I got thinking about this as I sat parked in front of the building that once housed our flooring business. It’s slated for demolition. It looks broken, used up, nothing like it once was.

I thought I might get a sense of soul if I went there just once more. I was mistaken. Gone is the laughter, the blood, sweat and tears. It used to vibrate with our passion and dreams.

I now get to view it all through rose-coloured glasses. I can let go of the struggles and remember the success. Brian and I would often look at one another and say, “We have the best customers!” It was a zoo in there. One former employee said, “It was a fun place to work.”

The ambiance was such that our customers would come and linger: perhaps on the showroom couch, sipping fresh coffee, meeting their friends and sharing their news. Come, sit awhile. Times have changed.

It’s important to begin again. With each passing, we must create a new adventure. There is no failure in life other than doing nothing.

It’s all too easy to charge through life, breathless, numb and missing the meaning, the beauty and the possibilities for rebirth.

Entrepreneurs have an opportunity to truly express who they are and create a great experience for both staff and customers. Don’t miss that! And, if you are in a job or career you hate, one that violates your deepest values, move on.

Begin again – because you can.

Feeling stuck? Call me.

Warmest regards,
Sharon

www.Uturnwarrior.com

This post was submitted by Sharon Cowan.

Cost is $20 per person.

Join us for hot dogs and hamburgers on the Mighty Miramichi office deck from 5:00PM – 6:00PM. (Office is located on Newcastle Boulevard – adjacent to the Goodie Shop Restaurant)

Our boat ride will be on the Max Aiken with Captain Azade Hache from 6:00PM – 7:30PM. (boat will depart from Ritchie Wharf)

Everyone is welcome! Join us for this night of networking and fun!

Please RSVP to Shannon Daley at shannon.daley@nbcc.ca or phone: 506-778-5299.

Promoting Your Business
Part 1: Monday, May 16, 2011, 6pm – 9pm
Part 2: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6pm – 9pm

Choosing the best advertising or promotion medium is often difficult for small businesses. Where to spend it and how much to spend are questions often asked. This workshop is targeted to companies who have already identified the characteristics of their target market but now want to know the best way to promote to that group.

Facilitator: Faron Dawe, Apropos Marketing and Communications
Cost: $60 HST included
Deadline to Register: May 9, 2011

Break the Rules – Close More Sales!
Part 1: Monday, June 6, 2011, 6pm – 9pm
Part 2: Tuesday, June 7, 2011, 6pm – 9pm

As a visionary Entrepreneur, Sales Manager or Sales representative of your organization, you are always looking for ways to grow your top and bottom line. In this workshop you will learn an effective way to introduce yourself to prospective clients; be able to get more appointments; more effectively communicate with your prospects; and learn how to close more sales.

Facilitator: Russ Mallard, Mallard & Associates Ltd. (a Sandler Training firm)
Cost: $60 HST included
Deadline to Register: May 30, 2011

All workshops will be held at the Rodd Miramichi River Hotel, Miramichi.

To register or for more information, please contact: Pierre Breau, CBDC Northumberland at (506)778-2121 or email pierre.breau@cbdc.ca

2011 Gala and Awards Ceremony
Saturday, April 16
Miramichi Kinsmen Center, 100 Newcastle Blvd.
Theme: Blooming Futures

Agenda

6:00PM – 7:00PM: Cocktail Hour (Music provided by Wade Hallihan)

7:00PM – 9:00PM: Three course meal, Keynote Address: ‘Branding and Social Media’ by Mags Schultz founder of Magzy’s Kettle Korn, and MYPIE Awards Ceremony (3 categories)

One winner in each of the following three categories will be announced during our awards ceremony. Congratulations to all of our finalists!

Entrepreneur of the Year:
Scott Campbell, Incline Sports; Tobi Desveux, Better Bodies Studio; and Danny Matchett, Danny’s Improvements.

