This issue of Spotlight on Business is all about discovering the uniqueness of Nova Scotia and the must-visit small towns and villages of the Northumberland Shore Region and of course the small businesses that call this area home for readers looking for the best places to stay, dine, drink and discover while visiting the province this summer and beyond Sharing the cover with Nova Scotia's Northumberland Shore are Revelstoke’s First Beer Festival and Skyline Construction Group. As always Spotlight on Business Magazine's main focus is to connect, inspire and engage with our readers. We want to thank everyone who was part of this issue and shared their amazing stories.
VOL 23 ISSUE 1
CANADA’S OCEAN PLAYGROUND EXPLORING THE NORTHUMBERLAND SHORE
REVELSTOKE’S FIRST BEER FESTIVAL EVERYTHING’S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS!
ENTREPRENEURIALISM 101 THE IMPORTANCE OF PATIENCE WHEN GROWING A BUSINESS
SKYLINE CONSTRUCTION GROUP Collaboration, Transparency & Accountability
GENDER SHOULDN’T MATTER
IT’S ABOUT A FAIR SHOT, NOT SPECIAL TREATMENT
AIDACA MEDIA Publication
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Editor’s Spotlight Nearly everything in Nova Scotia revolves around the seaside, from bustling coastal cities to historic waterfront and beautiful beaches, amazing hiking paths, and some of the most beautiful and scenic drives and trails in the world. The hardest part about exploring Nova Scotia is deciding what to do and where to go next in your adventure. We the staff at Spotlight on Business have made our list of the must-visit small towns and villages along the Nor- thumberland Shore. Leave the mapping to us and make the most of your time exploring unique places that may be a little off the beaten path but well worth the journey this summer and beyond as part of our three-part Canada’s Ocean Playground series. Getting off the beaten path is deep in the roots of those who head to Revel- stoke, British Columbia. Rail, forestry, and natural resources were the industries that built and sustained the town for more than 100 years. But now the thirst for adventure is what makes Revelstoke, a bucket list destination for skiers, mountaineers, hikers, and explorers alike from all over Canada and the world. But this March you will it will be a different thirst that has craft beer and spirits enthusiasts making their way to Revelstoke for the area’s First Beer Festival hosted by Alberta Beer Festival Inc at the amazing Revelstoke Mountain Resort and we spotlight what you can expect from your trip to the mountains. It’s no secret that our personal and professional lives move at a fast pace, espe- cially these days. Between access to immediate information and the ability for instant gratification, it’s no wonder that people seem less patient than ever. We want the things we crave and we want them now but many times, people forget how important patience is; especially when it comes to business is our segment Entrepreneur 101. Having patience and growing a successful business is something Eric Murphy, owner of Skyline Construction Group knows all about. We had some time to sit down with Murphy to pick his brain about not only having a balanced work- life schedule but also creating and build not just one successful business and brand but two and all during a pandemic. More women are becoming entrepreneurs and trying to raise capital to grow their businesses to its full potential, unfortunately, venture capital funding is not staying on pace with this growth in women-led companies, things are getting better but there is still a way to go. We discuss how women business owners are not looking for special treatment, just a fair shot and that doesn’t mean equal outcomes, just equal opportunities to achieve the same outcome. 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
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Karlee Atwater
Megan Callahan Diane L.M. Cook Shannon Ferguson Taylor Evans Hendrix Deborah Jaremko Dan Monk Ryan Myson Teresa Siqueira James Snell 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 E: info@spotlightbizmag.com spotlightonbusinessmagazine.com
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SKYLINE CONSTRUCTION GROUP COLLABORATION, TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY What’s in the Spotlight ON THE COVER CANADA’S OCEAN PLAYGROUND EXPLORING THE NORTHUMBERLAND SHORE 46
08 HEADLINES IN THE SPOTLIGHT 10 UPCOMING EVENTS 14 GROWING INDIGENOUS OWNERSHIP, BIGGER SPENDING & CCS What to watch in Canadian energy in 2023 16 CONTRACTOR’S CORNER Generational Impact on Skilled Labour 22 NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR ENERGY SECTOR Terra Nova return signals economic boost for Newfoundland & Labrador 24 DESIGN OF THE TIMES Quick & Dirty prep list for Home Staging Success 86 GUT INSTINCTS Dealing with Uncertainty 92 NET ZERO TECHNOLOGY Construction underway on $1.6 billion Alberta Net Zero Hydrogen Complex
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Creating a suc- cessful business is more than just hard work, it is a mindset, it is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year of focus. It is hard enough to create one suc- cessful business and brand let alone two, but that is exactly what Eric Murphy, owner of Skyline Construc- tion Group has done while balanc- ing fun and family time.
