MAY/JUNE 2022
THE JUBILEE CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF ROCKIN’ THE RIVER
KIRRIBILLI ECORETREAT - PICTOU ISLAND YURTS NURTURING THE HUMAN SPIRIT THROUGH THE POWER OF A TINY COASTAL ISLAND
HALIFAX STANFIELD AIR CARGO GETTING GOODS OFF THE GROUND & INTO MARKETS ALTERNATIVE RESOURCE ENERGY AUTHORITY Real Projects. Real Benefits. Real Change.
MAY/JUNE 2022 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE IN THE SPOTLIGHT KRIS MCCARTHY PRO HOCKEY PLAYER & GM TO CO-FOUNDER & COO OF FANSAVES
AIDACA MEDIA Publication
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Editor’s Spotlight In this issue of Spotlight on Business Magazine, we showcase 25 years of the Jubilee as it gets ready to celebrate its Silver Anniversary after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic. The Jubilee or “Jube” as it is affectionately known to most, is an award-winning music and community event that has brought thousands of music fans to Pictou County each year for three amazing nights along the East River of local, up and coming and the best iconic Canadian artists. Moving from the East River of Pictou Country to the Northumberland Strait, we chat with the owners of Kirribilli EcoRetreat located on Pictou Island. During our conversation, we learn about this family-run retreat and its many amenities for guests, and why this truly unique tiny coastal island off Nova Scotia has people traveling from all over the world to experience its natural beauty and rejuvenating power for the mind, body, and soul. As we all know that there has not been a lot of good news out of the aviation industry over the past two years as air travel had all but stopped during the pandemic. However, we take a look at the one bright spot for industry and especially for the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, which has been the growth in air cargo activity, and it is showing no signs of slowing down even as we see the return of business and leisure travel which is great new for the airports and the businesses that depend on it to get its good off the ground and into markets all over the world. We continue our Renewable Energy & Efficiency Series this issue by putting the spotlight on the work being done by the Alternative Resource Energy Author- ity. This 100% municipally owned company formed in 2014 by the towns of Antigonish, Berwick and Mahone Bay is working hard to create a realistic path towards net zero in the supply and end-user sides of electrical power. Some people like sports and some people live sports, Kris McCarthy is the latter. That is why we are excited to have Kris ‘in the spotlight’ for this issue to chat about his transition from professional hockey player to team General Manager and how he combined his entrepreneurial spirit, passion for sports and experience of building a successful franchise on and off the ice into co-founding FanSaves. As always, my team and I want to thank everyone that made this issue possible, and we look forward to sharing more stories about growing industries, suc- cessful businesses, and brands, while spotlighting the people behind and in front of making it all happen.
MANAGING DIRECTOR Rod Gregg EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Lee Ann Atwater COMMUNICATION, RESEARCH & ADMIN Kate Davis Tristyn Gaudette
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Megan Callahan Shannon Ferguson
Quinn McKinney Allison McKinnon Ceiledh Monk Dan Monk Ryan Myson Teresa Siqueira Elizabeth Spencer
SOCIAL MEDIA Troy Gregg GRAPHIC DESIGN Aaron Jeffrey
WEB DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT Joe Uttaro PUBLISHER AIDACA Media
Lee Ann Atwater Editor
P.O. Box 35007, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3M 0G3 P: 902 405 2000 E: info@spotlightbizmag.com spotlightonbusinessmagazine.com
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What’s in the Spotlight on the cover
ALTERNATIVE RESOURCE ENERGY AUTHORITY REAL PROJECTS. REAL BENEFITS. REAL CHANGE.
THE JUBILEE CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF ROCKIN’ THE RIVER
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08 HEADLINES IN THE SPOTLIGHT 10 UPCOMING EVENTS 30 GENERAL CONTRACTOR VS SELF-MANAGEMENT Don’t Fool Yourself Construction is a complicated Process 36 DESIGN OF THE TIMES Confessions of a Virgin Vacation Home Rental Owner 42 GETTING FACE TO FACE AGAIN 5 Tips to Get Back into In-Person Business Events 48 BUSKERS FESTIVAL BUCKET LIST FOR 2022 The Return of the Street Performer 84 BRIER ISLAND & BRIER ISLAND LODGE Where the Bay of Fundy & Your Perfect Vacation Both Begin 106 THE HARMONY OF NATURE AND YOU Achieving Harmony & Balance with Nature 116 CEILEDH & QUINN’S EXCELLENT SUMMER ADVENTURE Let the Adventure Begins 126 GUILTY CHOCOHOLIC MAMA Eighteen Summers
Alternative Resource Energy Authority is a 100% munici- pally owned company formed in 2014 by the towns of Anti- gonish, Berwick and Mahone Bay. As part of our Renew- able Energy and Efficien - cy Series we sit down with AREA’s General Manager, Aaron Long and Program Development & Operations Manager, Lenta Wright for a Q&A about the compa- ny’s projects and customer KRIS MCCARTHY PRO HOCKEY PLAYER & GM TO CO-FOUNDER & COO OF FANSAVES in the spotlight 94
The Jubilee Celebrating its Silver Anniversary after a two year hiatus, the Jubilee or “Jube” as it is affectionately known to most, is an award-win- ning event has brought thousands of music fans to Pictou County over the last 25 years for three amazing nights along the East River of local, up and coming and the very best in iconic Canadian artists and this year’s “Jube” is no exception.
