Archive for the ‘News’ Category

I know you’ve heard the same stuff that I’m about to repeat; You’ve  gotta network.. You’ve gotta network.. Honestly, it does get boring and then you stop listening and the message is lost.. Am I right?

A few of my main beefs about networking:

• It’s expensive
• It’s like a cell plan – you get locked into a contract term
• It’s always at 7 in the morning (I’m not even dressed at that point, you want me to be on my biz game?! HA!)
• Many of them are quite boring…

I have got to be very taken by the host of the meeting and be really engaged to consider the “contract” option.. I have recently been to one of those very networking meetings and would most definitely commit to such an organisation if the travel distance wasn’t so prohibitive for me.

I attended the Toronto Enterprising Mom’s Network meeting hosted by Tereza Kumric (The Chapter Director) – and had a great time!! There were plenty of great business women in attendance (The Yummy Mummy Club, Grace Announcements, Mabel’s Labels, Melissa Collesano Photography and so many more!!) We laughed, we ate, we shared stories and we were engaged! Erica Ehm of The Yummy Mummy Club spoke of how she became an Entrepreneur and regaled us with her trials and tribulations of being in business for yourself.

I also, a day later had the pleasure of attending another type of networking meeting – a dinner. This time, it was an invite only dinner (invitees were winners of a Yummy Mummy Club contest) I was extremely lucky that week (more about that streak of luck at a later time ) and snagged one of those invites.

We were treated to a Windows 7 party and were treated like royalty while we conversed with each other (about 20 women) in a wonderful restaurant, eating delicious food, drinking wonderful wine and just being, the club says, Yummy Mummys.

Again, we learned things – from the presenters and from each other (Wondermoms, WeeWelcome, SweetMama & More!). We laughed, we shared stories and we experienced a bit of each other’s lives – but the main point, we were engaged.

Very few “average” networking meetings can live up to these events and its because they’re stuck in the norm, maintaining the “usual” routine. It’s no longer about making business contacts, rather making personal contacts.. making friends.. relating to each other on a level that is much more than just “what service can I provide you”.

With that, I would like to introduce Foundation Studio’s very first networking event.

February 2nd, from 7 – 9pm, a bunch of great business women and men will be at The Lina Lounge in Schomberg to listen to Hilary McDonald give tips, tricks and advice on preparing for the upcoming tax season (Blegh!)

Our networking meetings are different because you never have to pay a membership fee, you are not obligated to come to all of our meetings, only the ones that interest you (we hope they all do!) and only the ones that fit with your schedule.

Our networking meetings have a start and an end, one topic, food, drink and plenty of Q&A, casual conversation and loads of networking!

Please consider joining us on February 2nd to participate in our meeting – I’d love to meet you and introduce you  to the team!

February’s Meeting – $10

Tax Preparation with Hilary McDonald, Accountant

Sponsored in part by:

Date: February 2nd, 2009 from 7pm-9pm

Location: Lina Lounge & Playroom, Highway 9 & Highway 27, Crossroads Plaza, Schomberg Ontario (Map Below)

Register Today so you don’t miss out!

$10/person

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A Very Special Thanks to Friends at The WomenPreneur and The Yummy Mummy Club for helping us spread the word!!

TGIF!! Welcome to our very first edition of Financial Fridays! I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to our very first guest blogger (who’s going to be a regular) Hilary McDonald – Accountant.

Every Friday Hilary will talk money; the ins and outs, ups and downs of small business finances. If you have a financial question – she is the person to ask.. Ask away and your question will be answered here – on the Foundation Studio blog!! FREE Financial Advice?! How cool is that?!

Hilary starts off the series with what to do now that the year has come to a close…

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Year-End and the New Year

Most unincorporated small businesses are required by the government to have a year end of December 31.  So while we rang in the New Year most of our businesses had “year-end”.    Did you miss it?!   No worries.  Thankfully, year-end for businesses is more a process of closing the books for 2009 and preparing for 2010.  Whether your record keeping system is manual, computerized or like so many of us, a box of receipts in the corner of the office, there are a number of things you should be getting ready and organized.   Tax deadline has a way of sneaking up on us each year.

