February 2012 Women in Business Luncheon Follow-up

 Information, News & Updates, yoUnlimited Luncheons  No Responses »
Feb 062012
 
Thanks so much for attending the 1st yoUnlimited Women’s Business Networking Lunch on Thursday!  What a great turnout of terrific ladies and wasn’t Rita Chand simply amazing!  I left Victoria right after the lunch and jumped on a ferry to Harrison Hot Springs where I am working on a conference in the fall – it is beautiful there if you haven’t been. 

Thanks to everyone who posted on Facebook and tweeted after lunch!  I just wanted to follow up on some of the things that were mentioned on Thursday…
  • March 2/3 yoUnlimited Conference
    • Early Bird Rate of $99 extended to midnight on Monday, February 6th  > all the details are here 
    • Features include…  Pre- and post-conference coaching sessions; more than 18 local women speaking on a variety of topics on Mind, Body and Spirit; our showcase features only goods and services produced and offered within a 100 mile radius of Greater Victoria – if this is you and you’re interested in exhibiting, email me, we also have a "Treat You" room with massage, intuitive readings and more! 
  • Linda Hunter, Author and Event Planner of Living with Grace writes of her experience at the luncheon 
  • eWomenNetwork – Kerry Brown, Managing Director for Vancouver Island mentioned two grants that are available this year for Vancouver Island women, as the Foundation Chair I am pleased to share these two awesome opportunities:
    • Non-Profit Grant – to a not-for-profit serving local women – past recipients included Wear2Start and Bridges for Women 
    • also, this year, we will be giving a grant to an Emerging Leader from Vancouver Island – a young woman in her 20′s
  • "Have a Heart" with the Dirty Wall Project and the Girls Can be Centre > a copy of Jolie’s email and information on how to help 
  • Carol Hyland of CS Creative told us about Bridges for Women, International Women’s Day lunch is March 8th – this is a fundraiser for Bridges – a very worthwhile organization in the City of Victoria. > find out how to register  
  • Thanks to sponsor Toni Dosouto from Invis – and congratulations to the lucky winner of the chocolate basket! 
  • eWomen Network’s conference is coming up on February 17 & 18 in Victoria > register now for Being the Best You Can Be in Business! 
  • Seaside Times Women in Business issue advertising opportunities, advertisers also receive:
    • an opportunity be featured on the Women in Business Panel at the March 3rd conference, and subsequently featured in a yoUnlimited newsletter and on our website
    • a special complimentary invitation to a Women’s Business Networking Mixer on March 2 

 

Event details, registration, and all the goods on all the great stuff are on our website – come on over and visit us there!

 

http://www.yoUnlimited.com

 

 

Bridges for Women Society and the Katie Cooke Circle of Friends Book Club – January 26th

 Events, Philanthropy  No Responses »
Jan 182012
 

Invites you to join us in celebrating our heroines

Thursday, January 26, 2012
5:30pm
304-455 Sitkum Rd.

We promise tasty munchies, great stories and lots of laughter while we expand the power of our circle – and put some fun into fundraising!

Dr. Katie Cooke is a Bridges for Women heroine. Many of you may have known her as she brought her intellect, experience and inspiration to the founding of Bridges employment project in 1988 and stuck with us until her death in 2003.

On the evening of January 26, those of us who knew Katie will draw a verbal portrait for you and share some of her stories. Conversation may lead us to ask: Have governments and bureaucracies changed in favour of women and families since Katie’s days?

If you would like to join us, please consider ordering your copy of her manuscript at the same time you register – that way, we can give you a deal! The cost for the evening + Katie’s manuscript is $40. The evening alone is $30; the cost of the manuscript alone is $20. And all of the proceeds will go directly to supporting Bridges’ programs and clients.

In the 1970s, Katie’s promotion of women’s priorities through the Canadian Advisory Committee on the Status of Women was legendary. In 1984, she served as Chair of the Federal Task Force on Child Care and, in 2000 was honoured by the Victoria YWCA with a Woman of Distinction award for a Lifetime of Achievement. As Katie would say “Indeed!”