KIRRIBILLI ECORETREAT - PICTOU ISLAND YURTS NURTURING THE HUMAN SPIRIT THROUGH THE POWER OF A TINY COASTAL ISLAND
programs as part of AREA’s mission to create a realistic path towards net zero in the supply and end-user sides of electrical power.
HALIFAX STANFIELD AIR CARGO GETTING GOODS OF THE GROUND AND INTO MARKETS There has not been a lot of good news for the aviation industry over the past two years as air travel had all but stopped during the pandemic. We take a look at one bright spot for the Halifax Stanfield International Airport and for the aviation sector as a whole, which has been the growth in air cargo activity for most major carrier in 2021, which continues to show solid increas- es in year over years volumes that should soon surpass the record volumes seen in 2019 as the industry starts to recover and see the return of commercial and leisure travel flights. 24
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Spotlight on Business Magazine sat down with AJ and Paula, to learn how Kirribilli EcoRetreat - Pictou Island Yurts came to be and to get a better u n d e r -
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Some people like sports and some people live sports, Kris McCarthy is the latter. For seven years, Kris played pro hockey for four teams in two dif- ferent leagues winning
standing of this truly unique tiny coastal island between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in the Northumberland Strait. To discover why travelers from all over the world are coming to the southern part of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in eastern Canada to experience their resort and the island’s natural beauty and rejuvenating power for the mind, body, and soul.
two champions before moving into a head office role for another, so he knows a thing or two about being part of a winning team and how to promote a game, brand, and product. Spotlight on Business Magazine sat down with this professional hockey player turned entrepreneur to learn more about the co-founder of FanSaves, as Kris shares his passion for sports and where he gets his drive on and off the ice.
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HEADLINES IN THE SPOTLIGHT
HOMEOWNER’S STRESS RISING WITH INTEREST RATES Nearly one in four homeowners say they will have to sell their home if interest rates go up further, according to a new debt survey from Manulife Bank of Canada conducted between April 14 and April 20, also found that 18 percent of homeowners polled are already at a stage where they can’t afford their homes. Over one in five Canadians expect rising interest rates to have a “significant negative impact” on their overall mortgage, debt and financial situation, the survey found. The Bank of Canada remains on a rate-hike path as it tries to tame inflation, which is now at a 31-year high at 6.8 percent. On June 1, the central bank increased its key interest rate by half a percentage point to 1.5 percent The Canadian Press reports the survey also found that two-thirds of Canadians do not view home ownership as affordable in their local community.
SOME LIKE IT HOT Well, this is bad news for hot sauce fans, there is likely to be a shortage of Sriracha sauce. Huy Fong Foods, maker of the popular Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce, said a shortage of chili peppers is limiting its ability to produce several of its in-demand sauces, includ- ing its Chili Garlic and Sambal Oelek. The Califor- nia-based company cited climate conditions as part of the problem causing unexpected crop failure from the spring chili harvest. An April 19 letter from Huy Fong Foods posted on a food distribution website for wholesale buyers said: “Currently, due to weather conditions affecting the quality of chili peppers, we now face a more severe shortage of chili.” The company sources its chili peppers from Mexico, where a drought is affecting that country and parts of the western United States.
APPLE IS POSITIONED TO GAIN PC MARKET SHARE FROM MICROSOFT WINDOWS Apple announced that its new laptops will feature the company’s next-generation in-house chips, which might pose challenges for Microsoft’s lucrative Windows business. Since Apple started selling Macs powered by its home- grown M1 processors in late 2020, the company’s computer business has been picking up momentum. Apple introduced the M2, which will debut in the new MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro. The new M2 chip will include 25% more transistors and 50% more bandwidth than M1. Apple’s Mac business has been revived by new devices sporting the company’s own chips as a replacement for processors from Intel. The first was the MacBook Air released last year, followed by updated models of the iMac, Mac Mini, and MacBook Pro laptop, and a new model for power users called Mac Studio. Apple’s newer devices have longer battery lives than their older Intel-based counterparts and plenty of pro- cessing power.
