DENNIS MITCHELL Chief Executive Officer Chief Investment Officer Ways Customer Starlight Capital Engagement 7 Impacts Profits
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Editor’s Message
Cover Story Dennis Mitchell
Business Urbanization And The Future Of Business
Unlearning A Skill That Is Hurting Your Business
7 Ways Customer Engagement Impacts Profi ts
Tommy Hilfi ger W IN N
Anne Day E
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Lauren Shirreffs
2 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 OVERVIEW FALL/WINTER 2019
Money & Finance Crash Course On Cash Flow Management
Financial Ratio Analysis
Startup Starting A Consultation Company
Crafting A Creative Small Business
Technology 5 Features Of CRM Software You Didn’t Know You Needed
Valuable Tech Shortcuts
Lifestyle & Luxury Womenswear Trends The Master Key To Healthy Relationships
Travel
Infographic: The Facts Of Luxury Travel Ethiopia
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Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 5 EDITOR’S MESSAGE
Turning the Page: Refl ecting and Projecting
efore we embrace the New and heart-searching -- and with some help decision was particularly important with Year, let’s take a moment to and support from employees, friends, people whom I had not met or even refl ect on both our challenges and family -- I managed to achieve two knew, and others that I had not seen or and accomplishments of 2019, of the main items on my list. communicated with in a very long time. as a prelude to planning for even greater success in the On the business level, my primary goal My connection across the fi ve current coming year. was to relocate our staffi ng and publication generations of my family-tree was especially B offi ce to new premises but also within important to me. I understand that my aging This rapidly closing year has provided one proximity to our other offi ces. We wanted ‘greats’ will not be here much longer, so I valuable learning-experience after another, to improve both our accommodation and needed to become very proactive. On my as many of us have come to discover so service to our clients and staff members quest to fulfi ll this goal, I discovered that much more about ourselves, our businesses, by providing a brighter, spacious, and my family tree extended to various parts clients, employees, associates, neighbours, more attractive work environment. of the Caribbean, West Indies, Europe, networking partners, personal bankers, and Latin America. and the world at large. It has been a year At fi rst, the entire prospect was daunting of highs and lows and a few nail-biters, and seemed unattainable, even though I But, one of the things that particularly but we are still standing. In some cases, had planned and documented everything touched me was the realization that, not as close together as before, but we I wanted to accomplish. Although I despite our age and gender differences are all moving forward. could not fully visualize all the results, I within the fi ve generations, we are all commenced working tirelessly in minimal It’s terrifi c to look back at some of the stages, with a dedicated team, to ensure progress we’ve made. Despite some major that the vision became a reality. setbacks during the middle part of the year, The Edge, A Leaders’ Magazine is The move was a colossal upheaval expanding steadily across North America for all of us. Our initial goal of and Asia. We have now hired additional moving within 60 days reduced full-time staff to complement our existing to 30 days, which required double teams. We also collaborated with several the work in half the time! Emotions well-known and accomplished entrepreneurs ran high, with packing and unpacking, and inspiring leaders who did us the re-organization of several workstations, honor of gracing our magazine covers inventory-taking, and the adjustment to and winners’ circle sections. new surroundings and new staff. It took quite a while for us to Our sincerest thanks go to the fantastic staff fall effortlessly into our new members within our Diversifi ed Group of rhythms, but, for the most Companies, partners, shareholders, clients, part, the change was advertisers, subscribers, freelancers and, received positively by everyone across-the-board for all their our staff members and tremendous, consistent, tireless support clients alike. and signifi cant contributions. Again, on a personal level, It was a very hectic and exciting year for my secondary goal was me on a personal level. I had compiled a to reach out to several checklist of challenging goals to achieve family members and before the end of 2019, and, for most of friends, to bond with them, time was of the utmost essence. them, and to strengthen After much conceptualizing, negotiation, our relationships. This
6 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 connected. We all share similar features, traits, and behaviors. The experience was a critical step on my journey of self- discovery and self-fulfi llment.
So, how did you fare with your checklist in 2019? Did you DBPCStaffing achieve all you had hoped? Perhaps there are some items Permanent Staffing Solutions on the list that you can carry forward into the New Year. Or maybe you need to revisit your original plan and fi ne-tune it.
The bottom line is that you must climb your mountains with vigor and ride out your storms. Do not remain stuck in your bubble and ultimately deprive yourself of living fulfi lled. You should never defi ne yourself and others by any past mistakes or failures regardless of the circumstances. Now is your time to turn the page and begin to make your contributions to Staffing with the world.
Always remember that you are wired for success and destined Value and Integrity for greatness. It’s usually never too late to start over or pick up from where you left off -- because whatever you want to • Accounting/Finance achieve for the greater good is entirely possible. • Human Resources So, let’s all get ready to celebrate a New Year! • Customer Service I hope you enjoy this issue of The Edge. I’ll be pleased to hear your thoughts and get your feedback, so do write or • Sales/Marketing drop me an email. • Administration Thanks, as always for your support and the continued • Technical Support opportunity to serve you. • Data Processing
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www.dbpcstaffing.com [email protected] Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 7
COVER STORY
CHANNELLING HIS PASSION CONVERSATION WITH DENNIS MITCHELL by Jennifer M. Williams
Dennis Mitchell had always dreamed of the day he’d be scoring touchdowns as a pro football player. But he learned that sometimes in life, much as in football, things can suddenly slip right through your fi ngers. In Dennis’ case, it was injuries and knee surgeries that put a stop to the football dream.
But he wasn’t prepared to stay thrown down; on the contrary, he swiftly got back on his feet to enter a new playing fi eld: the one of fi nance.
It began with attending Wilfrid Laurier University for an undergraduate degree, and subsequently completing a Master of Business Administration at York University. Over the course of decades, Dennis has had the Midas touch of success after success, turning mere millions into hundreds of millions of dollars.
Fast forward to 2018, and Dennis corralled a team of diverse and talented professionals to form Starlight Capital, with a focus on investing in listed global real estate and infrastructure securities. Currently serving as Chief Executive Offi cer and Chief Investment Offi cer, Dennis spoke with The Edge, A Leaders Magazine about how he tackles challenges in business, leadership, and many of life’s risks.
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 9 COVER STORY
“If you’re climbing that ladder of success, it only makes sense that you reach down to help your friends, partners, or colleagues climb their ladder of success at the same time as you.”
Can you describe your career path, and how did you what forms people’s behaviour. Over a come to make such an impact in the finance sector in long period of time you attract people who are attracted to those things, and Toronto? you repel people who are not attracted The defining day for me was the day I was at work as a to those sorts of things. financial advisor, and Warren Buffett announced his holdings with Coca Cola. So I stopped on my way home, We try as hard as we can to have a very and picked up a copy of a book called Buffettology at collegial and fun environment in the Chapters. I read it cover to cover, and I found my new offi ce, and I think those things inform our passion: I wanted to manage money for a living. That culture. We celebrate people’s birthdays, book gave me purpose. I understood what I wanted to do we celebrate minor achievements, we with my career, where I wanted to focus my energy, and celebrate just about anything because where I wanted to pursue my passion. life is tough, and that encourages people to have a positive attitude when they I spent the next six years meeting with people, and writing come to work. reports, and having interviews until someone finally gave me an opportunity. When I got that first opportunity at One of the signature hallmarks of anyone Sentry Investments, I decided that I wasn’t going to let you meet from Starlight Capital is they’ll anything stand in my way. I felt like I had been robbed be very animated and very passionate from my first passion through injury. So I wanted to make when they talk about this company, this sure nothing stood in my way; not my grades, not my work industry, and what they’re doing. ethic, nothing. I was very focused, and I got an opportunity, and that’s all we can ask for in this life. I took That’s our goal – to fi nd those people who share the belief that, and with a small $8-million real estate fund, the team that what they’re doing is important and that they love what and I were able to grow that into $1.5 billion. I eventually they do. The rest of our culture is being really focused on took over the Global Equity’s business with $60 million delivering value to our clients, delivering strong performance, and grew that into $800 million. We had more and more and client experience. success when I built a bigger and better performing team. A lot of our conversation is tied to how we do as a team and as an organization, as opposed to how one person What challenges did you face on your rising journey? individually does. The challenges that I faced were very similar just to anybody who wants to sort of achieve a lot in the finance What insight can you offer to others about how to industry. You have to deal with the market. The problem network effectively? with our job is that you can absolutely be right, and the market will decide that you’re wrong for very long I think that when people think of networking, they headhunt. periods of time. … And then, quite honestly, you just They look for CEOs, CIOs, and CFOs. It’s almost like they’re have to deal with the vagaries of life – having children, looking for notches on a belt. What I fi nd is that most of the travel, incidents in the market such as a crash or a people who have been very successful in their networking, financial crisis. network across.
What sets Starlight Capital apart from other financial Most of the key relationships that I have are with my peers, people of a similar age. People who’ve come up in the firms? industry at the same time as me. I think the mistake that At Starlight Capital, what sets us apart is our culture. I most people make is that they’re constantly trying to network know everyone says that, so I’ll start by defining culture. up, and I understand why people do that, but the mistake Culture, to me, is the thing that you celebrate, the there is that the relationships you’re going to have, and the things you discourage, and the thing you rally around, because that is
10 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 businesses you’re going to build with, are going to be with your peers. If you’re climbing that ladder of success, it only makes sense that you reach down to help your friends, partners, or colleagues climb their ladder of success at the same time as you.
What is the most valuable advice you’ve ever received? Without a doubt, do what you love. It sounds very trite and simple, but quite honestly, there is a power in waking up every morning and being excited to go to work. I love managing money, and so that makes it easy to get up every morning, and come to work and stay late, and put in the work necessary to achieve the results we want.
What’s a professional risk that paid off? I can’t say Starlight Capital just yet, but that will be my answer the next time I do this interview.
I would say the biggest professional risk I took was that I got married, I bought two new cars, a house, and then I quit my job. The reason I did that is because I was having trouble “breaking in” on Bay Street for my original job as an advisor for the branch network. There’s lots of competition; people are walking in off the street handing in resumes, people graduate all the time, there’s tons of recruiting. I did all of that, and I also quit my job, and I did my MBA at York. The main reason I did that was because I wanted to go through the “Grad Recruiting” process. I wanted companies to come to me with jobs, as opposed to me constantly going to them looking for opportunities. That was a big risk on my part, because I had a job that, quite frankly, I could do in my sleep, and it paid all the bills. I could’ve just kept knocking on the door indefi nitely, but I really did take a risk and say, “I want to expedite this and get in as quickly as I possibly can.”
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 11 COVER STORY
“The moment people start thinking that they’re not accountable for their actions, or not concerned with the overall success, is the moment things start to slide out of control.”
What are the biggest challenges facing young investment success, it’s hard to go wrong when selecting businesspeople hoping to reach your level of success? someone like that. The challenge is to really differentiate yourself, so that clients From a personal standpoint, my role model is a gentleman will listen to what you have to say and trust you with their by the name of Gale Sayers. Gale Sayers was a fantastic client capital. That’s always the biggest challenge, and one football player who played for the Chicago Bears. The that you never stop facing even when you’ve got $10 or reason why he’s my role model is because he suffered a $50 or $100 billion in capital. You constantly have to prove similar injury to me, only he suffered his injury in the ‘70s, yourself and earn your place. How do you defi ne success? and there was no orthoscopic surgery or any of that. It was just a matter of working out and getting your legs strong. It You think about what it is we’re here to do – we’re here to required him to be extremely committed and work very hard, manage capital on behalf of clients, and they’re expecting and he came back an even better player than when he left. support in their own business and returns that justify them The story really resonated with me and then, after I hurt my choosing you. We’re in the business of helping other knee, it resonated even more with me. Over time, as I think people look good; we take capital in from advisors that go how my past diverged from sports to fi nance, and how Gale to end investors. Success, for us, would be many advisors was able to overcome that huge obstacle and continue on committing a large amount of capital to us, because they his chosen path, I have a great deal of respect for the man. believe in what we’ve done, and they trust us to make them look good to their clients. How do you summon motivation when life throws a What do you believe to be the key to building new wrench into things? relationships, professionally and personally? Just recognizing that life isn’t personal.
Reciprocity is the key to building strong relationships. Many I like to ask professionals at seminars: “Put your hand up if people know what they want, but spend little time listening you woke up this morning and your fi rst thought was, ‘How to what their colleagues or business partners are seeking. do I make Dennis Mitchell rich?’” And similarly, I don’t think The intersection of these two desires/needs is where strong there are a lot of people out there who wake up and think, business and personal relationships are forged. “How do I ruin Dennis Mitchell’s plans today?” Well, life isn’t personal. Who are your role models – personally and professionally – and why? In this business, we have a habit of saying “the market went up because of this” or “the market went up because of that.” I would say professionally my role model is Warren Buffett. Most of the time, that’s not true. There are several things that From the standpoint of his personal integrity and his
12 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 COVER STORY
drive market activity, stock activity, and similarly, there are several reasons for negative things to happen to a person. My approach is simply to recognize that none of this is personal. The way to deal with it is just to fi gure out how to overcome that obstacle.
As the leader of the company overseeing many employees, what leadership traits have you discovered are most critical in your position? Communication is the number one skill. [You can’t have it where] some people know more than others, and other people are aware of less. That can lead to some poor decision making. It can lead to resentment, and so the key is to really communicate.
A close second is holding people accountable. The moment people start thinking that they’re not accountable for their actions, or not concerned with the overall success, is the moment things start to slide out of control.
What part of the job excites you most? Building that team sort of brick by brick, fi nding somebody who’s fl uent in French but also does marketing, or fi nding someone who’s going to be your sales coordinator but also has a great network in Atlantic Canada. When you put those pieces together and you build the whole, that’s what excites me.
What does the phrase “defi ne your worth” mean to you? That’s an interesting one. To me, the one thing you want to ensure is that people won’t take advantage of you. People recognize exactly what it is that you bring to the table, and they acknowledge and respect it. //
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 13 BUSINESS
URBANIZATION AND THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS by Joséphine Mwanvua
rbanization — the process of developing cities and building new ones — promises work opportunities, schools, and better access to resources than rural life. It’s estimated that most of the world’s population is expected to live in urban areas by 2050.
While some leave their small towns or countryside in hopes of a better life in the city, other rural dwellers actually get bought out of their homes by developers so that new buildings and condos can be constructed.
Consumer habits also affect urbanization. Today people care more about their environmental footprint, and spend money on brands that align with their values. And as labour markets shift along with urban landscapes, workers and businesses need to adapt — or they’ll fail.
The only cost of living is also getting higher, especially in metropolises like Toronto and New York, where Ucosts seem to be rising faster than wages. This perpetual global push towards urbanization opens up new markets, affects employment, and creates sustainability issues, among other factors that inevitably change the business landscape.
14 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 BUSINESS
Despite rapid urban growth, it’s challenging for developing countries to create smart cities; poorer regions don’t have the means to maintain such expensive technologies.