If you didn’t know Katie, you can get a sense of the woman she was by reading A Civil Tongue, an “unfinished manuscript” in which she shares her life story. It’s full of wit, wisdom and lots of “a-ha” moments, especially for those with a connection to government or women’s issues.

Along the way, we are looking for like-minded women to broaden the power of the Circle and participate in strengthening the foundations of Bridges for Women. Funding through the Circle of Friends can help us respond to the ever growing need for bridging services. It may be support with groceries or additional counseling, or it may be funding for our online program to access women in rural or remote locations. All kinds of support and ideas are needed and appreciated at this gathering.

We’re excited to have you join the Katie Cooke Circle of Friends on January 26

Please RSVP to Lorie Bennett at: lorie-paul@shaw.ca

Minerva’s Giving Tree (Donate by Feb 15/12)

 Information, News & Updates, Philanthropy  No Responses »
Jan 182012
 

Celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 with the Minerva Tribute Tree

The Minerva Foundation for BC Women is building a sustainable community of women leaders.   There is a very strong Chapter in Vancouver, where their main office is, and other Chapters located in Prince George and Victoria.   This idea of a giving tree allows people to make donations at a variety of contribution levels to continue the good work being done for women and girls in our province.  Consider making a donation, if you can.

 

 Donations can be made in monthly installments.

To make a contribution today, please contact Carrie-Ann, carrieanng@theminervafoundation.com
604 683 7635 x 223

Delaney Tosh – Surge Strategies Group

 Consultants, Volunteers  No Responses »
Jan 172012
 

The Surge Group supports leaders and teams to work to their authentic advantage, enhance leadership, make better business decisions, develop and follow through on innovative strategies. Our clients break the rules — their own, self-limiting rules.  We facilitate energizing discussions and exercises in order to DISRUPT the status quo, creating a shift to more creative thinking towards improving innovation performance; focusing attention on the key elements and actions that drive business performance.

What’s the best part for you of being part of yoUnlimited?  Connections with incredible people who inspire.

Favourite Books:  “Co-active Coaching” by Whitworth, Kimsey-House & Sandahl.  “A Billion Bootstraps” by Phil Smith & Eric Thurman.  “Invisible Acts of Power, Channeling Grace in Your Everyday Life” by Caroline Myss.

What qualities do you admire in others:  Honesty, courage, being of service, willingness to bring awareness to own thoughts and beliefs, joyfulness in the mundane.

What’s on your bucket list?  More travel, learn to play the cello, set up a women’s collective in a slum in Mumbai.

What is the best advice you have ever received?  When I was 14 years old, my grandmother’s  wish for me was that I listen to my own heart and have that courage to follow through on my own dreams and not let others distract me from achieving those dreams.

What or who inspires or moves you?  Children who laugh with joy even when their lives are less than joyful.

Advice you would pass on to yourself at 19?  Let go of self-imposed limitations and be bold!  …and I would tell myself to travel more.

Who is your favourite community organization for charity?  Dirty Wall Project. http://dirtywallproject.com.  I love what Kane Ryan has started. He embodies all the qualities I value most in others.

What brings you to your knees?  That we have a world in which children are made to suffer – child prostitution, child soldiers, poverty….

What is the lesson you learn over and over again?  To listen to the quiet voice inside me; it is always right.

Who or what motivates you?  My family, friends, clients,  business partners, people at their most courageous and giving and compassionate and myself; my inner voice that guides me to keep growing and trying.

