Black to Business #27 - Black Business Initiative

issue
55
Fall 2012
2012 SUMMIT
AWARDS
Also in this Issue:
 BBI Summit Recap
 Trailblazers:
Black Loyalist Heritage Society
“A dynamic and vibrant Black presence within the Nova Scotia Business Community.”
Black 2 Business
is the official periodical of
The Black Business Initiative and is
published quarterly - spring, summer,
fall, and winter.
3
Its goal is to support the
BBI as it fosters a dynamic and vibrant
Black presence within the Nova Scotia
Business Community.
For Advertising Information, Rates,
Submitting Story Ideas, Notices
or Community Events,
and for more Information,
call: 902-426-2224
2012 SUMMIT AWARDS
The Winners and the Nominees
Published by:
The Black Business Initiative
1Messages
Editor in Chief:
Michael Wyse
Design & Layout:
Design North
Production by:
Mirabliss Media Productions
7
7YOUTH ON
THE MOVE
J-Bru
Cover Photograph:
Russell Wyse
9 TRAILBLAZERS
Elizabeth Cromwell
& Beverly Cox
The Black Business Initiative
Centennial Building
Suite 1201,1660 Hollis Street,
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 1V7
Phone: 902-426-2224
Fax: 902-426-8699
Toll Free: 1-888-664-9333
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.bbi.ca
from the Board
& the CEO
11Black Loyalist
Heritage Society
13 Tummy to Mummy
Maternity & Baby Shop
9
15People & Business
on the Move
17BBI 2012 Summit
Summary
Mailed under Canada Post Publications Mail
Sales Agreement no. 0040026687
C O NTENTS
12Central/Metro Report
Kerry C. Johnston
16New BBI Staff
Kerry C. Johnston
24Northern Report 1
Emma Otuki
30New BBI Staff
Ed Matwawana
30New BBI Staff
Tulsa Beazer
30Southern Report
Greg Nazaire
34Northern Report 2
Njabulo Nkala
23BBI PARTNERSHIP
Global TV Maritimes
13
25Out & About
with the BBI
26MOU signing
- CAMSC / BBI
27Ask the BBI
Entrepreneur’s Tool Kit
28Business Is Jammin'
Summer Program 2012
29The Law &
Your Business
23
31EL Jones, Summit Poet
33 Geek Speak
35 Community &
Business Events
The Black Business Initiative (BBI)
is a province-wide business
development initiative committed
to fostering the growth of
businesses owned by members of
the Nova Scotia Black Community.
The BBI places priority on
educating Black business owners
in the operation of their business
- from marketing to budgeting to
securing funding.
The BBI is committed to
growing the Black presence
in a diverse range of business
sectors including high-tech,
manufacturing, tourism, and the
cultural sector.
In 1996, the Government of
Canada and the Province of Nova
Scotia set up the BBI to address
the unique needs confronting
the Black business community
in Nova Scotia. For the first five
years of its existence, BBI was
funded under the COOPERATION
Agreement for Economic
Diversification, a joint agreement
between the Federal and
Provincial Governments. The BBI is
currently funded by the federally
administered Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
and the Provincial Department of
Economic and Rural Development
and Tourism.
BBI Vision
A dynamic and vibrant Black
presence within the Nova Scotia
business community.
BBI Mission
To positively influence the
Nova Scotia business culture
by promoting and assisting in
the development of Nova Scotia
2
Black-owned businesses....
Board of Directors
Messages
Greg Browning, Chair
The Black Business Initiative
capped off its sixteenth
year with another terrific
Summit. This inspiring event
could not have happened
without the teamwork and
cooperation of a group of
people including BBI staff,
board members, volunteers
and partners. The Summit
featured internationally
renowned speakers such as journalist Roland
Martin, music promoter Farley Flex, and John
Grant Jr., CEO of 100 Black Men of Atlanta Inc.
The theme for this year’s Summit was The Race
to Business Success - Climbing to New Heights
and our central image was the ladder. I can’t
think of a more fitting metaphor to describe the
entrepreneurial journey.
Many of our speakers shared how they have
pushed themselves to new heights. Some, like
Entrepreneur of the Year winner Paul Adams,
found his path in photography. Others, like the
Hector Jacques Award for Business Excellence
Award winner Darla Johnston, found her path
in laser hair removal. Darla, Paul and the other
talented business owners featured at the summit
rose to the top of their game by keeping their eyes
on the prize, consistently moving upward, and
focusing on one rung at a time.