Nearly everything in Nova Scotia revolves around the seaside, from bustling coastal cities to historic waterfronts to beautiful beaches, amazing hiking paths, and some of the most beautiful scenic drives and trails in the world. Because there is so much to see and do, the hardest part
about any visit to Nova Scotia is always deciding how to get the most out of your visit. This project will spotlight the must-visit small towns and villages along the Northumberland Shore with unique places to explore that may be a little off the beaten path but well worth the journey as part of our three-part Canada’s Ocean Playground series.
REVELSTOKE’S FIRST BEER FESTIVAL EVERYTHING’S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS!
ENTREPRENEURIALISM 101 THE IMPORTANCE OF PATIENCE WHEN GROWING A BUSINESS
94 TRAVEL TIME
How to Use the Internet for Travel Planning
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102 WORLD ENERGY DEMAND
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Analysis of 20 energy scenarios shows oil and gas to remain critical through 2050
GENDER SHOULDN’T MATTER IT’S ABOUT A FAIR SHOT, NOT SPECIAL TREATMENT
104 WIFI & WELLNESS Creative Ways to Use the Internet for Self-Care 108 PERSONAL HEALTH & WELLNESS A PSA for all the People Pleasers 112 HEALTHY LIVING & LIFESTYLE How to Create Your Own At Home Smart Spa 120 GUILTY CHOCOHOLIC MAMA Watching My Children Do What They Love Is One of the Honors of My Life
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More women are becoming entre- preneurs and trying to raise capital to grow their business- es, but is Venture Capital Funding keeping pace with this growth in wom- en-led businesses? Read and find out.
The railway, forestry, and natural resources were the industries that built Revelstoke and sustained the town for more than 100 years. Now a thirst for adventure is what makes Revelstoke, British Columbia a bucket list destination for skiers, mountaineers, hikers, and explorers alike. But this March you will see a different thirst pulling people to this scenic city as craft beer and spirits enthusiasts make their way to Revelstoke’s First Beer Festival hosted by Alberta Beer Festival Inc at the amazing Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
It’s no secret that the world and life move at a fast rate, especially these days. Between access to immediate information and the ability for instant gratification, it’s no wonder that people seem less patient than ever. We want the things we crave, and we want them now but many times, people forget how important patience is; some- times is it better to be the turtle, not the hare, especially when it comes to business.
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HEADLINES IN THE SPOTLIGHT
JOB OPENINGS DECLINING BUT STILL FAR OUTNUMBER AVAILABLE WORKERS Job openings declined slightly in January but still far outnumber available workers as the labor picture remains tight, according to recently related data. The Labor Department’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, showed there are 10.824 million openings, down some 410,000 from December, the Labor Department reported. That equates to 1.9 job openings per available worker, or a gap of 5.13 million. Despite the decline, the total was still higher than the FactSet estimate of 10.58 million. December’s number also was revised up by more than 200,000. The JOLTS report showed that hiring was brisk for the month, with employers bringing on 6.37 million workers, the highest total since August. While quits, a signal of worker confidence in mobility, fell to 3.88 million, the lowest level since May 2021. Layoffs, however, rose sharply, up 241,000 or 16%.
NORDSTROM STARTS WINDING DOWN CANADIAN OPERATIONS Nordstrom reported lower sales and profits for the holiday quarter, although earnings topped Wall Street’s expectations. The company said it expects sales to decline in the new fiscal year, reflecting in part its decision to wind down its Canadian operations. “We entered Canada in 2014 with a plan to build and sustain a long-term business there. Despite our best efforts, we do not see a realistic path to profitability for the Canadian business,” said CEO Erik Nordstrom. As of Jan. 28, the company said it had six Nordstrom stores and seven Nordstrom Rack stores in Canada. Nordstrom has ceased its Canadian e-commerce platform and expects to finish Canadian store closures in Canada by late June. Even before Nordstrom reported earnings, it cut its forecast and told investors that it had a rough holiday. In January, the department store chain said its net sales dropped 3.5% for the nine-week period that ended Dec. 31 compared with the year-ago period. Its net sales declined sharply during that stretch at its off-price banner, Nordstrom Rack.
APPLE REPORTEDLY CONSIDERING TOUCHSCREEN MAC LAPTOP Rumors in the tech industry are reporting that Apple could release a MacBook Pro laptop with a touch- screen as soon as 2025. The move, if it were to happen, would mark a signifi - cant reversal for Apple, which has said for years that touchscreen laptops are ergonomically inferior, even as competing Windows laptops now have touch- screens as a standard feature. A touchscreen Mac would require significant software changes to accept finger taps, which require larger buttons, instead of mouse clicks. Apple’s iPhone and iPads use an operating system designed for touch- screens, while macOS can currently only be controlled with a mouse and keyboard. Some tech experts are doubtful of the release as Apple’s Mac business doesn’t need a boost current- ly. Mac sales surged when Apple replaced Intel pro- cessors in most of its computers with its own silicon. The change improved battery life and reduced over- heating. Apple’s Mac business generated $40.1 billion in revenue during the company’s fiscal 2022, up 14% from 2021.
