Promoting Women Online RFP Nov 17-22.pdf
What is the name of your business?
Katrin Georgi Design Inc.
Business Website
www.katringeorgidesigninc.com
What kind of work did you do in the past and what inspired you to start your own business?
I am originally from Germany where I studied architecture and worked for several years as an architect in Germany. In 1998 I immigrated to Canada, and over the past 23 years I worked for several architectural offices as an architectural technologist (since I never wrote my architectural exams here in Canada, I can't officially call myself an architect here in this country). While working in Ontario I took several building code courses and wrote the exams to qualify as a Designer with a BCIN number. During my 23 years in Ontario I gained substantial experience in institutional, commercial, industrial and residential projects (new, additions and renovations). I was also in charge of color and material selections and the coordination for all the different projects, which is one of my favorite parts in the entire planning and construction process. In recent years I focused more on the residential side of the business, and enjoy the design of new homes for clients, but as well as renovation projects of existing older homes. When I moved to PEI I started a job with a local architectural design studio, but realized that I want to focus on creating a personal connection with the clients, help them to build their dream home and make the entire design & building process an enjoyable experience.
How long have you owned your business?
one year
What challenges have you overcome?
Being new in the area, being a first time business owner, and getting used to not having an entire team to work with.
What have your successes been?
Meeting very nice and satisfied clients, staying in business for the first year now, and having met many nice trades and creating a network.
What services does your business provide?
KGDesign provides design and drafting services for clients, contractors, building suppliers and developers. This includes design for residential and commercial projects of Part 9 of the National Building Code and as per subsection 25(3) of the PEI Architects Act. The company helps clients to visualize and design their dream home, be it new construction, an addition to, or renovation of an existing building. This includes concept, permit and construction drawings for simple deck designs, garages, cottages, and residential house designs. I also offer color and material consultation and design.
What sets you apart from your competitors?
The depth of my experience (e.g. building code knowledge, etc.), flexibility, creating and maintaining a friendly client - contractor - relationship. Focusing on the clients needs.
What areas do you serve?
Mostly the eastern part of PEI, but I also have clients on the West Side of side of the island. And I also provide services in Ontario
Is there something else we need to know about your business or that you would like to add?
I like to keep a healthy balance between work and my personal life, that I share with my two dogs & two cats. I enjoy spending time outdoors, discover the island and some of those amazing old buildings (my passion is old farmhouses, old schoolhouses, etc. and also renovated a few those in the past 20 years) .
Join the PEI Business Women’s Association as our new Communications and Event Officer! We are seeking a professional, energetic and qualified team player to produce the organization’s communications and events. Working from the Charlottetown office, this is a full-time position.
The salary range is $55,000 to $60,000 annually. You will receive four weeks vacation annually, plus Christmas until New Year’s Day paid time off. You are eligible for 15 days sick time annually. You can participate in PEIBWA’s group medical and dental benefits paid 100% by PEIBWA.
See full job posting HERE.
Qualified applicants should forward an electronic resume and cover letter to Margaret Magner, Chief Executive Officer, PEI Business Women’s Association with “Business Development and Membership Officer” in the subject line. Apply HERE.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022.
Thank you to all that apply; however, only those that are selected for an interview will be contacted.
This week, Jin (Cathy) Wen from Wenever Pastry is in the spotlight. Cathy joined as a PEIBWA Member in June and her pastry business is an upfront store located in Summerside!
Name of Business: Wenever Pastry Inc.
I worked at HSBC as a marketing manager for many years. After I realized that my talent and passion was in the kitchen, I quit my job and went to Le Cordon Bleu in Paris to start over. After graduation and starting working in Paris as a pâtissier, I decided to pursue this profession as my career. I tried to attend some competitions like Chocolate Salon in Paris, and had the opportunity to work with many amazing chefs. During this time, I drew a lot of inspiration and ideas from my job. After a coupIe of years, I decided to open my own pastry shop.
I registered the brand name "Wenever Pastry" in 2019 when I worked in Paris and I opened up the physical shop in June 2022.
This is the very first time for me to run a business, and I haven’t had any successful experience before. But I have faith in my business .
We focus on the cream puff related products, and we accept pre-order for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. We also provide service to local businesses as a food vendor, such as designing unique pastries for cafes and restaurants.
We want to focus on the French pasty and keep learning and innovating the products. We want to introduce authentic French flavors to our customers.
We provide service for the entire Island.
How can people contact you?
The PEI Business Women’s Association (PEIBWA) is pleased to announce that Sarah Bennetto O’Brien, owner of The Handpie Company located in Albany, PEI is the winner of the 2022 Sensational Summer PitchFest Competition launched in May. This program – the first of its kind in PEI – was a competitive pitch competition for women entrepreneurs from across PEI seeking to grow and expand their operations.