1. Separate 2009 and 2010 – Close your computer record keeping software for 2009 and open a new year.  Follow the guidelines included in your software package and make sure you print everything your system suggests in hard copy and make a backup of your files before you close.   Any manual ledgers that you keep should be totalled for the year and new ledgers set-up for 2010.  If you are a box person, get a new box and write 2010 on it.
2. Round-up paperwork – Start getting your tax paperwork together and keep it all in one place.  T-slips from employer’s, investments and other income sources, UCCB, RRSP receipts, Fitness receipts for the Fitness Tax Credit,  2008’s Notice of Assessments and copy of tax returns, etc.  T-slips must be issued by end of February so if you are missing any slips at that time, call the issuer to get new ones as quickly as possible.
3. Communicate with your accountant.  Ask questions if you are unsure of how to handle “year-end” related items and book an appointment now to get your taxes done.   If this is your first year end, ask your accountant for a list of what information they are going to need to prepare your taxes for your business.

Getting organized will save you time and money.  Let’s make sure 2010 is a truly prosperous one for your  business!

Hilary L. McDonald – Accountant
www.HilaryMcDonald.com

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Got a financial question? Ask Hilary a question and you may have it answered in the next Financial Friday post!!

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Candi Wingate, Nannies4Hire & Care4Hire

Location: All over North America
Website: http://www.care4hire.com
Twitter: Nannies4Hire

The Entrepreneur Behind The Biz: I have been a nanny, owned a nanny agency, started 3 online nanny databases, wrote a book “100 Tips for Nannies & Families” plus am a wife and mother of 2. My name is Candi Wingate and founder of Nannies4hire.com, Babysitters4hire.com, Care4hire.com and a Nanny Agency. My nanny experience actually goes way back. I was a nanny for a family with 5 children, which included newborn twins. After becoming a nanny and working in a nanny agency for several years, I purchased the successful Nation-Wide Nanny Placement Agency. After finding that we needed to expand, Nannies4hire.com, Babysitters4hire.com and Care4hire.com were born.

The Biz:
Care4hire.com is an online database for families and caregivers to search babysitters, housekeepers, tutors, elder/companion care, pet sitters and other miscellaneous service. A free preview of available caregivers is available to families. Whether you need a caregiver for a few hours to a few days, you will find it at Care4hire.com. Once you are a registered member, you will be given immediate access to caregiver through email and phone.

Why we shone a spotlight on it:
This is such a great idea!! Care4hire.com is offering a way to find fantastic services to help mom with a cleaning lady or a trustworthy babysitter. I have had gnarly luck finding a babysitter when I really needed one. In general, I have spoken with other parents who have found a the local teenager who is willing to watch the kids, but then she/he realizes that there’s more to teenage life and suddenly finds a group of friends/boyfriend/girlfriend and the babysitter has gone MIA!! Another reason Care4hire.com is in the spotlight is because of the great resources found on the site! Questions to ask a prospective caregiver during an interview, tips and info on taxes and so much more! You even get a free search, so it is a win/win for you no matter how you slice it!!

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Know an Entrepreneur who deserves a Spotlight? (Maybe you??) Let us know!

Welcome to our first Tackle it Tuesday. Every Tuesday I will be doing a post with the goal of tackling something (anything) that will help your business get ahead.

Today’s tackling goal: Gathering up all of your current marketing efforts.

If you are like most companies you should have a variety (even if it is a small one) of marketing efforts; this may include a combination of the following:

• Profiles on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn
• Links in online directories or other websites
• Print ads for magazines, newspapers or directories
• Collateral such as promo videos, brochures and business cards
• Giveaways like pens, magnets etc.
• Anything that has your company name on it anywhere, anyplace

Some of these items may be as easy to locate as your yellowpages book, your desk drawer or maybe your car (what do you mean you don’t have marketing materials in your car?!). Other items maybe harder to find.. Doing a search on the major engines (Google, Yahoo, MSN) will probably bring up items you didn;t even know where out there, so do that as well.

Perform the following searches in these engines and you’re all set:

1. Type the following in the search bar: link:http://www.yourdomain.com and press search.. This provides you with a listing of any site that has linked to you.
2. Search your own name “First Last” in both Canadian and American options
3. Search your business name “Business Name” in both Canadian and American options

(The reason for my use of quotations is this, if you type in your name as First Last, what the search engines will do is bring up any/everyone with your same first and/or your same last name in the search results. If you add quotation marks, the search engines limits the results to what is written inside the quotes; It will show your name only.)

