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@ottawabluesfest
/ottawabluesfest
/ottawabluesfest
info@ottawabluesfest.ca
FOO FIGHTERS I DAVE MATTHEWS BAND I SHAWN MENDES BRYAN ADAMS I BECK I RAE SREMMURD STURGILL SIMPSON I RISE AGAINST I BRETT ELDREDGE THREE DAYS GRACE I JETHRO TULL I BLUE RODEO I ZEDS DEAD I JESSIE REYEZ THE WAR ON DRUGS I COURTNEY BARNETT I BROCKHAMPTON CHROMEO I COLIN JAMES I ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES I OH WONDER I GHOSTFACE KILLAH THE STRUMBELLAS I LIGHTHOUSE I PASSENGER I MACHINE GUN KELLY I NAUGHTY BY NATURE I M. WARD GRETA VAN FLEET I KEYS N KRATES I GRANDTHEFT I LAUV I HANSON I BENJAMIN BOOKER I NONAME DEAR ROUGE I KIMBRA I KODIE SHANE I YAEJI I LONDON ON DA TRACK I BETH HART I THE SPENCER LEE BAND HUNTER SIEGEL I CHELSEA CUTLER I NICK LOWE WITH LOS STRAITJACKETS I THE JERRY CANS I GEOFFROY LARKIN POE I RL BOYCE I THE JULIAN TAYLOR BAND I CHUURCH I FORTUNATE ONES ELIJAH WOODS X JAMIE FINE I JUPITER & OKWESS I ANDREW “JR. BOY” JONES & KERRIE LEPAI JONES MOLLY TUTTLE I THE SUITCASE JUNKET I SWEET CRUDE I JOHN NEMETH I HAT FITZ & CARA I STEVE HILL THE TEXAS HORNS I THE SPLIT I MONKEYJUNK I RED YOUNG I LIZA ANNE I MR. SIPP I BOB LOG III I A.J. CROCE COMMON DEER I THE LACHY DOLEY GROUP I ANTHONY GERACI I BRANDON SANTINI I VANESSA COLLIER BAY LEDGES I TJ WHEELER I CASSIDY TAYLOR I EAT A PEACH I LILLY HIATT I ALANNA STERLING & THE SILVERS AMOS THE TRANSPARENT I ANDREW CASSARA I ANDREW WAINES I ANGELIQUE FRANCIS BAND ...AND MORE! 4 DAY WEEKEND PASS $149 + HST AND FEES
VISIT OTTAWABLUESFEST.CA FOR FULL LINE-UP LINE-UP WILL ALWAYS BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MAY 2018
EDITORIAL TEAM John Allaire Jamie Barrie Janice Buckler Denise Alison Jody Euloth Ceiledh Monk Dan Monk
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Carmen Fitzpatrick GRAPHIC DESIGNER Matt Erikson SOCIAL MEDIA LEAD Calli Gregg ADMINISTRATOR LEAD Erica Atwater
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Lee Ann Atwater
MANAGING DIRECTOR Rod Gregg
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER Stewart Gregg SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER David MacDonald
CONTRIBUTING WRITER AJ Sauve
CONTENT SERVICES LEAD Cameron Gregg
PUBLISHER AIDACA Media
RESEARCH TEAM LEADS Alia Morash Ashley Tanner
COMMUNICATIONS LEAD Kyte Carter
T his month things are heating up and we could not be happier about it. We are excited for our second annual “Top 10 Music Festival of Summer” list. This year we have some new events and some returning favorites from the editorial team for 2017. Check it out and see if your favorite festival made our list, then make sure that you have your tickets. In this issue we spoke with Brian Widahl as chainsaw sculptor “carver” and the owner of Widahl Woodcraft in Cochrane, Alberta. You will get to understand that when you see a fresh log of wood anchored in the bed of his truck it means someone’s vision is about to become a reality. It is also very possible that you might even be one of the thousands of proud owners of one of Brian’s hand-sculpted artworks – as the patrons for this small family-run business are widespread across North America. Tim Clattenburg, the owner of East Coast Panelized Wall Systems in Liverpool, Nova Scotia spoke with Spotlight on Business in May and it didn’t take long to learn that he understands a thing or two about innovation in construction, having over 27 years in the industry. Learn how East Coast PanelizedWall Systems combine time-tested building methods with modern technology and innovation that delivers customizable, energy efficient, beautiful new homes and structures all while saving the customer money and time. With warmer weather, most of us have been out detailing our cars and trucks getting them all shined up in the driveway, then standing back to snap the oblig- atory social media photo, and there, staring right back at you are those boldly out-of-place rusty brake calipers peeking out from behind the wheel rims. Not the shining image you want on social media when showing off your ride. This month we spoke with MGP Caliper Covers owner, Mike Barland and Marketing Director, Asher Stefani about the company and their unique products to solve your problem.
When a business venture is driven by pure passion, the excitement it creates can ooze off the webpage and onto your plate. Literally. Such is the case with Tastingtheheat.com, a website dedicated to lovers of hot sauces, salsas and just about anything that will make your taste buds stand up and sing! Kendall Stadler, a retired rock and roll musician out of St. Clair, Michigan teamed up with his wife Tracy and decided to let their passion for hot sauce guide them into their future and on the road in search of the best hot sauces and spicy foods from around the world. We hope you enjoy the issue and we would like to thank all those involved in putting this month’s issue together along with our readers as we look forward to telling more stories about successful businesses and the people behind the scenes making it happen.