Securing Food for a Growing several companies are already working newly skilled specialists. We’re seeing Demographic on consumer products made this way. factory jobs decline due to more effi cient It’s hard to pinpoint setbacks for an machines. Just as social media bred the As people become more conscious of idea that’s yet to be marketed, but on need for professional experts, artifi cial where their food comes from, many the plus side, less livestock means less intelligence, augmented reality, and 3D favour organic, local, and affordable methane polluting the atmosphere. printing all require specialized talent. produce, which urban farms grant access to. Usually these initiatives are The Promise of India for Existing Tech careers are in demand and promise community-led, or run by non-profi t Businesses stable, often lucrative incomes. The organizations servicing low- to middle- average salary for a computer engineer income neighbourhoods. But urban Vertical farming is already trending is over $79,000 per year. For a computer farming has expanded into new forms, in India. Many brands from several vision engineer, currently the hardest as popular demand for healthier and industries are taking advantage of the tech job to fi ll in Canada according to more local food grows both at home rising Indian marketplace. The country Indeed, it is about $92,000 per year. and in restaurants. has a population of 1.3 billion people, Many professionals are making the and urbanization is booming. India is switch into tech. With online programs Vertical farming is a revolutionary model forecast to be the top emerging market like MOOCs (massive open online that utilizes less water and less space of 2019, according to Investing Haven. courses), learning can be done quicker than traditional farming, with zero need than acquiring a traditional degree. for pesticides. Recent research done by Foreign tech companies like Flipkart, Additionally, coding bootcamps allow MarketsAndMarkets reports that vertical Cisco, and Amazon have entered the anyone to learn and build a portfolio. farming will be valued at $5.80 billion Indian market successfully, and smaller (US) by 2022. Vertical crops can be tech startups are following suit. Local Self-employment is a viable option grown three ways: hydroponics (farming tech startups alone raised $11 billion for those who want to create their without soil in fortifi ed sand, gravel, or in funding in 2018, according to Inc42. own opportunities. Entrepreneurship water), aquaponics (a hydroponic system Before entering a market like India, is now a mainstream dream sold in the that utilizes waste produced by farmed product and market analyses are highly media, and the so-called gig economy fi sh to supply nutrients to the water), important steps to take. Consider the is becoming the new norm. Contractual and aeroponics (suspended plants fed number of potential customers, as work provides low overhead costs to by a nutrient-rich mist). But the latter India is comprised of several cultures, employers and fl exible schedules to has its drawbacks for large-scale urban languages, and religions. Affordability freelancers. It might seem daunting, but farming, and even meat production may is something else to consider. The niche markets exist even in a saturated present its own challenges if there isn’t World Economic Forum reports 33% industry, as do people providing unique enough land to raise livestock. of households in India are low- to goods or services. middle-income earners; however 44% For meat, options include plant-based of households are expected to become Companies may also train existing protein or cultured meat. Plant-based upper-middle class by 2030. employees on new skills as their jobs protein has recently gone mainstream, evolve, so that they remain employed and is gaining popularity amongst Job Creation and Extinction despite technological disruption. vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Urbanization doesn’t guarantee an Brands like Beyond Meat aim to create Elite Smart City Technology meat alternatives that taste like the real abundant labour market. In fact, thing. These products are made with most urbanization is taking place in The epitome of urbanization is the smart ingredients that we massively produce, developing countries, where urban city. Smart cities collect and analyze data which itself poses a sustainability issue; expansion doesn’t equal more jobs in order to better manage city operations if most people ditched meat for plant or stable income. But in developed and resources. But it’s more than that; protein, we’d need larger crops or tall countries, cities are becoming more it’s also about living in a digital utopia. vertical farm structures. technologically advanced, morphing into “smart cities”. Tech companies are teaming up with Cultured meat is made by injecting municipalities to launch projects that animal tissue into a cell and letting it Automation and digitization replace promise to enhance livability while multiply. It isn’t yet on the market, but workers, change job roles, and call for addressing key sustainability issues.
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 15 However, scalable models are uncommon; recent survey data by Cisco, presented at The Internet of Things World Forum in 2017, revealed that 60% of projects fail to go past the pilot stage and a third of completed initiatives were unsuccessful.
Despite rapid urban growth, it’s challenging for developing countries to create smart cities; poorer regions don’t have the means to maintain such expensive technologies. An article on the World Economic Forum states that smart city technology doesn’t address the rudimentary needs of the poor, like sanitation and housing security. Early innovators in smart city development, like Cisco and IBM, focused on the West before expanding elsewhere – granted, in countries that already had the wealth, capacity, and professional talent to develop these technologies. Still, elaborate cities like Songdo (South Korea) and Eko Atlantic (Nigeria) have considerable fl aws.
Despite numerous trials and errors, urbanization is transforming how business is done across the globe, driving us toward utopian visions of an increasingly connected world. //
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UNLEARNING A SKILL THAT IS HURTING YOUR BUSINESS
by Robyn Karmazyn
uite simply: change can be difficult. But when it comes to the best practices for your business, change can also be beneficial—and even crucial. If customer acquisition or retention is low, you need to address the matter and alter what you’re doing. If your machinery is slow, improve it. If your branding is archaic, update it. If you can’t keep up with demand, hire more people or find other suppliers. Sometimes, you might just need to Q outsource. You always have to “up your game” in order to do better.
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 17 BUSINESS
Why Change is Important criticism and trust in those who can help opinion and expertise. If you’re a sole them. Unlearning a skill that is actually practitioner and can’t afford the help, Standing behind your product or service hurting your business can unleash positive commit to independently reviewing the is crucial to achieving success. If you’re change and development within your various factors in your business. This lacking faith or confi dence in what your organization. The fi rst step is recognizing includes (as applicable) the administration, company offers, you’ll need to reassess a that you need to make adjustments, then operations, human resources, marketing, few things−namely, getting to where you seeking out what they should be. Is your communications, bookkeeping, production, believe in your product or service. Figuring Rolodex collecting dust? Are the hard and sales. Assess what works well within out what works may take some trial and copy notes with shorthand turning yellow? the organization and, more importantly, error, but one thing is for certain: growth Your outdated practices may not always what doesn't. requires change. be so obvious, but you may have several of which you’re unaware. What Models to Change How to Go About Change Technology is often the best example of Every good business owner must start Having an objective third party to address facing and accepting change. In the last by recognizing when they need to make these matters can be extremely helpful. 30 years, businesses have had to adapt. improvements. Arguably, the most Ask a trusted, experienced employee From keeping physical paper trails to successful people in the world have good within your company, such as a supervisor electronic databases, from sending faxes ideas, but they also listen to constructive or director, or a consultant for his or her to writing emails, from waiting for the dial-
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nyone who has a car knows the hassle that comes with maintaining one. But with Slick Lube Co., they bring WE ARE BRINGING the garage to you! If you don’t have the time or your THE GARAGE TO YOU! car just won’t run, then you can experience the on-site advantages that Slick Lube Co. has to offer. Proud owner and operator Chris Papadopoulos provides a service ing Flav Catering is unlike any other culinary experience, specializing in infusing dishes from diff erent backgrounds. you can trust−and he’s constantly on call, making his Fast Located in Toronto, within chef Jerome Copeland’s home kitchen, customers can confi dently order their meals knowing rounds throughout the Greater Toronto Area. that they were made with dedication, passion, and a piece of home. Jerome blends many ethnicities, giving you a taste of the diversity that Toronto (and Canada as a whole) is known for. With King Flav Catering’s menu, customers can get a A Whether it’s an oil change, seasonal tire installation, tire inspection, blend of Indian, Chinese, Jamaican, Middle Eastern, and more. Jerome also off ers vegetarian and vegan options. washer fl uid top-up, or courtesy check, Slick Lube Co. has what Easy K you need on-site. No more stress of having to fi nd a mechanic When it comes to cuisine, you can’t get this kind of mix from anyone else’s kitchen. After a life-threatening altercation that left and look for the fi ne print: now they come to you, wherever you him with a bullet lodged in his head, Jerome decided that he had one purpose in life – to run a catering service that he could are. With a van full of services for your every need, Slick Lube Co. be proud of. Jerome pours his passion, love, and creativity into every single dish that he creates. His ability to persevere is is the right choice−getting their hands dirty, so you don’t have to. Convenient demonstrated through his continued success and customer satisfaction. "YOU CAN’T GET THE DIVERSITY THAT I HAVE." For more information, call 416-887-3544 Professional or book online at www.slicklube.ca Jerome lives by that message, and one look at his menu will tell you that he means it. 416-887-3544 For all your catering needs, call King Flav Catering at (437) 928-7228, or email kingfl [email protected]. You can also www.slicklube.ca visit kingfl av.ca for more information. [email protected] the EDGE 18 Fall | Winter 2019 - Advertisement - - Advertisement - BUSINESS
up connection to carrying the Internet in for progressiveness, and you may just fi nd past, for a certain generation, can simply their pocket. Never more before than in the payoff to be incredibly worthwhile. be detrimental now. If you insist on sticking the 21st century have companies had to with the “old” while your competition is think about their brand strategy, adapting Acting on Change upgrading to the “new”, you will likely their marketing techniques, engaging with fi nd them surpassing you. Rather than customers through various social media, Recognizing the skills that are hurting your committing to the notion of others adapting and developing advertising campaigns for business in the fi rst place can be incredibly to your models, it would bode well for different channels. challenging. Many business owners treat your business to adapt your operations to their companies like their “babies” – and them. Try to open up to change and, in the Employee management is another clear area no one likes being told how to raise their process, diversify your skillset. Ultimately, of change and development. In addition to child. But if your child was misbehaving, you will fi nd yourself able to successfully the back-end human resources and health you would feel the need to intervene and work alongside a broader range of people and safety sides, the new generation needs discipline them. Similarly, if you’re in a from different backgrounds, cultures, and marriage where your partner isn’t growing to be inspired, motivated, and incentivized generations. // through different models than before. If with you or you aren’t keeping up with them, you’re open to new ideas that may feel it would put a strain on your relationship. uncomfortable to you, you might just be able to make your employees feel relaxed Being married to an old model for your and at ease. Forego a little stubbornness business that might have worked in the
C-A-T-E-R-I-N-G Slick Lube Co.
nyone who has a car knows the hassle that comes with maintaining one. But with Slick Lube Co., they bring WE ARE BRINGING the garage to you! If you don’t have the time or your THE GARAGE TO YOU! car just won’t run, then you can experience the on-site advantages that Slick Lube Co. has to offer. Proud owner and operator Chris Papadopoulos provides a service ing Flav Catering is unlike any other culinary experience, specializing in infusing dishes from diff erent backgrounds. you can trust−and he’s constantly on call, making his Fast Located in Toronto, within chef Jerome Copeland’s home kitchen, customers can confi dently order their meals knowing rounds throughout the Greater Toronto Area. that they were made with dedication, passion, and a piece of home. Jerome blends many ethnicities, giving you a taste of the diversity that Toronto (and Canada as a whole) is known for. With King Flav Catering’s menu, customers can get a A Whether it’s an oil change, seasonal tire installation, tire inspection, blend of Indian, Chinese, Jamaican, Middle Eastern, and more. Jerome also off ers vegetarian and vegan options. washer fl uid top-up, or courtesy check, Slick Lube Co. has what Easy K you need on-site. No more stress of having to fi nd a mechanic When it comes to cuisine, you can’t get this kind of mix from anyone else’s kitchen. After a life-threatening altercation that left and look for the fi ne print: now they come to you, wherever you him with a bullet lodged in his head, Jerome decided that he had one purpose in life – to run a catering service that he could are. With a van full of services for your every need, Slick Lube Co. be proud of. Jerome pours his passion, love, and creativity into every single dish that he creates. His ability to persevere is is the right choice−getting their hands dirty, so you don’t have to. Convenient demonstrated through his continued success and customer satisfaction. "YOU CAN’T GET THE DIVERSITY THAT I HAVE." For more information, call 416-887-3544 Professional or book online at www.slicklube.ca Jerome lives by that message, and one look at his menu will tell you that he means it. 416-887-3544 For all your catering needs, call King Flav Catering at (437) 928-7228, or email kingfl [email protected]. You can also www.slicklube.ca visit kingfl av.ca for more information. [email protected] the EDGE - Advertisement - - Advertisement - Fall | Winter 2019 19 BASIL KHAN HELIX LAW
n often-overlooked part of running a business is the encompassing value of a lawyer. An experienced business lawyer can provide help in almost every part of your business, from preventative measures to emergency scenarios. You need an expert who is knowledgeable, A ethical, reliable, and affordable. Basil Khan is a lawyer who fulfi lls these qualities, and more. Licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, Basil fi ercely advocates for his clients, representing them in all levels of court. He has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Divisional Court, and Tax Court of Canada.
Basil Khan founded Helix Law in 2017, where he provides legal advice and representation to clients on a wide range of business, real estate, and personal legal matters. Some examples of where Basil represents clients include litigation, real estate closings, and corporate transactions. His transparency and humility are key reasons why his clients hold such positive views of him. Basil serves to mentor those in need of guidance and puts clients on the proper path, so that their business can run effi ciently and without any obstacles impeding them from success.
He practices in the following areas: • Commercial, Civil and Tax Litigation • Commercial Real Estate • Corporate & Business Law • Estate Administration • Estate Planning • Mortgages and Refi nancing 647.351.2047 • Residential Real Estate helixlaw.ca • Powers of Attorney [email protected] 250 Consumers Road, Suite 405, Toronto, Ontario M2J 4V6 • Wills and Testaments
CALL TODAY TO BOOK A FREE 15-MINUTE IN-PERSON CONSULTATION Helix Law is where you will fi nd top-tier legal advice and representation, no matter what your industry or legal need may be. Basil Khan’s goal is to serve you and grow a partnership alongside Disclaimers: • Representation by Basil Khan or Helix Law Professional Corporation begins only after a you as your business expands. Call him today to learn more. retainer agreement is entered into. All legal services offered at Helix Law Professional Corporation are provided by a lawyer licensed by the Law Society of Ontario. Helix Law Professional Corporation. All rights reserved © 2019 - Advertisement - We Guarantee Your Pardon with a Our Team of Experienced Experts 100% Pardon Guarantee Will Help You With:
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Engaged Customers Spend More An engaged customer is one that trusts a business. 1 Typically, they believe in the services and products 7 being offered, and are willing to spend a bit more WAYS money on them. The logic is that customers will spend a higher percentage of their available monthly income on a business that they feel a connection with.
Business owners often must make the initial investment, CUSTOMER in the form of a promotion and discount to entice a new customer. This can cut into profi t margins in the short term, but should yield a return down the road ENGAGEMENT once loyalty is established.
IMPACTS PROFITS Increased Upsell Opportunities by Rob Shapiro Engagement is tied directly to interactions with 2 customers, and every interaction is an opportunity to upsell. This means you can offer additional items or here’s no shortage of buzzwords in today’s services to complement a customer’s order. But unless business world, but one oft-used term you’re a business with the size and technological that has real-world impact is “customer capabilities of Amazon, it’s diffi cult to automate upselling engagement.” Sure, the phrase can be unless you have engaged customers. a bit murky, but it boils down to how a business interacts with its customer base Remember, customer engagement can proactively and how successful each interaction is at push people through your sales funnel, increasing the building a mutually benefi cial relationship. amount of inventory or services they purchase from you.
Not enough businesses are focused on engaging customers, opting instead Referrals Galore to put their emphasis on sales and marketing. Customer engagement is Referrals represent enormous growth opportunities for a proven to drive revenue and yield a return 3 business, as well as greater ROI from customer engagement. on investment (ROI), in part because of These referrals will come from your most satisfi ed customers, the emotional connection developed who are typically the ones most engaged with your business. between a customer and a business. However, customer engagement allows you to table Studies suggest that roughly two-thirds of a brand’s profi ts are promotions that could make the relationship more derived from customer engagement. The question for many challenging. For starters, the customer might never Tbusiness owners isn’t how to foster engagement but, more pay full price or may continue to hunt around for other specifi cally, how it impacts profi ts. bargains. Secondly, promotions can cost your business in both the short and long term, so converting that customer into multiple sales is key, or else your business could come out on the losing end.