Keep all of these newly found marketing methods in an envelope for now because I will guide you through another task (one that needs this info) on Thursday.

Have fun searching!!

Ariane

Welcome to 2010!

I am so glad you came back and I truly hope you like the changes we’ve made around here!! As you can see right off the bat, our site is completely different and hopefully, easier to navigate. We’ve added new services, removed some old ones and updated some others as well.. we’ve added some great people to the team and have a whole slew of awesome events and posts coming up!

[A word re: the upcoming posts; You will be receiving WEEKLY digests (so as not to inundate you with info) that you will be seeing in your inbox every Monday morning. These posts will be of the week before so you’ll get the whole week’s worth of great info, coming events and more!)

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What’s New for 2010

I have taken the site through a slight re-vamp and have updated and added some services, packages and prices.

I am so excited to announce that we are now servicing Blogger and Joomla platforms!! I am also SUPER excited to introduce you to a new Team Member; Nick Simard!

Nick and I have known each other since 1995 (We went to Highschool together) and have grown to be good friends over the years (At least I’d like to think so ).  I have turned to Nick in times of creative blankness and he has bailed me out in numerous occasions! Nick is a whiz with Joomla (and other things!) and will be taking on all Joomla projects from here on in. Please extend your welcome and let everyone know Nick is here!!

As I stated in my “end of year post” we do have some great news coming through the pipeline – I know I am being secretive, but it’s one of those things where my hands are currently tied and I can only speak of it when I have been told – But I can assure you, it’s AWESOME!!!

I have some great posts coming up – we have an Accountant – Hilary McDonald who will be posting regularly – helping you with any financial issues you may be having AND we also have SUPER events in the works as well..

Please stay tuned for all of our great happenings – and please feel free to drop us a line – we’d love to hear from you!!

Thanks for sticking with me (and Foundation Studio), I can’t wait to grow with you in 2010!!

Ariane

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Joyeux Noel! Whatever you’re celebrating right now, we wish you all the best!!

We will be officially closed for the holidays from December 24th through to January 10th; but of course will be back with our usual pizazz from that day forward!

This is our last post of 2009! Crazy how time has flown by and with such great things that have transpired in the past 365 days, we know that 2010 is going to be even better!!

We have HUGE HUGE news in the beginning of the new year that will see Foundation Studio becoming more involved in the small business industry; we have new clients that we are excited to tell you about and loads of awesome events that are set to kick off in January! Keep your eyes open for a new website, expert bloggers and even better content!

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A huge thank you to everyone who helped Foundation Studio get to this point – we certainly could not have done it without you!

A great big high-five goes out to all the Treasure Trove Companies – Our “little” Companies got a LOT of great exposure!

And to YOU; Foundation Studio Readers.. Thank you so very much for your replies, your input and most of all your willingness to keep receiving our posts – I promise you, 2010 will be full of fun, informative and exciting happenings!

Cheers to a great holiday, good eats and plenty of fun with family and friends!

‘Til 2010….

Ariane

It is with mixed emotions that I announce the end of the 1st Foundation Studio Holiday Treasure Trove!! The Treasure Trove is very special because it features companies owned and operated by Parentpreneurs across Canada! To appropriately mark the end of this great event, we’re having a Twitter Scavenger Hunt Party!!

Sunday, December 20th starting at 8pm – Follow the hashtag #HolidayTreasureHunt on Twitter and you could win!! Our Treasure Trove Participants have generously donated prizes for the occasion; Prizes you will NOT want to miss out on!!

Prizes include:
* Headband from Bandella
* Supercape & Crown from Fancy Pants Kids
* 2 sets of custom cards from Grace Announcements
* A pair of “Smittens” from January Baby
* A matching hat and scarf set from January Baby
* A 12 oz Kleen Kanteen Sippy Cup from Raising Rascals
* A Kecci Blue Singapore Diaper Bag from Raising Rascals
* A gift certificate from Mabel’s Labels
* A Craft mat from 4Kids Enterprizes
* A Gift Certificate from FreshPow!
* A gift certificate from Wild About Beads
* 6 months worth of ad space from Foundation Studio
* One princess demi dress (fits 3 to 8 yrs) with matching bag – or – One jungle pith hat, vest and matching bag from Dress Up & Play Parties
* A $75 gift certificate for prints from Melissa Collesano Photography
* A pair of Baroque Down Earrings from Jolie Mack Designs
* A $50 Thought Spots package from Thought Spots
* A $20 gift certificate to Starbucks from BC Parents Connection
* More being added each day until the party!!