BEST BUY WILL SET UP IN-HOME HOSPITAL CARE
Best Buy is best known for installing TVs and home theater systems. Now, its Geek Squad is helping to set up virtual hospital rooms. The consumer electronics retailer announced it has struck a three-year deal with Atrium Health, a North Carolina-based health-care system, to help enable a hospital-at-home program. Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health, one of the country’s largest health- care non-profits. Best Buy’s Geek Squad will go to patients’ homes, set up technology that remotely monitors their heart rate, blood oxygen level or other vitals and train the patient or others in the home how to use the devices. The data would then be shared securely with doctors and nurses through the telemedicine hub from Current Health. Best Buy began setting up virtual-care systems in mid-February for 10 hospitals in and around Char- lotte, North Carolina. The company said it aims to have about 100 patients in the program each day — roughly equivalent to a midsized hospital but without a building. Best Buy and Atrium did not disclose specific finan - cial terms but said Atrium will buy the devices from Best Buy and use Geek Squad services for installa- tion and retrieval when the patient is cleared from care. Patients will pay Atrium through their insurance, including Medicare or Medicaid.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
CALGARY INTERNATIONAL BEERFEST May 5th – 6th, 2023 BMO Centre - Stampede Park | Calgary, AB Canada The Calgary International Beerfest brings the beer world together at Canada’s largest beer festival. Rated as one of the best beer fes- tivals in the world, with 700+ beers from 200+ breweries, and so many innovative destinations within the festival, your biggest challenge will be deciding where to start. Hear great stories in the Brew Master Seminars or savour the food & beer pairings in the Cooking with Beer Seminars; Explore the emerging craft spirit industry in Distillery District; sample delicious food from some of Calgary’s best restau- rants; Take in all the entertain- ment; support great charities and immerse yourself in this amazing community. With a range of ciders, meads, and other beverages to go with the beers and spirits – there really is something for everyone. For more information on this event go to https://albertabeerfestivals. com/festivals/calgary-internation- al-beerfest/
SIAL CANADA May 9th – 11th, 2023 Enercare Centre | Toronto, ON Canada The SIAL Canada is not only key to the Canadian agrifood industry, but also a privileged entryway to the US and international markets. It is the only national trade show that offers a complete range of food products under one roof to meet your customers’ expecta- tions. Whether you work in the retail, catering or food processing industry, or you’re simply looking for new and innovative products or regional specialties from around the world, you’ll find exactly what you need right here. For more information on this event go to https://sialcanada.com/en/
RESTAURANTS CANADA SHOW April 10th – 12th, 2023 Enercare Centre | Toronto, ON Canada Hospitality comes from the heart—from the tables of celebrat- ed chefs to the Colonel’s buckets to the mom-and-pop roti shop on the corner. It’s about sharing a family recipe, your skill and food culture to feed communities. Hustle is the sound and soul of the industry we love, and what drives us to shape its evolution. We are willing to work smart, but not harder. Been there, done that. We are invigorated and inspired by the true spirit of hospitality and devoted to keeping our doors open for family, friends and food. Forever.
WESTERN CANADIAN DAIRY SEMINAR March 7th – 10th, 2023 Cambridge Red Deer Hotel & Conference Centre | Red Deer, AB Canada Western Canadian Dairy Seminar is designed for dairy producers, extension specialists, researchers, and dairy service and supply rep- resentatives who want to improve their knowledge and deci- sion-making abilities in dairy pro- duction and management. Each year a wide variety of topics are presented ranging from nutrition and reproduction to dairy policy and challenges facing the dairy industry. The dairy industry looks to this seminar for solutions to emerging issues, and for informa- tion about recent research results. The design of the conference is such that timely and relevant issues are the focus of the presen- tations. In addition to the formal program, there is ample oppor- tunity for networking and one- on-one discussions between the speakers and participants. For more information on this event go to https://wcds.ualberta.ca/
CHFA NOW March 30th – April 2nd, 2023 Vancouver Convention Centre East | Vancouver, BC Canada CHFAnow is Canada’s best trade show dedicated to natural, organic, and wellness. It continues to be the number one source for new products and education for retailers who are doing business in Western Canada. If your store sells natural health products, organics, specialty foods, health & beauty, sports nutrition and/or nutra- ceuticals, this is your one-stop shopping experience. For more information on this event go to https://chfanow.ca/vancou- ver/
INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS TOURISM CONFERENCE March 8th – 10th, 2023 RBC Convention Centre | Winnipeg, MB Canada In 2023, the largest Indigenous conference in the world will be hosted in Treaty 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. Join industry leaders and innovators and thought-provoking speakers for three days of inspiration and learning in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Take part in breakout sessions on everything from marketing to pricing strategies to pitching your story to national media. The International Indigenous Tourism Conference theme will be Inspire. Transform. Unite. Acceler- ating Indigenous tourism growth. Inspire encourages communities and entrepreneurs to explore tourism as an economic driver. Transform focuses on the impacts of Indigenous tourism on visitors and Indigenous operators alike. Unite speaks to the power of part- nerships and coming together to empower the Indigenous tourism industry. For more information on this event go to https://indigenoustourism- conference.com/
For more information on this event go to https://www.rcshow.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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“Responsibly developed oil and gas resources are needed in global markets”
GROWING INDIGENOUS OWNESHIP, BIGGER SPENDING & CCS:
munities in northern Alberta announced they will take a nearly 12 percent ownership stake in seven Enbridge oil sands pipelines. “It’s amazing, not only for us,” said Justin Bourque, CEO of the Willow Lake Métis Nation and president of Athabasca Indigenous Invest- ments, which will manage the group’s ownership share. “We believe that through our good work, through our transparent and accountable operations, we will elevate the collective.” More spending and more jobs Across the country, Canada’s top 10 oil and gas producers alone plan to spend $23 billion on development in 2023, up from $20 billion in 2022. Part of that is drilling activity, which is expected to increase to the highest level since 2018, reaching 6,409 wells in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan, according to the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors (CAOEC). Each active drilling rig adds 220 direct and indirect jobs to the economy, the CAOEC says. Drilling is expected to support 42,350 jobs this year, nearly double the jobs activity supported in 2019. In 2020, Canada’s oil and gas industry supported nearly 600,000 jobs across the country, accord- By the end of 2023, construction could be complete on both the Trans Mountain Expansion and Coastal GasLink pipelines, setting up Canada for the first major deliveries of its responsibly produced oil and gas to the world. Overall, Coastal GasLink is 80 percent complete and TMX has reached 73 percent completion, according to the latest project updates. ing to the federal government. Completing major pipelines “As Coastal GasLink enters into its final year of construction, we are on track to deliver cleaner,
Canadian-made energy to the world at a time it is needed most,” the project said in a statement. Coastal GasLink will deliver natural gas produced in northeast B.C. to Canada’s first LNG export terminal, being built at the Port of Kitimat. TMX will significantly increase capacity for Canada to export oil from Alberta through the Westridge Marine Terminal at Burnaby, B.C. Both projects will help meet growing demand for This year is expected to bring more clarity around new carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in Canada’s oil and gas industry. CCS works by capturing CO2 emissions at indus- trial sites and transporting it by pipeline for injec- tion and permanent storage deep underground. Canada is already home to about 15 percent of world CCS capacity, despite being responsible for just 1.6 percent of world emissions. oil and gas, particularly in Asia. Momentum building for CCS A new wave of CCS projects is proposed in Alberta, the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) noted recently. Seven new projects with known capacity and commissioning dates – plus expansions of existing projects – have the potential to increase Alberta’s CCS capacity to about 56 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030. This is equivalent to 22 percent of CO2 emissions in Alberta in 2020, the CER said. One of the major new CCS projects being advanced is by the Pathways Alliance, a joint ini- tiative by companies representing 95 percent of oil sands production. A new agreement with the province of Alberta enables Pathways to “imme- diately start” detailed evaluation of its proposed storage hub, which would be one of the world’s largest CCS projects.
WHAT TO WATCH IN CANADIAN ENERGY IN 2023
by Deborah Jaremko
T here are continued signs of light in Canada’s oil and gas industry as the new year begins. Nearing completion are major pipelines that will help ease the ongoing global energy crisis that deepened following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Industry leadership by Indigenous communities is rising, and momentum is building for technol- ogy like carbon capture and storage (CCS) to make a meaningful impact in reducing emissions. Already, the strength of Canada’s resource sectors like oil and gas is helping offset slower growth in other industries, according to the OECD’s latest economic outlook. But in a world short of energy supply, everyday costs are rising at a pace not seen in decades. It could get even worse this year as it becomes more difficult for Europe to secure additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, the OECD said. Canada’s responsibly developed resources are needed in global markets. Here’s what to watch in 2023. Indigenous ownership momentum Indigenous leadership in Canadian oil and gas is set to continue growing after a landmark 2022.