Chief Executive Officer
Mike Wyse, CEO
I am five months into the
role and I am enjoying
it immensely. I greatly
appreciate all of the
support, suggestions and
advice that so many people
have graciously offered.
Collaboratively, we are
much stronger.
At this time, I am still focused on enhancing
my understanding of how the Black Business
Initiative can best support more business starts,
business growth and business attraction. To this
end, I am thrilled with the proactive discussions
we are having with like-minded stakeholders.
I believe we will see positive outputs through
strategic, win-win partnerships.
I am committed to exploring strategies where the
BBI can support enhanced productivity, innovation
and competitiveness. At this time, I think we can
get some wins if we ask every Black-owned
company to strive for 10 percent growth per year
over the next three years. And to that end, I
humbly offer the following ideas/suggestions on
how to achieve this growth and what we can do to
collectively support each firm to realize this.
At BBI, we aim to foster opportunities to help
business owners aim high and develop the capacity
to take that next step. Events like our business
summits provide us with an opportunity to be
inspired, learn, and share ideas. They motivate us
to keep looking ahead. Through our programs that
target youth and sector development, business
skills training, financing, advice and developing
markets, the BBI supports Black entrepreneurs to
keep reaching for that next rung.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Black consumers buy from Black-owned businesses
Each firm develop a focused sales and marketing strategy and plan for growth
Each firm commit to building internal capacity to advance a growth plan
Seek to really understand your customers’ needs, wants and desires
Take time to understand where your sector is moving to ensure you remain relevant
Strive to do things Better, Faster, Cheaper and to
have a more Compelling story than your competition
Seek out assistance if you don’t know how to take the next step
If you want to be in business and are currently
in business, you need to constantly be reaching
for the next rung in your ladder to success. The
journey will take vision, commitment and lots of
hard work. But know that you will have us, at the
BBI, behind you every step of the way.
We don’t have all the answers, but road maps
are under construction. I welcome your input
because if we do this well, the outputs result in
more competitive companies, sustainable jobs,
and enhanced economic prosperity for Nova
Scotia.
Thank you message from Rustum Southwell
Just a final short note of thanks from me to everyone who offered kind words and support over the years.
It is not goodbye, as I know our paths will cross again.
- S.I. Rustum Southwell
1
...
Cover Story
During this year’s Black Business Summit – Racing to Business Success, two
awards were given out at the annual general meeting gala dinner and dance.
Paul Adams, Owner,
Adams Photography
Services Inc.
3
...
Darla Johnston , Owner,
SLIC Laser
Hair Removal Clinic
Russell Wyse
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award is given annually by the Board of
Directors of the Black Business Initiative to recognize demonstrated strong
business acumen of a company or individual within the Nova Scotia Black
business community. This award serves to reinforce the vision of the
Black Business Initiative – “a dynamic and vibrant Black presence within
the Nova Scotia Business Community” – by recognizing the successes of
entrepreneurs. Anyone can nominate a business or an individual owner
based on the nomination criteria, which can be found on the BBI website. The
deadline for nominations is usually early spring of each year.
The 2012 Entrepreneur of the Year Award was given to
Paul Adams of Adams Photography Services Inc.
Paul Adams decided in 1998 to follow his passion for photography by
launching Adams Photography Services Inc. He says he strongly believes
that photography is not just a record of images at a certain point in time but
also an art form, pure and simple; therefore, the possibilities for creativity
are endless. That mindset allowed him to go beyond what was expected by
his clients and to gain the industry respect he has today. Paul’s business
has been featured in this magazine several times and he is also one of its key
photographers.
Adams Photography
Services Inc.
(902) 478 0558
[email protected]
adamsphotography.ca
AWA R D S
Recognizing Business Excellence
The other finalists for the award were:
Evolution Massage Therapy
With a “financial boost” from the BBI to get his operation off the ground,
Kelly Carrington has been operating his mobile message therapy business for
four years. He will come to you to take care of your aches and pains. Beyond
passing the one-year mark in business, he cites running a busy client-based
operation and being a full-time father as his key accomplishments. Of being
nominated for this award Carrington says, “I would like to thank everyone
who supports Evolution Massage Therapy. I am a small company, and to get
this kind of recognition makes me believe even more that it may not be the
size of the company that matters, but how the company is run. Thank you,
thank you, thank you.”
