The PARO Link
Vol. # 04 - Issue # 08 - Friday, February 23, 2007

In this Issue:

Feb 28 PARO Leads & Links

Fueling Connections

The Business Accelerator

Feb 26 Biz & Bagels

PARO Programs

Connecting You to a Healthy Lifestyle

New PARO Member Blog

Community Notes & Events

February 28th - PARO Leads & Links @ NOTC

Fueling Connections

PARO’s workshop “Building Your Roadmap, Getting From Where you are to Where you Want to Be” has proven to be very successful in the region. We have had participants tell us that it has helped them evaluate where they are right now and given them an outline to work on to help sort out what they want to do personally or in their business or workplace.

The workshop makes you stop to think about the moment now, and gives you some strategies and examples of how to map your individual future path. It is a simple mechanism whereby you can evaluate your particular circumstances and decide on whether you want or need a change, or gives you a self re-assurance that you are content with your life’s journey and the road you are now following.

Sometimes we just need to sit down and think about ourselves. It’s a healthy and enlightening thing to do.

We hope that you will join us for the next regional sessions

The PARO on Wheels van will be heading

West from the March 6th-8^th and

East from March 20th-22nd

More details on where and when will be in our next Fueling Connections.

For more information or to set up one on one meetings in the region with our counsellors, please call PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise toll free at 1-800-584-0252 or

E mail us at info@paro.ca.

Time flies! Make sure you mark this on your calendar today!

Next week PARO is proud to partner with Thunder Bay Ventures to bring you “Networking with Flare, Hawaiian Style” on Wednesday, February 28^th, 5 – 7 PM at the Northwestern Ontario Technology Centre, 1294 Balmoral Street . Join your colleagues and meet new people as Thunder Bay City Councilor, and PARO member, Rebecca Johnson, presents the do’s and don’ts for networking. See you there, and remember to bring a friend!

PARO Leads & Links events offer networking and learning opportunities, as well as great advertising opportunities for your business with display booths available at each event. Contact Deborah Poole-Hoffmann at graphx@tbaytel.net to find out more about how you can promote and showcase your business, product, or service at PARO Leads & Links.

Circles

There has been a renewed interest and spirit in our Peer Lending Circles over the past 6 months and we have participants who are looking to join a circle or to start a circle. This is a great way to get that small loan you may need now or in the future for your business. If you don’t have a business, you can still benefit from networking and having support from other women through their knowledge, experience and connections. Contact sandraw@paro.ca to find out more about circles or to update us on how your circle is doing. We would be happy to meet with circles in Thunder Bay and in the region, so give us a call!

More Resources for You

If you haven’t visited the Roaring Women Website yet, we urge you to take a look today. Sign up for their weekly e newsletter. This is an organization made up of women just like us. Go to http://www.roaringwomen.com . There is information for women, about women that is time relevant and very interesting

If you would like more information about the regional Paro on Wheels program, please contact us at info@paro.ca. , 807-625-0328 or if you are in the region, toll free at 1-800-584-0252. We look forward to your suggestions and input on the types of workshops you would like to participate in. Remember, we are here for you, so let us know what you want.

Have a wonderful week and we hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,

Sandra E. Wiggins,
Northern Opportunities for Women Project Coordinator

The Business Accelerator

By Ja-Nae Duane, Founder, Wild Women Entrepreneurs

We all have a goal that we are trying to achieve. I wish that fairy godmothers were real……they’re not. It’s our responsibility to go out and obtain our own wishes and desires. Of course, nothing will ever be accomplished without perseverance and self discipline.

If you want something, here are just a few helpful hints:

Be persistent

Once you are prepared to go out and achieve your goal…..just
do it. But be persistent in doing it. In my early college days I
was a tour coordinator for children’s tours. It was a job
that seemed interesting, would pay the bills, and be flexible around
my classes. When I interviewed for the job and the woman told me
that she would call in about a week. I waited that week, but when
I hadn’t heard from her, I decided to give her a call. She
said that they hadn’t made a decision yet. So, I waited two
days and then called again. She told me to call back in a day or
two. So, I called late the next day. I was hired over the phone.
She then proceeded to tell me that though my resume did not stand
out from any of the other candidates, my persistence and passion
to have this job was exactly what they were looking for.

Now, there is a difference between being persistent and being annoying.
If you are a candidate for a job, you want to show your eagerness
without being overzealous about it. So, don’t call every day,
but every other day. This allows for you to be in the forefront
of people’s minds, which will increase your chances of getting
whatever you want or need from them.

