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  • 04 May 2022 9:43 AM | Anonymous


    This week, we present you Member Krista MacLeod from Nit Ridders Mobile Lice Service.

    Name of Business:  Nit Ridders Mobile Lice Service

    What kind of work did you do in the past and what inspired you to start your own business?

    I have run my own hairstylist business in Hunter River for the last 22 years. While being a hairstylist, I have seen cases of headlice and helped a lot of clients dealing with this issue with their children. Most provinces in Canada have a business that helps people navigate this issue, however PEI does not, so I started this company at the end of 2018.

    What services does your business provide?

    Nit Ridders provides services include treatment, equipment, and education to eliminate lice and nits, and tips to prevent their return.


    What have your challenges been? How did you overcome them?

    The biggest challenges have been getting the word out that I’m available, getting in contact with people who need my service the most, and the restrictions due to The Covid 19 pandemic.

    What have your successes been?

    My successes have been pitching my idea to Public Health as they no longer have the means to dealing with this firsthand. They now recommend anyone reaching out to them to give me a call, however Public Health would never charge for this service and that’s where its difficult on my end. Another success I have received is the PEIBWA Micro Grant that went towards developing my website.

    Any unexpected surprises?

    There is a need for this service even though it doesn’t pose a health threat but is a nuance to deal with.

    What sets you apart from your competition?

    I’m the only business in PEI that provides this kind of service.

    My company provides a mobile service that comes to you in the comfort of your own home. I will detect, treat, assist and educate clients on headlice. I also take everything needed and I’m a second set of eyes.

    How can people contact you?

  • 29 Apr 2022 9:30 AM | Anonymous


    This week, we present you Members Tina Mundy and Erin Montgomery, from The Mundy Method.

    What services does your business provide?

    The Mundy Method is a holistic and comprehensive online fitness and wellness program designed to help women of all ages gain strength, confidence and become the best version of themselves.

    "We're on a mission to make sure that every woman feels supported in her wellness journey".

    What inspired you to start your own business? 

    Tina struggled for decades with disordered eating and with finding a fitness routine that felt sustainable and enjoyable. Her journey led her towards empowerment and now, she’s an IAWP Certified Holistic Wellness Coach, specializing in personal development and confidence coaching.

    Her daughter and business partner, Erin Montgomery, saw this lifelong struggle and also grappled with her own unrealistic fitness goals as an elite athlete, especially while pregnant, when she noticed a lack of workout options for pregnant women. This frustrated her, as she wanted to stay strong during pregnancy and be prepared for birth and postpartum.

    This inspired Erin to become certified as a Pre- and Post-Natal Fitness Specialist and Core Confidence Specialist. What started out as a personal quest has expanded from there, filling a void in the fitness and wellness industry.

    “We reached the point where we realized we had to create a program not only for ourselves, but for all women out there."

    How long have you owned your business? 

    The Mundy Method launched in July of 2021. We are very proud of the partnerships that we have created with other professionals in the wellness industry. These partners present to our community monthly, on topics including nutrition, mental health, women's pelvic health, cooking classes and other topics that are important to our community. 

    What sets you apart from your competition?

    Our unique 360 approach is what sets us apart from other conventional “one size fits all” methods. This specialized approach meets you where you are and focuses on all aspects of your life from your career and relationships to your physical and spiritual well-being, nutrition, and everything in between. You may think it’s diet, fitness, or advice that you need, and maybe you’re right. Or maybe you will discover that the secret to a happy, healthy life is much more than that.

    How can people contact you?

  • 21 Apr 2022 9:00 AM | Anonymous



    This week, we want to introduce our member Carol Rybinski. As well as being one of our valued members, Carol is a former member of the advisory group for our Rural Women’s Business Centre and now sits on our Board of Directors as an active advocate for PEIBWA.


    Name of Business: Tyne Valley Teas Café and West Country Cottages

    What kind of work did you do in the past and what inspired you to start your own business?

    My mother owned a thriving B&B in Montreal, and I was always drawn to the idea of hospitality and making great food for visitors. We also always had a huge garden, and grew veggies, flowers and herbs. At University in Montreal, living on my own in a wonderful foodie city with farmers markets in the neighborhood, I learned to cook with a wide variety of fresh, local ingredients and ethnic flavors. When my husband and I made the decision to move to PEI, we were so excited about the availability of local seafood, beef, poultry and veggies. I loved the idea of opening a Café but didn't think I could do that. My plan was to open a B&B, but as time went by, and as much as we loved the dairy bars, burgers and fries all summer long, it just wasn't cutting it. So, I decided to take a huge leap of faith toward my need for a fun, relaxed place to eat fresh healthy foods. It took a few years to get to that point, and after many renovations, I opened the Café in 2016.

    How long have you owned your business?

