace, has numerous benefits.

A mentee benefits because she will have someone with greater experience and knowledge to turn to. She can be guided through critiquing her work or solving a problem.

Mentors can provide tips on career growth and introduce the mentee to other professionals. As the mentee matures within her career or business, a mentor may remain a valued adviser to the mentee.

The mentorship program was created last year by Diane and fellow WBN member Colleen Carruthers. Colleen was the organization’s strategic planning director at a time when they saw that a mentorship program would support WBN’s strategic goal: to help members expand their business contacts and grow their business.

Looking to take the initiative to the next level, Colleen called on Diane to brainstorm a “matchmaking” program. Both are therapists and mentor professionally, so it seemed like the right fit.

Tailored to the mentees’ careers and interests, Colleen and Diane strategically selected mentors based on the mentees’ needs and goals to help with both their professional and personal development. Based on mentee applications, they sought out those in the WBN business community who aligned most with the mentees’ aspirations and who would inspire and guide them in achieving their goals.

The duo also implemented other criteria to keep the program motivating and positive for participants, explains Diane. The first was that mentees and mentors shouldn’t ideally be from the same industry.

“Many people who have started a business already have contacts within their industry,” Diane points out. “This wasn’t about mentoring your ‘mini-me’. We were looking for specific skills. For example, is there a mentee who is looking for help with technology or marketing, and is there a mentor we can match her with who have those skills? Many entrepreneurial skills are transferrable. It’s about who you are as an entrepreneur overall, not learning how to be an entrepreneur in a particular segment.”

Diane notes having a mentor and mentee in the same industry can also potentially be a hinderance to the relationship.

“It’s natural for people to want to reach out to someone in their industry. However, if you’re my competitor, I’m not going to tell you the secret to my success. That can be a deterrent. So, by not pairing members from the same industry, we end up having people willing to give of themselves. In the end, the mentor has to be in it not for their own ego, but to pay it forward and help the mentee succeed.”

Participants also aren’t permitted to sell their own products or services to each other during the program.

“It’s not a sales relationship in any way,” says Diane.

With WBN facilitating and nurturing the connections with the structured program, the mentor and mentee have responsibility for developing their relationship.

“We do great training on how to be a mentor, which includes role playing and examples of how it would look,” Diane explains. “However, we make it clear to mentors that they’re not in this role to do therapy. This relationship isn’t about rescuing; it’s about sharing perspective, knowledge, and experience. It’s up to the mentee what she’s going to do with it.”

Sarah Susnar, owner of Play Café Peterborough, signed up for the program as a mentee, relying on the influence of a mentor to help her move forward with her goals and be a cheerleader for her success. Her mentor is in the edible microgreens industry.

For eight months, Sarah’s mentor stood on the sidelines and challenged her to keep making progress.

“I learned that it was okay to raise my prices, to not be afraid, and to do what is best for my business,” Sarah reflects. “I would definitely recommend the program to anyone needing help in their business. It was a great experience and I would do it again.”

Good news for new and returning WBN members: due to popular demand and the success of the pilot, the mentorship program is back this season, with applications opening in September.

What does the WBN mentorship program include?

• Get expert guidance. With years of education and experience behind them, mentors make suggestions that can help you to navigate the business landscape.
• Receive encouragement. Mentors are there to listen, provide a second opinion, or just give support when you need it.
• Benefit from advice and feedback. Mentors provide advice to help you build on your strengths and support you in areas where you need development. Many mentors find value in sharing their successes or failures.
• Gain a different perspective. Mentors provide context and a perspective that you might not have considered. They can help you to broaden your viewpoints and build on your ideas.
• Expand your network. Mentors have networks that they can connect you to, to help you grow your own networks. Making new connections is an important part of business growth and development.

If members are interested in being a mentor or mentee, WBN is offering an information session in September. For more information, contact Diane Wolf at strategic@womensbusinessnetwork.net.

For more information about the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough, visit www.womensbusinessnetwork.net.

While the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) supports and promotes its members throughout the season, WBN also celebrates the achievements of all local women — whether WBN members or not — through two prestigious annual awards: the Women in Business (WIB) Award and the Judy Heffernan Award.