CANADIAN BLOOD DONOR NUMBERS HIT DECADE LOW POINT Canadian Blood Services says it is struggling to replenish a critically low national supply caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that has resulted in the smallest donor base in a decade. “The number of people across Canada who donate regularly has decreased by 31,000 donors since the start of the pandemic, which has put a strain on the existing donor community,” said Rick Prinzen, chief supply chain officer and vice-president of donor rela - tions for Canadian Blood Services, which oversees the inventory from which blood and blood products are regularly shifted around the country to meet hospital and patient needs. About 400,000 Canadians give blood on a regular basis, but inventory has a shelf life; a year for frozen plasma, 42 days for red blood cells and five days for platelets, so it takes some work to ensure supply con- tinues to meet demand. Canadian Blood Services is hoping that their National Blood Donor Week campaign will attract 100,000 new donors this year to help meet demand.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ROBOTICS AND SMART MANUFACTURING - ICROSMA 2022
THE ENERGY EXPO August 23rd – 25th, 2022 Miami Airport Convention Center| Miami, FL USA The Energy Expo (4th edition) in Miami, Florida, comes Stronger than Ever as an in-person face- to-face tradeshow in 2022. Show is expanding with more exhibits, more education and more domestic and international engagement. The event includes a major tradeshow on August 24 and 25 and an exten- sive educational program starting on August 23rd with the UNIVERSI - TY DAY. It is the only tradeshow tar- geting huge markets: United States & Latin America / The Caribbean comprised by more of 45 countries. It works as the Effective Commercial Hub to CONNECT North American & Worldwide Manufacturers & Dis- tributors with Buyers, Professionals, Dealers, Operators, Contractors and Potential Reps. from the served markets. Presenting Equipment, Technologies, Products & Education for the SOLAR | ENERGY STORAGE | ENERGY SAVING | RENEWABLES | SMART BUILDINGS and related industries. For more information on this event go to https://www.theenergyexpo. com/
HALIFAX SEAPORT CIDER & BEERFEST August 4th – 6th, 2022 Halifax Seaport | Halifax, NS Canada After two years, Atlantic Canada’s largest craft beer and cider cele- bration returns bigger and better and they’re ‘Getting Fizzy with It!’ outside on the Halifax Water- front (in front of the ‘old’ Seaport Market). The 14th annual festival offers local, regional, international beers and ciders, and a brand-new sampling day, Thursday, August 4. With the soaring popularity in the Ready-To- Drink beverages over the past few years, the festival is expanding to include Fizzfest, which will feature a wide variety of refreshing and flavourful hard seltzers, pre-mixed cocktails, and sodas. For more information on this event go to http://seaportbeerfest.com/
August 9th – 11th, 2022 The Westin Calgary | Calgary, AB Canada
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES July 12th – 13th, 2022 Virtual Event | Ottawa, ON Canada International Conference on Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles aims to bring together leading academic scien- tists, researchers, and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles. It also provides a premier interdis- ciplinary platform for research- ers, practitioners, and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical chal- lenges encountered, and solutions adopted in the fields of Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles. For more information on this event go to https://waset.org/ urban-renewable-energy-man- agement-conference-in-ju- ly-2022-in-ottawa
OREGON BREWERS FESTIVAL July 27th - 30th, 2022
TORONTO’S FESTIVAL OF BEER – TFOB 2022 July 22nd – 23rd, 2022 Bandshell Park - Exhibition Place | Toronto, ON Canada The Toronto Festival of Beer (TFOB), also known as Beer Fest, launched in 1996 and celebrates Canada’s rich brewing history by showcasing beer of all styles, paired with food curated by some of Toronto’s popular restaurants and Chefs, in addition to world renowned entertainment on the Bandshell Stage. Today, Toronto’s Festival of Beer features more than 400 brands from around the world and many Ontario craft brewers. The event has become Canada’s largest beer festival with 40,000 people attending every year. During the event, over 100 different exhibits showcase over 400 different styles and brands of beer. The styles of beer range from locally crafted beer to international offerings from various parts of the globe. For more information on this event go to https://beerfestival.ca/
The primary goal of the conference is to promote research and devel- opmental activities in Robotics and Smart Manufacturing. Another goal is to promote scientific information interchange between researchers, engineers, scientists, academicians, developers, students, and prac- titioners working in and around the world. The conference will be held every year to make it an ideal platform for people to share views and experiences in Robotics and Smart Manufacturing related areas. For more information on this event go to https://icrosma.ciconference. com/
Tom McCall Waterfront Park | Portland, OR USA Founded in 1988, the Oregon Brewers Festival is one of the nation’s longest-running and best- loved craft beer festivals and is considered a craft beer destina- tion. On a sun-soaked July after- noon, there’s no better place to sip independent craft beers and ciders with friends than along the banks of the Willamette River, with the Portland skyline as a backdrop to the west and Mt. Hood towering in the east. Whether you prefer Belgians or Blondes, Hazys or Hefes, Pales or Pilsners, Saisons or Sours––make the pilgrimage to Beervana and drink up what the Oregon Brewers Festival has to offer! For more information on this event go to https://oregonbrew- fest.com/
WANT TO HAVE YOUR EVENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT? Send an email 4 weeks in advance to production@spotlightbizmag.com with all the details of your event.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT PRO HOCKEY PLAYER & GM TO CO-FOUNDER & COO OF FANSAVES by Lee Ann Atwater KRIS MCCARTHY S ome people like sports and some people live sports, Kris McCarthy is the latter. For seven years, Kris played pro hockey for four teams in two different leagues winning two champi- ons before moving into a head office role for another, so he knows a thing or two about being part of a winning team and how to promote a game, brand, and product. Spotlight on Business Magazine sat down with this professional hockey player turned entrepreneur to learn more about the co-founder of FanSaves, as Kris shares his passion for sports and where he gets his drive on and off the ice.
