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Some of the successful mentors
and protégées that Step Ahead has
had the privilege to work with have
included:
Protégées
Mentors
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Lisa Scale
President, Bella Photography
www.bellaphotography.ca
Year Started Business: 1993
Background: Named Central Ontario’s professional portrait photographer of the year in 2006, Lisa bring 20 years experience to her work. She has a passion for and specializes in capturing people’s personality in photos.
Why Joined Step Ahead: "To take control of my business direction and improve profitability."
Biggest Benefits: "My sales have actually increased 44.6% and my profit 55.9%...and I did this all in less than a year. When I joined, I thought you couldn’t be successful as a mom and a business person and that you had to make a choice. My mentor is a role model – and she has shown me that you can indeed succeed as a business owner who has children. I have found this program so inspiring that I have recently found myself mentoring women new to photography, helping them create a lifestyle and not just a career."
Goals: "To build a new, dream studio, to change my business model, to enhance the portrait experience for clients with a very relaxing, inspired environment and to spend more time with my family…all the while increasing my company profits. And I have set a goal to begin building a speaking career."
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Khadija Sunderji
President/Owner, W/S Group Inc.
www.clearviewpartitions.com
Year Started in Business: 1996
Business Snapshot: W/S Group Inc. serves the automotive aftermarket sector, providing two product lines: Clearview Partitions (designed to prevent shifting cargo from hitting and injuring vehicle drivers from sudden stops) and Workvan Storage Systems (a full range of shelving, roof rack, partition and other vehicle accessories). W/S Group Inc. has a North America-wide dealer distribution and installation network.
Background: Born and raised in Mombasa, Kenya, Khadija received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration at Brock University and her post-graduate degree in Software Systems Technology at the University of Sheffield. While in Canada, she met the inventor of Clearview Partitions and convinced her family to invest in it. Her uncle even came to Canada to run this business with his new partners. Returning to Canada in 1993, Khadija learned that the company was in trouble and took over the helm in 1996.
Why Entrepreneurship: Khadija credits her father and the community at large for inspiring her. "My family has been in business ever since I was born. From a very young age, I learned that the only way to have a good life and freedom was by running my own business. To me, entrepreneurship represents independence, and dare I say it, fun. You get to see the results of your efforts right away."
Why Joined Step Ahead: "To learn how business was done in Canada because I felt that I still ran things like I was in Kenya."
Biggest Benefits: "I now have access to a huge pool of resources in terms of breadth and depth of knowledge and experience. The mentors are very generous with their information." Khadija is also learning more about marketing from her mentor, who has a great deal of knowledge in this area. "I have never really had a marketing plan and have generally run things by the seat of my pants. No more!"
Goals: "To formalize the procedures of the company so that nothing is left to interpretation and to double the sales volume by year end."
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Kathryn Fowlston
President, Cleartech Inc.
www.cleartechinc.ca
Year Started Business: 1993
Business Snapshot: A rapidly growing company that manufactures plastic point-of-purchase displays, shelving, bulk food bins and custom-designed retail displays in its 19,000-square-foot factory.
Background: Originally a butcher, Kathryn joined the company as a manager – on her father’s urging – back in 1985, bringing the number of employees up to five. Since then, Cleartech’s sales have grown dramatically. Kathryn eventually bought the business from her father, and she now employs over 25 people (many of whom are new Canadians).
Why Joined Step Ahead: “To gain knowledge and confidence in running my business.”
Biggest Benefits: “I find the words of wisdom from other women very empowering. They have such a wide range of experiences, and the mentor panels in particular have given me a lot of advice. My mentor has been really helpful and has shared things like a simple business planning template. Our relationship has really been give/give and win/win…it’s great to find out that you’re not alone!”
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Shelly Purdy
Jewellery Designer, The Shelly Purdy Studio
www.shellypurdy.com
Year Started Business: 1992
Business Snapshot: The Shelly Purdy Studio designs platinum and gold diamond jewellery that is both functional and symbolic. It is created with personal relevance to the owner, with sophistication, elegance and fun in mind.
Background: After one year of university, Shelly realized that she wanted to explore her artistic side. She finished a three-year, Jewellery Arts program at George Brown College. A self-directed apprenticeship brought her work to the Harbourfront Craft Studio, to wholesalers and to higher-end boutiques in Yorkville. In 1992 she gained her first media coverage when her work was featured in fashion magazines. 1995 was a big year for Shelly personally and professionally. Her first child was born and she won the internationally coveted De Beers Award.