Both the WIB Award, which recognizes a woman who demonstrates leadership in local business, and the Judy Heffernan Award, which recognizes a woman who empowers other women to succeed, are open to any woman in the City or County of Peterborough.

“Our goal is to provide a platform to honour outstanding and successful businesswomen and industry achievers in the Peterborough region,” says Paula Kehoe, WBN’s 2019-20 Awards Director. “These are some of the best and brightest people in our community — women from all ages, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds who have developed confidence and skills and provided encouragement, all while accomplishing their business and goals.”

Both awards were originally organized by the Peterborough Examiner, with the Business Woman of the Year Award (now the Women in Business Award) established in 2003, and the Judy Heffernan Memorial Award (now the Judy Heffernan Award) established in 2015. Following two years (2017 and 2018) without any awards, in 2019 WBN took over leadership of both awards and renamed them.

“It seemed like a natural fit for WBN to assume responsibility for both awards after the Peterborough Examiner had organized the final event in 2016,” Paula explains. “WBN has been supporting women in business since 1961, by connecting members to opportunities, networks, businesses and expertise that empowers them professionally and personally.”

“We have supported some of the brightest names in business, creating innovative events and programs designed to help women achieve their individual aspirations. As the host of this event moving forward, we’re proud to showcase the best of female talent across the City and County of Peterborough.”

The WIB Award recognizes a woman who has demonstrated business leadership leading to job creation, innovation, and increased business acumen, as well as an impact on the community at large, through fundraising, volunteering, and other contributions. The Judy Heffernan Award recognizes a female entrepreneur, mentor, or student who embodies the late Judy Heffernan’s legacy of humbly helping others succeed.

Judy, who was the general manager of the Greater Peterborough Community Futures Development Corporation for 16 years and an active member of the Peterborough and area business community (including WBN), also volunteered her time on many boards and committees. A tireless promoter of the entrepreneurial dreams and passions of women both young and old, she passed away in 2013 at the age of 61 after a brief battle with cancer.

The 2019 recipient of the WIB Award was Monika Carmichael of Trent Valley Honda, and the 2019 recipient of the Judy Heffernan Award was Kim Appleton. In 2019, WBN also introduced the annual Student Business Awards, given to a Trent University student and Fleming College student who are enrolled in a business program (the 2019 winners were Tara Spence from Trent University and Jo Oanh Ho from Fleming College).

Paula Kehoe, as WBN’s 2019-20 Awards Director, is leading a committee of WBN members who are organizing the 2020 awards.

“I’m thrilled to chair the committee who are working hard behind the scenes to create a successful event,” Paula says. “The new awards committee will meet in September to review the previous event and discuss logistics for next year’s event, including securing a date.”

Paula notes the awards committee is still in the very early stages of planning, but nominations for the 2020 awards will likely open early in the New Year with April 2020 eyed as a possible date for the awards event.

“The awards committee will be moving forward with fresh ideas to create an evening that’s inspiring, engaging, and entertaining,” she explains. “Regardless of what we do, the end goal is to bring people together to celebrate the excellence and success of their peers and inspire one another by example.”

That end goal reflects WBN’s vision to strengthen the community by supporting, empowering, and inspiring women in business.

“It’s important to recognize women who encourage ambition, empower confidence, and inspire new female leaders now and into the future,” Paula points out. “There’s a significant number of businesses in the City and County of Peterborough that are led by women, many of whom are leading the way in innovation, overcoming adversity, and giving back to their community in extraordinary ways.”

“Some of these women fly under the radar but should be visible,” she adds. “For any woman nominated for these awards, I want them to benefit from the publicity and gain exposure for their business or organization and for themselves.”

kawarthaNOW.com will be sharing more details about the 2020 Women in Business and Judy Heffernan Awards when they become available.

For more information about the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough, visit www.womensbusinessnetwork.net.

Over the years, the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough has had many successful and impactful women among its members, from entrepreneurs and small business owners to professionals, managers, and executives from large organizations.

So it’s no surprise that many WBN members have had both their business achievements and community contributions publicly recognized and honoured.

With the following list, we want to acknowledge and celebrate the business and other achievements of some past and current members of WBN (note: this list is not meant to be exhaustive).