Spotlight on Business: Tell us a little about yourself, your hobbies, and what you like to do in your spare time for fun when you are not working if there is such a thing? Kris McCarthy: A lot of people talk about work-life balance, for me, it’s more like work-life integra- tion. Being a startup founder it’s really rare to work a 9-5. My mind is always racing with new ideas and strategies from the moment I wake to the moment I go to sleep. When you love what you do
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it isn’t really “work” and having a co-founder who is also your life partner just amplifies that. We love talking about the business and manifesting where it could go. Having said all that, there are many things I like to mix into my days. Some would say I have a bit of a green thumb! I spent years working with a friend during university for his landscaping company doing everything from cutting grass to cutting down trees to interlock and more. I gained valuable experience that I’ve carried into my present life that really comes in handy around our property, which backs onto the Rasion River in Martintown, Ontario. Gardening, hedge trimming, really anything I can do around the property is appealing to me and I find satisfying. Aside from that, fishing is another one of my hobbies. When I’m not out on our river on Sunday mornings I like to spend time with my dad hauling in largemouth bass and spending time on the water. Hockey is one of my biggest life passions so when I’m not cheering for my Ottawa Senators, I like to get out on the frozen river and our backyard and go for
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to Greek on Wheels! All these jobs taught me valuable life skills that I’ve carried into my current career as a startup founder such as communica- tion, teamwork, and quick decision-making. I also signed my first professional hockey contract in the summer of 2010, in the back of the kitchen at Greek on Wheels, which is a whole other story! I was fortunate enough to play seven years of minor pro hockey, four of which while I was enrolled full-time at SUNY Potsdam. That expe- rience taught me a lot about time management,
a twirl. It’s literally one of my childhood dreams and an escape from the day-to-day business. Let’s learn about the business side of Kris, where you went to school, your professional experience, and background, and your role at FanSaves? KM: I’m very proud of my post-secondary education, I studied business administration at SUNY Potsdam, and it was there where I first had my first flair for entrepreneurship. I started a business on campus that helped pay my way through school… and maybe a couple of drinks with my friends on “Thirsty Thursdays” at the local campus bar! I’ve always had a strong work ethic and often worked multiple jobs during the summers to help pay for my school. Jobs like landscaping, working in the stone yard at Home Depot, refereeing men’s league hockey with my dad, or prepping and delivering food for my friend’s Greek restaurant in Ottawa. Shout out
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building relationships and asking for help when I needed it, which was something historically that I was never really good at. Playing professional hockey taught me so much about myself and while some of the previous skills I carried with me like hard work and communication, I also picked up important life and business skills like leadership, profession- alism, and resilience. These char- acter traits are so important as a founder of a tech startup. I am so grateful for my hockey career which prepared me for leading a team and growing a business from scratch. As the Co-Found- er & COO of FanSaves, I lean on my previous work experience all the time and that is something I am very grateful for. I’ve seen a trend where these days students coming out of school feel entitled to things without putting in the time and proving themselves in the wild. I’m big on putting my head down and putting in the work to get ahead in life!
What was the transition like from being a professional athlete to the front office? KM: It was difficult for me; I think like a lot of athletes, life after sport is a time where you really learn a lot about yourself and what your career has taught you along the way. Over my career I made so many great lifelong friends but when my career ended a lot of those friends either kept playing in other cities or went back home to embark on their next move in life. It was a lonely place for a little while, luckily, I had a great support system, and it didn’t take me long to run into Shannon Ferguson, my FanSaves Co-Founder and life partner with who I instantly was drawn towards and shared so much in common with. I really threw myself into my work which at the time was working in the front office as the Sales & Marketing Director for two minor professional hockey teams. My passion and work ethic were matched by Shannon if not more which I was really attracted to outside of the beautiful person she is. Right away we clicked, and the rest is history! We both loved working in sports, and it was that that led us to the pain point we are solving with our startup FanSaves. As a professional athlete, the goal is to win games and championships, of which you have two. In the front office, it is more or less the same thing but at a different level. Can you tell us about the difference? KM: As a player, winning a championship is the ultimate goal. During my hockey career, I’ve broken bones, bled (more than a few times) and sacrificed a lot to achieve that goal. I feel so fortunate to
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have won two championships as a player and one as a member of the front office. Some players… a lot of players go their whole careers without winning anything, so I feel very grateful to have accomplished that goal twice. Winning a cham- pionship at the pro level, whether it’s single A pro or the NHL, is something no one can ever take away from you. They are memories that stay with you for the rest of your life and the bond you create going to battling and winning with teammates is something that keeps you connected for life. Working in the front office and winning a cham - pionship is a whole other level. While without the players there is no game, without the front office putting butts in the seats, selling sponsor - ships, and promoting the team in the community and in the media, there is also no team. It’s a different challenge but a lot of the same charac- teristics overlap like teamwork, communication, and hard work! I feel so grateful to have worked in the front office of professional sports as it allowed me to sharpen my skills, build a network and is ultimately what led to the creation of our baby, I mean startup FanSaves! Did you always want to be an entrepreneur and start your own business? KM: To be honest, I always saw myself working in the front office of a major professional sports team. I love the business of sports and it’s some- thing I’ve always been drawn to. Having said that I’ve always kind of had an entrepreneurial flair. The business I spoke of earlier while in uni - versity was a food delivery service that I created called the Union Delivery Service or UDS for short. I quickly became known on campus as the guy that would go to the student union where all of the different food vendors were, and I would use their student cards to purchase and deliver right to their door. If you’ve ever been to college or university, there are many reasons why this service is appealing. Students and friends hated having to walk the few minutes to the union to get food and while it may sound a little lazy there are many valid reasons why having your food delivered made sense. Whether it was in the middle of a study session or paper, partying with roommates, heavy snow (Upstate New
York), or inclement weather many sought me out to deliver their food for a small fee. A friend lent me a scooter and I got myself a little cooler bag. I even would wrap up people’s orders in brown paper bags and staple the receipt for full trans- parency. I wish I had a better phone back then because it was a real sight to see me ripping through the quad balancing a couple of pizzas and drinks in one hand trying to steer with the other. It became so popular that I even made “The Racquet” the school newspaper where I and my venture was featured! This was my first foray into entrepreneurship but would not be my last!