Lee Ann Atwater Editor
279 Gary St, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 1H9 | PO Box 350007 Halifax, Nova Scotia B3M 0G3 P: 204 272 6228 E: info@spotlightonbusinessmagazine.com spotlightonbusinessmagazine.com
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If you ever notice that the Alberta plates on Brian Widahl’s dark grey GMC Sierra are riding a little low to the road some-
thing spectacular is about to happen. Brian is a chainsaw sculptor – a “carver” – and the owner of Widahl Woodcraft in Cochrane, Alberta and when you see a fresh log of White or Black Spruce or Jack Pine or Douglas Fir or Cedar anchored in the bed of his truck it means someone’s vision is becoming a reality. Since a lull in the residential construction industry in Southern Alberta in 2015 Brian, a carpenter by trade, has been busy taking orders for wooden replicas of taxidermied prize fish, custom home décor like nature-themed silhouettes and hanging signs, garden ornaments, gate posts, mail boxes, storefront mascots, and a little guy who only ever says “I amGroot” (ask your kids) among other things. If you’re one of the thousands of proud owners of one of Brian’s hand-sculpted artworks – and his patrons are widespread across North America andWestern Europe – you might be surprised to learn that Widahl Woodcraft is a small family-run business. “It’s basically just me andmy wife,” Brian explainedwith amatter-of-fact pride in his voice when he spoke with Spotlight on Business in late April. “I do the carving and my wife’s the real artist behind the scenes. She does all the painting and fine details like trimming. We never overthink a project; we stick to our skillsets and we just create.”
When a business venture is driven by pure passion, the excitement it creates can ooze off the webpage and onto your plate. Literally.
Such is the case with Tastingtheheat.com, a website dedicated to lovers of hot sauces, salsas and just about anything that will make your taste buds stand up and sing! Kendall Stadler, a retired rock and roll musician out of St. Clair, Michigan teamed up with his wife Tracy and decided to let their passion guide them into their future. Three years ago, while honeymooning on a beach, they started talking about those TV ads you see where people declare “I can work from anywhere. I have an Internet business.” Thewheels started turning and Tracy referencedKendall’s love of hot sauces as a possible business direction. An avid connoisseur of hot sauces from around the world, the idea made perfect sense to Kendall. Specifically, a review site where people could quickly look up and read about the best sauces being produced on the market
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08 MAY INDUSTRY EVENTS
12 SPOTLIGHT ON INDUSTRY 14 STRATIGRO SMALL BUSINESS TIP FOR MAY Giving yourself a Pep Talk 16 MESH MEDIA NETWORK- THE DYNAMIC SOUL OF SELLING The Top 3 Soft Skills You Best Magnify 18 CONTRACTORS’ CORNER What are potential unknowns for a renovation project? 24 TASTING THE HEAT Going Live with Spicy Goodness 34 SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS 38 ROCK THE BOAT MUSIC FESTIVAL A summer kitchen party at its best 39 23 RD RIVERFRONT JUBILEE See you at the JUBE! 43 CAVENDISH BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL 10 years and going strong 44 BOOTS AND HEARTS MUSIC FESTIVAL Living the #BOOTSLIFE 46 RBC OTTAWA BLUES FESTIVALS Twenty-five years of diversity and innovation keep Ottawa festival relevant 50 WIDAHL WOODCRAFT It’s all possible 54 MGP CALIPER COVERS Eye-Catching Upgrades for Your Ride 62 EAST COAST PANELIZED WALL SYSTEMS INNOVATIVE. PROFESSIONAL. AFFORDABLE 66 SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION 36 TOP 10 NORTH AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVALS FOR THE SUMMER OF 2018
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“A lot of guys aren’t into the innovative side of things in the construction industry, espe-
cially on the residential side,” explained Tim Clattenburg, the owner of East Coast Panelized Wall Systems in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Tim had a halting matter-of-factness in his voice when he spoke with Spotlight on Business in late May and I quickly learned that it comes with the certainty – the complete lack of pretense does – that 27 years in the construction industry affords a man like him. “The industry really needs to be turned upside down; there are better ways to do things,” he said. “So much
Imagine you have just pur- chased a new vehicle, complete with all the upgrades: leather seats, sunroof, custom wheels with the new, stylish open rims. You get it all shined up in the driveway, stand back to snap the obligatory social media photo, and there, staring right back at you are these boldly out-of-place brake calipers peeking out from behind the wheel rims. They are those bulky little metal plates that
72 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH
74 HOLISTIC HEALTH TIP FOR MAY BY JANICE BUCKLER Free Radicals
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MAY 2018 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
A IDACA MEDIA understands that small and medium size enterprises and businesses are key to the successful growth of any economy and just as import- ant as big businesses to the global economy as a whole. By putting a spotlight on your business, organization or commu- nity with effective and interactive media and advertising we will help you capture the interest of business leaders and potential clients, giving you an opportunity to promote your brand and grow market share through mobile, online, print and social media support, helping your business connect and stay engaged with your customers.