Favourite quote…  “I want God to play in my bloodstream the way sunlight amuses itself on water.” Elizabeth Gilbert

Delaney was a model at the November 2010 yoUnlimited event and is the creator of “Girls Can Be” Women’s Collective, an initiative of the Dirty Wall Project – join Delaney at the July 8th Fundraiser

Contact Delaney

PO Box 55028 Stn. Cadboro Bay, Victoria, BC, V8N
P:  250-412-7819
E:  delaney@surgestrategies.com
W:  http://www.surgestrategies.com
T:  http://www.twitter.com/delaneytosh
LI: www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Delaney/Tosh

Fiona Prince, Prince Heron Communications

 Consultants, Speakers  No Responses »
Jan 172012
 

An approved facilitator for the BC Provincial Government, Fiona is an instructor in the Continuing Studies Program, and Associate Faculty at Royal Roads University School of Communication and Culture.   She assists others through workshops and coaching, to discover and appreciate their communication and working styles, while  focusing on strengths and talents.   Fiona believes that  “Most problems in the workplace occur because of misunderstandings caused by different communication styles.  When people understand  how and why they occur, they can participate in developing strategies, goals and tactics to overcome them, moving forward with less stress and more fun.”

What’s the best part for you of being part of yoUnlimited? Seeing the personal and professional growth that happens for people between events.

Favourite Books: Please Understand Me II by Dr. David West Keirsey and People Patterns by Stephen Montgomery provide me with a framework for understanding myself and others.

What qualities do you admire in others: I value people who balance service to others with taking care of themselves and those who work to their strengths and ask for help when and where they need it.

What is your favourite activity? Learning and sharing

What is the best advice you have ever received? It’s not what you do but how you do it that makes all the difference.

What or who inspires or moves you? Rabbi and Chani Kaplan, who came to Victoria to raise their family and strengthen the Jewish community; they lead by example.

What is your personal philosophy? Miscommunication is inevitable. Sometimes I don’t even understand myself

What brings you to your knees? People who do not see their own potential

What is your most proud moment? When something I say or do helps another person move closer to their own goals.

When do you feel your healthiest? After a long walk

Favourite quote… “The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it” – Chinese Proverb

Fiona participated in the Networking Panel in November 2010 and also provided Laser Coaching Sessions as an exhibitor at that event.

Connect with Fiona

M:  4407 Wilkinson Road
P:  250.418.5982
E:  fiona@princeheron.com
W:  www.princeheron.com
F: www.facebook.com/princefiona
T:  www.twitter.com/princeheron
LI:  www.linkedin.com/in/fionaprince

Michele Powell – Tell Mia

 Consultants, Speakers  No Responses »
Jan 172012
 

Offering up an array of services and products,  TellMia’s guiding principles include providing great customer service, high quality, well priced products and current information towards finding or reclaiming your sexual happiness. Encouraging and supporting exciting sex lives, TellMia provides fun, educational Adult Home Parties, Individual Coaching,  and Workshops wherer you are invited to learn/shop in a comfortable, non-judgmental environment.

What’s the best part for you of being part of yoUnlimited?  Being inspired by bright, motivated talented women.

What is your favourite place in the world?  New York City, the perfect combo of history, culture, diversity & cool people.

Favourite Books:  Reallivenudegirl by Carol Queen

What qualities do you admire in others:  Self awareness, good communication skills, and an open mind.

What or who inspires or moves you?  Anyone following their dreams.

What is your personal philosophy?  I try to live my life with integrity, honestly and passion.

What moves you to tears?  Goodbyes.

Where do you find your joy?  My kids, my friends, lover, and my business.

What brings you to your knees?  A kiss with his hands in my hair.

What is the lesson you learn over and over again?  It works out in the end and if it is not worked out, it is not the end.

Who or what motivates you?  A desire to be acknowledged, financially successful, and respected.

When do you feel your healthiest?  When walking in the fresh air.

Connect with Michele:

Linda Hunter, Author and Event Planner

 Consultants, Speakers  No Responses »
Jan 172012
 


Linda is an event planner and professional writer who is dedicated to service and open to possibility.  The author of “An Unforgettable After-Grad”, she has over 20 years of conference and event planning experience and has successfully produced five unforgettable After-Grad events for Parkland Secondary School.  Linda lives in Sidney, British Columbia where she shares her heart and her home with her husband, her mother, and three grown children.  She divides her time between conference & event planning and writing her second book.


What’s the best part for you of being part of yoUnlimited? The energy from the other women and the new things I learn each time.