Did you have a mentor? If so, who was it and what was the most important lesson they taught you? KM: I’ve had many mentors throughout my time at school, working in the front office and throughout our startup journey. A few that stand out are Edwin Portugal and Greg Garder, a couple of business professors that I really liked and who helped me manage to balance a pro- fessional hockey career and a full-time univer- sity course load. They taught me a lot about business and prepared me for the next phase of my career. Two others that come to mind are Don Kirnan and Herm Sorcher. Don was and still is the commissioner of the Federal Prospects Hockey League which is where I played and got my start in the front office. Don gave me my first front office position as the GM of the Watertown Privateers and I often say I would not be where I am today without that opportunity, I’m so very grateful. Herm was an owner of another team in the league and when I was hired as the GM of the Privateers, he helped me get my footing and provided me with continuous advice and infor- mation to help increase ticket and sponsorship sales which were two of the main responsibilities of the position. It’s something I’ll never forget! Tell our readers about FanSaves and the work that you have been doing with teams and organizations to help increase sponsor- ship sales and fan engagement through your award-winning digital platform.
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KM: In 2017 while Shannon and I were managing the sales & marketing for two teams in the FPHL we kept running into the same problem while selling sponsorships to businesses in the com- munity where businesses wanted more than the traditional sports sponsorship inventory we were selling. We kept hearing over and over again from business owners that they wanted a way to digitally activate our fans while giving them a way to track fan data and return on investment. We didn’t have anything like that, so we created FanSaves as the solution. FanSaves is a digital platform that offers fans, discounts, and deals from the sponsor of their favorite teams. We like to think of it as Instagram meets Groupon, but teams can think of it as their own digital coupon book made up of deals from team sponsors that fans can redeem. We found from speaking to our fans that often they couldn’t even tell us who our sponsors were. In 2020 we did a research study with thirteen university sport business clubs across North America and found that 90% of fans surveyed couldn’t name more than five of their favorite team’s sponsors. It’s a huge problem when you consider over 4 billion dollars is spent annually by brands on just the big four sports here in North America alone. Connecting brands with fans is just one of the many problems we are solving with FanSaves. Can you tell us about your “Living the Startup Podcast Co-Host” and what it is all about?
you need to lead by example, and this is another thing I think I’ve picked up from my career as a professional hockey player. I think sometimes it can be hard to see beyond the next mountain peak speaking metaphorically and you can begin to compare yourself to others. I’ve learned to ask for help and consult others that have been there before. It’s easy to compare yourself or your company to others but I always remind myself that everyone’s journey and outcome are different. I always just tell myself to put my head down, do the work and good things will happen. I’m motivated to provide for our team and build a brand and a life that I can be proud of, no matter the level of success. Where do you see yourself and the business 5 years from today? KM: We have ambitions to be a global brand and while we’ve started out in professional sports, we see the oppor-
tunity to work with multiple verticals outside of sports. We’re building our brand one day at a time and in five years we aspire to be up there with some of the most recognizable brands in the couponing industry. Kris understands how important it is to any brand to be able to connect and stay engaged with their customers. He has taken his experience on the ice as a player and the challenges that he has faced in the front office to help develop a platform that makes it easy for businesses in all indus- tries to do both. So, keep your head up, stick on the ice and your eyes on Kris as we personally believe there will be many future goals achieved for this amazing and talented entrepreneur and for the FanSaves brand itself.