Judges – Cathy Bennett, Founding Manager & Partner, Sandpiper Ventures; Martie Murphy, Co-Owner, D.P. Murphy; Cathy Rose, Owner-Operator, Rose Dental Lab/Seaspray PEI Vacation Rentals & PEI Business Advisory Services; and Margaret Magner, CEO, PEIBWA - determined that O’Brien’s project had the most potential for success and would benefit from the $15,000 cash prize. The Handpie Company is in the process of scaling up its operations and capacity with an ambitious expansion of facility space from 2,400 to 11,000 square feet this fall.
PEIBWA CEO, Margaret Magner was impressed by the quality of all the competition applicants. (...)
Funding for PEIBWA’s Sensational Summer PitchFest 2022 was provided by the Interministerial Women’s Secretariat, as well as the Atlantic Canadian Women in Growth Project through ACOA.
To read our Press Release, CLICK HERE
To Learn More about this Program, CLICK HERE.
The PEI Business Women’s Association (PEIBWA) is excited to announce a new partnership with Copper Bottom Brewing Company to launch the Copper Bottom x PEIBWA Micro Grant Program!
Copper Bottom is releasing a beer called “Betty’s Ale”, commemorating Island singer- songwriter Ashley Condon's mother, as part of their GiveBack Initiative series. (...)
$1 from each can or pint of this beer sold will be donated to PEIBWA, which will then be used to support a micro-grant program to advance Island women in business.
(...) This Micro Grant program is a member-only funding opportunity designed to help new, growing, and established women entrepreneurs through a non-repayable grant and business skills support. Five $500 micro grants will be awarded through this partnership. Applications will remain open until Friday, August 12, 2022, at midnight.
This week, we present you Lindsay Law from Youth Rising Coaching Services Inc. Lindsay is an alumni of our Accelerate HER PEI Program!
Name of Business: Youth Rising Coaching Services Inc.
I worked as a Pediatric Physical Therapist for 10 years before I took some time to be home with my children. Through raising my children, I became passionate about the importance of youth mental health and started conversations with our children about caring for their brains early. I now help youth embrace confidence and self love so that they are ready for life's challenges.
I have owned my business for 1 year now.
What have your challenges been? How did you overcome them?
I knew that I wanted to help families and youth and I knew that I had a lot to offer from what I had learned through my experience, but I wanted to be able to offer more so that I could help them to a higher degree. This is why I became certified as a youth life coach so that I could really help youth make the changes they needed for better life long mental health.
My big successes are when I hear a teen or tween tell me the impact that coaching has had for them. "I have more confidence with friends at school and I don't worry as much about what others say about me." and "I can try anything, because I know that no matter the outcome, I'm ok with me."
I help youth embrace confidence and self love so that they can navigate the challenges of life with more compassion and kindness towards themselves. This allows them to say no when it really matters, avoid self harm activities, ask for help when they really need it and be willing to accept themselves even when they fail. I provide this support through 1:1 coaching.
I help parents show up as the parents they want to to support their teen/tweens self love journey with confidence and curiosity. I teach parents to communicate acceptance of their youth in any situation. I provide this support through a parent e-course, 1:1 coaching and free parent workshops.
I have 6 children and have personally dealt with self love and confidence challenges as a youth and as a mother with children who have struggled to see their value. My own personal experience as well as my training make me well fitted to serving my customers to the highest level. I don't just teach skills, I coach to help my clients get to the root of what is holding them back from true self acceptance and confidence.
I serve youth and parents all over North America.
The PEI Business Women’s Association (PEIBWA) is pleased to announce that six Island women entrepreneurs have been selected as finalists for the 2022 Sensational Summer PitchFest Competition launched in May.
Congratulations to the six finalists:
These six companies will receive one-on-one pitch coaching by industry experts – before participating in the live pitch competition with the opportunity to receive $15,000 to grow and expand their operations. The live event will be held in Charlottetown on Wednesday, July 27th where one deserving company will be announced the winner of PEIBWA’s Sensational Summer PitchFest 2022.
Read our Press Release HERE
To Learn More about this Program, click HERE
This week, we introduce you to Paige Martin from PEI Pelvic and Breast Health. Paige joined as a PEIBWA Member in January 2022.
Name of Business: PEI Pelvic and Breast Health Inc.
I was working as a physiotherapist in an orthopedic clinic when I started doing additional training in pelvic health. I quickly realized that women's pelvic health in our province was greatly underserved. I knew that the only way to make a change was to dedicate my full practice to treating pelvic and breast conditions. So I did just that, I left my ortho caseload and opened a clinic dedicated to treating women's pelvic health.
June 2021
It was very nerve wracking leaving a full ortho caseload, not knowing if I would even be busy enough to stay afloat. It is a double edged sword, I am incredibly busy, but that means there are a lot of women who still need help.
Every time I get an email from a patient telling me their successes, I take it on as my own. "I no longer have pain with sex" or "I can jump on a trampoline with my kids and not pee my pants" or "I had the best birth experience I could have hoped for".
