Small Business Week 2023 was a great success.
We would like to thank our clients and entrepreneurs showcased below for participating in our social media features.
It is always a great privilege to speak with our clients and learn about their stories, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit!
TAAG would like to recognize all entrepreneurs and small business owners for their dedication, creativity, and vision. Congratulations on your continued success!
Meet Devorah Sugarman, Owner of First Aid for Everyone, a certified Red Cross Training Partner.
What positive impact do you have on your clients?
My hope is that through taking one of my courses, I demystify medical emergencies and give my clients more confidence if they ever have to respond to one. I use the analogy of creating files for the brain to access in moments of stress. I try to teach skills in a way that the files created are simple 'what to do if...?' with step by step directions.
How do you balance between traveling for work and running a business?
When I first bought this business, I did not imagine that I would travel as much as I do. The most challenging aspect of my travels is that I often work in the Arctic region and cell reception and internet can be spotty or non-existent. Because my work is contract-based, I usually have time to catch up on the admin side of things between courses. As the business grows this is becoming less sustainable and I am hiring an administration assistant this week!
What is your biggest advice when it comes to workplace safety?
This is a very broad question and it would depend on what the workplace environment was. To narrow it down we need to consider the resources that we would need in order to intervene in a medical emergency and the time it would take for EMS to arrive. For some workplaces, that could mean a team trained in advanced first aid with access to advanced medical equipment (mines, forestry, industrial sites). For an office downtown, people trained in basic First Aid and a standard workplace first aid kit might be enough. I am recommending workplaces invest in AEDs even when they have fast response times from First Responders, every minute matters.
To narrow it down even further, I believe knowledge and training go a long way in any emergency, as a firefighter I train extensively to be able to operate in stressful situations, this training gives me the mental files I need so that I know what I need to do. It is the same for the public, just on a smaller scale.
I can see the difference when responding to a medical call when someone has First Aid training and was able to recognize and intervene appropriately.
What do you find most exciting about running First Aid training courses?
So many things! I teach in a lot of different environments; every course is a new set-up which can be really interesting.
I love sharing life-saving skills with participants. It is exciting to see when a participant learns something new. I love that every course is a little different because the people who come have different backgrounds and goals for taking the course. I love learning from my participants.
The most exciting thing for me at the moment is travelling across Canada and to our Northern regions. This experience is amazing and always an adventure (I once snowmobiled 4 hours across the arctic tundra with all my gear to catch a plane in February, it was COLD!). I also find running this business exciting, I like the challenge of it.
Meet Kevin Gorr, Licensed Electrical Contractor and Owner of Gorr Electric.
You began working in the electrical trade at the age of 16. What influenced you to continue working in your field for so many years?
I started my Electrical Apprenticeship in a Co-op Program in high school. I loved the hands-on work and interacting with homeowners. The trade has allowed me extensive experience in the commercial and residential side of the business, as well as several years in the Oil and gas industry.
I truly enjoy my job and I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to see many different aspects of electrical and to be able to work in three different provinces and one territory. The job is what you make it, and I am now pursuing Gorr Electric to bring home all of my experiences.
What key factors helped your business grow significantly over the last year?
Being courteous, professional, and timely with site visits to job completion. Great work means great referrals and those have been driving us to success.
How has working with TAAG helped you and your business?
Simon and his team worked and coached me to be different and unique, to target a niche market, develop a strong business plan, and capitalize. Based on the demographics and competitors, that is where both my team and TAAG suggested I expand on my Gemstone Lighting division.
Gemstone Lighting is smart outdoor lighting, and it complements the electrical aspects of my business. TAAG has also provided excellent accounting and bookkeeping services allowing me to focus on doing what I do best - Electrical!
What are your company’s core values and what does it mean to you and your business?
At the end of the day just being good people, and members of the community while providing a quality service to the people of Arnprior.
Meet Julie Gaudet, Owner, Founder, and RN at Julie Gaudet Medical Cosmetology.
What is the most rewarding part of your business?
I get to use my gift as an artist to make people beautiful in their own way. My work is very natural and elevating. The loyalty of my clients is very rewarding. Some of them have been with me for over 12 years. Over the years I’ve developed a sentiment of trust. They always ask me what they should do and they trust my judgement. I get to create unique treatments for each and every one of them.
What would you tell someone who is looking to get Botox for the first time?
Neuromodulators (Botox) used to be for wrinkles only, which would create a frozen face. They would overdose each area which would prevent movement. I think people are scared of that. Techniques have improved over the years. Now we lift eyebrows, forehead, neck, mouth, and jowls, and the movement is natural. The goal isn’t to erase the lines but to open the eyes and create a lift.
After a long day of work of frowning and other expressions, muscles get heavy. Clients feel some relief after Botox, they experience lightness to the forehead and eyes area and even get rid of headaches and migraines.
You can achieve a natural look and people won’t even notice.
If it’s your first time, educate yourself and ask questions. If your injector demonstrates knowledge and explains each step to you, you should be in good hands.