Be creative: When one angle doesn’t work, try another
angle

Being persistent is one thing, but being persistent while using
a plethora of tactics is another. Sometimes one approach to something
isn’t enough. You have to try something new and innovative
to help you get what you want. Get creative with it and start thinking
outside the box.

A good thing to keep in mind while looking for angles is how will
people benefit from your product? This is particularly true if you’re
trying to solicit something from someone. They have their own best
interests in mind first, so they want to know how you will help
them.

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REMINDER...

Debra Joy Mueller, CPCC (Certified Professional Co-Active Coach), RN

Join us for two Revitalizing Workshops and book a One-on-One Coaching

Session with Debra Joy Mueller CPCC, February 27-28, 2007

1. Career and Life Design in Balance

Balance your life and career to facilitate and grow your business.
Tuesday, February 27, 200, 2:30 to 4 pm

2. Create Relationships Anew

Explore, build and improve relationships with,: Colleagues and Clients and Yourself.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007, 5:30 to 7 pm

Call Maria Talarico at 807-625-0328 or e-mail, mariat@paro.ca to book 45 minute coaching sessions: February 28, starting at 9 AM to last session starting at 4 PM.

Book Fast, as the coaching sessions will fill up quickly.
First come, first serve basis.

PARO’s advanced Business Accelerator program provides a flexibility of workshops, mentoring, business counseling, web and tele-classes to women who are already established in their businesses but want to ‘grow a little or shift a lot’. This program builds knowledge, skills, capacity, confidence and resilience as a business owner, and each participant’s program is specially tailored to suit their needs. Contact accelerator@paro.ca to find out how the program can benefit your business.

PARO's Accelerator project has been supported with a grant from the Canadian Women's Foundation Economic Development Collaborative Fund, a partnership of the Canadian Women's Foundation, CIBC, The George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation, The Ontario Trillium Foundation and an Anonymous donor.

This project is supported by Industry Canada / Fednor.

February 26th - Biz and Bagel

Next Biz and Bagel Monday, February 26Th

Featuring: Lisa Beckwick

Presenting..." Human Resources for the Small Business "

Biz & Bagels are open to the public and we welcome you to join us
Mondays, 12:15pm - 1:15pm @ PARO Centre

If you are in the region and would like to join us, we have limited spaces available through teleconference. Please contact Joni @ jsharkey@paro.ca or 1-800-584-0252.

This program is funded by the Government of Canada

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?

For more info, please call Joni at 625.0328 or 1.800.584.0252

Start Your Business Today. Let us help you!

Join the Making A Difference: A Business Development Program

Funded by:

The support of Government of Ontario through the Ontario Women's Directorate, the Ministry of

Citizenship and Immigration is acknowledged

PARO Self-Employment Benefit Program

PARO's GATEWAY: A Path to Self-Employment

On EI now or in the last 3 years, or had Maternity benefits in the last 5 years?

Register Today!!

Click here for more information

This program is funded by the Government of Canada

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Do you have a computer? Can you surf the internet easily? Why not try our new Pilot project...
PARO On-line.

March 24th - Northern Women's Expo - SIGN UP TODAY!

We are down to the wire for both exhibitors and sponsors for the Northern Women's Expo!

There is such enthusiasm among our members to bring the Expo back. Now we need you to take that enthusiasm and spread the word--quickly--that a great opportunity exists to showcase a business or organization to 1000+ women who make the majority of a family's purchasing decisions. We have some great features including wonderful interactive booths, seminars and free blood typing (a $40 value/person).

Tell everyone you can think of to sign up TODAY as a sponsor or exhibitor ---send them to the website: www.northernwomensexpo.ca

There are also a good supply of brochures on hand if you would like to drop some off to your contacts.

You are interested - great - just send an email saying "I want to be an exhibitor and/or sponsor" and we'll get the information to you. Contact the Expo Coordinator, Pat Forrest at 577-0137 or email her at tompat@tbaytel.net

Let's work together everyone to take this challenge on and make this the best Expo ever!

Connecting You to a Fit & Healthy Lifestyle

So it’s Thursday!! It is also over half way through February!

What did you tell yourself you were going to do in January? Were you going to make sure you exercised at least 3 to 5 times a week; were you going to eat healthier; were you going to spend more quality time with your loved ones?