    I opened July 1st, 2016.

    What have your challenges been? How did you overcome them?

    The biggest challenge was my absolute lack of experience in business and the restaurant industry. The first two or three years were really all about me learning - online and in person, through seminars and courses offered by local associations. I learned through my own mistakes too - when you're off the beaten path, you must market, market, market. I also sought expert advice from bookkeepers and accountants. I went to every online and in person business training courses I could to learn human resources management, bookkeeping, accounting, social media marketing, inventory management, and pricing. The P.E.I Business Women's Association and the CBDC have been vital to me accessing information and learning these skills.

    What have your successes been?

    I've found a niche in healthy meals, and special events. I've had fun catering for many bands at the Rock the Boat Music Festival, a film company, and have recently gotten into Wedding Cakes and Wedding Cupcakes, where I can really play and be creative.

    Any unexpected surprises?

    I've been happy to see that folks love the tea leaf and tarot card reading on the days they are offered. That's been fun. More and more people are coming to the café for vegan and gluten free options, and take-out picnics.

    What services does your business provide? 

    We offer breakfast and brunch, and light lunches in the restaurant. Take-out is available too. We also do Fancy Afternoon Teas by reservation and can turn that into a Fancy Afternoon Picnic. We cater lunches and suppers as well as weddings. This year we are partnering with other tourism operators to offer picnics-to-go with their experiences.


    What sets you apart from your competitors?

    How we stand apart at the Teas Cafe is that we don't deep fry anything and our desserts are made from scratch. We serve wonderful eggs and bacon breakfasts - including a whopping breakfast poutine with roasted potatoes. We also have lots for fresh salads, healthy bowls and wraps. We have a good selection of both gluten free and vegan menu items, which have become very popular. In our small village of Tyne Valley there are four restaurants, but we all manage to offer great food and experiences in our specialty. We don't have to compete, as we all offer something different, and I think we turn Tyne Valley into a hub to come visit.

    What areas do you serve? 

    Our restaurant is open seasonally from May to October, though we can cater year-round. We have guests who visit from Stratford and Charlottetown to Summerside and Tignish. It's a beautiful place to visit - and well worth a scenic drive!

    How can people contact you?

  • 07 Apr 2022 9:00 AM | Anonymous

    This week, we present you New Member Abbey Gopsill, from The Nest, presenting Bilingual Birdies PEI . Abbey is a graduate of our Fall 2021 Activate HER PEI Program!

    Member Since: February 2022

    Business Name: The Nest, presenting: Bilingual Birdies

    What kind of work did you do in the past and what inspired you to start your own business? 

    I’ve worked in many different industries (finance, retail, food), always focusing on customer excellence. I enjoyed the people I was working with, but after having my daughter and playing / crafting for a year while on maternity leave, I knew that I needed a job that offered more flexibility and creativity. I became certified to teach Kindermusik (a music and movement program for young children) and Bilingual Birdies (a high-energy, musical language learning program for young children). I had begun teaching at Sweet Song Studio in Charlottetown until the pandemic forced it to shut its doors.

    When Sweet Song Studio closed it left a huge gap for me and many others as a parent. There was no longer a space where I could go and take my toddler to get an early love of music. She was too young for formal lessons and there was nothing age appropriate. I’ve never been one to shy away from adventure so with lots of support and encouragement from my family, I started The Nest – Charlottetown’s musical language learning studio. 
    Opening the studio! For as long as I can remember I have wanted to do something creative that incorporated my love of languages, music and makes a difference. It’s hard to believe that I was able to roll so many of my passions into one business.

    How long have you owned your business? 

    My classes started in January 2022.

    What have your challenges been? How did you overcome them? 

    While planning, I tried to accommodate as much as possible for the restrictions due to the pandemic. I didn’t anticipate a full lockdown on my first day of class demos where I was expecting to introduce many new families to my program. Even with the restrictions and the immediate need to move classes to online rather than in person, I have been able to successfully run my first semester (now in person), because of the support of our amazing community. I have 25 students enrolled whose amazing parents believed in the program and lots that have re-enrolled for the next semester.

    I am much more creatively wired than business wired, so that has been a big learning curve for me. Luckily, I was able to take advantage of the PEIBWA ActivateHER program in the fall which taught me many helpful skills and introduced me to several valuable mentors. 

    What have your successes been?

    Opening the studio! For as long as I can remember I have wanted to do something creative that incorporated my love of languages, music and makes a difference. It’s hard to believe that I was able to roll so many of my passions into one business.

    Any unexpected surprises?

    How much fun the online classes have been! Caregivers are so good at getting involved and making it a special time. I still finish every class with a huge smile and full heart. When classes are online, you get to connect to other parts of families’ lives. I know people’s pets, their favorite toys, and how they like to let loose in their own space. I have also been happily surprised at just how open the arms of the business community have been. Any time that I have reached out for guidance, I have received friendly and helpful advice. 