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Home staging results in better offers and less time on themarket. It’s a vital part of a provenmodernmarketing strategy that works in harmony with a professional photographer and a dedicated realtor. In fact, it’s the difference between gaining thousands and losing thousands. It’s a lifestyle-driven approach. It highlights the best features behind your For Sale sign in a way that educates prospective buyers about how well they can live in their new home. And it’s Pam MacKinnon’s speciality. Pam is a professional home stager, paint colour consultant, and home décor shopper at Revive Home Staging in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She’s also the proud owner since launching in 2013. Pam has been guiding home owners in the Halifax Regional Municipality through the process of preparing their property for sale. “Beautiful online photos are critical when listing your home,” she explained when she spoke with Spotlight on Business in January. “Potential buyers can effortlessly bypass your home online if it doesn’t stand out. It’s all amatter of a click or a swipe. Home staging attracts ...
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MAY 2018 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
THE CANADIAN COALITION OF WOMEN IN ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, TRADES AND TECHNOLOGY (CCWESTT) May 30 th – June 2 nd , 2018 The Sutton Place Hotel | Edmonton, AB, Canada Are you interested in sharing current and emerging research and best prac- tices, offering powerful professional development, and gaining practical solutions to the challenges you face regarding attraction, promotion and retention of women in Science, Engi- neering, Trades & Technology (SETT)? We are bringing together national and international subject experts, employ- ers, CEOs/presidents, government representatives, and women in SETT at all phases of their career lifecycle to share their knowledge and experience around diversity and inclusion. From this, we will distill research, industry, and life experience into con- ference proceedings, white papers, and policy documents – to help you and your organization move forward. To best create solutions to the wicked problems facing our society, we need collaboration and innovation, which is most likely with diverse teams. Be part of the solution! For more information of the event: http://www.ccwestt. org/2018-ccwestt-biennial-conference Follow on Twitter: @CCWESTT Follow on Facebook: @CCWESTT If yes, CCWESTT2018 is for you!
CANADA’S GLOBAL DEFENCE AND SECURITY TRADE SHOW (CANSEC)
May 30 th – May 31 st , 2018 EY Place | Ottawa, ON, Canada
CANSEC has been held annually in Ottawa since 1998 by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI). CANSEC 2017 was a great success and CANSEC 2018 will once again showcase lead- ing-edge technology, products and services for land-based, naval, aero- space and joint forces military units. This two-day event is the largest and most important defence industry event in Canada. Note: Attendance at all CANSEC events is restricted to CADSI members and govern- ment (federal, provincial, municipal, foreign) personnel only. For more information of the event: https://www.defenceandsecurity.ca/ CANSEC/cansec/Overview Follow on Twitter: #CANSEC2018 Follow on Facebook: #CANSEC2018
PROGRESSNEXT 2018
May 29 th – June 1 st , 2018 Westin Boston Waterfront | Boston, MA, USA ProgressNEXT is a global gathering of Progress customers and partners with a common goal: to deliver on the next generation of business apps for their organizations. Join us in Boston to learn, connect, collaborate and reimagine what’s possible. You’ll interact 1:1 with Progress executives, hear from orga- nizations building tomorrow’s appli- cations today and be able to craft your own agenda, choosing from the sessions, training and workshops relevant to you and your business. ProgressNEXT is the event for all Progress customers and partners. For more information of the event: https://www.progress.com/next Follow on Twitter: #ProgressNEXT18 Follow on Facebook: #ProgressNEXT18
INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE EXPO (IFE)
May 31 st - June 2 nd , 2018 Javits Center | New York, NY, USA
WHY ATTEND THE INTERNATION- AL FRANCHISE EXPO? The IFE is the place to be! Learn how you can afford to own your own franchise and be your own boss. Meet hundreds of proven
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MAY 2018
The 2018 Toronto Pro SuperShow will showcase more than 130 booths of the latest sports equipment, apparel and nutrition. The EXPO will host several sporting competitions, events, feature several guest speakers and industry celebrities. The Toronto Pro SuperShow EXPO will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre Exhibition Halls in the North Building. It is Canada’s largest health and fitness exposition. It showcases leading businesses and organizations with the latest trends in the industry. The Toronto Pro Super- Show EXPO is a must-see attraction. For more information of the event: http://www.torontoprosupershow. com/ Follow on Twitter: @TOProSuperShow Follow on Facebook: @TorontoProSu- perShow
tract.
The conference will bring together experts in food engineering, food science, food technology and nutri- tion. This is a significant opportunity for you to join leaders from industry and academia to ensure you keep abreast of recent developments in this fast-de- veloping field and for you to network with your international colleagues. For more information of the event: https://www.elsevier.com/events/con- ferences/food-structure-and-func- tionality-forum-symposium Follow on Twitter: @ELSfoodscience Follow on Facebook: @ELSfood- science
franchise brands at every investment level, in every industry starting under $10,000. educational programs - Visitors looking to invest in a franchise or franchise their existing business will find multiple seminars to meet their needs, many of which are FREE. Because of the large crowds, it’s advisable to register in advance for our in-depth workshops such as the A to Z’s of Buying a Franchise. Free Expert Advice - The Internation- al Franchise Expo is proud to host the SCORE Answer Center. Receive one- on-one coaching, business advice, and start-up support from successful executives across multiple industries and skill areas right on the show floor. It’s in NYC - This is the epicenter of business, communication, trends, fashion, food, and fun. It’s like no other franchising expo – and city – in the world. Comprehensive For more information of the event: http://www.ifeinfo.com Follow on Twitter: @MFVExpositions Follow on Facebook: @International- FranchiseExpo
CANADIAN TELECOM SUMMIT (CTS TORONTO)
June 4 th – 6 th , 2018 Hyatt Regency Montréal | Montréal, QC, Canada The Canadian Telecom Summit delivers thought provoking presen- tations from the prime movers of the industry. The Canadian Telecom Summit gives you the chance to hear from and talk with them in both a struc- tured atmosphere of frank discussion and high octane idea exchange and schmooze in a more relaxed social setting of genial conversation.