Professional of the Year:
Shawn Cripps, Allen Paquet and Arseneau LLP; Adam Hayward, School District 16; and Kelly Sherrard, Enterprise Miramichi.

Community Champion of the Year:
Pat King, Kinsmen Club of Miramichi; Tracey ‘Chopper’ Robinson; and Joey Savoy, School District 16.

Thank you to our sponsors: Grant Thornton, Trinity Sounds, City of Miramichi, Enterprise Miramichi, Kensington Associates, Impact Miramichi, Beaubear Credit Union, Conseil Communautaire Beausoleil, Conrad Toner Coaching, Bright Signs and Printing and Pizza Delight (Chatham location).

MYPIE website: www.mypie.ca

We invite you to be a part of our Gala, if you would like to purchase tickets or a table, please contact Shannon Daley at 506-778-5299 or email:  shannon.daley@nbcc.ca

MYPIE is seeking nominations for the awards.  We ask that all nominations be submitted on or before Wednesday, March 16, 2011 (noon).

To be eligible, candidates must be residents of the Miramichi, or surrounding areas, for at least two years and be preferably 35 years old and under. Each award has other specific criteria that must be met. Winners will receive a trophy as well as a significant prize package deal.

The selection committee will consist of representatives from the business community and organizations of the Miramichi area. Eligible candidates can submit their applications through an open-nomination process.  A candidate can submit their own name or a third party can submit on their behalf.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Shannon Daley at 506-778-5299 or Joseph Foster at 506-352-0603.

MYPIE Entrepreneur of the Year

This award recognizes and celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and success found within our younger demographic on the River. Determination, dynamism and innovation are all words that represent well the young people involved in the business community of the Miramichi.

MYPIE Gala 2011 Nomination Form Entrepreneur

2010 Winner:  Wesley Cabel, Portage Restaurant
2009 Winner: Brian Siddall, Trinity Sounds

MYPIE Professional of the year

This award recognizes a young civic-minded person that has excelled in their career or industry to date. Whether the achievement touched the lives of a few in your office or of many in the community or in the field of work, this person has the dynamism, positive attitude and drive to excel at what they do on a daily basis. Simply put, this person is an example to all in their fields.

MYPIE Gala 2011 Nomination Form Professional

2010 Winner:  Michele Bushey, Addiction and Mental Health Services
2009 Winner: Lisa McCormack, realtor

MYPIE Community Champion of the year

Community involvement is a trait that we find in all demographics; this award has been created to specifically recognize the drive, generosity, and commitment displayed by a young person in their community. Whether you are a high school student or a professional with 10 years of experience, you must have shown outstanding community involvement, leadership, and a civic-minded attitude. You are one of the “doers”, a mover and a shaker that embraces community spirit and to whom the word volunteer really comes as a second nature.

MYPIE Gala 2011 Nomination Form Community Champion

2010 Winner:  Allyson Paradis
2009 Winner: Veronique Arsenault

Darlene's Tea House on Barnettville Road near Blackville

Much has been written about Darlene’s Tea House on the Barnettville Road just outside the village of Blackville. The turn of the century building, with its hardwood walls and floors, filled with antiques, fine china teacups, lace and hand-embroidered tablecloths, was once a country store at the centre of the community, where people gathered to swap stories and learn the news. Stocked with puncheons of molasses among other things, later one could buy nickel bottles of ginger ale and lime rickey there.

Not much has been written about the woman responsible for Darlene’s Tea House, whose passion for feeding people ignited with her first batch of cookies at age 11. Yet, it’s difficult to speak of the Tea House without speaking of Darlene Jardine and vice versa, she’s part of the whole experience. People come from all over the world as much for the rustic décor and home cooking, as they do to visit with Darlene and enjoy her company. Her passion for her Tea House is infectious and people are naturally drawn to the business woman who has turned her dreams into reality. But success hasn’t always come easy and Darlene has overcome her fair share of obstacles to get where she is at today.