Future Plans: "To focus on an internet retail website which will enhance our branding, along with selected print advertising to showcase our original designs."
Why Joined Step Ahead: "I wanted to hear what other women experience in both developing and growing their businesses and I looked forward to sharing business strategies. Business can be very overwhelming. Just coming and asking for help and getting it from Step Ahead has been wonderful. It has given me a real boost and inspiration to reposition my business at a time when I needed it. It also made me realize that everyone makes blunders and I’m not alone."
Biggest Benefit: Shelly has learned to set boundaries, working her business around her lifestyle. "Determine the lifestyle you want, then set your work days and hours… and stick to it," she recommends. The financial end of business intimidated her initially. Through Step Ahead, she has gained confidence in money matters, financing and accounting. Working with her mentor, she learned to cut costs and to view things differently and is developing a computer system to manage her sales in retail and wholesale more efficiently. "My mentor gave me direction and welcomed encouragement. Together we set deadlines to resolve the issues that were a challenge for me to tackle alone."
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Stefania Joy
Owner & General Manager, Annex Property Group Ltd. (formerly Castlegate Inn)
www.toronto-property-management.com
Year Started Business: 2001
Business Snapshot: Inspired by her trips to Europe and the boutique-style hotels found there, Stefania opened Castlegate Inn, a 40-room themed bed and breakfast-style inn near Casa Loma and the Royal Ontario Museum in downtown Toronto has warmth, elegance and privacy (including private bathrooms). Stefania’s vision was to provide clean, comfortable, centrally-located accommodations at affordable prices. In 2008, the company purchases a 38-unit apartment building located in Toronto’s High Park.
Background: When she was young, Stefania did everything from cleaning to bookkeeping in her family-owned rooming house. "It was very much like a Wild West Show" – complete with patrons like ex-cons. "I was too young to be scared," she says, fondly recalling her mother’s advice "Don’t renovate; that’s history," when she showed her bullet holes in the wall. After she got married, Stefania and her husband took their experience in real estate and property management and invested in multi-residential buildings. The birth of her twins "completely changed my life initially, but when they turned three, I was ready to delve into business again and started Castlegate." Her focus at the Inn is the overall experience she provides to her guests – a four-star service in a charming environment.
Future Plans: To open two more hotels – one down south and one in Europe.
Why Joined Step Ahead: "I wanted to be part of a group of women business owners and to access the information that the program promised."
Biggest Benefit: "Definitely my mentor. It’s exciting and motivating to have a relationship with someone like her who makes you see things differently and who can say one thing that will open up a whole world of possibilities in your thinking. The workshops are also inspiring and interesting. I’ve gained new information and ideas and shared concerns with other women running businesses with similar challenges."
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Joan Barrett
Partner, Bear Mountain Boat Shop Inc.
www.bearmountainboats.com
Year Started Business: 1977
Business Snapshot: Bear Mountain Boat Shop provides the tools necessary for the do-it-yourself boat builder, including full-size plans for canoes and kayaks along with how-to videos and books. In addition, Joan and her partner, Ted, teach boat-building classes at several locations in the United States and Canada. Having recently diversified into the gift market, they now also offer miniature canoe building packages for kids.
Background: After many years of building and restoring small wooden watercraft and documenting historical boats, Joan and Ted decided to develop into other areas. Through their research, they learned that many people were, in fact, more interested in building their own small boats than buying them in completed form. A short walk to their home workshop/office and Bear Mountain Boat Shop was born. Since then, the two continually look for more advanced, user-friendly resources for people who want to build their own canoes and kayaks.
Why Joined Step Ahead: "I’m hoping to learn how to make our company more of a business, and also how to delegate some of the responsibilities."
Value of Step Ahead: "I love the great value of the presentations at each meeting, the supportive and open mentoring from other women, and the opportunity to learn in detail about other businesses and how the challenges were met. It has been invaluable."
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Leah Duckman
Vice-President, Ben Walker Ltd.
benwal@on.aibn.com
Year Started in Business: 1962
Business Snapshot: A privately-held company that develops and manages residential, industrial and commercial properties in Ontario.
How Started: The company’s roots run deep. Her grandfather, a Russian revolutionary, came to Canada at the age of 20 and invested his money in properties while working as a jeweler. Leah’s father eventually took over and consolidated to buy larger properties. Leah joined after working in advertising, at a time when her father was preparing to sell off the business. “Together we started revitalizing things and I picked up where he left off.”
Business Challenge: “To get more of a corporate structure in place, such as good job descriptions and budgets. I would like us to be a strategic and well oiled machine so that, when we acquire a new property, it’s easy to integrate.”