FOOD STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONALITY FORUM SYMPOSIUM
June 3 rd – 6 th , 2018 Hyatt Regency Montréal | Montréal, QC, Canada The conference will highlight the latest research efforts in food struc- turing and de-structuring. Two sessions will be entirely dedicat- ed to examining the impact of dairy structures on digestibility and nutri- tional release in the gastrointestinal
TORONTO PRO SUPERSHOW
June 2 nd – 3 rd , 2018 Metro Toronto Convention Centre Exhibition Halls | Toronto, ON, Canada
The leadership of the telecom, broad- cast & IT industries will converge in
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Toronto to discuss the key issues and trends that will impact this critical sector of the economy. Join more than 350 of your peers, suppliers, policy makers, regulators, customers and competitors in attending telecom’s most important gathering. Now in its 17th year, The Canadian Telecom Summit has become the place for Canada’s ICT leaders to meet, interact and do business. As in past years, this year’s Summit will feature high-octane interac- tion, top-level keynote speakers and thought-provoking panel discussions. Plan to join us. For more information of the event: http://www.gstconferences.com/ Follow on Twitter: #CTS18 Follow on Facebook: #CTS18
Sessions integrated within the confer- ence format will highlight and discuss key strategic areas of focus for auto- motive suppliers that will shape the next generation of the auto industry. For more information of the event: https://apma.ca/apma-annual-confer- ence-and-exhibition-2018/ Follow on Twitter: @APMACanada Follow on Facebook: @APMACanada
With more than 4000 participants, 100 speakers, and 60 exhibiting brands, Big Data x AI Toronto provides you with the tools, skills, and networking opportunities that you need to guide your company to a new dimension! For more information of the event: https://www.bigdata-toronto.com/ Follow on Twitter: @BigDataTO Follow on Facebook: @BigDataToronto June 12 th – 14 th , 2018 Toronto Congress Centre | Toronto, ON, Canada Attend Canada’s leading exclusive Metal Forming, Fabricating, Welding, and Finishing event in 2018! FABTECH Canada provides a conve- nient venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, find the tools to improve productiv- ity, and discover new solutions to all of your metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing needs. Three days at FABTECH Canada puts you face-to-face with more compa- nies, people, technologies, industries and equipment than you could review in months on your own. Even better, FABTECH Canada is where you’ll find new ideas – unexpected solutions you didn’t even know you needed. FABTECH Canada only happens every two years – so don’t miss this chance to make new connections, strengthen your business and increase profits. For more information of the event: http://fabtechcanada.com/ Follow on Twitter: @FabtechExpo Follow on Facebook: @FABTECH. Canada WANT TO BE FEATURED IN OUR EVENTS? CONTACT US AT SPOTLIGHTONBUSINESSMAGAZINE.COM FABTECH CANADA
BIG DATA SHOW (BIG DATA TORONTO)
June 12 th – 13 th , 2018 Metro Toronto Convention Centre | Toronto, ON, Canada Big Data Toronto is Canada’s #1 Big Data and Analytics Conference & Expo. Join the Canadian data industry at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in downtown Toronto for two days full of education, networking and product demos to help take your data and analysis to the next level. The conference will focus on technical and practical verticals including use cases around predictive analytics, advanced machine learning, data governance, privacy, cybersecurity, Smart Home & IoT, digital transformation, Hadoop, cloud analytics and cloud computing. 2018 is the year of intelligence and Big Data continues to be a driving force in innovative Canadian busi- nesses. This year, Big Data Toronto is co-located with the AI Toronto Con- ference to provide you with a unique 2-in-1 learning experience that is engi- neered to meet your data needs and challenges.
APMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
June 6 th , 2018 Caesars Windsor | Windsor, ON, Canada The 2018 APMA Annual Conference and Exhibition, Canada’s premier event for OE suppliers, provides the largest networking opportunity for those involved in the Canadian auto- motive industry. Featuring a wide array of speakers addressing key industry issues, this conference is a must attend event. This amazing ONE DAY format event of industry leading speakers address- ing key issues facing the industry while sharing strategic insights to focus on the opportunities. APMA’s Concurrent
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R ecently chief executives of General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler along with senior U.S. executives from Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Nissan, Honda, BMW and Daimler representing both American and foreign auto- makers went to the White House to meet with President Trump and push for a weakening of U.S. fuel efficiency stan- dards through 2025. While this meeting was not about NAFTA, it goes without saying that many of the automakers present have called NAFTA a success. Allowing automakers to allocate produc- tion throughout North America, making production more competitive with Asia and Europe and increasing auto pro- duction over the past two decades. President Trump used much of the hour-long meeting with chief executives of the auto industry to focus new attacks on NAFTA saying that he wants automakers to build more vehicles in the United States and export more vehicles out of the country to foreign markets . Most chief executives in the auto industry say that extreme changes to NAFTA may prompt some companies to move production out of the United States al together. We are sure that there is more to come on NAFTA and U.S. fuel efficiency standards as automakers want the White House and California to reach an agreement on maintain- ing national standards.