    What services does your business provide?

    The Nest offers the Bilingual Birdies program as a caregiver and child (ages 0-6) class in my Charlottetown studio. In addition, the program can be brought into early learning centres and as a birthday party. Bilingual Birdies is a super fun foreign language and music program where we teach basic vocabulary and short phrases in French through music, dance, and puppetry. This makes learning new words a joyful experience. The primary goal of a Bilingual Birdies class is to teach new vocabulary in a foreign language, celebrate diversity, and have fun while learning! We are the only studio offering musical language learning classes for children, and the only music class for babies and young toddlers. 

    I also offer my services as a bilingual children’s entertainer for community events – singing and making music in both French and English!

    What sets you apart from your competition?

    Bilingual Birdies is a child-caregiver music class, it includes puppetry, and is multilingual. It is incredible to watch a baby create music to a beat while mom or grandpa sits with them or hear a two-year-old sing about les bananes. Using puppets is a great way to engage children and encourage them to practice their new language skills! Each semester’s registration includes a mini puppet that the child gets to adopt and bring home to incorporate the lessons into their everyday lives. Because Bilingual Birdies was created for anyone to join, it’s also a great way to either brush up on your French or to immerse yourself in the language for 45 minutes every week!

    What areas do you serve? 

    Anyone who can make it to my Charlottetown studio, daycare partnerships, community events, and birthday parties – and ANYWHERE in the world for my online classes! 

    How can people contact you?

    EMAIL: pei@bilingualbirdies.com

    WEBSITE: https://bilingualbirdies.com/pei

    FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/bilingualbirdiespei

    INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bilingualbirdiespei


  • 19 Jan 2022 10:14 PM | Anonymous


     

    **PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE A COVER LETTER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.

    _________________________________________________________________________________________

     

    PEI Business Women’s Association

    Business Development and Membership Officer 

    PEI Business Women’s Association is seeking a professional and qualified team player as its Business Development and Membership Officer. The Officer will design and coordinate a comprehensive business advisory program to better serve our PEIBWA members across the Island. The Officer will also build and strengthen PEIBWA membership in a variety of sectors including women in trades, technology, and STEM fields; students; newcomers; indigenous women, women with disabilities; and women in rural areas. 


    Reporting to the Director, these are the responsibilities of this position:

    1. Staff the PEIBWA office in Kings County and build PEIBWA resources there. 
    2. Assess PEIBWA’s membership base and develop a membership growth plan.
    3. Identify and respond to the business needs of PEIBWA members and grow membership.
    4. Attend PEIBWA and external meetings, events and workshops to network with members and potential members – including the PEIBWA Symposium and AGM, workshops, and networking mixers – and then follow up with prospective members. 
    5. Develop and promote a series of new member benefits with consistent marketing and branding.
    6. Promote better communication with members using the Wild Apricot customer relationship management system and other communication tools. 
    7. Design and implement a Business Development Advisory Program to identify the challenges of business ownership and management, and deliver customized solutions.
    8. Coordinate and deliver Business Advisory services to PEIBWA members across the Island related to business planning, financial management, sales and revenue growth, marketing, exporting, and other business functions. 
    9. Collect and document business growth metrics and client notes from each participant for ongoing follow-up and client success tracking. 
    10. Manage an effective, robust and accountable database system.
    11. Some travel throughout the province at times and extended hours of work will be required.
    12. Other duties as required by the Director and Chief Executive Officer.

    Formal Education and Experience:

    1. Degree in business administration or a relevant field of study from a recognized university. An MBA degree is an asset. 
    2. At least 3 years of increasingly more responsible experience managing a business. 
    3. Experience in entrepreneurship counselling. 
    4. Experience in managing resources.
    5. Knowledge of the challenges experienced by women business owners and professionals, including those in underserved groups. 
    6. Familiarity with the Wild Apricot customer relationship management system is preferred. 
    7. Work in a self-directed environment, take initiative, and represent the organization professionally.
    8. Get along with supervisors and co-workers, respect the leadership of the organization, work harmoniously as part of a team, and deal effectively with situations that involve attitudes, opinions and feelings of others. 
    9. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; essential computer skills for word processing, maintaining client records, preparing presentations, and producing handout materials.
    10. Bilingualism (an asset). 


    This position will be based in the PEIBWA Kings County office at least two days per week with additional time spent at the Charlottetown and Central Bedeque offices. The Officer will be expected to travel throughout the province at times and extended hours of work may be required. Other duties may be assigned by the Director or Chief Executive Officer. . 

    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. HERE.

    DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2022.  


    Thank you to all that apply; however, only those that are selected for an interview will be contacted.