We say we are going to change; you may even do it for a little while, but something happens and you have a setback and you have skipped your workout (for a week), or eaten a bag of Old Dutch chips (oh heck, you blew it so you might as well have some chocolate too!) or you just have one more report to finish and then you’ll take the kids skating!!

What happens? Well, experts call this “instinctual drift” or the tendency to slip back into old patterns. Our old behaviors’ still exist in our brains. Scientist tell us that neurons that fire together, wire together – meaning they are likely to fire the same way next time. Don’t fret though; our brains also have enormous “plasticity” which means they can generate new cells and pathways.

You can create a habit in 21 days, but to build the “neuron” highway it takes approximately 6 to 9 months (so much for the 1 week to a new and better body theory!!)

The more you understand this, the less likely you will have negative consequences to the occasional step backwards. As historian and philosopher Will Durant says “Forget past mistakes, forget failures. Forget everything except what you are going to do now and DO IT!!”

Make it the great 2007 that you said you were going to – the Trans Canada highway wasn’t built in a week!!!! Give yourself time and permission to build the “highway” to your new behaviour! Now come on – there is only one direction to get you there!! Get up and get going - forward!!

Deb

Deb Coulis - Lifestyle Coach
Coulis Connection
www.coulisconnection.com
Ph: 807-935-2484
Cell: 807-628-2408

Daina's Blog !

MY LIVESTRONG!

Hi folks! If you haven’t noticed, I have not been around the PARO office in a while. I used to be a regular, either working or talking Roz’s ear off (ha!). Now I am in Dryden, living with my mother, and trying to stay afloat on this ship called life. Some days I am on Carnival and what’s her name in the commercials is singing to me, while some days, as many of you can attest, it feels like it is 1912 and you are on the Titanic. Life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, right? Right!

Life has certainly changed, that’s for sure. Nothing in life is ever static. New life, new job, new friends. I am now working at our local city library as the event programmer and loving it. The kids are fantastic, although can you picture me reading to children and doing crafts? No, I can’t either, but I’m doing it, and it’s one of the things I look forward to each week. I think they are teaching me sometimes more than the opposite. Not to mention I got to see Debra Coulis of Coulis Connections in my library this week. That was quite a surprise! Then I saw PARO staff in Dryden. Women on the move. Gotta love’em!

So I thought I would start a weekly “blog” for the PARO Link. I also want to tell you about how I got involved in an organization with Lance Armstrong. Not to mention he’s easy on the eyes. I will tell you how I got to spend the weekend with him in Austin, Texas, and other details about the other interesting people that were there. I will also tell you about my upcoming running debut in October in Austin ! Yes, no more couch potato, I am going to run, run, and run! Remember to always LIVESTRONG!

Daina

P.S. I miss seeing many of you so please feel free to write me at the email below.
daina@drytel.net

Community Notes

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GABBY'S TAKE-OUT

Located on the corner of Franklin & Walsh, ph:623-5691

HOMEMADE coney sauce, perogies AND burgers, pork loin kabobs and pop-corn chicken burgers!! Holy Moly........!!

Friendly service and great prices too...we also grill persians and whip up a MEAN milk shake!!

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PARO Events Calendar

The PARO events calendar will list all dates, times and places of events that will be held during the next few months. Unless otherwise specified, events will be held @ PARO Place. Please contact the office at 625-0328 for any information. All Biz and Bagels will take place from 12:15pm until 1:15pm.

February

26th - Biz and Bagels ~ Lisa Beckwick, "Human Resources for the Small Business"

28th - PARO Leads & Links at NOTC, 1294 Balmoral St., 5:00pm - 7:00pm Rebecca Johnson presents
"Networking with Flare, Hawaiian Style"

PARO Centre For Women's Enterprise - 110-105 May Street North, Thunder Bay, ON P7C 3N9
Tel: 807.625.0328 Fax: 807.625.0317 Website: http://www.paro.ca Email: info@paro.ca

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By popular demand, PARO is pleased to offer businesses an opportunity to advertise (within size limits) in the PARO Link.

Fees are set at $20 per ad for PARO Circle members, $25 per ad for PARO Networking Members, and $50 per ad for non-members. Non-members are encouraged to purchase an annual $25 Networking Membership to realize savings.

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We ask you to keep your special events and/or community announcements to a maximum of 100 words. We cannot guarantee any graphics, please submit in a pdf format. Learning type column submissions must be limited to a maximum of 200 words.