She has many fond memories of growing up in a large family with six brothers (one deceased) and one sister.

“It was the best childhood that any kid could have,” she says. “We always had lots of food, lots of fish.”

She recalls how much she loved it when her father would make Yankee toast, bread and molasses fried in bacon fat.

In 1956, the family suffered a set-back when their home burned to the ground. Darlene and her siblings were separated and scattered amongst relatives for about a month. Her father was away working, cooking in the Quebec lumber camps, and didn’t know his home had burned until he returned.

She remembers the family seemed to be poorer after that. “But there was always a lot of love.”

Darlene's food is prepared and served with love.

At the age of 15, Darlene was the first one in her family to get married. “I was just a child.” She says there wasn’t much work around in the 60s and they had some hard times. In the early years of her marriage she saw more empty plates than meals. “I was poor. You live and learn. Just because you have bad times, doesn’t make you a bad person.”

Darlene’s mother-in-law worked at the hospital and would bring leftovers home to her and her two children. “I was a child, raising a child,” Darlene remembers. She didn’t have a lot of support at that time. Her parents were raising young children of their own. Her husband had a drinking problem. One time one of her boys got really sick from being malnourished. Eventually, her husband’s drinking meant they just couldn’t live together, so they separated, though never divorced.

“I don’t regret marrying him,” she says. And she’s not the kind of person to let tough times hold her back. “I think hardship makes a person stronger.”

“Those were different times,” Darlene recalls. Store-bought packaged food wasn’t a big part of people’s lives, like it is now. Mothers cooked meals everyday and baked any sweet treats. Darlene had to learn to cook to feed her family. And she learned well.

She wouldn’t go to culinary school until her early 30s, but she fed her family and worked in many restaurants.

“Graham Tricket taught me a lot,” Darlene says. She worked with the chef for years at the Village Inn restaurant. “I didn’t realize that Graham was teaching me all the time, until I went to school.”

She loved her courses. At the Village Inn her focus had been on meat, but in culinary school she was drawn to baking. After school she continued to cook in restaurants, but Darlene never felt quite satisfied in those kitchens. She longed to create her own menus and felt stifled when she had to produce whatever menu management wanted. Itching to feed her creativity she took a position at an outfitter’s lodge where she gained total menu control. And once she experienced the adrenaline rush of being able to design her own menus, she knew she wanted her own restaurant.

Darlene is the kind of loving caring person who always wants to feed somebody. She’s happiest when she’s in the kitchen. She’s especially happy when the people she’s preparing food for are family.

Darlene prepares bread and molasses for her granddaughter.

“Food made with love tastes better,” she says. And Darlene has a lot of love to give. Her granddaughter, Aisha, is a big part of her life. “I love her very much,” Darlene says. “I wish my husband had lived to see her.”

The years of being on her feet working in kitchens for 16 hours a day took a toll.

Her health became an issue, and she had hip replacement surgery. The surgery was successful and after a lengthy recovery period of six weeks, she felt better than ever.

This was a good thing, not just for Darlene, but for the many loyal customers who trek from all over to enjoy her old-fashioned hospitality. “It’s like falling from Heaven into Grandma’s house,” one guest signed in the guestbook. The adoration of her customers is obvious from all the gifts she has received. She receives gifts regularly from people who want to give her things to add to the charm and ambiance of the Tea House. She has been given everything from hardwood flooring and antiques to teapots and teacups.

Customers were heartbroken when Darlene encountered a personal obstacle a couple of years ago which forced her to close the Tea House.

“I never intended to give it up,” she says. She took a position with the Irving’s Boston Brook Lodge and enjoyed cooking for the Irving family and their guests.

“They were very nice people, but the whole time I was there, my heart was here,” she says.

Darlene’s Tea House was closed for two summers. A close family member remembers those years, “A lot of people kept asking when she was going to re-open. The entire family was harassed by ex-customers.” They laugh about it now, but Darlene couldn’t stay away. “I miss this place when I’m not here.”