KM: Our Living the Startup podcast is something that came out of Covid. Shannon and I had wanted to create a podcast for a little while leading up to the pandemic but were often pulled in too many directions in the early days of FanSaves. When things shut down, we saw an opportunity to launch our podcast and made the effort to do so. The goal was to interview other startup founders and talk about life behind the brand and the candid lessons learned. Fast forward to today, we’ve recorded 70 episodes from inspiring founders building great companies at any stage. It’s something fun for us and a great reminder that we’re not the only ones living this startup roller-coaster. We’ve also learned a lot from these other founders, and it’s been a great way to help share their stories as founders. Towards the end of 2020, we partnered with Staples Canada which helped give the podcast a boost of credibility and offered listeners a discount on print services at Staples locations. What is your greatest strength and what is something that you struggle with as an entrepreneur? What motivates you as an entrepreneur and business owner? KM: I think leading by example is something that I’ve always prided myself on. You can’t expect your employees to do something and then you do something else. As a founder,
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HALIFAX STANFIELD AIR CARGO GETTING GOODS OFF THE GROUND AND INTO MARKETS by Ryan Myson
“Cargo Activity Increased in 2021 as Carriers Set Their Sights on Halifax”
T here has not been a lot of good news for the aviation industry over the past two years as air travel had all but stopped during the pandemic. We take a look at the one bright spot for the Halifax Stanfield International Airport and aviation sector as a whole, which has been the growth in air cargo
“The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly underscored the impor- tance of air cargo to global supply chains,”
activity for most major carrier in 2021, which continues to show solid increases in year over years volumes that should soon surpass the record volumes seen in 2019 as the industry continues to recover and see the return of commercial and leisure travel flights.
While the past two years have created signif- icant uncertainty for the aviation sector, air cargo activity increased at Halifax Stanfield in 2021 in comparison to 2020, and recovery is expected to continue as exports remain strong, new carriers enter the market, and the new Halifax Stanfield Air Cargo Logistics Park begins operation with a constant stream of high-fre- quency cargo service out of Halifax allowing for a major Canadian expansion of Air Canada’s cargo service and major boost for Nova Scotia’s export economy as Air Canada will run six cargo flights a week out of Halifax Stanfield heading
to European destinations giving Nova Scotian businesses offering like products like blueber- ries, pharmaceuticals, aerospace parts, seafood and many more the ability to reach customer all over the globe with their products “The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly under- scored the importance of air cargo to global supply chains,” said Joyce Carter, President & CEO, Halifax International Airport Authority. “Air cargo has supported our collective fight against COVID-19 through deliveries of PPE and vaccines, maintained local jobs through exports
of Nova Scotia products, and aided our communities through efficient transport of e-commerce orders. In every instance, air cargo has played a critical role in moving important goods to and from our region.”
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“In every instance, air cargo has played a critical role in moving important goods to and from our region.”
The province produces world-class products, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said, and this is one more way to showcase that to the rest of the world. “It’s time for Nova Scotia to get our swagger back. We have a lot to offer the world and when you see companies like Air Canada and Jazz… it just reaffirms what we have to offer the world,” Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said. In 2021, Halifax Stanfield processed 34,769 metric tonnes of cargo, up 5.4 per cent from 2020. The value of exports in 2021 was $496 million CAD, up 6.3 per cent from the previous year. Seafood is unique because it is often served fresh and air travel is the only way to ensure it can make it to paying customers on time to destinations all over the world. Air cargo was transported by 12 carriers, and it should be no surprise that Nova Scotia seafood, specifically live lobster, contin - ued to be the top exported products to markets abroad. In 2021, 12,757 metric tonnes of live lobster, at a value of $293 million CAD, were shipped from Halifax Stanfield to Asian and European markets. Other top exports were medical equipment ($53.2 million CAD) and aerospace-related parts ($41.4 million CAD). As the Halifax International Airport Authority looks toward its pandemic recovery, air cargo remains a bright light for future growth and opportunities. Carriers are expanding their cargo operations at Halifax Stanfield, including Air Canada Cargo, who are making Halifax part of their regularly scheduled freighter operations and recently added a new a Boeing 767-300ER Cargo Freighter that will have the capacity to ship as much as 650 metric tonnes of air cargo each week to help businesses get their goods to market near and far.
“It’s time for Nova Scotia to get our swagger back. We have a lot to offer the world”
“Our long-standing and strong bond with Atlantic Canada and the Nova Scotia commu- nity makes the first Canadian expansion of our freighter network not only a natural and obvious fit, but also one that makes us tremendously proud. We are thankful that we can continue to play a pivotal role and indeed increase our support to the robust and growing trade sector in the region,” said Matthieu Casey, Managing Director, Commercial – Cargo at Air Canada. Overall, Halifax Stanfield cargo exports contrib - uted $664 million to the provincial economy. Cargo capacity will grow when the ACLP building becomes fully operational later this year. With a total of eight cargo aircraft aprons now avail- able, and cold storage capabilities coming soon, the Air Cargo Logistics Park will make shipping products by air even easier for Nova Scotian businesses and enable more cargo carriers to operate out of Halifax. Funding for the Air Cargo Logistics Park con-
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THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS AT HALIFAX STANFIELD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
As a proud member of the Halifax aviation community for over 25 years, The Inland Group of Companies, a world leader in de-icing and aviation environmental services, truly appreciates your business. We are grateful for the trust you have placed in us as your de-icing, recovery, and SADF recycling partner serving the Halifax Stanfield International Airport.
struction was announced in 2018 from the Gov- ernment of Canada ($18 million), the Government of Nova Scotia ($5 million) and Halifax Interna- tional Airport Authority ($13 million).
www.inlandgroup.ca
1 Commercial St. Suite 201 | Truro, NS B2N 2A8
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CONTRACTOR’S GENERAL CONTRACTOR VERSUS SELF MANAGEMENT DON’T FOOL YOURSELF CONSTRUCTION IS A COMPLICATED PROCESS by Dan Monk C onstruction can be a complicated process with many technical variables to understand, such as building codes and product specification, as well as logistical details to manage, such as product lead times and subtrade scheduling. Through a combination of education, training, and experience, the process becomes more manageable and almost second nature to a profession- al. For the average person who has no construction experience or training in the industry, there can be many pitfalls that can cost time but more importantly money. Therefore, it is critical to consider hiring an experienced General Contractor versus Self Managing a construction project to make sure your project exceeds your expectation and not your budget.