Future Goals: “I like the size we are now because I’m very hands-on. What I’d like to do is acquire a building every two years or so.”
Her Industry: In this male-dominated field, it takes courage to succeed. “Many people think I’m a pushover because I’m young and a woman.” But when this feisty businesswoman starts talking, her knowledge and skills win over the skeptics.
On Entrepreneurship: “It’s for me. You have to be gutsy and able to stand up for yourself.”
Why Joined Step Ahead: “I was seeking out people to help me with the challenges of managing and running a company. I look forward to every meeting and I’m excited when I leave. I rearrange my schedule to go.”
Biggest Benefits: “The camaraderie and validation that I’m on the right track. And the speakers really make me think. There is always something relevant to me and I feel comfortable asking questions.”
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Kathryn Hollinrake
Owner, Hollinrake Photography
www.hollinrake.com
Year Started in Business: 1994
Business Snapshot: a photographer who shoots everything from products, still lives and food, to people, both in studio and on location, for clients like Chrysler Canada, The Globe and Mail, The Royal Bank and Payless Shoe Source.
How Started: When Kathryn Hollinrake moved east from Vancouver in the early 80’s to attend Ryerson’s film and photography school, little did she know this path would lead her to entrepreneurship. “I just wanted to be a photographer. I never thought about starting my own business, but mine is the story of doing certain things because there was no other choice,” explains the talented commercial photographer. An award-winning student, she embarked on a career with Kodak, only to reconfirm that what she really wanted to do was her own shooting. She assisted some of Toronto’s top photographers before opening her own studio.
Why Joined Step Ahead: She joined Step Ahead to get connected with a solid source of business advice and help her deal with the ups and downs of the commercial photography business. “Mine is very much a business you do in isolation where you can flounder around in a vacuum. So the idea of having an actual advisor for a whole year to help me increase the growth, predictability and stability of my business sounded great,” she adds.
Value of Step Ahead: Kathryn likes the energy of the program. “I love the impetus I get to move in my business by being surrounded by people who are moving.”
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Linda Wilson
Precision Management Catalysts Ltd. and Last Minute Decorator
www.precisionstrategy.ca
Year Business Started: Precision Management Catalysts 1992, Last Minute Decorator 2004
Business Snapshot: Precision Management Catalysts Ltd. streamlines businesses and creates strategies for marketing, finance, and growth. Last Minute Decorator transforms people’s homes with their own ‘stuff.’
Background: With an undergraduate business degree and MBA, Linda has been in business for 25 years with successful ventures in clothing, shoes, fitness, decorating, and business consulting. "I enjoy doing many things," explains this passionate entrepreneur," and I find opportunities in the most interesting places." Highly creative and energetic, Linda has shared her thinking power as a mentor with various programs for over 15 years and is also an accomplished facilitator and speaker.
Business Advice: "Plan for the worst-case scenario, but anticipate the best."
Why Mentor? "A mentor is an advisor, a sounding board and ultimately a friend and confidante." Linda would have loved to access a program like Step Ahead when she was growing her businesses. "Step Ahead allows less-experienced entrepreneurs to fast track learning, and it rewards mentors by allowing them to give back to the community and society at large. I drive 3-1/2 hours to get here…and it’s more than worth it."
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Jane Tattersall
President & CEO, Tattersall Sound and Picture
www.tattersallsoundandpicture.com
Year Business Started: 2003
Business Snapshot: Tattersall Sound and Picture is a post-production facility that provides sound editing and picture editing services for filmmakers from all over the world.
Background: After graduating from university with a philosophy degree in 1980, Jane was hired to do research for a documentary series. That exposed her to the filmmaking process where she learned that "the film is created in the editing." Of particular interest to her was sound. "You can watch pictures and think they’re beautiful or not, but you actually connect emotionally – with your soul – with the sound." She spent several years as a freelance sound editor before starting her first company, Tattersall Sound, in 1992. In 2000, she sold it to Alliance Atlantis and continued to run the merged operation for them, under the name Tattersall Casablanca. After three years, Jane left to start her own company once again. "I wasn’t prepared for the handcuffing that a corporation – for good reason – puts in place."
On Starting Over: "It was actually very liberating. I didn’t like not being in control."
Business Advice: Get people involved. "Rather than making decisions on my own, I get advice from experienced advisors, certain business associates, my father (who had his own successful business), my spouse, and I seek input from my co-workers so it’s a team moving forward. If you can bounce your ideas and schemes against other people, you often come up with a better solution."