Soon after re-opening in 2005, she hosted a beautiful wedding of over 80 people, and never looked back. The dining room is licensed now, serving beer and wine, and the Tea House now accepts VISA, MasterCard or debit cards. Darlene opens every spring on April 15th when the salmon season begins, and she closes for a winter break after hosting many Christmas parties in mid to late December. To learn more about Darlene’s Tea House, find specials or view the menu visit www.DarlenesTeahouse.com.

Participants in the 2009 21 leaders program will have the opportunity to meet with – and learn from – established provincial and national leaders; accelerate their leadership development by designing and implementing Community Solutions Projects and, importantly, join a dynamic and diverse network of engaged young New Brunswickers committed to their province and its future.

The selected 21 Leaders join a movement, gathering young leaders who share similar objectives of actively contributing to the development and growth of New Brunswick.

“Through the 21 Leaders program, I found a group of people as ambitious as I am, and around whom my ideas and energy were average! I found it really energizing,” explains Phillippe Ouellette, a 2008 21 Leader.

The 2009 class will be selected by an inter-disciplinary panel of judges. Applicants will be chosen based on a combination of criteria, including: their vision; professional and extra-curricular contributions; and for their capacity to have an impact on the province and its people.

Application guidelines and more detailed program information are available at www.21inc.ca.

21inc. is a not-for-profit organization committed to developing and inspiring some of New Brunswick’s most promising young people into the best leaders in Canada. Established in 2006 by the first group of 21 leaders who participated in a UNB program called NextNB, 21inc.

Executive Director Tim Coates said, “The 21 leaders experience offered us considerable education and encouragement. We want to offer other young New Brunswickers the same chance we had to develop as effective 21st Century leaders, broaden their networks and gain a deeper understanding of our province and its challenges.”

The 21 Leaders program is made up of three accelerators of days each in Fredericton, Moncton and Bathurst, where Leaders develop specific skills and engage in policy dialogues while also contributing to their personal and professional goals. A one week study-tour of the province allows participants to deepen their understanding of the province and its strengths and weaknesses. The Leaders hone and refine their skills by executing a Community Solutions Project, in partnership with charitable organizations around the province. Projects will be presented at the final accelerator in June 2010, in Bathurst.

The 21 Leaders program is increasingly proving itself as one of the country’s preeminent leadership development programs. It is demonstrating that building a learning environment where young people develop the skills, abilities and meaningful relationships with peers and established leaders, fosters dynamic and committed leaders.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on June 10, 2009.

MYPIE Award Recipients

The first annual Miramichi Young Professional and Involved Entrepreneurs (MYPIE) Gala Awards Banquet took place last night at the Miramichi Golf & Country Club with awards being presented in three categories.

“I am pleased to announce and congratulate our winners of the first edition of the MYPIE GALA,” said Nadine Duguay.

Brian Siddall, owner-operator of Trinity Sounds, received the award for MYPIE Entrepreneur of the year.

MYPIE Professional of the year was Lisa McCormack, a realtor from Remax 3000.

Veronique Arsenault, Executive Director of the Miramichi Chamber of Commerce was named MYPIE Community Champion of the year.

A MYPIE Special recognition was awarded to Shannon Daley, instructor at NBCC-Miramichi.

“Thank you all attendees for making this event a wonderful evening for our nominees and winners. See you next year!” Duguay said.

Photo courtesy Rejane.r Flickr Photostream.

Scrapbooking, Tips for Getting into the Industry
By Kathy Tapley-Milton

Scrapbooking got a start in 1980 with the Christensen’s who live in Utah and created the company Keeping Memories Alive. Since then scrapbooking has exploded into a huge industry that includes direct sales consultants, instructors, events organizers, product designers, gurus, professional scrapbook artists, retailers, and online sellers. Basically there is room to teach scrapbooking workshops, do scrapbooking for others, and sell all kinds of supplies for individuals to do their own scrapbooking at home.