Evolution Massage Therapy
Mr. Kelly Carrington, Owner/Operator
902-449-5622
[email protected]
evolutionmassage.ca
continued on page 5
4
...
Paula’s Place Tailor Shop
Paula’s Place Tailor Shop Ltd. is a one stop shop for customers offering full
service dry cleaning, alternations, shoe repair, locksmith and clothing store.
Located in Clayton Park, Paula and her husband Dennis Brown have been
operating their shop for 26 years. Paula says their future goals are to open
their own dry cleaning business instead of using another supplier. They are
also looking at designing and making clothes for people as an addition to the
business. Their management plan is that they treat people like family. “If I
don’t like it, they won’t like it.” Paula indicated that she provides a service
that she’d be happy with if she was on the other side.
Paula’s Place Tailor Shop Ltd.
Paula and Dennis Brown
902-443-5333
30 Farnham Gate Rd,
Halifax
HECTOR JACQUES AWARD
OF BUSINESS EXCELLENCE
During a summit year, the BBI also presents the Hector Jacques Award of
Business Excellence to recognize demonstrated excellence of a company or
individual within the Nova Scotia Black business community.
The award is named after the geotechnical engineer, entrepreneur and
co-founder of Jacques Whitford, which is one of North America’s largest
firms of environmental engineers, scientists and consultants, focused on
solving environmental issues. Hector Jacques served as President and Chief
Executive Officer from the firm’s inception through more than 30 years of
growth until 2003, when he became the Chair of its Board of Directors. (In
2008, Jacques Whitford was sold to Stantec Consulting Ltd.) Along with
his various awards and distinctions, Jacques has served on many regional,
national and international boards. He was the first chair of the BBI’s board of
directors and remains a strong supporter of the organization.
SLICLASER Inc.
Darla Johnston, Owner
3 Pinehill DriveLr. Sackville, NS
902-865-1516
[email protected]
sliconline.com
Facebook:
SLIC Laser Hair Removal Clinic
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...
This year’s recipient of the Hector Jacques Award of Business Excellence was
Darla Johnston of SLIC Laser Hair Removal Clinic.
Darla Johnston and her team of five are celebrating 10 years in operation. In
a decade, Johnston has gone from renting to owning commercial property
and from providing one service to over a dozen, including: laser hair removal;
facial rejuvenation with chemical peels; lactic peels; electrolysis; spa
pedicures; laser teeth whitening; infrared sauna therapy; dermal infusion
(silk peel); spa/steam shower/aromatherapy; and treatments for leg and
facial veins, pigmented lesions, and sun-damaged skin.
Johnston says she is proud to be the first Black Nova Scotian to enter this field and own her business practicing laser
hair removal. “I am setting a standard in this industry and holding true to it and, as far as I know, I am still the only
Black in Canada (doing this) as well.”
She has been recognized for her business acumen and entrepreneurial talents over the years and has listed those
accomplishments on her website. Her involvement with the BBI has included being a client since 2000; a presenter
and panelist at previous business summits; the subject of two Global/BBI television commercials in 2003 and 2011.
She has been featured twice on the cover of this magazine and was the recipient of the BBI’s Entrepreneur of the
Year in 2007.
She says she is honoured to have received the Hector Jacques Award and looks forward to the next 10 years in
business, possibly opening another location. In the fall, she says she will be adding the following new services:
Botox injections for wrinkles of the forehead, glabellar lines, crows feet, bunny lines; Botox injections for excessive
sweating of the armpit (Axilla); facial rejuvenation and cheek contouring and augmentation by fillers; lip augmentation,
contouring and rejuvenation; and facial rejuvenation by mesotherapy injections. To her clients and supporters she
says, “Thank you for watching my business grow and acknowledging and recognizing the success of SLIC LASER’.
The other finalists in this category were:
Adams Photography Services Inc
- Paul Adams (see story on page 4)
Stone Gallery
With a team of eight people, Garnet Wright has been in the custom stone
masonry supply, design and Installation business for a little over 10 years.
His business continues to grow as it enters its second decade with expansion
in red seal and journeyman masons and in developing relationships with
new home developers, architects and designers. Wright says his key
accomplishments to date are in developing his brand and a reputation for
quality craftsmanship and first rate products. He hopes to expand into the
home building market. His relationship with the BBI includes past award
nominations and being a member of its board as vice-chair and chair.