What is your favourite place in the world? Any place that family is gathered, and if it’s by the ocean, even better!

Favourite Books: The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck , Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

What qualities do you look for in others: Honesty, integrity and authenticity.

What’s on your bucket list? A trip to India, attend a meditation retreat and to learn Spanish.

What is the best advice you have ever received? To accept rather than resist those things I cannot control or change, from my father-in-law when at 59 he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

What or who inspires or moves you? Small children learning to walk, blind people who ski, fearless adventure seekers, those who overcome adversity or tragedy.

What is your personal philosophy? Take only what you need, and share what you have.

Advice you would pass on to yourself at 19? Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks, just do it!

Who is your favourite community organization for contribution? Food Bank – food is life.

What moves you to tears? The song “Amazing Grace”.

Where do you find your joy? In my gratitude walks, cooking, and watching my children interact.

What brings you to your knees? Suffering, images of war.

What is the lesson you learn over and over again? Be myself, I AM ENOUGH!

When do you feel your healthiest? On vacation, when I am swimming in the ocean.

Favourite quote… Ring the bells that still can ring, forget your perfect offering, there is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.  Leonard Cohen


Linda will be speaking at the summer 2011 yoUnlimited event on “Celebration, Traditions, and the “Open” Dinner Table”, part of the Living with Grace Series,

Contact Linda:

Trish Bishop – Choose2Live

 Speakers  No Responses »
Jan 172012
 

As an Intuitive Guide, Trish Bishop’s ultimate goal is to to provide people with the tools they need to discover who they really are.  She helps people quickly identify the issues that are keeping them from achieving their greatness, and helps  them learn to trust and recognize their own intuitive capabilities so they can receive intuitive information on their own.

What’s the best part for you of being part of yoUnlimited?  The connection with absolutely amazingly powerful women!

What is your favourite place in the world?  The beach – pretty much any beach with soft sand.

Favourite Book:  Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch. It was the first time I understood and had to really look at the fact that I was the ONLY one responsible for creating my reality!

What qualities do you admire in others:  Honesty – I value people who are honest about who they are and who are honest in their engagements with others. That is where real connection happens!

If you could only do one thing, what would that be?  Smile

What is the best advice you have ever received?  My dear friend Katherine told me, “Real power comes from empowering others.”  That changed my entire life.

What or who inspires or moves you?  Eminem – he not only is who he is without apology, but he has the courage to share his journey with the world.

What is your personal philosophy?  Be who you are without apology.

Advice you would pass on to yourself at 19?  Keep going – you’re heading in the right direction!

What brings you to your knees?  Surrender – when I realize I don’t have all the answers and I don’t know everything – every time I get to that place I am humbled and surrender to my own vulnerability.

What is the lesson you learn over and over again?  That as soon as I think I’m getting to the point where I’m ‘in the know’ I quickly learn I know nothing at all.

When do you feel your healthiest?  In the morning when I’ve just gotten home from the gym and am drinking my fruit smoothie – that time of the day totally rocks!

Favourite quote…  “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” ~Dr. Suess

Contact Trish:

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Laureen Barry, Eagle Ridge Productions

 Speakers  No Responses »
Jan 172012
 

A certified Feng Shui Consultant , Laureen is the author of “What You See is What You Get: Transform Your Dreams from Possibility to Reality”.  A workshop facilitator and speaker, she is passionate about understanding how we create our reality and how we can use that knowledge to live happy and fulfilled lives.  Laureen inspires others to create their lives intentionally rather than accidentally.

What’s the best part for you of being part of yoUnlimited?  Connecting with an amazing group of local ladies.  They inspire me!

Favourite Books: The Secret of the Ages by Robert Collier; The Power of your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy; Excuse me Your Life is Waiting by Lyn Grabhorn; The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity by Ponder;  The Answer by John Assaraf.

What qualities do you admire in others?  Honesty above all.  If we try to deceive others, we are only deceiving ourselves.  We can’t “live our lives out loud” if we’re cowering in the shadows of fear and deception.