Last year, a total of 39 communities in B.C. and Alberta launched investment in major pipe- lines, while two proposed Indigenous-owned LNG projects advanced through the regulatory process. Within days, a B.C. government decision is expected on whether the Haisla Nation and partner Pembina Pipeline can proceed with Cedar LNG, one of the largest Indigenous-owned infra- structure projects in Canada’s history. “They are breaking trail for the rest of us,” Karen Ogen-Toews, CEO of the First Nations LNG Alliance, said earlier this year. “Indigenous people are in support of major projects. We must do this responsibly, continuing to make sure that we have the highest environ- mental standards.” In March, 16 Indigenous communities along the route of the Coastal GasLink pipeline announced a partnership with TC Energy to become 10 percent owners once it is up and running in 2023. In September, 23 First Nations and Métis com-
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The Baby Boom Generation (1946-65), which has driven virtually every consumer shift for the past 60 years, is retiring in great numbers right now and we are at the very crest of this genera- tional wave. As these folks leave the workforce, they take 40+ years of experience with them, leaving a significant void, thus a shortage of skilled workers. This generation typically viewed work as a requirement of every productive member of society. Loyalty was another valued quality; people would learn a trade or skill and remain with a company for several years, poten- tially even their entire career. These values lead to a stable and productive economy and are con- sidered a traditional work ethic. Generation X (1966-80) is often seen as the cross- over generation between the baby boomers and millennials. This generation has a traditional work ethic as well, however, they are torn between the past and the present. One main cause is the onset of technological development which had greatly impacted work life and the need to continually keep up-to-speed with the rapidly evolving work environment. With this development, this gener- ation is at odds with the shift to production and
less value in the high-labour skilled trades. The new pressure of ensuring a work-life balance is at odds with the value of hard work instilled in them from an early age. Now, this generation is being promoted to the roles of retiring Boomers which appears to be having a negative impact on mental health and productivity. Millennials (1981-96) are either in their initial years or well into their careers by now. This generation is starting to realize that there is a problem in the workforce: too often, they are expected to do more with fewer resources or to take on roles having never been properly trained. This is the generation that lost industrial arts or shop classes in favour of computer labs. Unfor- tunately, computers don’t operate heavy equip- ment, build houses, or repair vehicles. Technol- ogy is a benefit to all these things, but it will never completely replace skilled tradespeople. I believe that because of this loss of hands-on experience during their formative years and the reduction of the value of physical work in schools, has impacted the number of Millennials who have chosen to enter the trades and neg- atively impacted our workforce. There may be
CONTRACTOR’S
GENERATIONAL IMPACT ON SKILLED LABOUR
by Dan Monk W e have seen a skilled labour shortage coming for decades with the “boomer” generation approaching retirement. On top of this, there is a general change in the attitudes of people toward work-life balance in newer generations. I thought I would break it down into bite-size pieces based on generations so we can have a
real discussion about what is happening to the skilled labour force. I grew up with Boomer parents, I belong to Gen X, and one of my children is a millennial and the other is a part of Gen Z. I believe I have witnessed a selection of what each of these generations has or could con- tribute to the workforce. This is an overview with generalized observations from my point of view:
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a tremendous shift in society back to placing a high value on skilled trades soon as the avail- ability of skilled labour becomes more and more scarce. Gen Z (1997-2012) is currently quite the range from school-aged kids to those beginning to enter the workforce. This generation has a very different view of the value of work as it relates to themselves and the world around them. The idea of working with the sole measure of success being productivity appears to be gone and has been replaced with a goal of self-reali- zation. I have mixed feelings about this; I’m not saying that enjoying your work isn’t important, however, some tasks are not desirable or partic- ularly motivational, but they still need to be done and should be done with pride. Becoming a pro- fessional of any kind is commendable but it can be tedious as many skills take decades to refine. Oftentimes, it takes real-life practice outside of the classroom alongside dedication and grit. Gen Z has the power to change the direction we are headed and realize the importance of a good work ethic and reverse the cycle of jumping from
job to job, searching for the next best thing. This comparison between generational views on work ethic, education, and profession just scratched the surface. It is not to judge, but rather to spark insightful thought and conversation. Unfortunately, we are still living in a time when doing physically demanding jobs, such as con- struction trades, is considered something you do if you are not smart enough to pursue higher education. We need to change the narrative because the stigma associated with the trades remains. It’s ironic because, without people who have the physical skills and the brains to do them, the entire world would grind to a halt. For context, my father was one of the most skilled heavy equipment operators I knew, he took pride in his best job every day. I continued down the line of higher learning by becoming an engineer, however, as an entrepreneur and owner of a ren- ovation company, I continue to see tremendous value in skilled trades. My motivation to become a Red Seal Carpenter was to help lead younger
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carpenters entering our industry. The trades are filled with smart people who can do challenging physically demanding tasks and they deserve the utmost respect for their skillset. The term, “work-life balance” is often used to describe a utopia of our lives. We are veering more towards the separation of “work” from “life”. I have a slightly different view and see work as being an integrated part of a healthy life. I view productivity as a virtue that contributes to the betterment of society. These views are obviously shaped by the generation in which I was raised and that of my parents. To end it off, what is the solution to our skilled labour shortage? There is no quick fix! We missed an opportunity and now we will suffer from the pain of poor planning. However, I believe there are ways to correct the situation over the next 10-20 years. We need to continue to place great value on skilled trades beginning from a young age. Educate the public to be thankful and respect the people who work with their hands and brains connected like a well-oiled machine. Invest and promote more skilled trades education and apprenticeship programs and encourage everyone to find pleasure in a job well done and that being a professional truly matters. For those who read this article, I truly hope you found some value and it helps you think more about the value of the talented men and women who make the work turn as skilled tradespeople.