When done right, engagement turns one customer into two, and two into four, and so on, driving revenue to your bottom line with a low customer-acquisition cost and allowing you to save on costly advertising and marketing campaigns used to bring in new customers.
Reduced Customer Attrition Constantly having to acquire new customers can be 4 expensive for a business. As mentioned, there are marketing and advertising expenditures, in addition to strategies like loss-leader pricing, to hook new customers. If you have a dwindling customer base, then your next step should be to focus on engagement in
22 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 order to curb that attrition. This allows a business to grow its customers from existing ones, through tactics like referral programs.
Engagement increases the value of each customer and keeps your acquisition rate at a more manageable level. Not to mention the fact that it’s always easier to keep an existing customer than it is to fi nd a new one.
Brand Loyalty Brand loyalty is at the top of the customer 5 engagement pyramid. It’s when customers develop a tendency to use one brand almost exclusively over its competitors. For the company, the ROI comes from repeat business. This level of engagement is achieved when an organization takes the time to foster a relationship with its customers through different points of engagement.
Brand loyalty is the goal, but it takes an investment of time and money to get there. And most sectors are highly competitive, making loyalty something of a white whale. The reality is that most businesses typically only convert a small percentage of their customer bases into true brand ambassadors. Still, if you prioritize converting some of your RAHIM customers into ambassadors and a small percentage of those ambassadors bring in new customers, your business stands to reap considerable rewards. MOHAMMADI
Improved Operations This ROI is more roundabout than others, but it’s important and can have a positive impact on your Mortgage Broker M12001193 6 bottom line. Engaged customers aren’t the angry Managing Partner ones who post negative reviews after one bad experience. They’re the ones who can offer insight into how to improve operations and add effi ciencies, or provide valuable opinions to management. If Licence# M15000307 | Fisco# K-137068 they’re engaged, it means that they care and want to help make your business the best that it can be.
Invest in Customer Engagement Cell: 647.389.5995 By working to create engaged customers and 7 leveraging their opinions and experiences, a business can boost key areas like customer service, marketing, online experience, or even the product or service itself. Best of all, this investment can pay off in the long run.
The results aren’t just worthwhile − they can be sustainable, repeatable, and are only the start of where your business can go if you engage consistently and thoughtfully with your customers. // 3601 Highway #7 E. Suite 210 Markham, ON L3R 0M3
P: 905.305.8771 F: 905.305.8122 E: [email protected] Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 23 ELAINE CHAN FINDING THE INSURANCE SUITED FOR YOUR NEEDS
veryone’s needs are different when it comes to coverage, and the last thing a person wants is to feel neglected and vulnerable. If you’re in Markham and in the market for a new insurance broker to handle all your needs, then it’s time E to consider Elaine Chan at CHAT Insurance.
No matter your industry, odds are CHAT Insurance you worked hard to get to where you CHAT is an acronym for “Commercial, her word, building growth, and questioning are−and that should be respected. Home, Auto, and Travel” – the main everything. She is committed to giving the With Elaine, all your worries are components of the fi rm’s coverage. Since highest level of care to each customer, no managed to the very last detail, so their start as a one-person operation back in matter their industry or history. From start that both you and your family can 2009, they have grown to multiple locations, to fi nish, she will be with you every step feel safe with every decision you serving thousands of policyholders. of the way, adapting to the challenges make. As a valued customer, your of her clients and helping them to feel success is her success, as proven There are three core values that Elaine comfortable. by her high retention rate. holds most dear, which include keeping
- Advertisement - Commercial Insurance Your time is valuable! Let Elaine do the comparisons for you, providing total tailored solutions. With a long history of serving the commercial sector, she understands your business, providing risk management advice to identify and protect high-risk exposures. Receive ongoing service from Commercial your own insurance broker, especially when it matters most. It’s a must for retail stores, professional offi ces, restaurants or bars, manufacturing, wholesalers, contractors, garage repair shops, commercial automobiles, and more.
Home Insurance Anything can happen at any time, so it’s important to make sure you’re properly covered for an unexpected crisis. This is Home especially true when it involves your home, with those who matter most to you. Whether you’re a homeowner, condo owner, or a tenant, any crisis situation will be mitigated by receiving immediate advice you can rely on when something happens.
Auto Insurance If a collision occurs, there’s no need for panic or stress – just trust in our professional Auto and knowledgeable service to guide you through the ordeal. You’ll have peace of mind, while not overpaying for your insurance needs.
Travel Insurance Do you really need travel insurance? That depends on the person, but even though the Ontario health plan covers some of your injuries (depending on where you are), it will not cover every expense. Travel Travel insurance fi lls the gap between what the government will pay and what it won’t. Even visitors to Canada should know that when choosing Elaine, you can travel with one less worry, allowing you to enjoy your vacation.
For more information, call Elaine Chan at 416-505-9433 Or visit CHAT Insurance, located at 101-260 Town Centre Blvd., Markham, ON L3R 8H8 Or visit www.ecinsure.ca for a free quote. WINNERS’ CIRCLE TOMMY by Dave Gordon
ommy Hilfiger is not merely a globally recognized name brand – it’s synonymous with a clean, all-American look that epitomizes the fashion- forward lifestyle.
But before the billions of dollars in sales, before the celebrity endorsements, and before 2,000 outlet stores worldwide, there was one humble decision that started T it all some 50 years ago. HILFIGER
Growing up in Elmira, in upstate New York, Unfortunately, the store came and went, Undeterred – and despite never taking a as the second of nine children, Tommy as did bankruptcy by age 23, but Hilfi ger design course in his life – Hilfi ger launched Hilfi ger wanted badly to be a part of the soldiered on. He looks back on those days his namesake label in Manhattan in 1985. rock ‘n’ roll scene and sought to look the as a valuable lesson part. But little was available in terms of in bookkeeping, the cool, hip clothes the musicians of the accounting, and “I think a good leader inspires day were sporting. managing fi nances. people around him or her.” And so, as the now-famous true story goes, Soon afterward, the young Hilfi ger took matters into his own with much door- - Tommy Hilfi ger hands. In 1969, at age 18, he opened a knocking, he clothing store called People’s Place with a managed to fi nd contract work with two To announce his brand, Hilfi ger defi ed $150 investment and merchandise brought jean companies – one being Jordache, one convention when he decided against back from a jaunt to New York City. He of the more famous clothing brands of the the archetypal, near-generic fun-on-the- sold bell bottoms and other styles of the 1980s. He was commissioned to design a beach clothing advertisement. Instead, day that, at the time, had never seen the new style of jeans, but neither company he greenlit his marketer’s genius idea to inside of a clothing store in that town. He felt they wanted to expand, and Hilfi ger place a billboard in New York City, listing refers to that endeavour as the foundation was subsequently let go after six months. other famous designers’ names with blanks of his career, setting the stage for his for some letters, like a game of hangman, passion for design. and his own name at the bottom.
26 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 WINNERS’ CIRCLE
The simple, suggestive message was that there was a new player You’re a leader in your fi eld. What’s lesson number one in town, someone who belonged in the same category as the in leadership? great household names of the day. The brazen gamble worked: sales went through the roof. I think a good leader inspires people around him or her. I think they are aware of every aspect of what is going on. I think Since that time, Hilfi ger has sold it all: clothing for men, women, they can be motivators. And I think that if you motivate your children, a denim line, fragrances, homeware, shoes, accessories, team, in a very positive way, they will perform much better. and more. With decades of business and entrepreneurial experience, In 1992, his brand became the fi rst fashion company to be listed what would you tell the budding entrepreneur not to do? on the New York Stock Exchange. Also in the ‘90s, he was one of the fi rst designers to blend fashion and celebrity. He collaborated I think they should never believe they can do it all on their with music legends like the Rolling Stones, Lenny Kravitz, David own. Because if you understand what your weaknesses are, Bowie, Alicia Keys, and Beyoncé, in what are now considered to you may be able to fi nd someone to plug that hole and assist be iconic advertising campaigns. you in doing whatever you are doing. Maybe they’ll stand in for something you’d never want to do or be an expert at. In 1998, a relative informed Hilfi ger about a teenage singer with her fi rst record deal, advising him not to miss an opportunity. How would you best describe the Tommy Hilfi ger brand She was given a pair of Hilfi ger jeans to wear in her fi rst music “wow” factor? video. That singer was Britney Spears. In recent years, stars like The wow factor: I would say that it is modern. Modern not just Diddy and Snoop Dogg have publicly worn Hilfi ger apparel, thus in design – because we always try to evolve the brand – more boosting sales even more. modern, more modern, more modern, but also the way we do things is much more disruptive and more modern than our It goes a long way in explaining Hilfi ger’s formula for commercial competition. We are ahead of the game digitally and social success, with his acronym of FAME – fashion, art, music, and media-wise. Because I really believe that brands tend to age entertainment. out, and I don’t want my brand to age out and become stale. I want it to be youthful, modern, fun, young, and surprising. “It has always been my vision to push boundaries, celebrate I like to surprise people. individuality, and inspire our customers by being bold and breaking conventions,” he said in a recent interview. You’ve pioneered a line of adaptive clothing for the “We are always focused on pop culture inspirations, launching differently-abled. The new collection launched online exciting collaborations, driving innovation, and increasing digital lately, with 37 menswear pieces and 34 womenswear investments across all areas of our brand and business.” pieces. What was the impetus for that? His latest line is geared towards those with special needs and the A designer has never [before] designed clothes for people elderly. It comes at a time when there is a tremendous need in with special needs. And I thought I should be the fi rst. I have the market, too: statistics show that almost 60 million Americans children with autism. And I’ve watched them struggle to get live with a disability, and about 50 million are over age 65. ready for school or work because they can’t button buttons or zip zippers.
So we have Velcro, we have magnets, we have openings for trousers and jeans for people with leg braces. People with disabilities want fashion and fashionable clothing, just like all of us, but it’s never been available to them. From a self-esteem standpoint, it’s great for young people who want to look like their peers but may not be able to dress like them because of their special needs. We did a children’s line, and it was so successful that now we’re doing adults.
Inclusivity and the democratization of fashion have always been at the core of my brand’s DNA. These collections continue to build on that vision, empowering differently-abled adults to express themselves through fashion. //
Photos: TOMMYNOW TommyXZendaya Spring 2019 Runway show, courtesy of Tommy Hilfi ger Licensing (tommy.com)
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 27 STEPHEN
WHITELEYThe Freedom Coach
tephen Whiteley is the master of your inner world. He considers this to be the new frontier and he can truly shift people’s inner energy, all the way up to the emotional freedom of enlightenment. He connects individuals and organizations to their life’s purpose and leads them to thrive through transforming fear into love. Imagine being fi nally free of those old hurts of the past. This inner energy of loving ourselves is the greatest power we have. With this great feeling, you can awaken refreshed and energetic in the morning, be purposeful and connected during the day, and enjoy the energy left in the evening to gratefully refl ect on the accomplishments of the day while planning for tomorrow. In short, by clearing out your inner troubles and blockages, you can live in boundless energy, vibrant health, and heightened S productivity. This is the road to living happy, healthy, wealthy, and wise! “Really loving ourselves is an energy that can produce higher productivity.”
While it seems attractive, what is freedom in your opinion? How does a person’s freedom affect their wealth and overall success? This is a great question to start with. In my estimation, freedom To build on the answer to the last question, pursuing pleasure is poorly understood in our society. Most people seem to think and comfort detract from wealth. While it is possible to build it is having suffi cient time and money to do what we want wealth through negativity, it’s not satisfying. Satisfaction is to. There are many stories of people in our society that have another big source of freedom. Lastly, really loving ourselves loads of money and time, who don’t feel at all free. Therefore, is a source of energy that boosts creativity and productivity. I believe that real freedom is a feeling. And therefore it is an And these are great resources to produce wealth. inside job, that has little to do with the outer world. It is really about learning to let go of the troubles of the past, to learn You talk about the need for people to love themselves. Why do you the lessons they offer, and to forgive others and ourselves. think so many people struggle with that? When we do this, it is much easier to love ourselves and, in There are many seductive sources of seemingly feeling good my experience, this is the pathway to true freedom. that actually make us feel badly about ourselves. Our society is full of these seductive traps. Many people fall for these and If this is the pathway to true freedom, it seems like a very big job. Are then die in regret. What we really want is to die in fulfi llment. there some quicker ways to increase our sense of freedom? The answer to this question is both yes and no. Freedom is a How did your experience in the military infl uence your current path? lofty goal, and it takes time to get there. However, there are Great question. The military is about fi ghting. What I have a couple of ways to look at this. The fi rst is that many of my come to realize is that fi ghting is the most wasteful activity coaching clients have achieved this to a large degree in just on the planet. Fighting is also a seductive way of winning, six months. So this is a possible “yes” answer. On the fl ip side, but there are seldom real winners in a fi ght. Feeling great is working on it on our own − even with my advanced skills, it actually about love, peace, and harmony. Fighting is about took me seven years to get there. It is only in hindsight that I fear, confl ict, and destruction. So in the end, good living is was able to discern the steps and then refi ne them with clients about moving from fear to love. There isn’t much talk about to come up with the “12 Steps to Freedom” model that my (or goal-setting around) love in the military. clients are now using to gain freedom in six months. What do you focus on as a coach and speaker? In your experience, why do so many people feel trapped and lack freedom? What I focus on is cleaning out the inner world of people. In my opinion, cleaning out our inner world is the key to happy Positive psychology researchers around the world have and free living. We cannot stay the same. We are always discovered that the biggest impediment to loving ourselves either declining or developing. The aim of living is to develop is materialism. There is a huge focus on comfort and pleasure ourselves to the point where we can really serve humanity in in our society, and these lead to health and money issues. better ways. That is my aim. Loving ourselves comes more from what we do and how we help others. Few people do the work to release their hurts of the past. Many think of themselves as a body and a mind. The truth is that we are more soul than anything else.
Get in touch with us!
Call: 613-857-5814 Email: [email protected]
Or visit www.happinessworks4u.com for more information.
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ANNE DAY Company of Women by Alex Correa
risk-taker from the get-go, Anne Day immigrated to Canada from Scotland with her husband in 1975, jobless but with high hopes. Anne would eventually find success in various roles, from editor of a national magazine to head of various charities, and even in government work. However, it’s her own Company of Women that’s made the most impact on the modern workplace, helping women realize their potential in their careers and in their lives. ACompany of Women has eight chapters across southwestern Ontario and hosts around 170 events a year, including an annual conference. Under Anne’s guidance, Company of Women provides a much-needed safe and supportive environment for women to be themselves and to be encouraged to thrive and grow professionally, reaching new heights of confidence and success. Anne took some time to talk with The Edge and share her thoughts on empowerment, her struggles, inspiration, and Company of Women.