Stone Gallery
Garnet Wright, Owner
Halifax
902-479-7866 / 902-209-3777 BB
[email protected]
stonegallery.ca
6
...
by: Shauntay Grant
Jason Bruce was two years into an English degree at Halifax’s Mount
Saint Vincent University when he made a major career shift.
“I had the opportunity to tour with [Canadian rapper] Classified, going all across
Canada,” says the 36-year-old Halifax native. “And that ended up being a 12-year
thing.”
Twelve years and hundreds of international shows later, the Halifax rapper
known as J-Bru is ending what he says grew into a full-time gig with Classified.
“We’re still friends,” says J-Bru, “but I don’t tour with him any more – that ended
a couple months ago. I’m working on a new album, and he’s really busy, so I had
to kind of make a decision – do I want to be a background performer, or solo
artist.”
YOUTH ON THE MOVE
J-Bru says being a sideman in Classified’s band has impacted his solo ambitions.
“I’ve put out five albums as a solo artist and I find with every one, it kind of took
away the shine being his background performer. A lot of people peg us together
– when they think of me, they think of him.
So moving forward I decided that I want to be a solo artist and take it seriously –
we kind of came to that conclusion together. We’ll still be friends, but he’s gonna
do his thing and I’m gonna do mine.”
Even still, the two artists aren’t completely severing musical ties. As with
J-Bru’s 2010 solo album The Jason LP, his forthcoming release Stranger In My
Hometown will be distributed by Classified’s Halflife Records label.
“The basis of [the album] is that – just traveling with [Classified] so many years
and going worldwide and seeing big crowds and stuff – when I go into a crowd
as J-Bru, obviously the crowds aren’t as big. So it’s really been a humbling
experience,” he said.
Being on the road so much, J-Bru says he’s missed out on a lot of things back
home.
“I missed so many ANSMA [African Nova Scotian Music Association] awards,
and the ECMA [East Coast Music Association] awards I missed,” he says. “I find
that I’m still technically a stranger here, so to speak – there’s a lot of people who
know who I am, but there’s a lot of people that don’t know who I am.”
Still J-Bru remains calm and optimistic about the huge job of writing, recording,
producing, performing, and promoting his next body of work.
continued on page 12
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...
Andre Livingston
Halifax Rainmen
Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.rainmenbasketball.ca
Jason Vaillancourt
and Robert Loppie
The Bin Doctor Ltd.
Darla Johnston
SLIC LASER Inc.
Sackville, Nova Scotia
www.sliconline.com
(Consumer Recycling Products)
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
www.bindoctor.com
Garnet Wright
Stone Gallery
Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.stonegallery.ca
Putting a Name to the
Faces of Business Success
Barbara Miller Manning
GenieKnows Inc.
Cynthia and Cassandra
Dorrington
Vale & Associates Inc.
(Online Advertising/IT)
Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.yellowee.com
(HR Strategic Consulting)
Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.valeassociates.ca
Glen Carvery
Carvery’s Construction Ltd.
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dr. Abdullah K.
Kirumira
BioMedica Diagnostics Inc.
Windsor, Nova Scotia
www.biomedicadiagnostics.com
Proudly brought to you by:
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Trailblazers
Black Loyalist
Heritage Society
by: Charlene Davis
The Black Loyalist Heritage Society thrives today thanks to the devotion and
commitment of its members. Elizabeth Cromwell and Beverly Cox are two members
who have been key to the success of the society since its inception.
Elizabeth Cromwell
“ We
almost
disappeared
as a people,”
says Elizabeth
Cromwell of the
descendants
of the Black
Loyalists. “We
were not part
of
histor y.”
Cromwell
is
president of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society (BLHS).
She’s also one of its founding members. Back in the late
1980s Cromwell and the other founding members realized
their children didn’t know about their history. They also
realized that no current museum in Birchtown or Shelburne
was sufficiently portraying the passage of the Black Loyalists,
the struggles they encountered, and their accomplishments.
After these eye openers, Cromwell and the other founders
realized they needed to form a cultural organization. Cromwell
said the people who were most interested in this ended up
being people with Black Loyalist ancestry. She says the
group decided, “Well, we might as well be who we are, who
we represent, and we represent the descendants of the Black
Loyalists.”
Since those initial days, the BLHS has been part of Cromwell’s
life in one form or another. During her current role as
president, she says the organization has run into a series of
roadblocks. “We always have to move back, regroup, and
figure out how to go around, over, and many times in our
earlier days, change our direction in order to get funding to
keep our staff on.”