     

  • 10 Jan 2022 12:21 PM | Deleted user

    PEI Business Women’s Association is seeking a professional, energetic and qualified Communications and Events Officer to join our team.

    See full job posting here: PEIBWA Communications and Events Officer .pdf

    Qualified applicants should forward a cover letter and current resume to Margaret Magner, Executive Director, PEI Business Women’s Association.  APPLY HERE. 

    The search is ongoing. 


  • 06 Dec 2021 11:05 AM | Anonymous

    Music has been a part of Maxine McLennan’s life for as long as she can remember. Her first live vocal performance occurred at the age of eleven, alongside her father and his country band on New Year’s Eve. Over the years, she has evolved into a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, identifying as an independent artist who is proud to be doing music on her own terms. 

    “I am an independent artist and I am proud to be doing things my way.  That is success to me.  It can be defined in a lot of ways.”

    Always a second career, music was first paired with running a Bed & Breakfast for fifteen years on her family-owned hog farm. She looked after grass cutting and running tractors on the property, as well as cooking meals for the hired hands but she still found time to devote to her budding music career. Her love for music and determination to pursue a career in music became more than just a dream when she came remarkably close to signing with a well-known record label, Warner Music.  However, life circumstances shifted the path she was on, resulting in a move to Cardigan, PEI, where she drove a school bus for twenty years, followed by fourteen years working with Family Violence Prevention Services. 

    Just before the pandemic hit, Maxine was experiencing good success with her music. And on the advice of a trusted friend and professional business owner, she started Maxine Music. When COVID lock downs ensued, things amped up for her.  Performing live shows from her kitchen table for viewers across the world via Facebook Live with Christopher Cross Music at Home and Facebook’s Ultimate Online Nova Scotia Kitchen Party, Maxine had upwards of ten thousand viewers from all over the world tuning into her shows. This created a snow-ball affect, and soon she was receiving hundreds of comments from viewers, many of which were requests for her to perform with other live music venues in Australia, England, and Scotland.  To date, Maxine is still doing interview calls once a month with a venue in England and her music is currently being played in Scotland, England and Ireland, and on U.S. podcasts.  She also has two #2 singles on the Canadian Indie Country Charts. 

    Maxine’s success can be attributed to her innate passion and drive; both which have been instrumental in overcoming personal and professional challenges she has faced throughout her music career. 

    “Music is engrained in me.  I don’t take no for an answer.  If I can’t go down one road, I’ll go down another.”

    When asked what sets her and her music apart from others, Maxine doesn’t feel she is different.   

    “I am not any different from anyone else in the industry.  I want to reach people through my music.  I think all musicians do.”

    Maxine writes music that people can relate to, reaching them in a way that resonates with them.  Collaboration is an essential part of her work ethic; she regularly joins forces with bluegrass musicians and is a proud member of a Celtic band, Treble with Girls.  

    For more information:

    Web: www.maxinemusic.ca
    Email:  maxine@maxinemusic.ca
    Social Media: FB
     www.facebook.com/maxine.maclennan.9/
    iTunes:  https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/maxine-maclennan/1001211552

  • 29 Jun 2021 12:31 PM | Anonymous

    Are you looking for support for your IDEA, START-UP or GROWTH focused business?

    We have extended the deadline to apply for the 2021 Micro Grant program, sponsored by Maritime Electric

    The 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. Each year a maximum of four $500 micro grants are awarded.  

    Deadline for submissions is now 12:00 Midnight on Wednesday, July 14th so don't delay!

  • 04 Jun 2021 11:40 AM | Anonymous

    The Atlantic Canadian Women in Growth Partnership (ACWGP) is thrilled to announce its “Federal Procurement – Learn how to do business with the Government of Canada” series this June.

    Have you ever wondered what it takes to land a contract with the Government of Canada? Public Services and Procurement Canada’s Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) is here to make it easier for smaller businesses to bid on federal contracting opportunities. OSME wants to help small business owners to better understand how the Government of Canada buys goods and services, and how to navigate the process to find opportunities.

    REGISTER HERE!


    REGISTER HERE!


  • 19 May 2021 12:54 PM | Anonymous

    Session 3: How supplier diversity is working 
    This no-cost session is not to be missed! Perfect opportunity to get answers (in English and French) to your supplier diversity questions from the panel of corporate professionals representing both suppliers and purchasers.
    Thursday, May 20, 2021 from 12-1pm ADT | 12:30-1:30pm NDT

    Register Here!

    Session 3: How supplier diversity is working 
    This no-cost session is not to be missed! Perfect opportunity to get answers (in English and French) to your supplier diversity questions from the panel of corporate professionals representing both suppliers and purchasers.
    Thursday, May 20, 2021 from 12-1pm ADT | 12:30-1:30pm NDT

    Register Here!