Being a champion for women, what Can you tell us about Company of What tips can you give to women are some ways that they can realize Women and what motivated you to entrepreneurs struggling to reach their potential and claim their power? start it? the next step of their industry? I think it starts with believing in themselves, I had my own consulting practice for a Well, sure — I think one of the things is because you can’t really ask someone else couple of years and worked mainly with to network. Not just one network — I to believe in you if you don’t have faith in the government at that time, helping them think it’s important to be part of the local yourself. Also, surrounding yourself with plan for children's services and so forth. I chamber. To be part of a women’s network, people that believe in you so that they’re did really well, but I found it very isolating because I do think we network differently. a part of your tribe. Find a mentor, or a to work from home, and I felt that other But also to be a part of your industry’s sponsor, in the corporate world who will women probably felt the same way. You network, since there may well be people support you and guide you, so that you kind of miss the water cooler thing – chats that you can partner with and do some can move up the ladder. and those sorts of things. I found my collaboration. I know that when I had other friends who weren’t doing that just my consulting practice, if I got a project I guess the other thing would be to reduce didn’t get it. They thought I was home, so that required a lot more people, I would your need for perfection. As women, we they could just pop in and have a coffee, bring in other consultants to work different tend [to want] to do everything perfectly, whereas I was busy working. So I started aspects. That’s certainly one way to build and that may not always work. I used to up Company of Women — I put an ad in your own business. do a group with new entrepreneurs, and the paper, booked a space, and I got 165 I would ask them to ask their friends and women at the outset. I kind of knew I was The other would be to sort of focus on family what they were really good at, onto something. Now this was back in something. I fi nd that when people are because I often fi nd we take our own skills 2003, so at that time we were defi nitely the doing all sorts of different things, you end for granted. only game in town. It wasn’t that altruistic, up not doing very well at any of them. though, because I was looking for some like-minded friends. Probably the last is just volunteering. [It]
30 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 WINNERS’ CIRCLE
brings in lots and [takes] you into a whole different network. You values, then I don’t have anything more to do with them. I move meet a whole other load of people, and you never know who on – it’s negative energy. And as for dealing with confl ict – I’ve you’re going to meet and who is going to help you move forward. realized that really you have to do it face-to-face; you have to work out a script, if you like, of what you want to say. And you What inspired you to be this fi gure of female empowerment, also have to protect the dignity of the other person. giving back through your various ventures? What suggestion would you give to someone struggling First and foremost, my father. He grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, dropped out of school at 14 to help support his family, with feelings of self-doubt? and he never forgot his humble beginnings. But he actually was I wrote a book called Good Enough, with Amy Vodarek. So my a very successful businessman. Growing up, he would always be fi rst suggestion would be to get a copy of our book, because talking about having a sense of balance. By that he meant that we spent over three years connecting with over 350 women who if you had enough, then you should make sure you are helping were dealing with self-doubt. Again, it gets back to surrounding other people get up the ladder and balance it out. He talked yourself with people who believe in you. Letting go of perfection. about it so much that a jeweller had a necklace made for me Sometimes we say yes to stuff, but we don’t really want to do it. with scales of justice engraved on one side and “A Sense of So I’m always suggesting that you pause and sort of say, 'Can I Balance” written on the other. When he died, I heard from all get back to you? I need to think this through.' The other is self- sorts of people about the loans he’d given them. He was always care and making sure you have time for yourself. supporting small business. What do you believe to be the key to building new The other inspiration happened two years into doing Company relationships, professionally and personally? of Women, when I discovered I had breast cancer again. That really gets you thinking about what’s important and what sort I think it’s taking an interest in the other person and listening to of legacy you want to leave [behind]. And that spurred me on them. Seeing how you can help, rather than going in and seeing to keep going with Company of Women. how they can help you. It's more about helping the other person. Certainly, in terms of business, if you meet somebody new in a How do you deal with toxic relationships or negative meeting, follow up. Be authentic, just be yourself. // situations in your life? There was a time when I would say I don’t. I used to avoid confl ict at all cost, so I’m a work in progress. I’m getting much better at it. Toxic people – sometimes I don’t always recognize straight away that they are [toxic], because I try and see the best in people. But once I realize their agendas and we don’t share the same
“I think it starts with [women] believing in themselves, because you can’t really ask someone else to believe in you if you don’t have faith in yourself.”
- Anne Day
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 31 WINNERS’ CIRCLE
imbaland is without equal in his influence, groundbreaking sound inventions and partnerships with scores of upper-tier modern musicians. Over the past two decades, the 47-year-old American music producer, rapper, songwriter, and DJ has left his signature sound on at least 100 hit recordings, collaborating with artists across the musical spectrum, including genres like R&B, pop, hip-hop, and Telectronic music.
TIMBALAND
by Dave Gordon
Timbaland’s producing and writing credits designed a T-shirt print that sold in H&M include hits by the likes of Aaliyah, Justin stores in 28 countries to help raise HIV/ Timberlake, Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Nas, AIDS awareness among urban youth. In Beyoncé, Drake, Jennifer Lopez, Cher, 2009, he worked with Rockstar Games to Duran Duran, Katy Perry, Ludacris, Björk, produce Beaterator, a music-mixing game Madonna, Rihanna, OneRepublic, Demi for PlayStation 3 and iOS. In addition, Lovato, Brandy, Rick Ross, and more. And Timbaland and Andy Robin partnered he launched his own music label, Mosley with startup SubPac in 2016 to launch a Music Group, alongside Australian music wearable device that was described as a producer and friend John Servedio, where “new immersive physical-sound technology.” they recorded musicians such as Canadian singer Nelly Furtado. Timbaland spoke at the recent Collision In addition to the recording industry, conference in Toronto, and The Edge his diverse skills have been utilized for caught up with him to fi nd out more about apparel and in the tech industry. For 2008’s the business end of his various projects. Photos courtesy of MasterClass Fashion Against AIDS collection, Timbaland
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This year you launched an online Is there anything you’d advise to help How has technology changed music masterclass − an instructional series more women get into the industry? lately? on production and beatmaking. Can you Before it used to be stereotyped – but now It is easier, but like everything in life it has speak to how this has inspired others? you have WondaGurl. I think it’s all about a pro and con. It’s good if you’re good. your work ethic. I’m looking for the best Technology is growing. Nothing beats the A lot of producers and people that I work female producers. You always see the male human touch if you are great. But you have with, they tell me that what I’ve explained dominance, and I’m trying to bring the to be aware that artifi cial intelligence is to them has really moved their career awareness of women understanding sound. around the corner. forward. I’m not selfi sh. I give all my tools. I tell my producers, ‘You can go through I told the men, whatever y’all are doing, Technology doesn’t mean that you stop. my computer, and take all my sounds,’ you are vibing to your own beat. If they It means you keep going, because your because I try to better them. They look at don’t vibe to it – trash. The women make mind is still making new things. People have me like it’s unreal that I do that. the world move. They know what, sonically, to be willing to change. Don’t be afraid what is great and what moves them. As to step outside of the box. I feel like with I try to tell people, ‘God made you, and men in music, we follow the women. They producers now I always hear, ‘Everybody you only. So I can give you everything that won’t say that, but when they go to the sounds the same.’ I have, but it’s not going to sound like me. club, they don’t start dancing fi rst. They Because God made just me. So for you, see their girlfriend, then they are going No, if you step outside the box, everyone it’s going to help you go further, and have to react. has the same program and the same dial, an identity for yourself.’ but you can do something different. As I feel like the women producers really are humans, we get accustomed to one thing, So when I explain that to all my students going to take over. Women producers and we just repeat that one thing. For me, that work under me, they are just in awe. understand sound and the movement I’m not afraid of technology; I embrace They call me ‘Timbo the King,’ but I’m like of a woman. I think we are going to see it, because this is what I always wanted Jon Snow. I don’t want it – like Game of more. I know they say 7% [of producers] when I was a kid. I always wanted more Thrones. I just give the information because are female, but I think we are going to technology, so I could do things easier. I tell them, ‘You are the next one. You are see that go up. The same advice goes Now that I have it, it’s a blessing. greater than I ever was. I just broke the wall for women that goes for men: it’s just all for you to come in and be who you are.’ about perseverance and breaking down What’s your secret to success? those barriers. It’s really just one thing: never give up. No matter what is in front of you, you always have to pick yourself up and try again. It’s just like that song I made with Aaliyah, “It’s just all about perseverance “Dust yourself off and try again.” That and breaking down those barriers.” song means more to the world now than it ever has. // - Timbaland
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 33 WINNERS’ CIRCLE
to reach larger communities and to get to consumers they might not otherwise get in front of. Being that social media at that time [2013] was emerging and becoming more of a platform for businesses to use, there was a great opportunity to start 2Social.
What challenges did you face when starting 2Social? Can you share some information as to your company’s growth and future goals? The things that you don’t expect to be challenging when starting your own business, of course. You start your own business with a passion about an industry and helping others. Then you have to also wear different hats, such as curating and hiring an amazing team. You have to deal with a lot of rejection as well. You’re not always going to win a pitch. You may lose a couple of team members. Also, I think it’s quite common for a lot of entrepreneurs LAUREN to want to do everything themselves, and that’s not really realistic. I think that was a challenge I had to overcome and learn, SHIRREFFS just [by] hiring the best talent – people better than you, to support you in areas 2Social that aren’t your strength. That’s really something that I learned just naturally over the progression of 2Social, and I have a What inspired you to take this career great partner as well. by Dontei Wynter path towards founding your own digital We started in 2013 as predominantly a agency? social media shop, and that really does avigating a business can be When I started this, I originally was a continue to be our core competency. But challenging, but if you have a collaborative team and a freelance writer and living abroad in London, we’ve really had to pivot and change within resilient, entrepreneurial using social media as a way to get people to the seven years of business, alongside the spirit, then you will most read my columns [the] different publications changing social media platforms. When likely find yourself on top. I was writing for. I gained a lot of interest we launched, there was talk about why we For 2Social CEO Lauren through social media. When I returned to should be on Facebook, and then Instagram Shirreffs, the belief that Toronto, with my marketing and writing came along and there were opportunities there’s no such thing as a background and the level of creativity on other social media platforms. So that problem without a solution involved with social media, I just started posed a challenge of having to pivot, be is a daily practice. Running pitching local businesses – marketing agile, and change your business plan on a firm isn’t an easy task, companies, PR companies, and various the fl y. but Lauren found time to clients. Within a year I had quite a roster pull away and speak to The of clients I was working with. I started to In 2016, we opened up our secondary Edge about her business. recognize [that] there was a real opportunity offi ce in Santa Monica, California. What’s to use social media as a great way to help been really great there [that] we had super- N local businesses, as well as national brands, aggressive ambitions in our three-year plan
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“We really believe in authenticity and approaching social platforms, or anything digitally with a positive light. ” - Lauren Shirreffs
that we were able to meet in one year, our problems together. So I think it’s about and that’s been a really exciting success the community and how to interact and as well. We’ve also expanded our services work together internally as a team to fi nd quite extensively in seven years, as well as solutions to those problems; we never bring a good [and experienced] team. a problem to a client. The team doesn’t bring a problem to me without exploring Our client needs change, as well as their all the solutions that might come into play. different business objectives. We work with Where do you see the future of the many different industries, from beauty to What do you believe to be the key digital marketing industry and how do food to cannabis. Always B2B and B2C – to building new relationships, you plan to stay at the forefront of it? different business objectives across the board, in conjunction with an ever-changing professionally and personally? I think it’s going to be everchanging and online environment. For us here, it’s really about leading our always evolving. At the end of the day, to clients, and I think being honest in what our look at digital marketing and all the varying What makes your fi rm different from suggestions for solutions or services might platforms such as “TikTok”, and all these new mediums to share really cool stories all the others? be, to whatever their business problem is. We really believe in authenticity and and really cool brand messages – it’s really We are funded and run by women. In approaching social platforms, or anything just again understanding the consumer, and the industry, most ad agencies are led digitally, with a positive light. That’s really defi ning the values of the company and by men, so that’s an exciting point of been key to building those relationships how you want to communicate them. So, difference and that allows us to carry a with our clients, because we approach it it’s really just always fi nding the solution nurturing environment. I think the [main] as a partnership. They really look at us like to our marketing problem, and it’s just point of difference is that we don’t take on partners because we lead the way, we’re other avenues and platforms to reach all clients that come our way. We take on bringing new ideas, we’re exploring all more people. It’s going to keep evolving; clients that we share the same values and solutions, and we’re completely honest there’s going to be new opportunities to the same goals with, and we really look and transparent with the work we’re doing. successfully target and reach a variety of at it as a partnership. We have complete people globally. transparency and open communication; we What was it like being invited to the dive in and we’re just as focused on the How we plan to stay on top of it is the business objectives of our clients as they exclusive Forbes Agency Council and same as we’ve always been doing. Being might be. We come from an entrepreneurial what does it offer? nimble. We have team members that are always listening to popular trends. We go background − all partners are entrepreneurs It was really nice, actually. I wasn’t really to the most recent conferences. [Since] we with many past businesses, so we’re really expecting it, and to be recognized with have our offi ce centred in Santa Monica, conscious of the bottom line for our clients. all those amazing entrepreneurs they it’s such a great hub for emerging tech We look past just the likes and the online have – it’s kind of a global community. trends, digital trends, marketing trends, vanity metrics in really understanding It was really rewarding and it’s a really but also really interesting businesses and how to use social and digital against their nice community, because they opened start-ups. That often inspires us to see what business objectives. up just like a back platform to the entire really cool businesses are doing to reach agency council where you can collaborate consumers in creative ways. We’re just How do you collaborate with your team and connect with other entrepreneurs in going to continue being agile and nimble different businesses. to reach a solution? and continue offering the best services, I don’t believe any problem doesn’t have rounding out our services, continuing to What it offers is an amazing, well-known a solution, so I encourage and empower scale and offering our clients the best. platform to share your thoughts, your wins, the team that if they come to me with a your successes, your tips, and your tricks to problem, they’re coming to me with a larger audiences and maybe like-minded In one word, describe your leadership. couple of solutions to that problem. We people as well, because of their readership. have an open offi ce environment in that it’s I think that my leadership is “collaborative.” It’s amazing for networking; it’s a fantastic a “loft” style, so there is no little corner to I really get infused with the team; I’m not platform to share what we do at 2Social, hide in. Everybody is open to sharing their above them, I’m beside them. We work and present our team members as leaders creativity and ideas and working through through the problems together; I hope I in their fi elds. lead to inspire. //
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 35 MONEY & FINANCE
CRASH COURSE ON CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT
by Alex Correa
ir Richard Branson described cash fl ow with the perfect metaphor, calling it “the lifeblood of business.” If we want to look at a business as a human body, it’s important to make sure that the cash fl ow regulates continuously and without fail. We must consider outside infl uences and track the inner workings of the system, since we’re aiming for good health and a long life — or, in business terms, profi t and longevity.