Women in Business Award Winners

• 2019 – Monika Carmichael, Trent Valley Honda
• 2018 – No award*
• 2017 – No award*
• 2016 – Gwyneth James, Cody & James Chartered Professional Accountants
• 2015 – Amy Simpson, MicroAge
• 2014 – Kerri Davies, Canadian Mental Health Association HKPR
• 2013 – Kyla Gutsche, Cosmetic Transformations
• 2012 – Sally Harding, Nightingale Nursing
• 2011 – Sheridan Graham, The County of Peterborough
• 2010 – Jean Grant, The Toy Shop
• 2009 – Kathy Windrem, BDO Canada
• 2008 – Mary LaRocque, Marlin Travel
• 2007 – Tina Johnston, Fandango Spa
• 2006 – Kim Paget, Paget Dental
• 2005 – Jeannine Taylor, kawarthaNOW
• 2004 – Helen Hamilton, Costume King
• 2003 – Gail Courneyea, Angels of Flight

*Prior to 2019, the Women in Business Award was called the Business Woman of the Year Award and was organized by the Peterborough Examiner, which did not present the award in 2017 or 2018. WBN now organizes and presents the Women in Business Award.

Judy Heffernan Award Winners

• 2019 – Kim Appleton
• 2018 – No award*
• 2017 – No award*
• 2016 – Louise Racine
• 2015 – Sofie Andreou

*Prior to 2019, the Judy Heffernan Award was called the Judy Heffernan Memorial Award and was organized by the Peterborough Examiner, which did not present the award in 2017 or 2018. WBN now organizes and presents the Judy Heffernan Award.

Peterborough-Kawartha Women’s Leadership Awards

The Peterborough-Kawartha Women’s Leadership Awards were established in 2018 by Peterborough-Kawartha MP and Minister for Women and Gender Equality Women Maryam Monsef to recognize women’s leadership in the community, whether through volunteering, public service, professional achievements, advocacy, or being a remarkable friend or family member. A total of 55 women were recognized in 2019, including three WBN members.

• 2018 – Jeannine Taylor (kawarthaNOW.com), Sarah Susnar (Play Cafe Peterborough), Sofie Andreou (Sofie Andreou & Associates)

Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame

• 2019 – Janet McLeod, East City Flower Shop
• 2018 – Monika Carmichael, Trent Valley Honda

Civic Awards – City of Peterborough

• 2015 – Susan Dunkley Porter – Cultural Betterment
• 2001 – Kerri Davies – Cultural Betterment
• 2000 – Jeannine Taylor – Community Betterment

Peterborough County Agricultural Wall of Fame

• 2017 – Cora Whittington

Premier’s Award Nominees – Nominations by Fleming College

• 2012 – Kim Appleton
• 2009 – Kerri Davies, Fleming College Alumnus of Distinction
• 2003 – Jeannine Taylor

Community Recognition

• 2018 – Susan Sharp – Rotarian of the Year, Rotary Club of Peterborough
• 2017 – Brenda Ibey – Hazel Wilson Award, Ontario Horticultural Association (District 4)
• 2017 – Anne Arnold – Canadian Blood Services Recognition (75 blood donations)
• 2005 – Susan Dunkley Porter – Peterborough Service Community Award, Scouts Canada

Professional Awards and Designations

• 2018 – Grace Reynolds, Reynolds Mortgages – Best New Agent, Mortgage Awards of Excellence

Bear’s Lair Entrepreneurial Competition

• 2018 – Alexandra Campbell, Kavtek Software Corporation
• 2017 – Kellie Coon, Ship Shape Service

Win This Space Entrepreneurial Competition

• 2018 – Nadine Michael, Willow Bark
• 2017 – Tina Bromley, Tiny Greens Plant Cafe

WBN Member of the Year Award

The WBN Member of the Year Award was created in 1982 by long-time WBN member and Past President Maureen Tavener, who was inspired by a similar award given out by the former Canadian Advertising and Sales Association. The Member of the Year Award honours a woman who best embodies the spirit of the WBN membership.

Each April, WBN members have the opportunity to vote online by secret ballot to select a deserving recipient. Every member, except the current year’s President, is eligible for the award. The award is then presented at the organization’s May general meeting.