Biggest Challenge: Technology changes are driving the prices of the industry. "I think that we have to constantly reinvent ourselves and look at income streams and add-on services, such as picture editing, which can augment the business."
Why Mentor? "If you help others, you in turn get help. Not any one of us knows everything. And mentoring actually provides a tremendous amount of information about other people’s businesses and what their challenges are. There are a lot of similarities in every business."
On Being a Former Protegée: "It was a great experience – tremendous exposure to professional business practices. I was inventing my business myself as I went along, and I was thrilled to learn there was actually a structure I could impose upon it."
Value of Step Ahead: "You meet a group of people who are pursuing very similar interests and can provide help to one another and answers to questions that might be puzzling you at different stages. Perhaps it’s the wrong approach to go in expecting to get something. But if you go in expecting to give, you almost always get something."
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Sabine Schleese
Owner/Operator, Schleese Saddlery Service Ltd.
www.schleese.com
Year Business Started: 1986
Business Snapshot: The company specializes in the design, manufacture, repair and retail of English saddles, tack and accessories. Custom-made saddles handcrafted according to the rider and horse's measurements are also available. As the only large-scale manufacturer of English riding saddles in North America, it exports to Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Mexico, Australia, and the United States and is slated to become the first ISO-certified saddlery company in the world this summer.
Background: Working for a large car parts manufacturer in Germany, Sabine knew nothing about horses until she met her husband, Jochen, an internationally-ranked event rider, who had also studied to be a saddler. Seeing a lack of good saddle fitting services when they came to Canada in 1986, they started their company in a 10x10 sq. ft. shop, which expanded to 35 employees and 8,300 sq. ft. Along the way, they gained two partners. In 1998, Sabine fulfilled a lifelong ambition of going back to school. In 2000, she graduated from Queen’s University with an Executive MBA and has since put her degree to good use in the business world, handling administration and marketing for the company.
Why Mentor? "Mentoring is always a two-way process and in any relationship both parties should win. I wanted to give back as much as I had gained."
Value of Step Ahead: "Besides always learning something from the other women entrepreneurs and enjoying an effective exchange of ideas and experiences, the educational sessions with guest speakers are informative and insightful."
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Jean L. Price
Owner, Clews for Self Discovery
www.clewsforselfdiscovery.com
Year Started Business: 2006
Business Snapshot: "Clews for Self Discovery", a subsidiary of Clews Clothing Co. which Jean ran for 23 years, is a consulting business assisting women to discover, honour and live in their true feminine beauty. This consists of an extensive assessment process and total makeover.
Background: Originally a law clerk in Sarnia, Jean moved with her husband to Toronto in 1980 and, while working for five Supreme Court judges, began studying fashion in the evenings. She designed a line of basic cotton clothing, retailing it at craft shows and home fashion parties where it was an instant hit. Jean continued designing on a part-time basis until 1985 when she retired from law to pursue her love of fashion full-time and opened Clews Clothing Company. What began in a two-bedroom apartment became a 6,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and retailing facility, employing 12 people. Jean’s designs evolved into fashions for the active, sophisticated, multi-faceted woman who juggles her lifestyle between career and family. In 2006, Jean embarked on Clews for Self Discovery.
Why Mentor? "I wanted to give something back. I have been very fortunate over the years and wanted to share my experiences with like-minded women."
Value of Step Ahead: "I have mentored six and have learned something from each and every one of them. All have diverse businesses; however, every business has the same challenges – financing, marketing, human resources, etc. It is so beneficial to have someone to brainstorm with. Sometimes I think I’ve benefited more than my protégées!"
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Donene Lashbrook
President, Lashbrook Marketing Communications
donlash@sympatico.ca
Year Started Business: 1977
Business Niche: Marketing and consulting for small and mid-size businesses to help them reach their goals. For 20 years, the company provided a total advertising service, but today Donene sees her role as more of a marketing business coach.
Background: Lashbrook Marketing Communications is Donene’s fourth career. She started in business as a secretary, moved into print sales as one of the first female print reps in Toronto, and did a stint as a marketing executive in corporate financing. In 2008, she also became CEO of the BestEverSleep Company which designs, manufactures and distributes a drug-free sleep kit for insomniacs.
Why Started Own Business: “I saw it as an alternative to the intimidating and costly ‘ivory tower’ advertising agencies out there. I also felt I would have more control over my own destiny. Women were not considered for management roles over 20 years ago, so you had to make your own way. I knew if my own business didn’t work, I had my print background to fall back on. What did I have to lose?”
