Bits and pieces from the  Desk of the Executive Director

 

I have lots of “Bits & Pieces” of good news this week . . .

 

Best Wishes!  

Our very best wishes go to Lori Morin, Business Development Trainer, for PARO’s Making A Difference Business Development program, which includes being editor for the weekly PARO Link.  Lori will be going on Maternity Leave this week. We will be looking forward to seeing baby pictures on the PARO Link. 

Announcements!  

Joni Sharkey is the new Business Development Trainer for PARO’s Making A Difference Program. She will be replacing Lori Morin, while she is on maternity leave.  

Maria Talarico, will be the new Loans Officer, plus, she will provide much needed Administrative Support at PARO Women’s Enterprise Centre.  

Joni and Maria have worked at PARO for two years. During this time they have proven themselves, as very valuable members of the PARO Team. Recognizing their special skills, education, and experience, we are very happy that they will continue to assist women in their new positions.  

Guess who is back!!   Karen Rogowski, who you may remember as Business Development Trainer for the GATEWAY Program, is returning to bring the Making A Difference Program to the Region. We are very happy that Karen will be traveling on the PARO on Wheels Van and working with Joni to bring business start-up and job search assistance to women in regional communities, east and west of Thunder Bay . Her years of experience helping small businesses get started and to prosper, plus her considerable and invaluable experience and education in accounting and bookkeeping make her a real asset to the Traveling Team!!  

And new to PARO- a big welcome to Megan Chochla, as the Project Coordinator for the Business Accelerator program. Megan has worked in community and economic development as well as business development both in Thunder Bay and internationally. She will bring her special mix of education and experience, working with the PARO team of counselors and Accelerator Experts, to help women Accelerate their business growth.  

And More . . .  

This is a very busy time of year. It is so important to take a moment to reflect on what can we do to manage our time, to make each day more enjoyable and worthwhile. One of my greatest gifts in life has been my enjoyment of work.  I save useful bits & pieces like the one listed below, so that I can refer back for affirmation and inspiration. I am not sure of the source, but I hope this list will be helpful to you.  

Five Steps to Getting More Enjoyment from Your Work (Business or Job)

1. List what you like about your work. What makes it worth doing? For eg., working with good people, improving your customers' lives, doing a technically perfect job and so on.

2. List what you dislike about your work. What makes you want to quit? For eg., working long hours, customer complaints, health risks, people who complain, instead being part of the solution, and so on.

3. List your purposes for this work. Why did you start? What is the big picture? Why do you do this work?

4. Review and add items to the above three lists. Continue until you feel more joy for your work. When the lists are balanced, your passion takes over and you love your work.

5. If the four steps above do not help you find joy for your work, you need to make some changes.

Change your routine. Work with different people. Do a better job. Change directions, or learn a new profession.

Change a negative attitude. Learn to accept help. Stop cutting corners.

Keep making changes until the joy of your work is greater than its difficulties.

If your business gives you no joy, change it. You are in the driver’s seat. Make it into an operation that makes you happy. Improve the quality of the service or product. Delegate more responsibilities. Replace difficult employees. Make the operation bigger or smaller. Start another business.

Go!

When you love your work, you recognize opportunities and make better decisions. You know where you are going. You are on the road to success.  

Enjoy the beautiful Fall season,

Roz

Fueling Connections

PARO on Wheels, a van that serves as a innovative mobile women’s enterprise development centre, brings counsellors to the region on a regular basis, two weeks per month. Travelling counsellors work with women to help them start-up and grow their business or find a job.  Women are invited to orientation sessions, workshops, and networking events to discover potential opportunities in the business or job sector. In addition, PARO works to provide increased awareness and access to a myriad of resources and services available from PARO and from regional community  partners. So, the mission for PARO on Wheels is to bring support services to women, and to link women to supportive organizations, groups and individuals, whatever the challenge. 

Starting a business in a small community may seem like only a dream, but PARO’s years of experience shows that the dream can become a rewarding reality.  Workshops such as  “Exploring your Entrepreneurial Potential” and “Business Works”, and workshops on important topics, such as Bookkeeping and Marketing, show the way.  Networking opportunities to share and exchange experiences with each other, while learning from others’ successes and mistakes are vital to supporting the journey.

Happening soon . . .

PARO Centre at #110- 105 May Street North, Thunder Bay offers weekly Biz & Bagel workshops on Monday at 12:15 PM. During Small Business week, the Biz & Bagel will help you make the best of your trade show opportunities. In the Greenstone area, PARO will offer Bookkeeping and Marketing Workshops partnering with the local Community Futures Development Corporation on October 18^th . Contact Sylvie at sgoulet@astrocom-on.com. On October 19^th,  PARO on Wheels will be holding a brown bag lunch and learn Marketing session in Nipigon from 12 noon until 2pm in the Chamber of Commerce Board Room.  All are welcome! Contact francest@paro.ca .

In Thunder Bay ,  PARO Links & Leads offers monthly networking opportunities. The next event, Handmade in Thunder Bay, 5-7 PM October 25th, Provincial Room, Prince Arthur Hotel.