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“Oil production is a big part of our GDP,”
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR ENERGY SECTOR
absolutely no one,” says Johnson. The Terra Nova vessel can store 960,000 barrels of oil and accommodate a crew of 120. Stationed 350 kilometers offshore near producing wells on the Grand Banks, it offloads crude oil onto large shuttle tankers for shipment. The 292-metre, double-hulled vessel hasn’t operated since 2019. Suncor says production will resume by mid-2023. In the meantime, Breen sees promise in the industry’s future. “If you look at overall oil production, there are so many resources left,” he says. “It will be a big part of our economy in the years to come. It will continue to produce revenue for the province.” While the main market for Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil is the United States, projects sent an average of about 83,000 barrels per day to Europe between 2015 and 2021, according to Statistics Canada. Those oil exports had a total value of $11.4 billion. Europe’s top five purchasers of Canadian offshore oil over the last half-decade were the “If you look at overall oil pro- duction, there are so many resources left,”
“If that production is not hap- pening, then people will have to look for work elsewhere,”
TERRA NOVA RETURN SIGNALS ECONOMIC BOOST FOR NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
by James Snell
United Kingdom ($4.1 billion), Italy ($2.3 billion), Netherlands ($2 billion), Spain ($1.8 billion), and Ireland ($457,000). While Europe’s energy supply from renewable sources like wind and solar is growing, oil and gas will remain critical to the energy mix for decades to come, according to BP’s latest world energy outlook. Oil and natural gas are expected to still supply nearly 30% of Europe’s energy demand in 2050. There are four producing oil fields off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador: Hibernia, Hebron, White Rose and Terra Nova, when it resumes. The Terra Nova income stream will help New- foundland and Labrador diversify its energy mix and transition to a technology-based green economy involving hydrogen production and critical metals, says Breen, noting the project helps prevent emigration from the province. “If that production is not happening, then people will have to look for work elsewhere,” he says. There are an estimated 80 million barrels of oil left in the Terra Nova oil field, says Suncor.
T erra Nova, an oil production, storage, and offloading vessel majority-owned by Suncor Energy, has returned to Newfound- land and Labrador waters after a $500 million overhaul. The work is expected to extend production at the Terra Nova oil field by 10 years, delivering economic benefits to the region and an addi - tional 70 million barrels to global markets. “Oil production is a big part of our GDP,” says Danny Breen, mayor of St. John’s, N.L. “During the time oil production from Terra Nova wasn’t there, our GDP was very low. It’s expected next year we’re going to lead the country in GDP growth and that’s due to the return of oil pro- duction.” The Terra Nova project is a significant employer and business spender. In the third quarter of 2022 alone – without any oil production – it directly employed 713 people and spent $8.9 million with businesses in N.L. and Canada, Suncor reports.
The benefits of Terra Nova run much deeper than on-site employment, says Charlene Johnson, CEO of Energy NL, an energy advocacy group. “Consider the thousands of people in the service and supply sector when you look at the benefits in terms of taxes and royalties to the province,” she says. Projects off the coast of N.L. have produced more than one billion barrels of oil since the Hibernia platform started operating in 1997. “Our capabilities in the offshore are second to
“Our capabilities in the offshore are second to abso- lutely no one,”
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QUICK & DIRTY PREP LIST FOR HOME STAGING SUCCESS
by Megan Callahan
C alling all realtors and sellers! Who needs the quick and dirty prep list for home staging success? Selling a home is a huge undertaking. With so much at stake, it’s important to do everything in your power to help seal the deal with a quick sale and the highest dollar value. Step one in this process is preparing your home to have it showcased beautifully. When in doubt, ask the people who are boots on the ground. Realtors – they are marching from house to house with buyers. According to the National Association of Realtors, 96% of buyers’ agents agree that home staging influences how buyers view their homes. This is an important number when deciding if you will stage your home, or as a realtor, stage your listing. It is a commitment, but it will pay off. Preparing a lived-in domain is like staging a
“With so much at stake, it’s important to do everything in your power to help seal the deal with a quick sale and the highest dollar value.”