• 2018-19 – Arlene Blunck, All Office Machines
• 2017-18 – Tracey Ormond, That’s a Wrap! Catering
• 2016-17 – Louise Racine, Thirteen Moons Wellness
• 2015-16 – Louise Racine, Thirteen Moons Wellness
• 2014-15 – Denise Travers, SunLife
• 2013-14 – Cheri Anderson, The Crate Escape

A he full list of the other 33 past recipients of the WBN Member of the Year Award is available on the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough’s website.

For more information about the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough, visit www.womensbusinessnetwork.net.

Having a great idea for your business is the first step, but taking that idea to the next level can be a daunting prospect — especially if you’re not sure where to access resources.

That’s why we’ve created this list of both local and non-local resources to help startups and current business owners understand the options available to help make their entrepreneurial goals a reality.

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development Business Advisory Centre

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Business Advisory Centre (270 George St. N., Suite 102, Peterborough) offers many free services for startups and small businesses.

One of these is Starter Company Plus, a regular program offered through the Business Advisory Centre with funding from the Government of Ontario. While the program is not gender targeted, many female entrepreneurs — including several members of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) — have received micro-grants under the program.

Starter Company Plus provides both training and micro-grants to both aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs. To be considered for the program, you must be aged 18 and older in the city and county of Peterborough, and either launching a business or expanding an existing business that’s been operating for five years or less.

“Starter Company Plus provides five weeks of in-class business training,” explains Madeleine Hurrell, entrepreneurship officer with the Business Advisory Centre. “In this training, you will work towards completing a professional business plan and develop a business pitch for your new venture or business expansion.”

Following the in-class training, all program participants have their business plan evaluated and reviewed by a panel of community judges. The judges also listen to each business owner pitch their business idea or expansion.

At the end of the program, six micro-grants of $5,000 are awarded to the top six participants, based on business merit.

WBN members who have received micro-grants under the program in the past include Jennifer Wight of Emily Mae’s Cookies & Sweets, Sarah Susnar of Play Cafe, Jane Davidson of Jane Davidson Writing Coach, Christine Teixeira of Accountability Financial, and Carlotta James and Megan Boyles of Three Sisters Natural Landscapes.

If you’re interested, the next intake of the program begins in September 2019. For more information, visit peterboroughed.ca/business-support/starter-company-plus/ or contact Madeleine Hurrell by phone at 705-743-0777 ext. 2136 or by email at mwilson@peterboroughed.ca.

The Business Advisory Centre offers a lot more than Starter Company Plus, including regular sessions and workshops, a business toolkit, and one-on-one consultations. To find out more, visit peterboroughed.ca/business-support/.

Innovation Cluster Peterborough and The Kawarthas

The Innovation Cluster (270 George St. N., 3rd floor, Peterborough) provides a wide range of services to entrepreneurs including business idea validation, intellectual property protection, access to funding, business planning, marketing and sales strategies, as well as financial management.

One of the Innovation Cluster’s flagship services is The Cube, an incubation space for budding entrepreneurs launching innovation or technology-based startups. The Cube offers open-concept office space, high-speed internet, resources and support services, and more.

The Cluster’s Innovation Specialists specialize in coaching startups in the digital, agtech, and healthcare sectors, as well as those with a strong focus on clean technology. The organization works closely with other community organizations such as Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, the Peterborough Region Angel Network, and Fleming College and Trent University to ensure startups find their best path to market.

Like other local economic development organizations, the Innovation Cluster’s services are not gender specific, but many of the Cluster’s clients have included female entrepreneuers including WBN members.

“Anyone in Peterborough and the Kawarthas looking to start and grow their business in the technology sector can greatly benefit from the services the Innovation Cluster has to offer,” says Rachel Stark, Communications Coordinator at the Innovation Cluster, who notes that Peterborough offers a unique entrepreneurial experience for those entering the business community.

Rachel explains that the diverse and continual networking opportunities and events that exist locally aim to connect women entering the business world. With so many initiatives, she believes Peterborough truly provides a great foundation for any woman looking to start her entrepreneurial journey in this area.

“I believe that local female entrepreneurship is increasingly being recognized within the community,” says Rachel. “You can see it through initiatives such as Inspire The Women’s Portrait Project, a photographic celebration of inspiring women nominated within the community, many of which have been women founders that have grown their business out of the Innovation Cluster.”