In the region, the New Beginnings PARO Group are hosting a Networking Dinner, October 23rd at the Nipigon Café. PARO on Wheels will be there.

Note that PARO on Wheels travels the Western Loop the first (1^st) full week of the month. Our destinations include communities along the route, and other communities upon request.  PARO on Wheels travels the Eastern Loop the third (3^rd) full week of each month, including communities north and south, and as far as Wawa for special events. Contact us to make an appointment to meet with a counselor, or as a community partner to plan an event. 

Peer Lending Circles are also an important aspect of PARO. It’s a unique way for women to attain small business loans, in stages, to help get them started. For more information on  upcoming workshops or if you have input to help us meet your needs, please visit our website at  www.paro.ca.

Contact information: info@paro.ca or 1-800-584-0252 or 625-0328

Sandra E. Wiggins, Northern Opportunities for Women Project Coordinator                           

success Story

 

Activate Healing

Combining the best of nature & science

Kim Irwin and Kristina Lebar

Activate Healing is a new retail business in Thunder Bay that offers homeopathic remedies, medicinal herbs and organic/gluten free grocery products.  Located at 510 Victoria Avenue East, the store is celebrating its official Grand Opening starting Thursday, October 19th, 2006.

Kim and Kristina came into this business in a roundabout way, but it could not have come more naturally.  Both women had been working in different areas covering a variety of fields between them from hotel/restaurant management to financial planning.  These neighbours found that they were both looking for something to focus on and start new careers with passion. 

While their relationship developed from neighbours to friends, Kim and Kristina realized that they shared many values in terms of lifestyle choices.  They were both very family oriented, using holistic methods of care and well being to look after themselves and their families and had a need for products that were not readily available in Thunder Bay.  Being that they were looking for new jobs and realized their shared difficulties in securing a wide variety of holistic and natural medicinal products, they began researching their options.

In December of 2005, the decision to take the leap from being employees to business owners was made.  These women came to PARO with a well thought out plan and were eager to start.  They continued to research and develop their business plan for the next few months.  In April the business plan was completed.   They have since opened their business, creating an environment that encourages people to explore their product, get valuable resources and references and feel comfortable talking about their needs.  The space allows a lot of room for growth and both Kim and Kristina are always looking for ways to expand and better serve their current and potential clientele.  Both women offer knowledgeable and enthusiastic support and are happy to send you in the right direction for clarification and assistance.  They take their roles as active community members very seriously and because of that, they are making their retail store more than a  place that sells product, but a place that makes one feel welcome, eager to learn and happier and healthier for it.

Activate Healing is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM until 5 PM and from 12 Noon until 4 PM on Saturdays.  If you have any questions, you can reach Kim or Kristina at (807) 628-8656 or by email at activatehealing@tbaytel.net.

 

PARO Leads & Links

 

Financial Success

To book your display booth, please contact Deborah Poole-Hofmann at graphx@tbaytel.net $ 28 FOR MEMBERS AND $32 FOR NON MEMBERS

Admission:  $3 Members/$5 Non Members

 

Northern Ontario Women's Leadership Forum

 

Register today for the

Northern Ontario Women’s Leadership Forum 2006!

 

November 23^rd 2006

 

Valhalla Inn, Thunder Bay

 

On November 23^rd 2006, Thunder Bay will welcome back Marion Balla, the top-rated speaker, for a morning of professional networking and executive workshops at the Northern Ontario Women’s Leadership Forum 2006.

 

Building upon its 2005 success, the Northern Ontario Women’s Leadership Forum 2006 will provide a unique forum for women and men to learn, share knowledge, and develop new leadership skills.

 

This year’s featured speaker, Marion Balla is President of The Adlerian Counselling and Consulting Group in Ottawa , where she offers presentations and training in Communication, Leadership, and Family issues, amongst many others.

She knows that leadership starts from where you are, right now.  She is a role model, an expert presenter, an approachable communicator, and excited to be asked back to this northern Ontario event.

 

She will also facilitate an Executive "Think and Do Tank" for experienced leaders.  Watch for registration forms on the website: www.womensleadership.ca or Tel: (807) 767-4443 for ticket information.

 

Here is a small sample of what Marion said to expect from this year's forum

 

Leadership is a dialogue, not a monologue.

 

The energy, enthusiasm and passion that leaders model in their daily communications create movement and momentum towards common goals.  This session will assist participants to examine how their body language, their level of energy and the use of “we” and “our” in interactions play a pivotal role in successful outcomes.  Being understood by others and understanding others in all communications is the essence of strong leadership.

 

Participants will leave this workshop with:

• An understanding of the value of a directive vs responsive mode of communications

• Identification of verbal and non verbal patterns matched with helpful responses

• A model for creative collaboration in addressing differences and/or benefit

Business Development Programs

Are you a Woman with a Disability?

Dissatisfied With Your Work?

Want to Become Self-Employed?

Are you a woman contemplating going into business but do not know where to start?