There is a catch however… You will need to hunt for answers in order to answer some key questions on Sunday!

RSVP here and we’ll send you a special “head’s up” list of questions complete with hints – the insiders scoop!!

Again, I thank you so very much for following our Treasure Trove – without you, the Treasure Trove wouldn’t have been such a success!!

A

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Toronto One of A Kind show; this show featured tons of great treasures and goodies for all ages.

I was pleasantly surprised to turn the corner of one aisle and find myself surrounded by loads of adorable and soft ponchos made by Popo’s Ponchos.

Popo’s Ponchos are made with high quality anti pilling micro fleece and 100% cotton trim. Popo’s Ponchos knows that dressing babies and kids in the morning is sometimes difficult. That’s why easy to put on, no fuss ponchos, will make your life easier and your kids will love you for it!

I honestly wish I had’ve found these cute accessories when my girl was smaller – she loved wearing ponchos – we had ONE – so you know how worn it must’ve been by the time she grew out of it!!

Po Po’s are available in 3 sizes and fit toddlers aged 0-6yrs. Three types of Poncho’s are available; Traditional micro fleece, the reversible micro fleece poncho & a new nylon resistant  poncho all of which are paired with fabulous 100% cotton trim fabric to create cute styles that everyone will love. All are handmade by Karen Stark and come in a variety of awesome color choices!

Popo’s Ponchos is the final Feature in our Holiday Treasure Trove series – A FAB group of Parent owned companies that have great holiday gift ideas for you to check out! Stop by the Holiday Treasure Trove to see what Popo’s Ponchos and our other Parentpreneurs have in store for you!

Imaginative and fun themed costume party packages from DressUpAndPlay.com make party planning a breeze.

Whether you have a little sports fan or pampered princess, DressUpAndPlay.com has a theme package complete with toys and games that will make them smile and entertain all of their friends for hours. Choose from one of their many themes for an unforgettable party.

Plus, choose from their convenient “Little Extras” to get everything you need for the perfect themed party: All you have to do is add the cake and your kids will add their imaginations for the best party ever!

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Don’t forget to check out our other Holiday Treasure Trove goodies – Great gift ideas from fabulous Canadian Parentpreneur Companies!!!

Six year old Colin has a Thought Spots Fairy…“I get a new message from the fairy on my mirror every morning!” he said with a giggle to Founder and Chief Thought Maker, Lynn at a recent Holiday Show.  His mom chimed in “He loves them!”.  And what’s not to love when something so simple, inexpensive and easy can create reactions and smiles like that! New and innovative, Thought Spots are “peel and stick” messages that make sharing thoughts easy.  What makes them so unique is that they stick with static cling – to mirrors, windows, fridges, whiteboards, aluminum water bottles and other clean, shiny surfaces – so they can show up in unexpected places and leave no mess!  Oh, and the other bonus – they’re totally removable, repositionable and can be re-used again and again.

With messages like “Brush your teeth” in the Little Reminders Thought Pack and “Choose your mood” in the Confidence Grows Thought Pack, parents are using them to teach and inspire their kids.   “You are beautiful” in the Girl Talk Thought Pack and the  “I can. I will!” Big Thought are motivating women and girls to best their very best …and THINK their very best!  And, if simply creating smiles is the goal then the Create a Smile Thought Pack and Relationship Thought Pack do just that.

Entrepreneur and full time mom, Lynn Petruskavich loves the way something so simple can have such a big impact. “The reality is that people aren’t expecting to see something on their mirror…but when it’s there, you can’t help but see it, read it, think it… live it!” she says.  And, with 12 Thought Pack themes to choose from and 15 Big Thoughts, there really is a thought experience for everyone.

Visit www.thoughtspots.ca to choose your thoughts today!

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Thought Spots is the sixth Feature in our Holiday Treasure Trove series – A FAB group of Parent owned companies that have great holiday gift ideas for you to check out! Stop by the Holiday Treasure Trove to see what Thought Spots and our other Parentpreneurs have in store for you!