First and foremost, you need to track the net amount of cash (or cash equivalent) going in and out of your business. This means keeping your books organized, accurate, and up to date. There’s plenty of software available to simplify and monitor funds, payments, and exchanges of goods. The rest of the details on how to properly manage your cash fl ow are a bit trickier, but you’ll need to keep these things in mind for the health S of your business. Track Inventory fi rst thing you should do is stop ordering or producing the item. Afterwards, you’ll need to fi nd a way to move that inventory Anyone familiar with the hit television show Kitchen Nightmares while incurring minimal loss. That means a promotion or discount knows that in every episode there comes a point in which on these unsold items. cantankerous chef Gordon Ramsay examines the participating restaurant’s inventory. Whenever he comes to the refrigerator Inventory management software can help track stock in real unit, he almost always fi nds a surplus of expired and rotten food, time, prevent production shortages, and forecast demand. leading him to berate management and the kitchen staff. And while you can use the software to audit yourself, your inventory will still have to be counted by you or your staff to As a small to medium-size business owner, imagine chef Ramsay prevent discrepancies. stalking your hallways, ready to burst into an expletive-laden rant whenever he comes across stock or items that don’t belong. Be sure to take regular inventory checks to see which goods Frugality is the Trick are stagnating and taking up valuable space – and tying up your cash. The goal of saving money isn’t to simply hoard your riches. If done carefully, you’ll mitigate many of your expected costs while The First In, First Out (FIFO) approach is a commonly known being able to reinvest in your own company. As an example, but often overlooked method of ensuring that your goods are consider leasing equipment instead of buying it. Whether a car, a sold in the same order they were purchased or made. Identify computer, or offi ce equipment, leasing frees up your cash while low-turn stock that hasn’t moved in the last few months. The allowing you to expense the lease costs on your business taxes.
36 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 MONEY & FINANCE
“the lifeblood of business”
For those accustomed to a more traditional style of saving money: carry on. Building up a cash reserve is necessary to maintain a healthy cash fl ow. It’s good to have money on hand in case of emergencies or short-term investments. It’s not only for potential disasters your company might encounter, but also for the ability to pull the trigger on quick purchases that could save you money in the long run.
Keep an eye on essential equipment and machinery that could potentially break down. Take preventative steps to ensure where you would more than likely receive late payments. While that everything runs as it should to cut down on potentially sales are obviously important, going into business with someone lengthy and costly repairs. You should also know the expected who has bad credit is a big risk, which is why you may want to life cycles of your most important equipment to stay ahead of consider bumping up the interest rate. sudden expenses. Make More Money Dealing with Customers and Clients If only it were as simple as it sounds. Increasing your cash fl ow Putting on a friendly face can only go so far. While it’s important should be the fi rst and fi nal goal of your business, and while it to establish a friendly rapport, it’s your cash fl ow that you’ve got sounds like a naïve suggestion, you should take it as a hint to to focus on. Find ways to earn more money while incentivizing try new business tactics to expand your market. your clients. For example, you can offer discounts to those who pay ahead of time; this both helps your cash fl ow and creates For starters, you can simply increase your prices. Suppress the the urgency for your client to settle up with you early. fear of driving your customers away and try to experiment with your pricing. You’ll fi nd out exactly what your customers are Setting up mobile payment options can also get the cash fl owing willing – or unwilling – to pay. sooner than later, since it’s just a matter of using a smartphone. It makes things easier, and gives your customer a feeling of Alternatively, you could add something new. Whether it’s a new assurance and power in the transaction. product or service, loyal consumers are more receptive and willing to hear your pitch. Use your creativity to market your business and As important as it is for your business to prioritize your clients’ your offerings. An outside-the-box marketing strategy may very service, sometimes you need to set guidelines that work best for well pay off. Try catering to a new audience or a demographic your cash fl ow, starting with credit checks. You can preserve your you never considered before. For example, your coffee shop cash fl ow by running checks on clients and avoiding instances may have a regular clientele of coffee afi cionados, but you could also attract socially conscious customers by offering fair-trade coffee beans, or lure diet-conscious consumers in with vegan or ketogenic products.
Brainstorm new ways to present your business. If you only exist as an online retailer, consider a brick-and-mortar location (or a pop-up store), and vice versa. Being creative is the best way to open up opportunities that will improve your cashfl ow. //
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 37 MONEY & FINANCE FINANCIAL RATIO ANALYSIS OF BUSINESS PERFORMANCES
by Jinglin Liu
onsulting a financial advisor to evaluate your business could be highly expensive. Although it could also be costly and somewhat complicated for you to personally conduct a performance analysis, some simple financial analysis tools can help. The results will give you a general idea of how your company will perform against competitors, and track improvements relative to prior performances. CRatio analysis is a useful performance tool to measure a company’s liquidity, operational efficiency, bankruptcy, and profitability. While ratio analysis it does not necessarily give complete and thorough conclusions on your financial development, it can give you a general understanding of your business’s performance against your competitors.
Activity Ratios Activity ratios measure how effi ciently a company performs routine operations. Revenue in a year Receivable Turnover Ratio = (Beginning Receivable+Ending Inventory)/2 Cost of Sales Inventory Turnover Ratio = (Beginning Inventory+Ending Inventory)/2 Receivable turnover ratio shows the speed of cash payments collected from customers. Inventory turnover ratio measures whether the business can manage inventories effectively. It calculates the frequency of The higher the ratio, the faster the payments are collected from inventory that has been sold and replaced during a fi scal year. clients. If the number is largely above industry average level, then it could be the result of outstanding payment collection. Tight The higher the ratio, the faster the inventory sells (with some credit sales could help businesses collect payments quickly and exceptions). If the ratio is above the industry level, it could be reduce bad debt risks. However, it risks pushing away customers the result of not keeping an adequate inventory and having to who dislike being rushed into making large payments. frequently restock. Payable New purchases of inventories within a year Turnover = These ratios vary among different industries. For example, milk (Beginning Account Payable to Vendors+Ending Account Payables to Vendors)/2 and other dairy products should have very high inventory turnover Ratio ratios because they are highly perishable. Alternatively, furniture can have relatively low turnover ratios, because they can be Payable turnover ratio measures how frequently the business stored longer and the shipping costs are high. pays suppliers within a year. A comparatively high payable turnover ratio (based on industry Source: level) could indicate that the business is not taking advantage of Elaine Henry, T. R. (2019). In C. Institute, Financial Reporting and credit facilities provided by vendors. Meanwhile, a low payable Analysis (p. 269). CFA Institute. turnover ratio implies that a lack of cash fl ow led to diffi culty paying vendors on time.
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Solvency Ratios Solvency ratios measure a company’s ability to repay its long-term debt. A company with large amounts of debt may have diffi culty generating enough cash fl ow to repay loans and interests.
Total debt Debt-to-Assets Ratio = Total assets
This ratio demonstrates the total amount of debt relative to assets. The higher the ratio, the more leveraged the business. When highly leveraged (a ratio exceeding 100 per cent), the business will be unlikely to obtain additional loans from banks or investors, which could devastate any expansion plans.
Interest Earnings before interest and tax in a year Coverage = Ratio Interest payments in a year
Interest coverage ratio measures whether or not a company can generate enough income to repay interest from long-term debt.
If below 100 per cent, the business will be unable to repay the interest expenses, which may damage the company’s credibility, making it nearly impossible to obtain additional loans or investments.
Profi tability Ratios Profi tability ratios measures a company’s ability to generate profi t.
Gross Profit Gross Profit Margin Ratio = Liquidity Ratios Revenue Liquidity ratios reveal the company’s ability to repay its short- term debt. This allows a company to measure how much overall earnings remain from revenue after deducting the cost of goods sold. The Current Assets higher the gross profi t, the more easily the business can afford Current Ratio = operating expenses like insurance, salaries, and rent. Current Liability Net Income Current ratios indicate how many short-term obligations can Net Profit Margin Ratio = Revenue be covered by assets, which can be converted to cash within a short period. Net profi t margin ratio measures how much net income is left If the current ratio equals or exceeds 100 per cent, it proves that from revenue after deducting all expenses. there are suffi cient current assets eligible to repay short-term Net Income payables. The higher the ratio, the more the business is able Return on Equity Ratio = to repay its short-term obligations by its high-liquidity assets. (Beginning Equity+Ending Equity)/2
Cash+Short-term investment+Receivables Quick Ratio = Return on equity ratio measures how much profi t the business Current Liabilities earns from every dollar amount the shareholders invest.
Quick ratio removes inventories from current assets in calculation Normally, the higher the ratio, the better performance the business because some inventory takes a long time to sell, such as highly delivered. However, similar to net profi t margin ratio, return on customized large equipment. For companies that take a long time equity ratio is affected by many factors (such as whether the to sell products or that run delivery services, quick ratio would be business writes off bad debt or how it recognizes revenue). // more reliable to measure its capacity to repay short-term debt.
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 39 STARTUP
STARTING A CONSULTATION BUSINESS
by Marcus Medford
he job market is changing. More and more people are exploring entrepreneurship as a career, side hustle, passion, or necessity. According to Intuit Canada, 45 per cent of Canada’s job market will be made up of self-employed people by 2020. This is worrying, given that 30 per cent of small businesses fail within five years of entering the marketplace and nearly 7,000 businesses go bankrupt every year in Canada. The main reason these businesses fail is due to lack of planning and inexperienced management, according to an Industry Canada study.
A consultant is an expert in a particular field who gives professional advice to entrepreneurs and companies to help their businesses thrive. As the number of small businesses increase, so does the need for consultants. If you’re looking to start your own consulting business, these are things you’ll T want to know.
40 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 STARTUP
Identify What Your Area of Expertise Is how best to serve them if you’re going to be a successful consultant. Consider the following questions when trying There are several different kinds of consultants; business, to narrow down your target audience: “Where is your legal, marketing, and technical are a few examples. The fi rst target audience?”, “What are the biggest challenges they thing you’ll want to do when starting a consulting business face?”, “Why are they seeking your help?”, “Who is your is to fi gure out your strengths and areas of expertise. It’s competition?”, “What makes you unique?”, and “What are important to be honest with your self-assessment, and ask your clients’ end goals?” yourself questions like “Is there a demand for this service?” and “Do I have a unique point of view?” You should consider It’s important to match your skills to your prospective clients, areas you excel in at work, hobbies you’ve mastered, or other particularly when you’re just starting your business. Don’t be areas of interest as the focus of your consulting business. afraid to say no if you don’t think you’re a good fi t for the Whatever niche you choose, it should be one you enjoy, task. If possible, recommend the client to someone who’s a especially if you’re consulting full-time. better fi t for their needs. Also, beware of spreading yourself too thin in the early stages of your business – it’s better to Other valuable assets for a consultant include good avoid doing too much rather than lose sight of what your communication and interpersonal skills, strong time business does best. management abilities, sound organizational skills, and acute critical and analytical thinking. Whether it’s software, Networking cutting-edge information, or professional certifi cations, it’s crucial to fi nd out what’s important in your industry and Networking means connecting with people involved in your expand your knowledge in that area. industry as well as having a digital presence to connect with potential customers. A recent Local Search Association (How Do I) Get Certifi ed report fi nds that 63 per cent of consumers use websites to fi nd or engage with businesses. Also, 30 per cent of The licences and certifi cations required for you to start your consumers won’t even consider a business without a website. consulting business will depend on which fi eld you specialize in. Google gives your business more authority in local rankings Consulting for certain fi elds, such as real estate or engineering, if you have a website, so be sure to make it SEO (search requires you to get special licences for legal and competitive engine optimization) compliant. Services like WordPress purposes. In other fi elds, it’s common for consultants to and Squarespace make building a website easy, and you hold special designations such as a CGA (Certifi ed General can secure a domain name through services like GoDaddy. Accountant) or a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant). The Certifi ed Management Consultant (CMC) designation Networking and referrals are crucial for building your business, is the only international certifi cation for consultants that’s so consider joining Facebook or LinkedIn groups that your recognized in over 40 countries. target audience might frequent. It could also be useful to develop an outreach strategy. Writing and sharing posts will Most municipal governments will require you to have a make you familiar with the community (and vice versa), allow municipal business permit even if you’re working from you to show your expertise, and keep you in the know with home. Starting a consulting business doesn’t necessarily events, workshops, and networking opportunities. mean you’ll have to start and register a corporation – in many cases, you can simply work as a sole proprietor. Also, Set Your Rates register your business with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) if you plan to hire employees or will make more than It’s easy to charge less than you’re worth when you’re new $30,000 a year in profi t. Regulations vary from one jurisdiction to consulting, especially with no proven results. Your best to the next, so it’s wise to contact your local government’s bet is to fi rst research what consultants in your fi eld are business agent. BizPaL, a partnership between multiple charging in your area, which sites like Glassdoor.com can levels of government, is designed to streamline access to help accomplish. It’s important to be realistic, and also remain information on certifi cations, licenses, and other permits competitive, when setting your rates. You’ll want to fi gure out you may need. if you’re charging clients an hourly rate, by day, by project, based on their goals, or by some other measure. Consider To compete with other consultants, it’s helpful to know what how you’ll bill your clients and how you’ll accept payment. qualifi cations employers are looking for. Most employers Platforms such as FreshBooks, Invoicely, and Due allow you require consultants to have a minimum of two years’ working to automate billing cycles, track and manage invoices and experience or a bachelor’s degree majoring in a subject like payments, and run reports on your earnings. // business, accounting, marketing, or fi nance.
Find Your Target Audience If you’re an insurance consultant, it’s not enough to say that your target audience is people looking for insurance. You need a clear idea of who your target audience is and
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 41 STARTUP
CRAFTING A “You will craft skills that are CREATIVE critical for succeeding as an entrepreneur. And SMALL you will appreciate the journey so much more when BUSINESS you are on the by Lisa Day other side of it.” - Rachael Hunt, Freedom School or many of us, a hobby is what you turn to after a long day at the office or during the weekend — an activity that brings you joy and happiness and helps you unwind. If done right, creative hobbies like writing, art, cooking, knitting, or graphic design can also become a business. But like any entrepreneurial venture, transforming a creative hobby into a viable business requires research, planning, and a lot of F hard work. Get to Know Your Hobby Whether your hobby is gardening, fi tness, offer perspectives you hadn’t considered or photography, fi gure out what you like and could lead you to do more valuable about it and what you don’t like. Can you research or look at things in a new way. imagine working on it full-time? Will you still fi nd it relaxing and enjoyable if you Research, Then Research have to do it all day? If your livelihood Some More depends on it? Some career experts point out that a number of people who have Every entrepreneur should have a business turned their hobbies into businesses no plan. Business plans help you create a longer fi nd joy in the activity itself. road map to success, articulating in writing exactly what your goals for the business Develop a Thick Skin are, what success looks like, and how you’ll get there. It should also include industry, If you’re creating a product like gemstone customer, and competitive analysis so you jewellery or animal portraits, you’ll fi nd that know what’s happening in your industry, some people love your work and others what your customers want and need, and don’t. Most creative endeavours, such as what other businesses in that space are art, are subjective, and not everyone has doing. If you know that a dozen people in the same tastes. As a creative entrepreneur, your neighbourhood are baking chocolate you need to develop a thick skin and cookies, maybe your business needs to learn to brush off negative comments specialize in sugar cookies instead. Use and feedback; if you’re serious about strong research to fi nd your creative niche, pursuing your creativity as a career path, and specialize. it’s something you’ll have to get used to. There may also be people around you, whether out of genuine concern for your Think Outside the Box fi nancial wellbeing or simple jealousy, who Just because your hobby is photography, will try to discourage you from pursuing it doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself creative entrepreneurship. As tempting to, say, children’s portraits. There are many as it may be to dismiss their skepticism ways to earn money from a creative talent as negativity that you don’t need, actually that don’t directly involve the hobby itself, listen to what they’re saying; they may including using your skills and expertise
42 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 STARTUP
to teach others, writing or vlogging about Have an Online Presence it, or coming at it from a new angle, like selling your photos to other creatives to An online presence is crucial today. Create use in their work or licensing your music a website with a customized URL, create a to online video creators. blog that you update regularly, and set up your social media. It’s better to choose one or two social media platforms and do them Side Hustle or Jump Right In? well than try to maintain too many accounts You’ve researched the market, the and do them poorly. Choose a platform that competition, and customers’ desire for best suits your business, as well as where your product. You’ve determined that you your audience lives (Instagram is perfect can make money turning your creativity into for photographers, for example). Use these a business. But do you jump right in and platforms to continue to build your brand, go full-time, or pursue it as a side hustle? creating content and establishing loyalty. That depends on you, but Rachael Hunt, Interact with your followers and respond to business coach for wellness professionals comments and complaints. Start building and the founder of Freedom School, said an email list and update subscribers with she highly recommends taking the side interesting and relevant news, behind- hustle route. She says it teaches potential the-scenes looks, and special offers to entrepreneurs how to manage their time, reward their loyalty. Add your business to multitask, understand what’s important, Google and as many online directories as and appreciate what they already have. you can fi nd.