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BEFORE
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Firstly, it is important to understand what a General Contractor is and the service they provide before you decide whether you want to hire one or not. Well, if you Google it, which most of will do, Wikipedia describes a General Contractor as the person or company that is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, man- agement of vendors and trades, and the com- munication of information to all involved parties throughout the course of a building project. Well, that is a good description, but what does that really mean? A General Contractor becomes responsible for the entire project: communications, logis- tics, materials, subtrades, internal labour, utility services, safety, insurance, permits, and general problem solving. Essentially, once a scope of work is decided upon, based on the contract, the General Contractor becomes responsible for all aspects of the project until the successful com- pletion. Here are the main advantages of hiring a General Contractor over Self Management:
Problem Solving By hiring an experienced General Contractor, problems are typically handled quickly, calmly, and professionally and often without the home- owner’s involvement. This is because the General Contractor has the experience, skills, and resourc- es to solve problems as they arise and a process to handle issues. Logistics Having an experienced General Contractor should ensure that materials, labour, and sub- trades arrive on site and on time. Logistics takes planning and experience which will keep a project on schedule and on budget. Having relationships with suppliers and subtrades over many years allows General Contractors to have confidence in their team. Communications An experienced General Contractor will be able to translate what the client wants to the industry
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any project so ask these questions and about hundred more: • Are the products provided a good quality? • Are the products currently available or how long will delivery take? • Is the individual I hired qualified and knowl - edgeable? Do they have references? • Who is disposing of waste (hot water tank, shingles, windows, etc.)? Remember that even smaller projects require an individual to do their due diligence regarding the person or company they are hiring, and they should always have a contract. Further, request confirmation of insurance and always get a receipt for work completed. When deciding if you require a General Con- tractor, it is important to understand the scale of your project, the resources needed and, most importantly, the realistic demand on your time. Bathrooms, Kitchens, Basements, Additions, and New Construction have a lot of moving parts and should have a professional General Contractor managing the project. Admittedly, I am biased because I am a General Contractor, a Professional Engineer, and Red Seal Carpenter. So, I understand the value of hiring an experienced, professional General Contractor along with the pitfalls of Self Man- agement. Even with over 30 years experience in the construction industry, I still learn something new on a regular basis, I listen to the opinions and suggestions of other professionals, and, honestly, I still make mistakes from time to time. The important part is that after 30 years, I know how to fix mistakes and solve problems quickly and cost effectively to keep projects on time and on budget – this could be your advantage to hiring an experienced professional General Contractor.
professionals delivering the service. They also ensure the client is well informed about the process, and schedule. Regarding product selection, they often remain impartial to service providers allowing the client to make the most informed decisions. Services General Contractors typically have all the services required to complete a project from start to finish including network designers, planners, engineers, suppliers, installers, subtrades, insurance, and financing. These are elements that most individ- uals do not have at their ready disposal because they may only renovate or build a couple of times in their life. Investing in a General Contractor is investing in their valuable relationships. Self Management is common for smaller projects, service calls, or when the individu- al has industry experience. If you are hiring a specific trade for a specific task, for example replacing a hot water tank (plumber), a furnace to be serviced (burner tech), even a roof to be reshingled (roofing company), it could be complet- ed with self management. If managing a project, yourself always remember knowledge is critical to a successful of
BEFORE
AFTER
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Turning a lived-in home that housed a family of 5 humans and 3 big pups into a luxury vacation rental seemed daunting. I took each step in this process as a separate entity and didn’t worry about the big stressful picture. First up, emptying the house. I made a list of what needs to stay for guests. The larger items consisted of furniture, appliances, rugs, TVs, and lamps, to name a few. That list made me quickly realize I had my work cut out for me! The smaller items that would be needed, I put aside, added to a growing list as I went from room to room, and knew I would tackle it later. Based on my very short list of things that would stay, I knew I needed to pack up the house as if the movers were going to be backing into the driveway in two weeks’ time. Like I tell all my occupied home staging clients – if you really want to make this count, you need to change your mindset, so you are 110% committed, instead of just giving it a try. You know what they say, mindset is every- thing!
DESIGN OF THE TIMES
CONFESSIONS OF A VIRGIN VACATION HOME RENTAL OWNER
by Megan Callahan
O ne minute you’re travelling down the road of life and BOOM; you have a (self-proclaimed) brilliant idea; so, you jump on the road of uncertainty, and you’re headed in a completely different direction with all the excitement and none of the knowledge! The latest on that list for me is ‘Let’s move and make our current home a vacation rental!’ There are a couple of things I feel confident with... interior design and comfort! I took those two areas and ran with them! At first, the process of transforming a very busy home into a comfort- able, luxurious show home seemed overwhelm- ing, but as time went on and each item was checked off the list, the end goal was in sight! I thought I would share my newbie vacation rental ownership insight with you!