E ven with rising gasoline prices, U.S. retail sales increased slightly in April with analysts still expecting consumer spending to accelerate in the second quarter. The Commerce Department released that retail sales rose 0.3 percent in April with a 4.7 percent increase from a year ago which was in line with expectations. Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, retail sales rose 0.4 percent last month after increasing 0.5 percent increase in March. These so-called core retail sales correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of gross domestic product.
Sales growth is good news as consumer spending was down in the first quarter and was at its slowest rate in five years.
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MAY 2018
T he National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) announces the launch of DeliveringLocalJobs.com, the centerpiece of a new public awareness effort highlighting the faces of the beer distribution industry – the 135,000 men and women who work as truck drivers, sales representatives, inventory specialists, graphic designers, receptionists and more quality, well-paying, career-track distribution jobs available in local communities, in all 50 states. • $70 billion for the U.S. economy (GDP) • Nearly $180 million in community economic impacts (including support for charities and economic develop- ment) • Nearly $13 billion in tax revenue. “The ‘Delivering Local Jobs’ website helps recognize the 135,000 beer distribution employees who are the engines behind the American beer industry,” said NBWA President and CEO, Craig Purser. “Beer distributors may be best known for driving beer trucks down local streets deliver- A ccording to SoftBank CEO, Masayoshi Son, Walmart has reached an agreement to take control of Indian e-commerce firm Flipkart. However, no financial details have been disclosed at this time. Confirmation of the agreement ends much speculation that the U.S. retail giant would strike a deal with the Indian internet retail start-up which has a user base of 100 million, according to the company’s website. This agreement sees Walmart continue its battle with U.S. e-commerce giant Amazon in a key growth market for the company as Amazon reportedly made its own bid for a majority stake in Flipkart as part Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos plan to invest $3 billion in India. Altogether, those men and women earn $11.2 billion in wages and salaries, and they help generate:
ing fresh beer to stores, restaurants and pubs, but they are doing more than keeping store shelves stocked and taps flowing – they also are building beer brands, generating unprecedented consumer choice and boosting local econ- omies from coast to coast.” The new website uses a wide range of videos and individual stories to put a face on the men and women of the beer distribution industry. The first video on the website, The Face of the Beer Distribution Industry, shows more than 30 distribution employees from across the country who work in a wide range of jobs. The distributor employees highlighted on the website work with more than 5,000 brewers and importers to help build brands – large and small, well-known and brand new, from around the corner and from around the world. The website will serve as a resource for industry leaders, state and local elected officials and media representatives across the country.
For more information, please visit www.DeliveringLocal- Jobs.com.
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MAY 2018 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Denise Alison empowers business owners to build relationships and connect with their potential customers on social media, and through live video.
By Denise Alison R unning a business isn’t easy. Some days it’s just damn hard. We all have days (I know I cer- tainly do) when we wonder why we’ve chosen the road less travelled by, and became an entrepreneur. Sometimes it just seems a lot easier to go work for someone else – check in at 9, check out at 5, and not have to worry about building a business all day every day. Sometimes it can feel as if you are spinning your wheels and not making any progress. You might lose confi- dence in your product, your business, and yourself. While it’s normal to feel this way sometimes, it’s important not to stay there very long and let it affect you long term. I’m here to help you break out of your funk. Think about why you started You created your business because you are passionate about something. You chose to make a living pursuing your passion, instead of working for someone else. Being an entrepreneur gives you the power to make your own decisions each and every day. It allows
you to create what you wish and help others with their problems, while feeding your own passion. You have something to offer the world! Put in the time Sometimes when you hit a little slump, it’s because you are not putting in the required effort to get the business off the ground. In the early stages of a business, expect to be working longer hours. You can’t just wait for your ideal customers to show up because they magically know you exist. You need to put yourself out there and get some visibility. Tell anyone who will listen what you are up to and what your business offers. Work smarter not harder Working very hard and long hours, but still not seeing results? Sometimes it’s a matter of working differently. If you have an awesome product, but no or few customers, then you need to change something. Make sure you know who your target market is, who can make the purchase decision, and that you are communicating the value of your product or service in a way they can relate to. Make a plan to improve your situation. Do you need to hustle more, or do you need a different approach? What can you do today to improve your current situation? Don’t know where to start? Being an entrepreneur means you need to hustle. This means you give it your all to make it work. You are in charge of your own destiny and it’s up to you to make it happen!
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MAY 2018 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Jody Euloth is the CEO of The Mesh Media Network and Founder of The Dynamic Soul of Selling. She helps entrepreneurs, business and sales professionals and creative visionaries get over their fear of selling so they can generate more revenue and make a bigger impact in business.