Of the whole craft industry, scrapbooking is the one cottage industry that is growing the fastest. In the US it is estimated to bring in 2.5 billion dollars per year and worldwide it is earning over 5 billion dollars annually. Business-minded people are writing scrapbooking books, instructing classes, inventing new products, and selling products. Some people estimate that the craze has not even reached its peak yet, so there is lots of money to be made. Some potential customers are just becoming aware of scrapbooking and will be buying products and courses in the future. Some scrapbook artists, who work on scrapbooks for other people, can make $100 an hour.

If you want to teach scrapbooking you will need to buy supplies and get some information. There are many places on the internet where you can order supplies. If you would like to freelance, you can start a scrapbooking newsletter, teach workshops, open a store online, make scrapbooks for other people, or if you have the capital open an actual mortar and bricks store and sell scrapbooking supplies.

If you want to work as a scrapbooking consultant, companies such as Creative Memories and Scrap in a Snap offer opportunities. This home-based business can consist of hosting parties, teaching in people’s homes, or doing workshops. Making scrapbooks for other people is an option if your skills are honed to a high level.

Photo courtesy Rejane.r Flickr Photostream.

To teach scrapbooking you can contact church groups, the YMCA, community education centres, craft stores, schools, women’s groups, or anywhere that you think a scrapbooking workshop might go over well. A scrapbooking newsletter could prove profitable if you have a lot of information and can attract advertisers. You could sell it online or print it out. Opening a store is not for the faint hearted. It requires a big financial commitment and a lot of hours of work.

You can start a business for as little as $50 or you can pay upwards of $150,000 for an actual physical store. An online store is a fraction of the cost of a mortar and bricks store. You can sell scrapbooking supplies on Ebay or work for a company who pays you to sell their services.

To have an Ebay store you can buy one of three levels. The cheapest level is the Basic, which costs $15.95 a month. The Featured store level is $49.95 a month and the Anchor store is $499.95 a month. With an Ebay store the merchandise can be sold at a fixed priced or by online auction and Ebay charges 10% of the final value of the product. To access Ebay customer service or to ask a question there are links at www.ebay.com.

The easiest way for a person to break into the scrapbooking business is to become a direct sales consultant. You promote your business by word of mouth and by having home parties. Some people become a consultant to get discount prices on scrapbooking supplies, however, if you are good with people and networking you can make a good business out of it.

Although it probably will not allow you to quit your day job, becoming a scrapbook teacher can bring in some income. If you do this through a church you could advertise in the church bulletin. However, places like the YMCA will do their own promotion. To become a good instructor you have to be organized and prepare well, show passion for your subject, use visual examples well, meet the needs of your students but don’t run overtime, know your subject, and hand out evaluation forms for feedback. Study public speaking, visual presentations, and join online scrapbook teachers groups.
Becoming an events organizer where scrapbookers can go to retreats, conventions, church camps, or even cruises can be a lucrative proposition if you are good at it and advertise well.

If you really think that you have a winning product idea, becoming a product designer or manufacturer could make you a multimillionaire. To invent something in scrapbooking that is wildly successful can be your dreams come true.

Photo courtesy Rejane.r Flickr Photostream.

Some scrapbookers can develop fan clubs by submitting articles on the topic to a magazine or idea book. This can lead to connections with manufacturers and designing products for the market.

Becoming an artist who works on other people’s scrapbooks hardly has a start-up cost at all and can earn from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Word of mouth or business ads in the paper can promote you in the business.

Some online directories you can advertise in are www.scrapbookingtop50.com and www.scrapjazz.com.

Since 1996 commercial scrapbooking has been geared more and more to the expert, leaving the novice in the dust. Products have become more complex and have generally ignored the non-crafter. If you decide to sell scrapbooking supplies don’t just cater to the expert — packages that get the beginner started immediately are the wave of the future in the scrap booking business.