How do you embrace diversity as an entrepreneur?
I have learned early on to work on myself and the business will follow. Growth can be exceptional when it comes from within. You have to learn how to break down barriers that you have created for yourself. It’s very challenging but I'm very proud of myself. I keep setting new goals and I keep moving forward. My kids and family are very supportive, and that motivates me to go above and beyond.
What should people know about Medical Cosmetology that they don’t already know?
For most of my clients who are more conservative, their families and friends don’t even know they do treatments here at JG Medical Cosmetology. My approach is very natural-looking and rejuvenating. A good combination of skincare, lasers, and injectables can be amazing. It’s all about balance and equilibrium. My treatments are all customized and precise.
Meet Dario Warton and Burim Gashi, Sales Representatives and Team Leads of Prime Real Estate Group, brokering out of EXIT Excel Realty.
What got you started in real estate?
We initially became interested in real estate because of its potential for long-term financial growth, the opportunity to help people find their dream homes, and make selling a seamless experience for our clients. The idea of facilitating such a significant life event for clients inspired both of us to pursue a career in this field.
How has the real estate industry shifted over the last couple of years? Over the past couple of years, the real estate industry has experienced some notable shifts. The market has seen increased demand for suburban and rural properties due to remote work trends, and there has been a rise in digital tools and virtual tours for property viewing. Additionally, interest rates have fluctuated—impacting affordability and market dynamics.
What is your best advice for first-time home buyers?
Our biggest advice for first-time home buyers is to start by establishing a clear budget, having a long-term goal, and getting pre-approved for a mortgage. This helps buyers understand their financial capabilities. Also, work closely with a trusted real estate agent who can guide you through the process. Don't rush your decision—take your time to find a property that truly suits your family’s needs.
What makes you one of the top real estate teams in Ottawa?
What sets us apart as one of the top real estate teams in Ottawa is our dedication to providing personalized service, deep knowledge of the local market, and a strong network of industry connections. We really prioritize our clients' needs, stay up-to-date with market trends, and leverage our experience to negotiate effectively on their behalf.
Meet Colleen Forer, Owner and Principal of Yummy Cookies.
What got you started in the baking industry?
At the time there were a lot of bakeries who did not bake from scratch with the quality standards that I grew up with. So I started baking from home and selling at local craft fairs and then markets. I soon found that people were interested in the same made-from-scratch taste using only butter and real eggs that will give the flavour profile of a baked-from-scratch good.
What local ingredients do you use?
Eggs from Bekings in Spencerville, maple syrup from Maple County, and honey from Buzz Honey. I source my fruit from Rochon (raspberries) and Just Farms for the strawberries, Bergeron Gardens in Navan for zucchini. I also use only Canadian Butter, flour, sugar, and oats. I buy local and Canadian wherever possible.
How does selling your treats at the Ottawa Farmers Market differ from bakery sales?
At the market, we are very popular and frequently have a line up for our goods. As we are in an industrial park we get some retail but most of our demand comes from corporate or wholesale. We have set up a production facility that can make large-volume orders more manageable.
What’s next for Yummy Cookies?
As we grow, we are making room for new product lines (chocolate and ice cream) as well as a small leap into some savoury items. Our bakers are certified Chocolatiers and we are looking at importing chocolate from their home countries. We hope to do more training in the new year for chocolate work and will be using this as a new revenue stream for our small shop!
We are also supporting new immigrants to Ottawa from all over the world so we hope to help get them settled in and integrated into the community!
Meet Ramzi Estephan, Owner of PANO Media
What made you interested in working in the film and video production industry vs other media industries?
The film and video production industry offers many opportunities to express creativity, innovate, and actually make a difference in the world. In a world of constant change and endless possibilities, one thing remains the same: our need to connect and share our stories. Whether it's capturing a moment, sharing information, or building a brand, we believe in the potential of digital media to bring people together and inspire action. Combining this understanding with the tools of digital video production allows us to explore all ends of the earth and create meaningful experiences for everybody involved.
How have you used technology to your business's advantage?
Our focus is on being creative and capturing the world in unique and beautiful ways. We are using technology to make our video production processes as efficient as possible to free up mental space for being creative. The less we have to focus on technical, the more capacity we have to be artists.
How do you build close relationships with your clients through your business?
We build close relationships with our clients by personalizing the experience that they receive when working with us. We really get to know their brand and their objectives by actively working with them and involving them in our process. Over time this collaboration evolves into a wonderful relationship where we help one another to grow and create meaningful work.
What do you see for the future of PANO Media?
Moving forward, we will continue to build meaningful relationships with our clients and our team of creatives while adapting to an ever-changing world. Our video production processes are regularly undergoing development to ensure we are providing the highest quality service we are capable of, while keeping the experience seamless for those involved. We will continue to offer specialized support to the growing film industry in Ottawa and surrounding areas and continue pioneering the video production industry to offer cinema-quality video that is accessible.
We would like to thank these entrepreneurs once again for all that they do for our community and encourage everyone to support small businesses.
Published by TAAG Corporation
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