“You can learn what your strengths are and play those up,” she explains. “You will craft skills that are critical for succeeding as an Other Tips entrepreneur. And you will appreciate the journey so much more when you are on Treat your venture like a business. If you’ve decided to turn the other side of it.” your creativity into a business, you need to treat it like one. Get up every morning and get to work – creating and Jeanette McCurdy jumped right into the networking, updating social media, and anything else you fi eld of freelance editing after she was laid can do to grow. Don’t fall into the afternoon-nap trap or off from a 13-year career in educational allow yourself to slack off just because you’re working on publishing. She recently created JM something you enjoy. It still requires focus and dedication. Editorial Services with the ultimate goal of being fi nancially stable, but still leaving Keep learning. Join chambers of commerce and networking herself enough time to spend with her groups. Attend conferences, sign up for courses (in-person family. or online), and fi nd other resources at places like your local library. Read about changes to various social media “I met with, and emailed, and chatted with platforms and keep up with the trends and best practices. many [former colleagues] who freelance,” she says. “I also did some online research Network. Push yourself beyond your comfort zone and get into starting your own business, with a focus out to fairs, markets, and other locations where your work on the Canadian business landscape. Then would be valued and where you can potentially expand your I just took the plunge.” audience. The larger your network, the more connections that can potentially help you. Once you’ve decided that you’re ready to do the same, it’s time to start to think Work hard. As entrepreneurs know, running a business is a about the logistics. Create a business name lot of work. Be prepared to work hard, particularly at the and register it through the appropriate beginning, as you run what’s likely a one-person business. government body; build a brand, including Thoughts of 9-to-5 workdays will fade into memory. And creating a logo; purchase business cards; get ready for possible cycles of work, where you may have and get your fi nances in order by keeping lots of clients one month but relatively few the next. // detailed records and either hiring an accountant or investing in high-quality accounting software.
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 43 - ' ' ' .
hen you’re balancing work and family, nothing gives you more relief than finding quality childcare. It’s stressful enough leaving your kids to get back to work, so it helps to be able to leave W them with professionals you can trust. Mini-Skool is operated by dedicated, passionate, caring staff who make every effort to give children their home away from home. For 50 years Mini-Skool has cared for families in the Greater Toronto Area, with fi ve locations in Mississauga, Brampton, and Richmond Hill. They also offer convenient transportation arrangements, with many schools close to their centers.
Their fully licenced childcare centers operate year-round, including full days in the summer months. All programs are created to be educational, fun, and custom-designed using research-proven methods. In addition to day care, Mini-Skool also offers Clubhouse Kids, a special before & after school program that offers exclusive membership for kids between 4 and 12.
Mini-Skool is a place for children to learn, play, feel safe, and express themselves. Its unique sense of community allows children to make friends, while giving parents peace of mind as they work. Parents can choose Mini-Skool with confi dence, knowing that their children are at their home away from home.
Book a tour today! Visit www.mini-skool.ca or call 905-275-2378 for further information.
Celebrating 50 Years! A Better Beginning Lasts A Lifetime
44 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 - Advertisement - TECHNOLOGY
5 FEATURES OF CRM SOFTWARE YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED
by Michelle Novielli
icky the realtor relies on spreadsheets and scribbled notes to manage his customers. His Facebook ads and e-newsletters generate hundreds of leads, but it’s becoming impossible to manually manage his new contacts. Ricky can’t remember who’s interested in selling, who’s looking to buy, and whether he’s even spoken to them yet.
Even if you’re not a realtor, this situation is commonplace among many small business owners. For many, a “database” is considered a dirty word – it’s something you know you need, but likely don’t know how to navigate. Luckily, CRM vendors have simplifi ed databases with a whole host of software options to suit every business’ unique needs, even Ricky’s.
If you’re not sure what a CRM system does or how it can help you to get a handle on your customers, read on. We’ll outline everything you need to know about these all-encompassing solutions, including some fun features R you didn’t even know you needed.
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 45 TECHNOLOGY
What is CRM Software? Benefits of CRM Software CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management, and these types of software solutions allow companies to manage their business relations and customer data. A Manage Leads and Sales CRM system for Ricky would provide a 1 portal where he can access all of his leads, Ricky is already generating leads from Facebook, but categorized by key data (buyers or sellers, CRM systems like Insightly, HubSpot, and Pipedrive can for example) along with where they are at in pull in even more contacts from his website, inbound their real-estate journey. The CRM software calls, and other sources. They can even execute can also ingest leads from various streams, automatic emails so that each new contact receives such as Facebook ads, so that Ricky can a note from Ricky right away. Outside of real estate, say goodbye to his scattered spreadsheets CRM can help during a buyer’s journey by nurturing for good. each prospect through the sales process, from lead generation to fi nal sale. You may have heard the names Salesforce (below), HubSpot, and even Oracle fl oating Consolidate Marketing around. These are just a few of many 2 Without a dedicated marketing team, Ricky fi nds it CRM vendors in a growing market aimed diffi cult to manually manage his advertising. CRM at providing a repository for customer solutions like Zoho and Agile have built-in marketing contact information, a tracking system for tools that make sending e-newsletters and SMS interactions, and even workfl ow automation. messages a breeze, not to mention added tactics like lead pages, surveys, and more.
Focus on E-Commerce 3 E-commerce is the main market driver for many small businesses (though not Ricky’s). If you’re a retailer, consider looking into a CRM solution for e-commerce that’s focused on sales: specifi cally, tapping into your customers’ shopping habits, interests, shipping preferences, and other details. Some prominent vendors in this realm include Act!, Maximizer, and ReadyCloud.
Monitor Reporting Salesforce’s Marketing Cloud CRM Software 4 Ricky needs to keep an eye on his bookkeeping — and really, who doesn’t? Another key CRM consideration Additional CRM Features for is ensuring the dashboard contains reporting Small Businesses functionalities. Can it transfer information to and from Excel, Quickbooks, or another accounting platform? As a small business, your Rolodex is Being able to consolidate your various dashboards into likely to have fewer contacts than a large a single one is sure to reduce headaches and provide conglomerate, and you probably have fewer a better, more encompassing picture of your business. employees helping you out. The good news Check out Microsoft Dynamics and Maximizer. is that some CRM systems include features to help streamline your many tasks into one Oversee Workfl ows and Approvals unifi ed platform. 5 Built-in workfl ow features would help Ricky to keep From social media management to lead track of his own to-do lists as well as his team’s. Project pages, e-newsletters, and more, here’s a management features tend to vary among CRM look at the added CRM benefi ts that any vendors such as WORK[etc], Zoho, and Insightly, so business owner – Ricky included – should if you have a specifi c requirement for workfl ows or consider in their CRM investment. approvals, double-check that it’s supported.
46 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 HubSpot’s HelpSpot desk at their Cambridge, Massachusetts headquarters REST CREATIVE A job well done Beautiful designs, ads, and web development
Restcreative provides business owners, marketers, and digital agencies with beautiful designs, web development, and marketing for one affordable Choosing Your CRM Software monthly investment. Regardless of which of the above added features you need, there are a handful of key considerations to keep in mind when selecting a CRM vendor:
• Pricing. Budget is top-of-mind for any business owner. Be sure to get a full breakdown on CRM costs, including the cost per user or licence and how much any of the above added 647-631-6907 features go for. You might be able to take advantage of a www.restcreative.com few free solutions like MailChimp and Bitrix24, depending on the size of your customer list and the capabilities you need. • Storage. The privacy and security of your customer’s data • Designs should be a key concern. Be sure to inquire about a CRM vendor’s data privacy standards, as well as whether their data will be stored in the cloud or on a physical server. • Marketing • Functionality. Ricky is running from showing to showing and needs to be able to access customer data remotely on his phone. Be sure to inquire if your CRM vendor offers full • Web Development mobile functionality, and how it compares to the desktop version. • Business Training • Integration. If you’re already using other platforms as part of your business (we mentioned how Ricky uses Facebook and QuickBooks), you’ll want to ensure that your CRM can • Social Media seamlessly integrate with all of these systems to create a unifi ed workfl ow. • CopyWriting • Learning. Ricky knows real estate, but computers aren’t his area of expertise. Even the simplest CRM systems will have a bit of a learning curve for new users. Be sure to investigate training options. • Support. When sales are at stake, you can’t wait on hold for your CRM’s support team. Be sure to investigate how robust the vendor’s support desk is: are they available 24/7? How can you reach them for immediate assistance?
The Right Fit for You By now you should have a better idea of the capabilities that CRM solutions can provide. It’s time to start assessing each of the individual vendors and which features can help you to get a handle on your customers, along with any associated sales tasks. Regardless of your industry, if you’re like Ricky, your goal with any CRM system should be two-fold: to improve the journey of each customer, and to heighten your own experience as the business owner in charge of it all. // TECHNOLOGY
Valuable Tech Shortcuts
TextGrabber real-time translation
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
- Arthur C. Clarke
by Joshua J. Cooper Communication is Key All modern businesses exist in a global he advent of technology has increasingly economy, so serving people in only one allowed businesses and entrepreneurs to mitigate and even eliminate many language is pigeonholing your business barriers that exist when running a from the start. If people don’t understand company. But how does one close the gap your message, or you can’t understand their on accessibility, in what is increasingly questions, then there’s no possible way for becoming a global marketplace? With your business to help them. Luckily, there apps now available at our fingertips via are a myriad of smartphone translation smartphones and computer programs, apps available to enable your business to technology has become an integral better serve its customers. For example, piece in an entrepreneur’s toolkit by iTranslate Voice 3 allows users to simply providing easy access to everyone speak sentences into their phones so that around the world. Here are a few ways the app can translate and speak in one of your company can eliminate problems 42 languages. that have been holding it back from becoming a competitor in a global marketplace.
T iTranslate Converse app
48 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 TECHNOLOGY
Attention, Troops! Google Translate’s app and web platform supports 103 There’s more to it than just connecting with your customers. There different languages. The SayHi app provides translation and are now plenty of ways to get connected with your employees. transcription services in 90 languages and dialects, and allows With apps like LinkedIn (below), Indeed, and Workopolis providing users to choose the speed that their voice is expressed in employers with instant access to applicants, fi nding the right when translated. TextGrabber (see previous page) allows person for your company has never been easier. Applicants you to use your phone’s camera to scan and translate any increasingly put their information out in public, in the hopes of printed text from an image, turning your phone’s camera fi nding their next big gig. At the touch of a button, employers into an on-the-fl y translator. TripLingo includes a variety of can fi nd all the information they need about applicants, so they add-ons that aid in the seamless conducting of business, such can easily work out which one will be the perfect fi t. Applicants as a selection of key phrases and an image translator. The can also see what the expectations are for the available positions, software also has information on safety and cultural norms potential salary, and what skills they need to come out on top. from around the globe, helping you blend in like a local. There are even job review sites that you can visit to let you know TripLingo is available for free or as a Pro version that unlocks about a potential company’s work culture. more content and costs $39.99 for three months. Whether you’re able to spend money to mitigate your differences or need to rely on free apps, there is no shortage of options when it comes to translation. Investing time and money into the software will only help your company compete in the global market.
It’s not just about new applicants, though. Google Drive (pictured below) allows for the seamless transfer and sharing of fi les among employees and can work as a shared storage place for photos, videos, and documents. This allows your entire workforce to connect with one another and to collaborate on assignments, ensuring documents pass through more than one set of eyes before they are fi nalized.
Blah, Blah, Blog These days it would seem counter-intuitive to not have a website, but the costs can add up quickly for those on a budget and it may not work to your strengths as an entrepreneur. To save on time and the costs of running a website and hiring writers, businesses can start their own podcast (see above) or a personal YouTube channel. Not only are they free to set up, but they also allow entrepreneurs to speak directly to their audience, which helps to ensure that they broadcast their key selling features to their target demographic. The audience has the choice of listening to snippets or the entire message at once, and can digest the information at their own pace. With options such as comments and “likes” or “dislikes”, podcasts and videos allow for quick feedback. This allows Whether it’s sharing fi les among your employees, communicating the audience to feel engaged in the conversation and will with customers across the globe, or utilizing fi le sharing systems only increase their connection, as they feel they have become to increase productivity, the technology is there to mitigate most part of the organization. barriers or problems. It is no longer cost-prohibitive for companies to compete with each other across the globe to better serve customers. Smaller companies are now able to service people Photo credits: Textgrabber courtesy of Lingvo Live, iTranslate Converse courtesy of iTranslate GmbH, LinkedIn “Jobs” courtesy of LinkedIn Corporation, Google Drive across the world, and it’s opened up new avenues for aspiring courtesy of Google entrepreneurs to compete with the larger companies. //
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 49 THE ANDREA OLIVERA AYURVEDA METHOD TM
hile many may not know about Ayurveda and its benefits, the word is spreading fast Canada- wide, and it’s in no small part because of Andrea Olivera - one of Canada’s premier Ayurveda W wellness and education experts.
What is Ayurveda? Ayurveda is an ancient healing and therapy practice from India, and the sister-science of Yoga. It examines the mind, body, and spirit dynamic, and their relationship with biology, nature, and the cosmos. More importantly, Andrea highlights that her integrated approach is to place Ayurveda’s unique focus on self-knowledge as the platform to inspire healing and balance, both internally and externally.
The more popular and familiar Ayurveda services are collectively called Panchakarma. They’re fi ve treatments that are regimented in a series of sessions, using various bodywork and detox techniques such as warm oils, yoga, and Ayurvedic massages. Ayurveda is not shy to look at “you” as a complicated whole — mind, body, and spirit. Andrea notes that Ayurveda is about utilizing its vast knowledge to enhance and maintain physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual balance, in addition to offering medical and healing benefi ts.
The Ayurveda Body and Personality Types Andrea explains that in Ayurveda, there are three doshas, or mind/ body types — kapha, vata, and pitta — and each of us can express a mix of all or predominantly one of them. Vatas tend to be light, dry, changeable, anxious, and creative. Pittas are muscular, oily, determined, fi ery, and controlling. Kaphas tend to be giving, compassionate, stagnant, dependable, caring, and romantic.
50 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 Integrating Ayurveda into Spa Services and Healing Andrea started integrating Ayurveda into the spa world 30 years ago. The Andrea Olivera Centre for Ayurveda Rituals is the fi rst Ayurveda-focused wellness spa in Toronto. It offers an authentic, healing, and exquisite space for people to experience Ayurveda rejuvenation. Without having to go to India for a similar healing experience, her approach actually attracts many people from across Canada and the US to either experience or learn the Andrea Olivera Ayurveda Method TM .