Have you had any unexpected surprises?
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have to make monthly lube orders haha
We also treat and educate those that are preparing for pregnancy, delivery and postpartum recovery, lactating parents with blocked milk ducts/mastitis, and babies with latch issues or oral restrictions.
I don't like to think about other pelvic health physiotherapists as competitors, because we are all working towards the same goal. I have a great admiration for them and we often consult each other when we have challenging cases. The only difference would be that my caseload is 100% pelvic and breast as opposed to also treating typical orthopedic conditions.
I treat patients island wide. I operate in Cornwall but I am currently seeing patients from Souris to Tignish.
This week, we introduce you to Steff Sullivan from Steff Sullivan Collective. Steff joined as a PEIBWA Member in March 2022.
Name of Business: Steff Sullivan Collective
I grew up with two entrepreneurial parents and worked within both of their businesses throughout my teens. My own journey into entrepreneurship began while attending nursing school at McMaster University. A roommate and I started an eco-friendly residential cleaning company and ran it for three years serving students, landlords and the community we lived in. I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and though I was no longer operating that business, my entrepreneurial spirit burned strong. I continued to explore business ventures, sub-contract work alongside my career and obtained multiple certifications in various realms of wellness. I specialized in Women & Infants Health as a nurse, and while I absolutely loved my career and the skills I gained I always had a dream to own my own business.
I’ve been a business owner for a decade now, but I officially began Steff Sullivan Collective in June of 2021. This is the day I launched a new website, though prior I had already begun to build a brand, blog & community. This collective is an amalgamation of offerings I am incredibly passionate about. I feel so grateful to be able to blend all of the skills and experiences I have had in my various professional roles into a space for people to take care of themselves holistically.
The biggest challenge I have found in entrepreneurship, especially in the times we have found ourselves in, is feeling isolated. I went from a very social career, working with large teams and seeing many humans each day to working virtually (for the most part) and on my own learning many new things. I think many people don’t realize that business owners are oftentimes also social media managers, web designers, customer service, technical support & more all while holding space for others. In the early phases it can be very challenging on your mental health and be challenging to find balance or know when to stop thinking about your business. That said, this year I knew I needed to begin to seek support and have more open conversations with other business owners both locally and online. Since doing so, I am finding that many of us have the same thoughts, fears and struggles. I have joined a few new communities this year that have already been so incredibly supportive. We are better together and collaboration is so key.
Throughout my various experiences in businesses, I have developed skills for social media and design work which I really love doing. I think having a strong and cohesive social media and brand presence is so important to help develop community and brand awareness. That said, much of my success in my business thus far has been because I have been cultivating relationships and my community for over six years now before officially launching my current business.
Secondly, within my business I offer many entry points for clients from free content on social media and my blog to group experiences and one-on-one services. Accessibility is very important to me and because of this I think I have developed a very approachable and human centered business that truly cares about the consumer. Relationships are the key to my business, especially being a service based brand and because of this many of my clients have come through referrals.
Yes, more than I can recall. The thing about entrepreneurship that not many people share is that it is often a series of trial and error until you gather enough information to see what works and what doesn’t. And also what feels good to you. It can take a while to build a brand voice and set of offerings that feels aligned, but when you do , you just know. Unfortunately, when you do so people notice and sometimes for the wrong reasons. I’ve experienced people copying my work which has been disheartening. But, I believe that being authentic in your business (and in your life) will always pay off, even if it takes a bit longer.
Steff Sullivan Collective has three main pillars of wellness with an emphasis on self-care:
Movement: low impact barre & pilates style movement classes live on Zoom and through my on-demand platform as well as on occasion at local studios
Discovery: learn how you energy operates, how you make decisions and how to honor your unique self-care needs through the modality of Human Design
Cultivate: community experiences include monthly holistic self-care workshops & the newest offering recently launched: well-being retreats
I blend a unique set of skills through my professional experience as a Registered Nurse, Certified Barre, Strength & Pre/Postnatal Coaching and prior business experience with my own humanness into a brand that offers a soft place to land. I offer payment plans for my offerings and I spend a large portion of my energy and resources trying to be the best person I can be so that I can provide inclusive, trauma informed and accessible services because every human deserves self-care. My work has been described as a coming home. People feel seen, validated and loved when they experience offerings in business and that to me, is the ultimate goal.
My business operates mostly online, but I do offer my services to local studios & host workshops and special events on Prince Edward Island. My next in person offering is a well-being retreat called Moon to Sea Well-being Retreat held at Nature Space Resort near Morell, which is taking place this fall from September 8th to 12th, 2022. I have always envisioned that Steff Sullivan Collective would be a blend of virtual and in-person offerings so I am so excited to bring this retreat to life here! For more information visit: www.steffsullivan.co/moon-to-sea-retreat