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and staging to sell are very dif- ferent. Short-term pain for long team gain is a great motto for this process. Put the hard work in now, and it will pay off. Realtors can only work with what they have. No matter how good
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vacant home in all the ways that count. Maximizing space and showcasing key features are still the end goal. An empty home needs items added, and gener- ally, an occupied home needs to be minimized to create focus on the home itself. Living in a home
they are, the product you hand over to them is the only product they can sell. Selling features or a great house layout that cannot be visualized by buyers doesn’t have that first day on the market excite - ment. Being able to physically showcase what your home has to offer is the way to approach this. In short - Pack up and clear out (somewhat) to make that house stand out! Front Entrance The main goal of staging the front entrance is to give potential buyers the best first impres - sion. How do we do that? Make it as spacious as possible while always ensuring that it is visually pleasing. During real estate viewings there will be a realtor and at least one other person, usually more, walking into your home at the same time. Let’s make sure they have the most space avail- able to get their boots off, get situated, and get their walk-through started off right. • Remove the door mat for photos, but leave it down for viewings for the safety and comfort of the buyers and their team • Remove all footwear in the porch for both photos and viewings • Empty any hooks. Hide away the keys and the dog leashes • Front Hall Closet - Empty floor and top shelf if possible. Two decorative baskets on the
top shelf with items inside them are great too. Emptying the floor and the top shelf is a general rule for all closet and pantry areas. It maximizes and showcases the space and leaves a great impression on buyers. It will be a great example of how they want their space to look Living Room The living room is another main area that we need to make sure space is maximized. It’s so important to make it easy for buyers to picture themselves as well as their furniture and belong- ings in this space, at first glance. The more open, bright, and spacious you can make it, the better! Think ‘magazine photoshoot’! That’s the level of perfection we are going for. • Make sure all the traffic ways are open and make sure the window and feature wall are cleared out. • Try not to have the couch in front of the window
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Kitchen We want to draw attention to the areas of your home that are at the top of buyers’ MUST-HAVE list. The best way to accentuate the greatness of your kitchen is to make it easy for buyers to see what they are getting. Kitchens plus ample space are a wonderful team for the real estate market. Countertop space is one item that many homeowners want more of. The more we can showcase the potential of each kitchen area, the more buyers will be able to picture themselves there, at first glance. Just as important, the more we can minimize items on the counter, the less ‘stuff’ there is for buyers to focus on and the more they will gravitate toward the kitchen itself. Countertops, available space, backsplash, cabinets, cabinet hardware, etc. • Countertops – empty countertops to start. Depending on space, start adding a few staging pieces. A coffee station, a nice knife set (if one is there), a couple of plants or a decorative bowl in the corner • Keep sink and dishwasher empty • Pro tip! If you have a nice mixer – set that up nicely against the wall and let all the baking vibes commence • If applicable, empty the top of cabinets as it creates a focal point and takes away from the cabinets themselves • Remove all cleaning products from the sink area • Empty the front, side, and top of the fridge. All magnets must go! • Empty the window ledge and remove curtains or toppers from the small kitchen window. Let all that light in!
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“Selling features or a great house layout that cannot be visualized by buyers doesn’t have that first day on the market excitement. Being able to physically showcase what your home has to offer is the way to approach this.” • Set the room up so the ideal layout is easily spotted when buyers walk in • Unplug and hide all cords. TV, TV equipment, lamps, etc. • Remove all personal photos – Again, we want to focus on the house, not who or what is in it • Remove any colourful decorative pillows and blankets from the furniture as it creates a focal point and buyers will notice that first instead of the room itself. We want them to glance over everything and notice the (beau- tifully decorated) room • Open curtains and blinds for photos and viewings – the more natural light, the better! • Have just the lamps centered on the end tables. If there is lots of space, you can add a plant or a couple of books on their side… or both! Two flat books with a small plant on top.
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• Remove towels from oven and dishwasher handles • Remove the kitchen floor mat to create openness • Remove any pet food dishes
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Master Bedroom The master bedroom must be a quiet, spacious, eye-catching oasis. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but it needs to be cozy yet empty. Buyers need to be able to picture their own furniture in the room while admiring your setup and the available space. Sound easy? It really is! Here are the steps:
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• Have just lamps on nightstands • Remove all hampers • Remove any items (table, hamper, large vase, etc.) from corners of the room. Empty and open corners always open up the space • Remove that ottoman from the bottom of the bed. Generally, these look beautiful and warm, but our goal for the master is always to maximize available space and give the buyers ample room to walk around and picture their own furniture in there • Empty the top of the dressers. Keep the flowers on the tall dresser • WALK-IN CLOSET: Very important selling feature. The best thing you can do to showcase your master walk-in closet is to minimize the items in it to really amplify the available space as well as the layout. Since you’re moving out anyway, the easiest approach is to get a head start on the packing process. Remove and pack away any out-of-season clothes and items you won’t need over the next few months. As with any closet, empty the top shelf and floor! Bathroom The bathroom needs to be magazine worthy. Clean, minimal, and staged goes a long way! This list is the main bathroom staging tips. A clean and organized bathroom can hook a buyer just like a dirty and messy bathroom can turn them away completely. • Tuck away the garbage bin • Remove bathmat for photos • Keep shower curtain open for photos and viewings • Remove all toiletries in the tub area • Remove all toiletries from the sink area. We are going for no real signs of use. No tooth- brushes, used bars of soap, used towels, toi- letries, etc. • Open shower curtain for photos and viewings. This maximizes space and leaves no surprises for buyers • Keep toilet seat cover down always You Did it! Your home is market ready!
“By fully committing to a detailed list like this, you are amplifying the benefits, space, and design of your home. More importantly than that, you have set up to sell a lifestyle.”