Andrea’s Ayurveda Urban Retreat TM model was put together especially for people who don’t have the time to set aside long retreats away from Canada. The model captures the idea that people can come to Toronto and be guided on a healing pilgrimage through a variety of fl exible options. People can choose to seek a half-day pampered spa experience, a weekend’s fully integrated Ayurveda healing session, or a combined fully integrated local spiritual pilgrimage that includes Andrea’s Karma Emotional Release TM session. It also includes Vedic Astrology, and travelling to highly energized local temples and cultural centers in a safe and exclusive manner. Some who are more local complete a series of weekly sessions. Her services, like Emotional Karma Release and Vedic astrology sessions, are also accessible from a distance.
“Ancient cultures all understood the importance of rituals, pilgrimages, sacred healing spaces, baths, and ceremonies for our mind, body, and soul to heal our trauma, pain, and stories.”
All services use Andrea’s personally formulated line of natural and organic botanical skincare products including facial masks, rejuvenation serums, hydrating sprays, body oils, and perfumes. Andrea has blended her products to include the healing powers of Ayurveda, with the best globally sourced essences and ingredients that better match our North American constitution.
Face-to-Face and Online Ayurveda Training As an educator, Andrea offers her Ayurveda Rituals Spa Specialist Training Program face-to-face, and is preparing an online version of her modules. The courses teach her very popular techniques like the integrated Ayurveda Facial, Indian Head Massage, Abhyanga Massage, and more, as a way for people to begin their journey into becoming Ayurveda practitioners. She has trained hundreds of people from across Canada, including spa specialists, estheticians, registered massage therapists, yoga teachers, and anybody looking to enter the world of healing. The courses are divided into modules that can be completed over a series of weekends, night-time, or fully as a one-week intensive. Online modules are self-directed and include coaching and mentoring sessions with Andrea directly.
Please call (416) 504-6049 or visit in person to set up a complimentary 20-minute consultation to discuss your healing needs, or to customize a Toronto Spiritual Ayurveda healing retreat with our team of specialists.
(416) 504-6049 or ayurvedictouch.com 1-800-504-0249 [email protected] 1081 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 51 - Advertisement - PROTEL MARKETING, INC.
uccessfully meeting the demands of global clients since 2008, Protel Marketing offers premium customer service and round-the-clock operations, including telemarketing and sales. Complete with a dedicated executive team, helmed by CEO and president Romaine Reid, Protel Marketing provides quality, consistency, S and competitive pricing for all its clients. Protel’s headquarters is located in St. Vincent, an under fi ve-hour Protel offers a variety of modern marketing, sales, and customer fl ight from JFK International in New York or Miami International support solutions. At its core, the business is 60% outbound in Florida. As a leading and accomplished BPO Contact Center, business to consumer (B2C) telemarketing and 40% inbound they’re stationed across the Caribbean, delivering outstanding sales/customer service. Protel’s solutions are designed to keep services to clients predominantly within the U.S. and Canada. direct lines of communication open, increase brand awareness, Protel’s contact center locations provide near-shore services, increase profi tability, and decrease the costs of new customers which act as an extension of their clients. Their operations are while servicing existing ones. located in the beautiful Caribbean islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and in Jamaica. Services start at $9 CDN per hour (plus tax):
Protel Marketing Inc. serves business organizations that seek • Customer Service • Collections a reliable and consistent way of growing and supporting their • Inbound/Outbound Sales • Online Chat Support customer base, centered on profi ts, without having to sacrifi ce • Lead Generation • Back Offi ce Support quality. Protel merges operational excellence with industry • Appointment Setting • Live Answer expertise, leaving every business to benefi t greatly from their • Survey • Data Processing services. Protel prides itself on saving on costs while maximizing productivity. Why choose Protel Marketing? Because of its dedication to its clients and making sure that everyone has a memorable For a decade now, Protel has maintained a solid reputation for experience. It’s not just about the money, but the process as producing results and being people−oriented. Its staff strive to well. Protel offers both profi tability and loyalty in every aspect satisfy every client they serve and work closely with them to ensure of the job. Catering to clients is their biggest concern, and it’s the best outcome. Protel is a company with a proven record for done with professionalism and transparency. quality assurance and unwavering dedication. “An off-shore call center that works.”
Roseau, Arnos Vale, PO Box 2438, Kingstown VC0100, St. Vincent
Phone: 784.453.3757 Email: [email protected]
52 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 - Advertisement - LIFESTYLE & LUXURY
WOMENSWEAR TRENDS
by Joséphine Mwanvua
ressing for a job is about being sophisticated and comfortable, while following the office dress code. It’s fine to look at what coworkers are wearing to get some ideas, but you’ll be more satisfied wearing something you actually like — not what you think you should D be wearing. Photo: Ann Taylor Fall19 Campaign, courtesy of Ann Taylor PR
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 53 LIFESTYLE & LUXURY
It might be useful to create a personal uniform with the same type of combination for all your outfi ts. If you want to build a capsule wardrobe — a small collection of seasonally adaptable pieces you can mix and match, that can also be layered or stripped down — versatility is key. When in doubt about what colours to wear, black is the safest route. Other neutral colours tend to be equally acceptable, like grey, beige, olive, navy, and white. Below, from top: Gina Torres as Jessica Pearson in Suits (Photo by: Isabella Vosmikova/USA You can never go wrong Network, courtesy of W Network), with a well-tailored suit, a Amal Clooney, human rights lawyer key staple in business attire. Often referred to as the power suit (for women), this two-piece classic requires little to no effort when deciding what to wear in the morning. Typically, in a business formal environment, a suit is the uniform for both men and women, but it doesn’t have to be plain. There are plenty of styles to choose from. Look to Gina Torres from the show Suits and famous human rights lawyer Amal Clooney for inspiration.
A suit can be dressed down to business casual or plain casual. Just opt for a t-shirt underneath the blazer and less formal shoes. If the dress code allows it, you can express a little bit of personality through a boldly coloured or patterned suit, or with an interesting fabric such as corduroy or velvet.
Invest in quality pants that are either high-rise or mid-rise (low-rise fi ts below the waist and may not look so fl attering). A sleek look would be straight-leg ankle pants, but you could also go for fl ared or wide-leg pants to make your outfi t a bit more stylish. One classic combination is a blouse tucked into high-waisted skinnies or straight-leg pants. A bolder look would be a boxy blouse paired with wide-legs or bell-bottoms.
The pencil skirt — a timeless icon of sophisticated attire — goes perfectly with a blazer, a blouse, or even a t-shirt, and should have a permanent spot in your work wardrobe. But if you don’t like it, no problem. Midi skirts are currently trending, and they come in a large array of styles. Also lengthy, some midi skirts fl are out in an A-line; others are pleated, wrapped around, slit on one side, hug the body, Ann Taylor Fall 19, from top: and more. Pair them with a nice heel or Houndstooth Jewel Neck Coat in Neutral Multi, classy fl ats for a more professional look. The Crewneck Jacket in Birdseye, The Straight Pant in Birdseye, Modern Plaid Belted Full Skirt in Black Neutral Multi, courtesy of Ann Taylor PR
54 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 LIFESTYLE & LUXURY
Sheath dresses are perfect for the offi ce, offering an accentuated, feminine fi t. Acceptable in business formal offi ces, these dresses usually cut right above the knee or directly below it. For a more business casual workplace, a collared shirt dress is a nice option, especially one that emphasizes the waist with a belt.
Shops like Suzy Shier, J. Crew, Addition Elle, Dynamite, Femme de Carriere, and Ann Taylor offer some of the best professional attire.
The best part of an outfi t is probably the shoes. Kitten heels and block heels tend to be easier on the feet, so you can walk Addition Elle dresses, from left: in them all day. Mules are also a popular Front Knot Midi Dress in Red Wine, fashion-forward option. Otherwise, if you’re Fit & Flare Ribbed Midi Dress in Shaved Chocolate Ribbed-knit Sweater Dress in Tawny Brown, comfortable walking in high heels, go for courtesy of Milo PR it, and have a pair of fl ats to sport on your way home.
Naturalizer shoes, from top to bottom: For the days you don’t want to wear heels Dora in Chocolate Bar Beverly in Gingersnap, at all, there’s a variety of fl ats to choose Lorna in Soft Alabaster, from. There are fl at mules as well as loafers, courtesy of www.naturalizer.ca brogues, and, of course, the staple ballerina fl ats. You can make a statement with shoes alone, even if you’re restricted on what To keep warm during cold months, wear colour shoes to wear. layers, knits, and other heavy fabrics. You can wear a crew neck sweater or a cardigan Aside from neutral colours, some patterns over a button-up shirt for a preppy look. such as leopard print go with almost anything (so long as it’s the only print Jewellery is the perfect addition to an you’re wearing). You can also go for a outfi t, especially a plain one. When it pointy toe, which always makes an outfi t comes to jewellery, go for pieces that look more chic. match or compliment each other. Invest in gold and silver accessories — not only Chunky heeled boots will serve you stylishly do they go with everything, but they look well in colder months, and your feet will elegant as well. Careful not to accessorize be comfortable. Brands like Michael too much — it might bring attention away Kors, Little Burgundy, Steve Madden, from you as a person, and more towards Naturalizer, and Kate Spade offer very your outfi t. // comfortable shoes in every style.
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 55 “Personalized service you can trust.” KENNY TOURS JAMAICA Kenny Tours Jamaica LTD, a leader in the Jamaican tourism and transportation industry, continues to redefi ne ease, comfort, and quality of travel. With over 25 years experience, this family-owned and operated tour and excursion company (spearheaded by its hands-on founder) credits its massive growth and success to its core values of superb service quality and customer satisfaction. From the fi rst point of contact, customers can enjoy prompt responses to booking inquiries, followed by secure and simple transactions, detailed and conveniently formatted itinerary information, and lastly, our polite and professional service execution. We take the stress out of planning trips while on vacation, and provide an atmosphere of trust, convenience, and reliability that allows our customers to fully bask in the ambiance of their getaway!
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56 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 - Advertisement - Caribbean/Asian Jerk Fusion!
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In 1979, Mr. Jerk had its humble beginning in Toronto, Canada in the backroom of a small West Indian grocery chain. The demand for jerk pork and chicken was so overwhelming from its customers that, in 1986, the Jamaican owners opened their fi rst Caribbean restaurant, specializing in jerk products.
This original restaurant was established in a very small space in North York, Ontario. It was so small that a reporter from The Toronto Sun described it Take-Out Catering as “not much larger than a closet”. At this time, most Caribbean restaurants were known mainly for their patties, stews, and curries. No one could ever imagine what a phenomenon this little restaurant would unleash on the international scene, when they offered authentic Jamaican jerk products for their customers for the fi rst time outside of Jamaica.
Catering: 416-724-9239 For over 26 years, Mr. Jerk has been a closely held, successful chain of restaurants, operated by individual owners. Mr. Jerk’s reputation for having 1166 Morningside Ave., Scarborough, Ontario M1B 3A4 some of the fi nest jerk products has spread far and wide. Is it any wonder why so many of its competitors have tried to imitate Mr. Jerk, but haven’t been able to duplicate them? What many may not know is that it’s not just an ordinary Jamaican menu that customers are offered when they enter. The savory menu is an infusion of Jamaican and Chinese cuisine, making it the best possible combination of memorable island spices and beloved Chinese dishes.
Customers will be happy to know that Mr. Jerk is also available for full- service catering for events of any size. Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, or BBQ, this Toronto hotspot won’t disappoint when it comes to meeting your needs. The menu also offers daily specials, giving you something extra to look forward to on your visit.
Mr. Jerk promises to deliver authentic Jamaican jerk products and other Caribbean dishes, with excellent service to its customers at the highest quality and best prices every single visit.
- Advertisment - Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 57 LIFESTYLE & LUXURY
CJ Calvert is a professional speaker and the author of Living An Exceptional Life. With over 15 years of training experience, CJ speaks on a daily basis before world-class organizations like IBM, Microsoft, Bank of Montreal, and The Co-operators. Because of his expertise, he has been a featured guest on Breakfast Television. He makes his home in Ajax, Ontario, with his amazing wife and son.
THE MASTER KEY TO HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
By CJ Calvert
hink about what brings you the greatest joy or the deepest sorrow, and there’s a good chance that it’s wrapped around the relationships in your life. If you’re married or in a long-term relationship, even a long- distance relationship, it’s important to understand that your success in the relationship is a choice. Your ability to be successful in the relationship is a skill that can be improved upon. If you want to know how to make a relationship work, look for inspiration from those who have vibrant and passionate relationships.
It’s inevitable that every union faces its own unique problems. Making the decision to do the hard work on yourself to be the best partner for your spouse starts with understanding what you both need from the relationship, and how effective you are at meeting the other person’s needs.
TFirst, recognize that every relationship has an invisible “Love Bank Account,” into which you make deposits or make withdrawals. Every time you do something your partner likes, it’s a deposit; every time you hurt their feelings or let them down, it’s a withdrawal. Like any bank account, if you build it up with many deposits, your relationship can more easily withstand the occasional withdrawal, as your partner will be more likely to be forgiving and understanding. However, if you’ve been a jerk for weeks, months, or even years on end, the account is left bone-dry and even the smallest withdrawal will send it into overdraft – and your partner into a rage. The key is to deliberately make as many deposits as often as possible and avoid withdrawals. However, you need to really understand what constitutes a deposit for your partner. To do that, it helps to know their “love language.”
The language of love has multiple dialects. Though English is spoken around the world, Canadians may have a diffi cult time following a conversation held by Brits or Aussies. In a similar vein, you may be acting in a way that you feel is loving towards your partner, but they may not be getting your message. In his book The Five Love Languages, author Gary Chapman describes each of these love languages:
58 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 LIFESTYLE & LUXURY
“The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships.”
- Tony Robbins
Words of Affi rmation: This means saying nice things to He assumed that he knew how to romance his wife without your partner, such as “I love you” or “I’m proud of you.” realizing that her idea of romance was quite different from his. It turns out that acts of service was her love language, Acts of Service: This refers to doing nice things, like cleaning not gifts or words of affi rmation. So he started taking out the house or picking your partner up at the airport late at the garbage regularly, and his wife was ecstatic. night. It’s critical that you understand what your partner’s love Receiving Gifts: This signifi es that while you were away language is. A great question to ask your partner is, “What from your partner, you were thinking of them. It could be a have I done in the past that has made you feel the most single rose left on their desk at work. The price of the gift loved?” Whatever their answer is, make a note of it, and is not (usually) important; it could be a $5 fridge magnet or consciously plan to do that as often as reasonably possible. If a book that you thought they’d enjoy. they say, “When you took me to Hawaii for our honeymoon,” it’s probably not realistic to do that on a weekly basis. The Quality Time: This doesn’t have to be an expensive date; hidden danger is that they will mention activities that you it can simply be sitting on the couch together watching a might think are pointless or unenjoyable. It doesn’t matter – movie. It could be going for a walk or staying up after the as long as you aren’t breaking the law, you should do them kids are in bed to chat about the day. all the time. If your spouse says, “I just like to talk at the end of the day,” then schedule time to talk. If they say, “When Physical Touch: Not restricted to sex. It includes hugging, you watch the game with me,” do more of that. Maybe holding hands, spooning in bed, or even wrestling or tickling. they say they feel loving towards you when you play with the kids, leave a romantic note on their pillow, pick up the An engineer tried his hand at being more romantic. He wrote groceries, hold their hand while walking in the mall, or buy out a romantic note (words of affi rmation) and bought a them their favourite perfume. Whatever it is, do more of it, bouquet of roses (receiving gifts). He left them prominently do it consistently, and never stop doing it. on the kitchen counter for his wife to discover when she came home. She eventually walked through the door, walked upstairs On a fi nal note, it’s also critical to understand how and to his offi ce and gave him a casual kiss hello – certainly not when you feel the most loved. Take some time to identify the excited reaction he was expecting. He asked her if she those things that fi ll your “Love Bank Account” and have had seen what he had done downstairs in the kitchen, and an open conversation with your partner about what moves she replied that she hadn’t and walked back downstairs your needle. You may wish to go fi rst, and spend a week of to investigate. After a moment, he heard her call out with being loving with no strings attached and no commitments glee. She ran back upstairs, threw her arms around him in on their side. Sweep them off their feet fi rst, and you’ll be a passionate embrace, and proclaimed, “You took out the pleasantly surprised at how open they’ll be to reciprocating. // garbage!” Not surprisingly, the engineer was a little stunned.