If you could only do one thing, what would that be?  Inspire my loved ones to be all they can be; to live their lives with hope and passion; to pursue their dreams without hesitation.

What or who inspires or moves you?  People who are committed to pursuing and living their passion in the face of all opposition.

What is your personal philosophy?  Honesty is the best policy.  Be authentic and congruent.

Advice you would pass on to yourself at 19?  The sky is the limit.  Remove the shackles others would try and place on you.  You are a child of the King – hold your head high.

Who is your favourite community organization for charity?  The S.P.C.A. and the Salvation Army.  They both do incredible work to relieve suffering.

What moves you to tears?  Abuse and injustice.  We are all created equal and have the right to love and respect.

Where do you find your joy?  In nature and among family and friends.

What is the lesson you learn over and over again?  I create my reality.

Favourite quote…  “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” Lao Tsu

Connect with Laureen:

  • A:  4420 West Saanich Road, P.O. Box 24020, Victoria, BC, V8Z 7E7
  • P:  250-888-3843
  • E:  laureen@laureenbarry.com
  • W:  www.laureenbarry.com
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Veronique da Silva

 Photographers, Sponsors  No Responses »
Jul 032011
 

“Style” is the first word that came to me when I met Veronique da Silva.  She attended a women’s networking event that I was hosting and when she arrived you could feel her presence – you knew that this was a woman who not only makes things happen but would attract a lot of amazing women to her at the same time.  As I have come to know her better, she has proven this to be true as she has shown me her sense of generosity, compassion, relationship building and commitment to community.

Arriving in Victoria in 2005, Veronique came from Montreal where she held a position managing the photo archive for the National Film Board, a job which she describes as amazing and really got her creative juices flowing.  She had her own business there, as she does here with da Silva Photo, shooting commercial and retail photography.

Setting  up roots in Victoria came  naturally for Veronique, “Vero” to her close friends.  She became involved in the Fernwood Community Association, volunteering as the photographer for the publication “Vibe”.  She also volunteered and did fundraising with Bridges for Women and Woodwyn Farms.   The main focus of her early days in Victoria, however, was her beautiful little girl, Sofia.  After three and half years, and with Sofia ready to start kindergarten, Veronique relaunched her commercial photography business in Victoria.  Sofia is frequently by her side – in fact, the first time I visited Veronique at her studio, Sofia was there in the role of Business Manager, handing out business cards and promoting her mom (I’m told that Sofia wants to start her own business one day soon).

“To Haiti with Love” was a day long event that Veronique created immediately after the devastating news of the earthquakes in Haiti.   This event came together in six days and raised over $12,000.  Veronique and her studio partner Michael shot black and white photos throughout the day for donations, and another friend, Miss Rosie Bitts coordinated an evening show with vocals and burlesque, complete with Gordie Tupper as the MC!   This event captured the attention of local and national media.

Veronique loves to build connections for people and was constantly being asked “do you know someone who…” and so she decided to get a bunch of women together for a potluck event in her living room – 30 women showed up and the event went until 2 am in the morning!  The next morning, while she was cleaning up bottles from her living room she was receiving emails from women who wanted to know when the next one was going to be…and the Girls Night Mixer was born and immediately outgrew the living room…events have been held at the Fernwood Inn, Union Pacific Coffee House and The Oswego.  The distribution list has grown from 30 to 550 and events are sold out within 24 hours of the invitation being sent out.  The group is an intimate number of under 100, where tremendous friendships are born with spectacular women.   The benefactor of funds raised at these events has been Bridges for Women.

And what does the future hold for Veronique and Sofia?   Lots of personal and professional growth – Veronique loves her studio space, has rebranded her business look and feel, her creative juices are flowing and her business growth enables her philanthropic  energy to shine through.  Sofia is in school and sets up her business, her “store” in the studio while Veronique works.   It is my honour and pleasure to know these two ladies and I’ll be watching them as they soar to unlimited heights!

Da Silva Photo

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