“Let’s move and make our current home a vacation rental!”
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tackle it later. Based on my very short list of things that would stay, I knew I needed to pack up the house as if the movers were going to be backing into the driveway in two weeks’ time. Like I tell all my occupied home staging clients – if you really want to make this count, you need to change your mindset, so you are 110% commit- ted, instead of just giving it a try. You know what they say, mindset is everything! By the time packing up was finished, I was sure the hard work was over. Boy, was I wrong! The house was gutted, and the closets and cup- boards were empty, but now it’s time to clean! Cleanliness for a vacation rental is at the very top of the list. It is actually THE LIST, because without it, nothing else matters to guests. So, with that in mind, I cleaned every inch of the house. When I say cleaned, I mean outside the regular floors, windows, countertops, I attacked it all with the intention to make it brand new again. Baseboards scrubbed with a toothbrush, every kitchen, dresser, and vanity drawer sani-
“You’re always more critical of your own work! But in this situation, that is a good thing!”
“Turning a lived-in home that housed a family of 5 humans and 3 big pups into a luxury vacation rental seemed daunting.” Turning a lived-in home that housed a family of 5 humans and 3 big pups into a luxury vacation rental seemed daunting. I took each step in this process as a separate entity and didn’t worry about the big stressful picture. First up, emptying the house. I made a list of what needs to stay for guests. The larger items consisted of furniture, appliances, rugs, TVs, and lamps, to name a few. That list made me quickly realize I had my work cut out for me! The smaller items that would be needed, I put aside, added to a growing list as I went from room to room, and knew I would
tized to erase any signs of life, the white walls scrubbed clean of the 3-foot-high fun times had by the kiddos, and everything in between. This initial deep clean was the toughest part of the process. Not because the cleaning was difficult but wondering if it was hotel/new build standard, you know… self imposed stress! You’re always more critical of your own work! But in this situation, that is a good thing!
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When guests enter the home, what do we want them to see? How do we want them to react? This depends on your house, location, and set-up. You set the tone and the ambiance for their stay and their lasting impression. The vibe you are going for can range from a cozy seaside getaway nestled in the trees on a tucked away ocean front property with a fireplace ready to light and a stack of homemade quilts to accompany you outside to sit around the fire pit, to a contemporary downtown flat with concrete floors, sleek spaced-out fur - niture, a breathtaking city skyline view, an espresso machine ready to go, and soft jazz music playing in the background, and every- thing in between! This all depends on your property, who you are gearing it towards, and the stage you set. Once the basics are in place, it’s time to layer. This is the part that can help your property soar! With minimal additions, you can trans- form your home from a house that is being rented to a relaxing sought after vacation
home. Layering is just adding texture, comfort, and design. From throw pillows and blankets in the living room, to strategically placed plants on the empty kitchen countertops, to bedding that looks like you could collapse into and sleep for a week. Work with one area at a time, and layer then step back. Always keep in mind what you want your guests to see when they walk into the house. If you always go back to that, while keeping it minimal, but cozy, you’ve succeeded in creating an amazing rental property! Have fun, be creative, and throw your heart into your design and set up! The moral of this story? Sometimes those quick decisions turn out to be the best ones! “Creativity takes courage” Henry Matisse To see the actual creation behind the big plans, follow us on Instagram @saltwatermanor
“ The first impression is the only impression.”
So now we are empty! Living room furniture, kitchen table and chairs, beds, end tables, desks in some rooms, and rugs were all that remained. It looked overwhelmingly bare, but I was starting to see the finished product. At this point my stager self kicked in. I switched gears from homeowner to guest. Every time I looked around the house, I asked myself ‘If I was a paying guest, what would I want to see in this space? What would leave an amazing first and lasting impression?’ and then I attempted to create that vision. As with staging a home to sell, there are a few basic rules to follow. The first impression is the only impression, less is more – maximize space, make sure they can’t forget the experience! With those items fresh in my mind, I went to work! The first impression is the only impression. This statement is true in so many of life’s avenues. Do not make that first impression unrealistic. Make it great but make it representative of what they see and fall in love with at first glance, carry that throughout the house. I started at the front door
and worked my way in through. Remember, if your guests are happy with their first glance in, the stage is set for the rest of their initial walk through. From there, they need to be happy with all the details. This is where I had to separate myself from the home and look at it as someone else’s house that needed to look its absolute best! With a hotel set-up fresh in my mind, I wanted to create a space that had everything our guests could want, right at their fingertips, but have it all tucked away so it doesn’t overpower the space. This approach has paid off! I made a list of every- thing I am happy to have, or wish I had when I stay at a vacation rental, and I make sure those items are all available. The big winner so far has been serving dishes. Just 4 or 5 different sized rectangle dishes, along with some small bowls for dipping sauces or condiments. In the age of the charcuterie boards, this was bound to be a hit!
“Sometimes those quick deci- sions turn out to be the best ones!”
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