Online scrapbooking stores are popping up as quickly as mushrooms and some go poof like puffballs. The competition is savage; however, doing your research before your store opens is essential. Rushing into a business can spell disaster. You have to make sure this is what you really want to do—that it will be fun—and then that you have a top quality product. Make a study of the scrapbooking industry and see what people really want. While it is good to be aware of what the competition is doing it is more important to focus on customer service and fast delivery of the product.

With all the competition in the industry it may lead you to believe that there isn’t room for anyone else, but there are a lot of potential customers who haven’t been introduced to this type of craft yet and will be interested in workshops, and products that are easy to use for the non-expert.

The advantage of starting your own home-based business is low overhead and flexible hours. You can even work in your pyjamas! In the beginning you may have to invest in taking workshops and offer friends and relatives free product for referrals.

Katherine Tapley-Milton lives with her husband, Dave, and four cats in Atlantic Canada. Katherine has been a freelance writer for the past 25 years and has been published in over 80 periodicals. In 2006, her autobiographical book Mind Full of Scorpions was published on Amazon. Her hobbies include cooking, organic gardening, writing, reading historical romances, doing crafts, and researching diets and fitness.

** Photos courtesy Rejane.r Flickr Photostream, Creative Commons License.

The goal of the event is to not only reward three members of the community in the area of community development, entrepreneurship, and profession or trade, but also to celebrate MYPIE’s accomplishments to date on the River.

The awards presented that evening comprise the following  categories:
MYPIE Entrepreneur of the year, MYPIE Professional of the year, and MYPIE Community Champion of the year.

To be eligible, candidates must have been residents of the Miramichi or surrounding areas for at least two years and be preferably under 36 years old. Each award has other specific criteria that must be met. Winners will receive a plaque as well as a significant package prize deal.

The selection committee, which will be specially put together for this event, will consist of representatives from the business community and organizations on the Miramichi. All eligible candidates can submit their applications through an open-nomination process (they can nominate themselves or a third party can on their behalf) and complete all required forms and documentation before April 6th 2009.

Nominations forms can be obtained at on the MYPIE website (mypie.ca), Enterprise Miramichi, CBDC Northumberland, Miramichi Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Miramichi.

Nomination forms can be submitted to:
Enterprise Miramichi/MYPIE GALA 2009
Attn: Selection Committee
158 Wellington Street
Miramichi, NB E1N 1L9
Fax: (506) 622-2160
Email: galanominations2009@mypie.ca

The gala will start off with cocktails 6-7pm followed by a dinner with musical entertainment and the award ceremony. Deanna Graves, past president and current treasurer from MYPIE’s sister organization, Fusion Saint John, will be the guest speaker of the evening.

Table sponsorships are currently available and tickets for the event can be purchased through Enterprise Miramichi at the cost of $25 each; please contact Nadine Duguay or Kelly Sherrard at (506) 622-7890.

MYPIE Entrepreneur of the Year
This award recognizes and celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and success found within our younger demographic on the River. Determination, dynamism, and innovation are all words that represent well the young people involved in the business community of the Miramichi.

MYPIE Professional of the year
This award recognizes a young civic-minded person that has excelled in their career or industry to date. Whether the achievement touched the lives of a few in your office or of many in the community or in the field of work, this person has the dynamism, positive attitude, and drive to excel at what they do on a daily basis. This person is simply put an example to all in their fields.

MYPIE Community Champion of the year

Community Involvement is a trait that we find in all demographics; this award has been created to specifically recognize the drive, generosity, and commitment displayed by a young person in their community. Whether you are a high school student or a professional with 10 years of experience, you must have shown outstanding community involvement, leadership, and a civic-minded attitude. You are one of the “doers,” a mover and a shaker that embraces community spirit and to whom the word volunteer really comes as a second nature.