By fully committing to a detailed list like this, you are amplifying the benefits, space, and design of your home. More importantly than that, you have set up to sell a lifestyle. Buyers and their realtors booked a viewing at your house because there are things they like already. It may not even be your home itself. It may be the location and the yard space. Those things you can’t change, but you can certainly add to them! Help them fall in love with your home! Put in all the hard work now. You have one shot to ‘wow’ buyers, so dig in, pack up, and get out of your comfort zone. Picture this as a house that needs to look perfect for everyone, not just for you anymore. We want to appeal to the masses and the best way to do that is minimal, spacious, and neutral. This hard work along with your top-notch, hard-working realtor who had perfectly priced your home, is a recipe for success!
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ENTREPRENEURIALISM 101
THE IMPORTANCE OF PATIENCE WHEN GROWING A BUSINESS
by Shannon Ferguson I t’s no secret that the world moves pretty fast, especially these days. Between access to immediate information and the ability for instant gratification, it’s not wonder that people seem less patient than ever. We want the things we crave and we want them now but many times, people forget how important patience is; especially when it comes to business. When you first set out to grow your new entre - preneurial endeavour, you have big hopes and huge dreams, and you truly feel like the sky is the limit. You see the money signs swirling around in your head and you just KNOW this is going to be big. You set out for success, and you just have a feeling it will happen quickly. Until it doesn’t. Until you’re dropped on your head by reality and forced to realize that maybe your idea is going to take longer than expected to come to fruition. It’s at this point in your
business (or in life) when the future is often decided. You have to choose, “Am I in this for the long haul or am I going to give up because it didn’t work out quickly enough for me?”
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They say patience is a virtue and in business, this is always the truth. Even the businesses that seemingly “get lucky” and blast off to growth within their first year, need to have patience as they continue to scale and reimagine their product or services, but the truth is, most busi- nesses don’t hockey stick in their first year and many are a 10-year overnight success. If you’ve decided to stick with your business and see it through, then one of the first things you need to do is get honest with yourself and decide to push forward no matter what. The truth is, in business, there are no shortcuts. Timelines are always going to change, goals will be adjusted, and deadlines will be extended but if you can come to terms with the lack of control you often have and instead trust the process, you will find that everything will work out for you. The thing is new ideas take time. They call it crossing the chasm which means you’ll have your early adopters (always great for validation) on one side of the chasm with everyone else on the other. Your mission as an entrepreneur and business owner is to get to the other side where your brand, your product, and your services are widely adopted. Sometimes, it can feel like you’ll never make it across, threatening to let it all go
and beg for mercy as you spiral down but that’s when you need to continue pushing forward the most. Most successful business owners will tell you that the secret to success is “never giving up.” Being scrappy, continuing to fight, digging deep and most of all having patience. And of course, having patience doesn’t mean changing your path alto- gether but instead, it means continuing to grow, develop and integrate even when it feels like the needle might not be moving much (or at all).
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So many times, people undervalue the impor- tance of patience in business and it’s easy to see why. Sometimes the reward seems to far away and the need for a win or that instant gratifica - tion we all crave can whisper in our ear that it’s best to throw in the towel. When that happens just whisper back that your patience will win this battle and keep going. If you’ve been feeling like success is not coming quickly enough or that your big payday is taking too long, it’s always best to re-evaluate your business (just to be sure you actually are on the right track). Reach out to mentors and advisors in your network, improve your processes, and ensure that you’ve put everything in place so that you can come away as a winner. If you’ve put that work in and you continue to hustle, know that the obstacles ahead may be many, the road may be winding, and the journey will be tiring but the more you trust the process and the more you believe that all your hard work will pay off, the more patient you will ultimately become. In a world where time moves quickly and it seems like everyone around us is moving forward while we’re standing still, remember the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. Moving slowly toward the finish line does not mean you will fail and most of the time, it’s those businesses that grow slowly who grow the biggest. It’s those businesses that remain patient while digging in their heels and never giving up that win the ultimate prize of success, no matter if it takes them a year or a decade to make it happen. Don’t let our fast-moving, instantly gratifying world ever get you down, in life or in business. Be patient, put in the work, and grow a little bit every day and soon enough you’ll reap the rewards you’ve dreamed of from the very begin- ning in your personal and professional life.
It’s like losing weight. You often will not see the results right away but if you continue to show up, do the work and eat right, eventually, your com- mitment will start showing. Maybe at first, you’re the only one who recognizes it but soon enough everyone around you can see the changes. But you have to be patient because it’s you against yourself. You need to keep showing up and putting the work in even on days when it might be really hard, when you might be extremely tired or when you feel like nothing you’re doing is even working. That’s what growing a business is like. You need to show up and do those things that no one else can see, over and over and over, until finally, the world takes notice. It takes grit to decide you’re not giving up or giving in and an abundance of trust in yourself and your business but if you’ve put the work in, validated your idea, worked to get the product-market fit, and continue to make even small steps forward then you’re on the right track.
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