How Survived: “In advertising and marketing, every new client is a new job. You’re always learning something new…and that’s what has kept me thriving.”
Greatest Reward: “Helping clients achieve their objectives is often more rewarding than the money. I enjoy coming up with the ideas and hearing clients say ‘Wow, this stuff really works!’”
Personal Passions: Photography, skiing, golf, scuba diving, roller blading…and activities in general.
Why Mentor? “I enjoy being able to help less experienced business owners benefit from my experience and skills. I’ve been blessed with many opportunities and like to be able to give back and share my wisdom.”
Value of Step Ahead: “The energy of thriving entrepreneurs is very contagious.”
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Year Started Business: 1991
Business Snapshot: A specialty business bookstore that caters to both seasoned business executives and adventurous entrepreneurs. About 65% of the store’s sales come from e-mail, telephone and mail orders. Store representatives provide consulting services such as market analysis and customized research.
Competitive Edge: Customized service for busy business people. For example, customers en route to the store can dial Books for Business from their cars to place a book order, and an employee will deliver it straight to the vehicle.
How Started: Like most successful entrepreneurs, Jane spotted a gap that needed to be filled. In 1990, she visited a bookstore specializing in business publications. Curious, the experienced business librarian and then-executive director of the Canadian Library Association explored Toronto’s Bay Street financial district in search of a specialty bookstore. She didn’t fine one. Jane seized the opportunity and launched Books for Business in the basement of her Toronto home in 1990. In 1991, she moved to her current downtown storefront.
Key to Success: Books for Business has survived in a book superstore climate that is unfriendly to independent retailers. Jane credits this to focusing on a specific market for her success. “Knowing your demographics is essential,” she says.
Business Challenge: Books for Business saw customers slipping away when major booksellers began retailing over the Internet. By contacting customers directly to find out how to regain their business, her staff won most of them back.
Advice to Retailers: “Never lose sight of your bottom line and strictly maintain pricing policies.”
Her Mentors: “I’ve had informal mentors over the years. For example, I remember when I was 20 and my boss sent me to do a presentation in New York because he couldn’t make it. I was terrified, but I did it. That’s what a mentor does – challenge you.”
On Step Ahead: “I really enjoyed both the guest speakers and the protégées’ histories. I learned a lot myself.”
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Myrlene Sundberberg
Owner, Urban Mode
www.urbanmode.com
Year Business Started: 1977
Business Description: One of the first contemporary home and office design stores in Toronto, Urban Mode thrives on sourcing and developing unique products.
Background: Myrlene, an interior designer, and her artist husband launched the store “because we wanted our own business. We’re both from farm backgrounds; that’s where we get our independent streak.”
Biggest Business Challenge: “Making each of the seven stores we opened over 23 years unique. We try to keep ahead and stay affordable. But the world is a small place. It’s easy for others to copy, so you’re only unique for about a week. It’s hard to be out there reinventing yourself all the time.”
On Co-Preneuring “It can be difficult working with a spouse. You have to make sure you want to do it and try to set boundaries to keep the business and personal sides separate. If I could do it all over again, I’d probably do the same thing because I’m all business.”
Why Joined Step Ahead: “I felt closed off. I come in, work and go home, so I see this as an opportunity to network with other women in a non-competitive environment. I’ve always believed in giving back.”
Biggest Benefit: “The networking. It’s as much a win for me as the protégées. And I’m in awe of some of this year’s protégées!”
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Paula Bass
KBC Tools & Machinery Inc.
www.kbctools.com
Year Started Business: 1965
Business Snapshot: A manufacturer of everything from drill bits to surface grinders, KBC has nine branches in Canada and the U.S., employs 150 people, and boasts annual sales of over $30 million. Paula’s father started the company in Detroit in 1965 and opened the first Canadian branch outside of Toronto in the late ‘80s.
Background: With a Bachelor of Fine Arts and an MBA in marketing and finance, Paula started in accounts payable in this family-owned business in 1990 and soon became manager of the Toronto branch. When her father became Chairman in 1993, she took over as President – when she was just 30. In 1999, 2000 and 2001, Working Woman magazine recognized KBC as one of the Top 500 Female Owned Companies in the U.S. She was also featured on the cover of Industrial Distribution magazine.
Why Mentor? “It just feels good when people ask you what you think!”
Value of Step Ahead: The speakers in the program provide very helpful advice, such as how to work with lawyers. If I can take away even one tip, I consider it brilliant. I’ve been a mentor three times and each year it gets better.”
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