Despite the struggle, Cromwell acknowledges that she has
also seen and been part of a lot of success with the society.
She sees the coming interpretive centre, along with it
becoming part of the family of Nova Scotia museums, as part
of that success. She also has great hopes for the future of the
9
...
society, such as creating an exchange
program for students and their families
to learn about their history. She wants
the BLHS to work in partnership with
the education department and school
boards to get the stories of the Black
Loyalists taught in schools.
“Not as an extra subject but
as part of the compulsory
history subjects,” says
Cromwell. “[The stories] need
to be taught as part of the
history of Nova Scotia and the
history of Canada. It needs to
be told in its truthful form.”
Cromwell says that particular dream
is her reason for staying involved with
the BLHS all these years.
In addition, Cromwell says, “I’m
hoping and looking forward to us
building a board of younger people
that have even broader dreams …
The Black Loyalists travelled around
the world and created community
wherever they went and that’s an
important story.”
Beverly Cox
location is in impeccable shape, and
ensures that visitors thoroughly enjoy
their experience. Cox is also involved in
fundraising for the interpretive centre
and is the centre’s project manager. Of
all of her roles, she loves the ones that
let her interact with people the most. “I
really enjoy meeting new people … So
that’s my favourite part – giving our tour
and partnering with other organizations
to highlight our African Nova Scotian
history.”
Cox mentions that although the story
of the Black Loyalists can be extremely
important for descendants, it can be
equally important and meaningful for
people of any ancestry. “I don’t think
it has anything to do with the colour
of a person’s skin. It’s our history.
Canadians’ history.” She adds that it’s
also a history that is relevant around
the world. “The sooner we realize that
and celebrate it as a connected history
we’ve breached one hurdle,” says Cox.
In the 1980s Beverly Cox, Site Manager
for the Black Loyalist Heritage Society
was living in Shelburne and raising
her first daughter. One day, some
community members approached her
about the importance of Birchtown and
keeping their history alive. Thus began
an over-20-year relationship with the
BLHS.
Cox says leading the tours can be an
amazing and humbling experience. She
tells the story of an American woman
whose ancestors were from Sierra
Leone. This woman knew her family
had returned to Sierra Leone from
Birchtown in 1791. When the woman
went to the BLHS museum and Cox
showed her the document that held her
great-great-great-grandfather’s name,
she collapsed and began to cry, amazed
that she’d finally found what she was
looking for.
Cox’s biggest hope for the future of the
BLHS is to see the interpretive centre
built. She’s amazed at the progress
so far. A little over a year ago the
need to raise $1.2 million seemed an
insurmountable barrier, but now it’s a
reality. With the opening of the centre,
Cox says the BLHS will be able to reach
out to other communities and other
countries. That means people all over
the world will be able to come to the
BLHS site and find their roots.
Cox has many roles as Site Manager.
She runs the site, hires summer staff
and interpretive guides, makes sure the
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10
...
Community Profile
by: Charlene Davis
Black Loyalist
Heritage Society
Cromwell says before the group started doing their research there
was very little information available about how the Black Loyalists
came to the area after the American Revolution or why they chose
to come. “And they chose,” says Cromwell. “This wasn’t something
that they were thrown into. They chose to leave where they were in
the United States to get away from the systems that were there and
they chose not to go back.” As the group discovered more about the
Loyalists, they realized the importance of those stories being told to
a wider audience.
Shari Shortliffe, Office Administrator at BLHS, says the group
formally incorporated in 1990 as the Shelburne County Cultural
Awareness Society. It didn’t take long before the society grew. It
acquired property, historical buildings, and a monument that was
erected by the National Museum Board of Canada in recognition
of the Black Loyalists who came to Birchtown in 1783. With these
advancements, membership also grew and in 1999 the society
officially changed its name to the Black Loyalist Heritage Society.
left to right : Tony Ince, Everett Cromwell, Daniel Race
“The Black Loyalist Heritage Society
is an historical heritage society and
that is our mandate,” says President
Elizabeth Cromwell.
The society
was born in the late 1980s when
a small group of people, Cromwell
included, took it upon themselves to
start collecting as much information
as they could about their heritage and
to perform genealogical research.