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MAY 2018
By Jody Euloth Y ou may have heard of the book ‘Think and Grow Rich.’ In it, Napoleon Hill talks about ‘personal magnetism.’ He says, ‘When employing salesmen, the more capable sales manager looks for the quality of personal magnetism as the first requirement of a salesman.’ (Yes, I’m aware of the gender exclusivity in the mention of the ‘sales’ role, the book was published in the 1930s, but the point is around ‘personal magnetism’ which applies to all genders.) One thing I’ve had people tell me throughout my career is ‘You’re so good at dealing with people.’ And, whilebuilding relationships with my colleagues and clients is a favorite part of my work, it’s not always as easy and natural as some people believe. It demands enthusiasm and poise, effort and development. The good news is it can be done. The better news is, if done right, combining the hard sales skills with these soft, aka interpersonal, skills will be your golden ticket to building your network and increasing revenue. In our Upgrade Your Sales programs, we teach all the hard skills of sales: how to implement sales systems, how to direct a conversation, handling objectives, lead generation etc. All the systems that are necessary to implement in the sales process. But it’s how you leverage your soft skills connecting with prospects and clients that can directly impact your business. In a recent survey by Workforce Solutions Group, 60% of employers say that applicants are not demonstrating sufficient communication and interpersonal skills to even be considered for the job, let alone excel at doing it once they get it. Early in my career, I was fortunate to be able to work for the global masters of customer service, Carnival Cruise Lines Corporation. They are world class when it comes to delivering an exceptional customer expe- rience. One of the policies at the time was when a customer said, ‘thank you’ employees were not allowed to respond with ‘No Problem.’ It’s a statement that is negative, negative. Instead, responding with some- thing more positive like ‘My Pleasure’ or ‘Your Welcome’ is much more inviting and encouraged. Maybe we’re diving too much into the psychology of sales, but it still irks me a bit when someone in customer service says, ‘No Problem.’ 1. Listening ~ Effective communication is imperative. And the only way to ensure positive communication is to practice intentional listening. Taking the time to really focus on what is being said, without thinking about the response or solution. This allows for understanding of needs and situations and sets you up for successful collaborations and team work with both clients and colleagues. 2. Positive Attitude ~ A positive attitude ranges in forms from self-confidence and body posture to mood, adaptability and the way individuals react to challenges. Working on being poised and keeping compo- sure inall situations and with all types of people, will allow you to handle business in a positive manner. It takes effort and practice but will ensure healthy relationship building and increased results. Everyone enjoys being around positive people. 3. Business Etiquette ~ The way you conduct yourself around your peers, clients and colleagues, is directly related to your success. Are your dependable, prompt and respectful when it comes to meetings and projects? Are you aware of how much you talk, the level of your voice and your reactions in social settings? Managing your responses and conducting yourself in a calm manner signals great leadership and shows respect for colleagues. Business etiquette, along with the rest of your soft skills will help your business, both now and intothe future. For more, sales tips and strategies, sign up for ‘The Dynamic Soul of Selling’ Newsletter at www.meshme- dianetwork.ca/dynamic-soul- of-selling/ For a free 15-minute sales consultation to determine if you would benefit from ‘The Dynamic Soul of Selling 90-minute Strategy Session’ email jody@meshmedianetwork.com Jody Euloth is the CEO of The Mesh Media Network and Founder of The Dynamic Soul of Selling. She helps entrepreneurs, business and sales professionals and creative visionaries get over their fear of selling so they can generate more revenue and make a bigger impact in business. Social handles @jodyeuloth • www.meshmedianetwork.com Here are 3 soft skills you want to leverage in your sales game:
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MAY 2018 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Experienced contractors can see the signs or know what to look for in a home that will allow them to make informed decisions about potential unknown conditions. Often this is why an experienced pro- fessional renovator will provide a more detailed and often higher priced estimate than an inexpe- rienced person or a person who does work on the side or under the table. Often, an experienced renovator will include options in their estimates for potential unknowns, such as hazardous materials (asbestos or lead paint), anticipated water damage, re-sheeting a roof and cracked foundations as a few examples of items which a proactive and experienced ren-
By Dan Monk, P.Eng. / Red Seal Carpenter and Owner – MONK Renovations T here are known unknowns and there are unknown unknowns, basically items you can predict with relative certainty based on experience and observa-
tion and items that are not possible to know without opening walls, ceilings and floors. I will do my best to explain some of the challenges of home reno- vations and how working with a professional reno- vator can help avoid some pitfalls and their associat- ed cost. Contractors cannot see through walls or under floors, however with years of experience it is possible to know, with some cer- tainty, what could be hidden. An experienced renovator can, and often does, provide pricing for situations that are likely to occur, this allows the home owner to have more certainty of pricing and make decisions on budget before the project starts.
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MAY 2018
ovator will discuss and/or provide an estimate for prior to renovation. Please remember, professionals still cannot see through walls and cannot allow for every possible scenario. There will be unknowns and associated extras and it is important to have a 5-15% contingency in a renovation budget for unknowns. Hazardous Materials – Asbestos was used as an additive to many building products, predominately between 1945- 1985, commonly used in plaster, drywall mud, flooring underlayment, fire resistant materials and tile flooring. A professional will allow for sampling and testing for asbestos and can provide an estimate in advance of the renova- tion for hazardous material removal, which should always include air sampling when completed to ensure your home is safe when the project is complete. Water Damage – This can be challenging for any contrac- tor to see before removal of wall or floor coverings and can range from minor to significant rot and mould. A profes- sional will know how to handle this type of situation and will typically charge based on time (an established labour rate in the contract) and materials, which will include a rea- sonable mark-up. This is known as a time & materials contract and can be easily tracked and protect both the client and the renovator. Hazardous Wiring / Plumbing not to Code / Struc- ture Damaged or Improperly Constructed – These are three items that are commonly exposed during renova- tion projects. Perhaps the original home was not built by a professional or a handy-person attempted an addition or renovation. This is often the cause of the above noted hidden unknowns, but once they are exposed they must be addressed by a professional to address the past mistakes and make the home safe for the client. I hope you have found the above information helpful, please remember the best way to protect against unknowns is to hire a professional and do a thorough review / inspection of your home before renovations. Ask lots of questions so you can identify areas of potential uncertainty and manage that risk by getting detailed estimates.