Several programs operated by the Innovation Cluster include FastStart events, hands-on seminars, the Cubs’ Lair competition for young entrepreneurs, and more.

For more information about available programs at the Innovation Cluster, including The Cube business incubator, visit www.innovationcluster.ca/programs/ or contact Rachel Stark at 705-536-1101 ext. 906 or rstark@innovationcluster.ca.

Community Futures Peterborough (CFP)

Community Futures Peterborough (270 George St. N., Suite 103, Peterborough) offers flexible financing and business counselling services for businesses within Peterborough and Peterborough County. The organization supports business initiatives from the startup phase to business expansion.

CFP also works closely with other business organizations, such as Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Business Advisory Centre. For example, while the Business Advisory Centre helps entrepreneuers develop a solid business plan, they may still require start-up funding, which Community Futures can assist with.

CFP executive director Gail Moorhouse (who is also a member of WBN) says the CFP team has the community relationships and a variety of skills firmly in place to assist businesses at any stage of business development.

“Last week I worked with a client who had recently closed their business but was still on the hook for the funds they had received,” Gail explains. “We worked out a solution to delay their payments until they got back on their feet. We also assisted with their resume and job search.”

Gail proudly notes that over the past two years CFP has served an equal number of women-led businesses. She is thankful that she doesn’t personally see inequality in lending to women, but she does note there are still many financial institutions where a spouse is required to co-sign for a woman, which can create a barrier to funding opportunities.

Despite these barriers, there has recently been a strong push to seek out, support, and invest in women-led business. For example, the federal government recently committed to advancing women’s economic empowerment with the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, an initiative that will invest $2 billion to double the number of women-owned businesses by 2025.

“We’re seeing more commitment to investing in women entrepreneurs,” says Gail. “It’s great to see more opportunities for women in business. Women always bring uniqueness to business in their specific skill set.”

For more information about CFP’s financing programs and services, visit communityfuturespeterborough.ca/financing-services or contact Gail Moorhouse by phone at 705-745-5434 ext 223 or by email at gail@cfpeterborough.ca.

Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition

Bears Lair, which will return in 2020, is an annual competition for entrepreneurs in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. The competition culminates with six finalists pitching their business plans to a panel of judges and the local community for the chance to win cash prizes.

Bears’ Lair is sponsored by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, the Innovation Cluster, Community Futures Peterborough, Mega Experience, and the Peterborough Region Angel Network, all of which offer valuable services to entrepreneurs in the local community.

In past competitions, several WBN members have been finalists, including Jen Wight of Emily Mae’s Cookies & Sweets and Melinda Masters of Melinda’s Custom Sewing and Upholstery, and several WBN members have also been semi-finalists.

For more information about Bears’ Lair, visit www.bearslairptbo.ca.

Peterborough Region Angel Network

The Peterborough Region Angel Network is a group of individual investors from the Peterborough area.

These investors collaborate and invest in early stage growth companies in four primary areas: information and communication technology, medical technology, green technology (cleantech), and biotechnology and life sciences.

The Peterborough Angels are also partnered with the Innovation Cluster. Prior to pitching a business plan to the Angel Network, entrepreneurs will receive training from Innovation Cluster staff to help them develop and refine their pitching skills.

For more information, visit www.peterboroughangels.ca.

Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation’s DELIA platform

The Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) in Cobourg is a sister agency of Community Futures Peterborough.

Recently, Northumberland CFDC received $1.4 million in federal government funding to implement a financial technologies (“FinTech”) lending platform called DELIA (Develop Educate Lead Innovate Accelerate). DELIA will provide an easy online application process and instant decisions on commercial loan applications up to $50,000.

The priority of DELIA will be investment in innovative women-owned and women-led enterprises in Eastern Ontario. Successful recipients will be automatically inducted into a concurrent program providing advisory support services, networking opportunities, accelerator space, and entrepreneurial skills development through Venture13 in Cobourg.

“DELIA is about calibrating our lending to innovative, women entrepreneurs using contemporary financial technologies,” says Northumberland CFDC executive director Wendy Curtis. “Yet it is not just a matter of fintech. We will work closely with a cohort of up to 30 high-potential women-led firms in enhancing their competitive development and scale-up through an all-inclusive suite of entrepreneurial support services and training.”