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 59 Feel the Rush
Do you feel it? Let’s go!
visitjamaica.com - Advertisement -
BASK IN A WELLNESS GETAWAY WITH WATER-CENTRIC RETREATS IN JAMAICA Healing Natural Springs, Therapeutic Baths, and Oceanside Relaxation Await
ow more than ever before, Take a Soothing Dip at Rockfort Mineral Refresh with a Traditional Jamaican travelers maintain wellness and Bath Bush Bath self-care as a priority to attain a much-coveted balanced Nestled in the ruins of Rockfort, just on A traditional form of healing ailments lifestyle, even on vacation. the outskirts of Kingston, the Rockfort in Jamaican culture, a bush bath is a The Global Wellness Institute Mineral Bath is fed by a cold spring from must-try treatment for wellness-driven reports that wellness tourism the Rock River and was fi rst discovered in travelers. Often prepared outdoors, a is on an upward trajectory, 1907. Highly sought after by locals and bush bath can utilize a variety of fresh with almost one billion world visitors alike, the waters at Rockfort are herbs, roots, leaves, and fruits steeped travelers expected to make radioactive and rich in minerals, including in a running bath to treat stress, common wellness-inspired trips this year. calcium and sodium bicarbonate. These colds, skin conditions, and more. Visitors minerals, along with its saline content, can experience this homeopathic therapy NWhile wellness-focused trips have seen an are said to have therapeutic properties, at various spas throughout the island, uptick in the past few years, travelers in stimulating vital bodily processes such as including Fern Tree Spa at Half Moon or 2019 are specifi cally drawing their focus blood circulation. Visitors can soak in all the FieldSpa at GoldenEye, which offers four to wellness through water. Jamaica has benefi ts of the soothing waters by dipping different Healing Waters Bush Baths. long been a popular destination for digital in the swimming pool, private whirlpools, detoxes and yoga retreats, but the island or one of 11 open-air baths. Check In for an Oceanfront Wellness is brimming with unique, aquatic-inspired Retreat experiences for visitors to discover. On Negril’s west end, Jackie’s On The Reef Wash Away the Stress at Milk River Bath provides a wellness retreat dedicated to nurturing the mind, body and soul. The On the South Coast of the island in the whimsical waterfront property offers guests town of Milk River, travelers can experience endless opportunities to connect with one of the best mineral baths in the world. the sea, including yoga, meditation, and Milk River Bath contains high levels of spa treatments. One of its most notable magnesium, calcium, sulfate, and natural offerings, the Watsu treatment, combines chloride, averaging consistent temperatures the use of water with the principles of shiatsu of 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit throughout Soak in the Healing Waters of Bath to create a nurturing form of bodywork. the year. Its waters have been found to be Fountain Guided by a specialized therapist, the remarkably radioactive, more so than those treatment takes place in warm, waist-deep of leading European spas (44 times the Bath Fountain, located in the foothills water to take weight off the vertebrae, strength of the minerals at the luxurious of the John Crow mountains in the St. allowing the spine to twist and stretch – Baden Spa in Switzerland). The mineral Thomas parish, has been a popular ultimately relieving pressure off the nerves waters are especially recommended destination for naturists since its discovery and organs. Watsu can be a profound as a treatment for those suffering from in the 17th century. Its two springs, one treatment, believed to treat the mind rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica, and nerve cold and one piping hot, contain lime, and renew a person’s sense of connection conditions, as well as liver disorders. sulfur, and magnesium, giving it healing with others. properties. The waters are said to aid in The Milk River Hotel & Spa offers absolute the treatment of many ailments, including peace and serenity among the lush gout, rheumatism, and skin conditions. At landscape of rural Jamaica, with access to the nearby Bath Fountain Hotel, a secluded For more information on Jamaica, go to Milk River Bath. As part of its spa experience, 16-room property, visitors enjoy convenient www.visitjamaica.com the hotel allows visitors to privately enjoy access to running water from the mineral the therapeutic virtues of the bath, in springs that feed directly into the hotel’s
Dunns River Falls photo courtesy of Jamaica Tourist Board exclusively assigned bath houses. indoor baths.
About Jamaica Tourist Board The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offi ces are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto, and London. Representative offi ces are located in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Mumbai.
TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #1 Caribbean Destination and #14 Best Destination in the World in 2019. Also this year, the International Council of the Pacifi c Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) named Jamaica the Destination of the Year and TravAlliancemedia named JTB Best Tourism Board, and Jamaica as Best Culinary Destination, Best Wedding Destination, and Best Honeymoon Destination. Additionally, the JTB has been declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board by the World Travel Awards (WTA) for thirteen consecutive years between 2006 and 2019. Jamaica also earned the WTA’s award for the Caribbean’s Leading Destination, Leading Cruise Destination and Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2018 for the Montego Bay Convention Centre. Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers, that have won several awards throughout the years. Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Web site at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA 61 (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.islandbuzzjamaica.com. TRAVEL LUXURY VAC AT IONS
48% 89% HOUSEHOLDS WITH ANNUAL EARNINGS OF AT LEAST $125,000 1/3 OF LUXURY VACATIONERS BASE THEIR APPROXIMATELY 48% OF HIGH-END CUSTOMERS $67.5 billion 40 MILLION TRIPS PRIMARILY ON SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS AND TAKE FOUR TRIPS A YEAR ON AVERAGE**** SPENT ON VACATIONS* ONLINE REVIEWS* 89%
20% TRAVEL MORE THAN FOUR TIMES
Millennials’ Top 3 U.S. dream Millennials’ Top 3 International Who TRAVELs THE MOST?** destinations*** dream destinations***
35 DAYS A YEAR MILLENNIALS (age 24-35) CALIFORNIA ITALY AUSTRALIA 29 DAYS A YEAR GENERATION Z (ages 18 to 23) FLORIDA FRANCE IRELAND 26 DAYS A YEAR GENERATION X (age 36-54) HAWAII
27 DAYS A YEAR BABY BOOMERS (55 and over) JAPAN
**** 76% of LUXURY VACATIONERS PREFER TO FOCUS ON MAKING MEMORIES RATHER THAN PURCHASING ITEMS* Luxury customer costs break down as follows:
76% 24% 88% Accommodations 80% 54% Personalization of service 46% 46% Exclusive access 41% Gastronomic experience Seclusion/privacy Airlift routes
***** MOST POPULAR ACCOMMODATION CHOICES OF LUXURY TRAVEL CLIENTS IN THE U.S. (2014) luxury vacationers, comfort level desire****
THE LONGER THE FLIGHT, THE MORE LUXURY VACATIONERS DESIRE A HIGHER HOTEL BOUTIQUE HOTEL COMFORT LEVEL HOTEL
60% Short-Haul Trip 43.5% 40.5% Boutique Hotels Luxury Cruise Ship 43.1% 23.7% 75% Long-Haul Trip 5-Star Hotels/Resorts 5-Star Hotels/Resorts
**** ***** REGARDLESS OF THE LENGTH OF STAY, THE AVERAGE PRICE PAID BY LUXURY VACATIONERS IN USD: Luxury Spots with the Largest Growth in Travel Worldwide (2016):
Kenya iceland saint martin china Ecuador
10% 12% 41% $30,000+ $20,000 to $30,000 $5,000 to $10,000
Sources: * MMGY Global’s 2017 – 2018 Portrait of American Travelers ** Expedia Group Media Solutions 62 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 *** 2017 Cashlorette survey **** Luxury Travel Trends Report by Horwath HTL ***** Statista.com TRAVEL ETHIOPIA
by Dontei Wynter
ave you caught the travel bug yet? Whether or not you have, chances are you haven’t made the unforgettable journey to Africa. It’s a big continent, which means it can be hard to narrow down a destination for your next adventure. That’s why Ethiopia is the perfect spot to consider for your next trip, even for returning visitors. Forget everything you know — or think you know — about it and look at it with an open mind, ready for H exploration and discovery. Photo credit: © A.Savin, WikiCommons
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 63 TRAVEL
Capital City Ethiopia is full of proud history and wonder, being one of only two countries in Africa to be untouched by colonization. A must-see destination is the capital city, Addis Ababa, a modern, bustling hub of exceptional museums and busy streets that rival any other. There’s no shortage of things to put on your to-do list — and you won’t be lacking any adventures, either. Often referred to as “Addis,” the capital city’s name means “New Flower” in Amharic, one of the 80 dialects spoken in Ethiopia. Side note: it can be helpful to learn a few key phrases in Amharic, and locals appreciate it when they see you making an effort.
Coffee You may not know this, but Ethiopia is synonymous with coffee, leaving many to believe that Bonga is the origin of Arabica coffee. When you’re touring Addis, you can’t help but see coffee vendors on all sides. The legendary morning brew is served in cafés, restaurants, and bars, and there are even women walking around with thermoses ready to pour. The city offers a variety of fl avours – all worth trying, especially for those who like to try new things.
Food Whether you’re on vacation or working, it’s hard to avoid trying local food when you’re travelling someplace new. Ethiopia’s signature dish is known as injera, a spongy pancake-style bread topped with a variety of vegetables, meats, and hot sauces. It’s commonly eaten with your hands, by wrapping the bread around the food and dipping it into the sauces. If you’re not ready to dive into Ethiopian food just yet, then don’t worry: Addis also offers Western-styled food that will seem more familiar to you. The city is full of expats, being a diplomatic hub, so there are restaurants that offer burgers, Chinese, and Italian.
64 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 TRAVEL
Photo credits: Hilton Addis Ababa ©Hilton Hotels If luxury is what you’re after, even if it’s just to rest your head, then the Sheraton Hotel is where you’ll end up. It was built by Ethiopian billionaire Sheikh Mohammed Al Amoudi, and is an opulent hotspot in the capital city. Even if you aren’t staying there but want to increase your selfi e game, the palatial atmosphere is out of this world. The Hilton is another decadent option, if you feel more comfortable there. After all, what’s a trip without taking a few beautiful pictures and sharing them around the world?
Those looking to take the more inexpensive route will fi nd there are more economical hotel options available. Spots such as Dreamliner Hotel, Ras Hotel, Itegue Taitu Hotel, and the Ghion Hotel are all great options that won’t break the bank. They also offer nice on-site restaurants for visitors to enjoy.
National Museum of Arts and Fashion Mercato market Ethiopia © JanManu, © Francisco Anzola, Museum-goers will get the most out of a WikiCommons WikiCommons visit to the National Museum of Ethiopia. Thereyou’ll fi nd Lucy, one of the most ancient hominid skeletons to ever be unearthed. If that’s not enough, then you should make a visit to the Ethnological Museum on the Addis Ababa University campus. You’ll get an in-depth look at the country’s social and cultural history, and you’ll fi nd yourself amazed by the many artifacts and religious iconography representing Ethiopia’s Christian beliefs. The fashion scene in Africa is thriving, and Fossil remains of 'Lucy', the differences from the Western world are ape-like hominid, at The National Museum part of what makes it so unique. Ethiopian of Ethiopia designers enjoy infusing vintage looks with modern trends, creating new and bold looks. You can also go shopping at the Mercato market, one of the largest in Africa, where you can fi nd whatever you need.
What’s a trip without breaking a sweat? In between your excursions, you can either dance under neon-lit night clubs or partake in soccer, running, or cycling – the most popular sports in Addis.
Since Africa is so large, Ethiopia might be overlooked as a destination when compared to other exotic locations, but it’s defi nitely a place worth mentioning. It’s nothing short of an oasis in a desert, and it’s a great spot for a trip of any kind. Full of adventure and history, its view at sunrise alone is one that can only be appreciated in person. //
Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 65 HAMADA CONSTRUCTION INC.
n the market for a new Whether it’s maintenance, management, construction company? or upgrades, Ibrahim is always hands-on It’s always good to have when it comes to his work. His team is options available when skilled in repairs and can upgrade your looking to execute a new kitchen, bathroom, fl oor, lighting and project--which is where more. Custom homes are his specialty, Hamada Construction Inc. and he doesn’t leave a project unfi nished. comes in. Armed with 27 Thanks to Ibrahim, customers are proud of years of experience, Hamada his high-quality craftsmanship and getting Construction Inc. is run by more for less, making him proud of his work. owner Ibrahim Said. Finding a reliable contractor is never easy, Originally from Ethiopia, Ibrahim has made especially within a reasonable price range. Ia grand impact in the Toronto-based That’s why, with all the competition in the construction sector. Using his skills as a industry, you’re better off with someone contractor and entrepreneur, Ibrahim leads who can deliver more for less. Hamada Hamada Construction Inc. in designing Construction Inc.’s reputation speaks for and building residential, commercial, and itself, making its clients’ word of mouth its institutional properties. The company greatest reviews. also has over seven years of expertise in upgrading condominiums and co-op Hamada Construction Inc. comes prepared buildings from the inside out. with experience in high-level projects and contractors that you can’t help but trust. Hamada Construction Inc. is also Well-respected and reliable for almost three experienced in government contracting decades, it’s the construction company you 647-859-2242 work, and their fi nished products are can trust and count on. [email protected] guaranteed to make a profi t for clients.
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Fall | Winter 2019 the EDGE 67 68 the EDGE Fall | Winter 2019 Love takes you home, we make it fun.
www.hometimecable.com Starlight Capital’s funds celebrate One-year down. their one-year anniversary and Double digits up. double digit returns.
Compound returns (%) Year-to-date 1 Year Since Inception
Starlight Global Infrastructure Fund (Series F)* 22.7 22.9 18.0 Starlight Global Real Estate Fund (Series F)* 20.0 17.3 13.2
* As of Oct 31, 2019. Inception date Oct 2, 2018. Compound growth calculations are used only for the purpose of illustrating the effects of compound growth and are not intended to reflect future value of any investment fund or returns on investment in any investment fund.
Access actively managed global real asset securities with Starlight Global Real Estate Fund (NEO: SCGR) and Starlight Global Infrastructure Fund (NEO: SCGI).
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Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment funds. The indicated rates of return are the historical annual compound total returns net of fees (except for figures of one year or less, which are simple total returns) including changes in security value and reinvestment of all distributions and do not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any security holder that would have reduced returns. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Please read the prospectus before investing. Investors should consult with their advisors prior to investing. Starlight Investments, Starlight Capital and all other related Starlight logos are trademarks of Starlight Group Property Holdings Inc.