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MAY 2018 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
By David MacDonald T hey know all the old standards. Your first three months is half off. Maybe your first month was even free. You can bundle and enjoy unlimited service for 25 percent off for the first six months on a one-year contract if you get two additional receivers or the home phone. Quite simply put, consumers are used to, they even expect, the swipe of the double-edge sword that big telecoms have been wielding since the dawn of dial-up internet in the early 1990s – or even pager-use in the 1980s. And now, more than ever, staying connected is vital – and they know it. As the demand increases for fast and reliable internet across Canada, so too does the price. Rogers was the first major internet service provider to hike their rates. On March 12, they raised the price of all plans by CDN 8 dollars.
internet rates increase by CDN 5 dollars a month while those in Quebec saw a monthly increase of CDN 3 dollars.
While Telus hasn’t been so direct about their participa- tion in the most recent price gouging in memory, they’re not without sin. In January, they put a stop to their bundle discount. This is all in the wake of a CRTC report that found that the big Canadian telecoms’ internet- specific revenues sky- rocketed 10.2 percent in 2016 when compared to 2015’s numbers, according to the CBC’s Sophia Harris. The big three have all cited necessary and pending infra- structure upgrades as the driving force behind the price increase.
Bell followed suit on April 1. Customers in Ontario saw their
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MAY 2018
By David MacDonald T raditionally, when your child goes off to college you have some redecorating to do. Maybe you have a home office in mind. Maybe a gym. A guest room. A games room. Maybe a complete remodel and you give yourself that green- house-spa you’ve always dreamed of. The bottom line is, you’ve got plans. But what happens when Sears or Toys R Us or Best Buy moves out of the local mall? According to Amanda Nicholson, a professor of retail practice at Syracuse University, these nest fliers are leaving behind millions of square feet of unoccupied mall space and scrambling property managers. But there is a simple solution.
“We don’t need all the mall space we have just for shopping,” Nicholson told CNBC’s Kellie Ell in March.
For Nicholson, the future of many North American shopping malls lies in adopting a mixed-use experience which integrates residential units, health clubs, grocery stores and upscale restaurants.
There still is life in brick-and-mortar stores despite the fact that so many consumers are happily lost in the Amazon. In 2017, retail sales across the board grew just over four percent.
“The fact is that people are still spending money on eating and going out and shopping,” Nicholson explained. “They want to socialize. They’re still human. “But they want to do it in a way that is fundamentally different than what we were doing 40 years ago in a one-level mall with a smelly food court in the center.”
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MAY 2018 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
By David MacDonald B ig-rig fever is now a global pandemic and if you’re not properly immunized it’s recommended that you should take all precautions – mostly just stay away from millennial hotspots like Starbucks. That’s right. The category is evolving because the same generation that propelled the Kardashians to fame and took the Snuggie seriously has decided to get some fresh air. That’s according to Bloomberg’s Kyle Stock who sees rising sales in vehicles like the Jeep Renegade as a sign that pad- dleboarding, adventure racing, rock climbing, and cross-country skiing millennials are redefining the automotive category responsible for rushing them safely to soccer 20 years ago.
Stock believes they’re emboldened by “cheap credit.”
“Last year, Americans bought about 270,000 new boats, almost 50,000 more than they did in 2014. They also bought roughly 442,000 tow-able campers, a 41 percent increase from 2014. In short, for the SUV set, it’s about far more than Costco competency and a commanding view of the road, as crossover critics have long claimed. None of this will be news to anyone who has set foot in a Whole Foods, Lululemon or a Crossfit “box” (known to normal people as a gym).
Despite all our screens – and in some cases because of them – health is no longer just a hobby.
The smartest automakers saw this coming,” he said.
And buyer’s remorse isn’t a factor for these millennials; they’re too busy checking their Step Counter app from a cliff face using their SUV’s Wi-Fi in the parking lot below to care.
Phil LeBeau, the editor of CNBC’s Behind the Wheel, says that “despite rising interest rates, Americans are borrowing more than ever to buy new and used vehicles.”
“Analysis of auto loans in the fourth quarter by Experian shows the average new vehicle loan hit a record high $31,099 [USD], while the average loan for a used auto climbed to a record of $19,589 [USD].”
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MAY 2018
Pouring Perfect Pints
Did you know that an estimated 10 million Canadians drink beer as their alcoholic beverage of choice? Draught beer is the freshest of these beers, as it does not go through the same distribution channels as canned or bottled beer. It is produced, kegged and delivered fresh to pubs and restaurants. As a draught system technologist, BeerTech’s number one goal is to ensure that draught beer be dispensed to consumers as the brewer intended. It all starts with system balance. Whether it is a short draw system (direct draw from a fridge below the towers) or a long draw (from a cooler located somewhere
in the building and driven to the tower and faucets at the bar), it is imperative that the system be balanced. Cooler temperature, beer temperature, gas pressure and calculations on the route the beer will travel (distance, any gravity or lift the lines will travel, restriction caused by hardware such as tubing size and hardware within the towers) must be correct. The result will be a perfectly poured pint; cold, properly carbonated and with a nice head on the beer. It is critical after a proper install that the BeerTech system is maintained regularly. Temperatures should be monitored and the lines, couplers and faucets should be kept clean. As well, the cooler in which the beer is stored should be kept clean.