DELIA will launch on November 4, 2019. For more information, visit the Northumberland CFDC website at financingandstrategy.com/delia/.

Export Development Canada’s Women in Trade Investments Program

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation that provides insurance and financial services, as well as small business solutions, to Canadian exporters, investors, and international buyers.

On May 2, 2019, EDC announced a new $50 million Women in Trade Investments Program to help Canadian women entrepreneurs expand beyond Canadian borders. This program will help women-owned and women-led companies grow and scale their businesses by providing more access to growth capital.

For more information about the Women In Trade program, visit www.edc.ca/women-in-trade.

Startup Canada’s Women Founders Fund

Startup Canada is a national organization representing more than 200,000 entrepreneurs and 50 grassroots communities, which supports entrepreneurs in starting, operating, and scaling their businesses.

Startup Canada’s Women Founders Fund provides access to resources and empowers female entrepreneurs in an attempt to bridge the gap on entrepreneurial equal opportunity.

The fund provides micro-grants up to $5,000 for women entrepreneurs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to support business operations or business growth opportunities.

The application deadline for the 2019 fund is September 15th.

For more information and to apply, visit www.startupcan.ca/women-founders-fund/.

Farm Credit Canada’s Women Entrepreneur Program

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is a Canadian agriculture lender that supports, strengthens, and celebrates the agriculture industry.

FCC’s Women Entrepreneur Program seeks to address three key needs for women in the agricultural, agribusiness, and agri-foods sectors: increased access to capital; access to business and competency skill development; and access to tools, resources, and field experts.

Over the next three years, FCC will dedicate $500 million to lending, enhancing educational events, and creating resources specifically for women entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their businesses.

If you’re a woman involved in agriculture and/or agri-food, the FCC’s Women Entrepreneur Loan can help you take the next step in starting or growing your business.

For more information about the Women Entrepreneur Program, visit www.fcc-fac.ca/en/we-finance/agriculture/women-entrepeneur-program.html.

PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise

PARO Centre is a business support and networking organization that strengthens women-led businesses and promotes community economic development across Ontario, excluding the Greater Toronto Area.

PARO (Latin for “I am ready”) provides community loans to help women start or grow a business. The organization also offers workshops, conferences, and events to support personal and professional development.

For more information, visit paro.ca/2013/.

Financing from Futurpreneur Canada

Futurpreneur Canada is a national, non-profit organization that assists aspiring entrepreneurs ages 18 to 39 in accessing financing, mentoring, and support.

Futurpreneur can help budding entrepreneurs turn their idea into a business plan, provide tools for starting and running a business, and help them build their business network.

Partnering with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), Futurpreneur can offer collateral-free loans of up to $60,000 (up to $20,000 from Futurpreneur and up to $40,000 from BDC), with interest-only repayment in the first year.

For more details, visit www.futurpreneur.ca/en/get-started/financing-and-mentoring/.

Business Development Bank of Canada’s Women in Technology Venture Fund

The Business Development Bank of Canada’s Women in Technology Venture Fund is one of the world’s largest venture capital funds dedicated to investing in women-led technology companies.

The fund does this in three ways: by direct investment that provides financial support to companies that are women-level (female founder, co-founder, CEO, or executive); by indirect investment that provides financial support to companies with at least one woman partner and a commitment to investing in women-led technology companies; and by ecosystem development that works to ensure a self-sustaining ecosystem for women to thrive in business by providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and relevant tools.

In 2018-19, the fund reviewed more 1,000 women-led tech companies and has invested $17 million in 25 companies to date.

For more information about the Women in Technology Venture Fund, visit www.bdc.ca/en/bdc-capital/venture-capital/strategic-approach/pages/women-tech-fund.aspx.

Business Grants For Female Entrepreneurs In Canada

Many business grants are available exclusively for women and can provide the much-needed funding to take business goals to the next level.

For a list of business grants for female entrepreneurs, as well as some industry-specific grants, visit www.opstart.ca/a-guide-to-business-grants-for-female-entrepreneurs-in-canada/.

For more information about the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough, visit www.womensbusinessnetwork.net.