Serving quality draught beer requires time and technique. Select the proper glassware for the style and brand of beer you are offering. When pouring draught, the glass should never contact with the faucet. Hold the glass at a 45 degree angle until reaching ¾ full, then straighten and lower slightly to allow for the head to form. Beer, much like wine, has a nose. The glass should be served with the logo or label facing the customer and, whenever possible, on a coaster from the respective brewery. Follow the steps above and you are ready to enjoy a fresh, perfectly poured pint every time! Please enjoy responsibly! Ken Greer Owner Technician BeerTech Draught Systems Technologies
BEERTECH PROVIDES CONSULTING, DESIGN, INSTALLATION, CLEANING & MAINTENANCE SERVICES
HAPPY CLIENTS CHRISTOPHER REYNOLDS, ANDREW CONNELL AND LAURA MACDONALD - OWNERS OF STILLWELL BEER BAR
CUSTOM TAPS
KEGERATORS
BEVERAGE DISPENSE GAS
BULK CO2 SYSTEMS
MAY 2018 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE (902) 431-BEER (2337) www.BeerTech.ca
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MAY 2018
By John Allaire T hose foodie pictures you see on your friends’ social media pages are more than an exclamation of momentary bliss over reaping the spoils of a life well spent. There is actually a need buried somewhere in the human psyche driving people to share their good experi- ences with others. Kendall explains, “You know when you find a new recipe or have a great meal at a restaurant that you really love and want to share with everyone? And you take pictures and post it on social media? That’s what Tas- tingTheHeat.com is all about. We are offering the informa- tion we have gathered from all around the world and we have turned it into an easy, fun way to look up these differ- ent hot sauces and find out more about them.” The independent or “craft” revolution is no longer limited to breweries and distilleries. Boutique coffee producers, soda producers and hot sauce inventors are throwing their hat into the indie producers ring, and the potential for growth seems limitless. “If you look at the craft beer industry, the hot sauce industry is doing kind of the same thing,” Kendall points out. “Where your Budweiser and Miller is kind of like your ketchup… You know, name two or three brands of ketchup, and you would say Heinz or Hunts, but there aren’t a lot of them out there. And hot sauces used to be the same — just Tabasco and Frank’s. And now it is just exploding with independent hot sauce makers, just like the craft beer industry. The choices out there now are amazing!” “We are offering the information we have gathered from all around the world.” This is evidenced by full stores and mall outlets across North America being dedicated solely to hot sauces, salsas and other spicy condiments. Kendall explains that this is where you can use TastingTheHeat.com to full advantage. “You can go into these hot sauce boutiques and bring up TasingTheHeat.com on your smart phone, find reviews for many of the hot sauces on the shelf, and make informed choices. And we only review what we consider to be the very best. Consumers can really benefit from the legwork we have done for them.” Unlike the craft beer and distillery world, where craft products are still hovering around the 5% mark of total mar- ketshare, The Stadler’s research tells a different story in the hot sauce world. In fact, the independent producers have flipped the tables, leaving a mere 30% of the marketshare to the major players. “The other 70%, which is huge, are these small-batch boutique hot sauce makers. And there are now thousands of them, and the numbers are growing every day. It is getting to the point where they are making new sauces, and the flavor is becoming more important than the heat. The heat is becoming an added benefit.”
When a business venture is driven by pure passion, the excitement it creates can ooze off the webpage and onto your plate. Literally. Such is the case with Tastingtheheat.com, a website dedicated to lovers of hot sauces, salsas and just about anything that will make your taste buds stand up and sing! Kendall Stadler, a retired rock and roll musician out of St. Clair, Michigan teamed up with his wife Tracy and decided to let their passion guide them into their future. Three years ago, while honeymooning on a beach, they started talking about those TV ads you see where people declare “I can work from anywhere. I have an Internet business.” The wheels started turning and Tracy referenced Kendall’s love of hot sauces as a possible business direction. An avid connoisseur of hot sauces from around the world, the idea made perfect sense to Kendall. Specifically, a review site where people could quickly look up and read about the best sauces being produced on the market today. A reference guide to the new independent hot sauce revolution. Spotlight on Business Magazine spoke with Kendall Stadler about his website, his social media presence, his motivation, and how he and his wife are hitting the road in search of the best hot sauces and spicy foods from around the world.
Of course, social media plays an increasingly large role in
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MAY 2018 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
the success of most businesses, and in particular, inter- net-based review sites that strive to hit a broad- spectrum audience. In fact, probably the best way to find out what’s happening and what’s new on TastingTheHeat.com is to join their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/tastingthe- heat). Kendall mentions, “The Tasting The Heat Facebook page is the hub of their information for the hot sauce world. We can point you towards the events, to our actual website, and to our YouTube page with our video series. We also do a live show, Tasting the Heat Live. That’s where I interview these hot sauce makers from around the world. Just last week I interviewed somebody from Australia, and I get requests to be on the show, because the way things work now with social media, they can take the video and share it with their friends and customers on their own websites and social media pages. It increases their exposure 100-fold.” “If you look at the craft beer industry, the hot sauce industry is doing kind of the same thing.” Kendall is very clear with his mission statement. Their efforts all point to giving a voice to the hot sauce makers and enthusiasts — a forum that serves as a hub or clearing- house for the hot sauce community. Stepping back from the canvas a little and waxing philo- sophical, Kendall explains the important role sauces play in the preparation and diversification of dietary planning and fulfillment. “The whole world has the same basic four proteins: beef, poultry, fish, and pork. With hot sauces, you can completely change the profile of the food you are cooking on many different levels. If you have 1,000 dif-
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MAY 2018
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