11
...
left to right: Honourable Percy Paris, Honourable Leonard Preyra, Warden
Sherm Embree (Municipality of the District of Shelburne), Allan Shaw (BLHS
Fund-raising Cabinet Co-Chair), Chris Huskilson (President & CEO of Emera)
A tragic arson fire in 2006 burned down the society’s administrative
building, but it didn’t halt the society’s growth. “We never once
shut down operation,” says Shortliffe. “We continued to work from
home and then we set up office right away … the fire never affected
the museum being open.” Still, says Shortliffe, “it was quite a
devastating blow. We lost our library. We lost all of our older files
that would have been stored in boxes.”
Thanks to the firefighters’ quick thinking,
however, the files in metal cabinets and
about 80 percent of the data on the
computers were salvaged. In addition,
“There was a lot of positive that
came out of the fire,” says Shortliffe.
Because of the news coverage the
society gained more recognition and
new donors. Shortliffe says they
received support from their community
and from all over the world. Partly
thanks to that support, the society is
now in the process of growing even
more.
On June 27 the BLHS held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new
interpretive centre. Emera Inc.’s
president and CEO Chris Huskilson
announced a major cash donation for
the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre.
Emera is giving $500,000 toward the
multimillion-dollar facility, which will
be called the Black Loyalist Heritage
Centre, presented by Emera. Federal
contributions include $1.7 million from
the Canadian Heritage Department and
$800,000 from ACOA. The province has
provided $750,000, and the Municipality
of the District of Shelburne has given
$50,000. Fundraising efforts are still
underway and more contributions
would be gladly accepted, said
Allan Shaw, the co-chairman of the
capital campaign. The facility will
then become part of the Nova Scotia
Museum group and when completed,
the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre,
will be over 10,000 square feet with an
exhibit hall, boardroom, gift shop, large
kitchen, and administrative offices.
“It’s going to be a multipurpose building
and we want other organizations to be
able to come in and use the space,”
says Shortliffe. “There will be panels
on the wall with touch screens so
people can hear the story. There are
plans of having a glass floor which
will reveal artifacts that are currently
housed at the Nova Scotia museum
from archaeological digs that have
happened in Birchtown. It’s going to
be really different and very modern.”
The interpretive centre will help to
positively impact cultural tourism
throughout Nova Scotia. Tracey
Thomas, a policy analyst for African
Nova Scotian Affairs, says the
cultural tourism sector, specifically
as it relates to African Nova Scotians
is just emerging. “It’s going to be
so huge. Especially once the Black
Loyalists get their interpretive centre
up. It’s going to open up a whole new
market … It’s all going to thrive. I
think we’re on the cusp of something
really, really great.”
J-BRU... continued from page 7
“I’ve gone through the ringer,” he says.
“I started late – I was in my twenties
when I made my first CD – so I never
went through that pressure of trying
to make music that people will think is
cool. I just do what I feel and, at the end
of the day, if I like it, then I’ll put it out.
And hope that my fans and other people
will like it.”
In keeping with the spirit of his previous
solo albums, Stranger In My Home Town
promises to touch on J-Bru’s personal
life. “I’ve gone through struggles with
depression over the years, probably
since my mid-teens, so [in the past I’ve
recorded] a few songs about that. And
[since the last album] my mom passed
away, so on my new record there’s
going to be a lot of stuff pertaining to
that.”
“I just try to keep it close to the hip,” he
says. “I think that’s what people know
me for. That’s what people feel.”
Websites:
http://jbrumusic.wordpress.com/
facebook.com/therealjbru
Regional
Report
Central/Metro
Kerry C. Johnston
During the past ten weeks, as the new
Regional Business Development Manager
for Central Region and Metro, I have had
the privilege of meeting with many of BBI’s
partners and clients who were interested
in starting their own businesses. It was
a pleasure to see the extent of the Black
Business Initiative’s role in the community.
After more than 25 years in the corporate
world, I must say that every moment spent
at the BBI is rewarding as I see how
we directly impact people’s lives in our
community.
ADEPA CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT INC.
I am happy to announce that ADEPA has
launched their new website as part of BBI’s
portable. Please take the time to view our
website by logging onto www.bbi.ca and
clicking on ADEPA Management. We are
planning to engage our Black Construction
Workers in construction management
and skills development training in the
first quarter of 2013. ADEPA specializes
in residential and commercial projects
including new home construction and
renovations.
I would like to congratulate Charles Adams
for starting ‘Hindsight Infrared Service Inc’
and for becoming a certified Energy Star
New Homes Energy Advisor. His company
specializes in residential and commercial
code compliant inspections, infrared
inspections and energy audits.
I am eager to develop further relationships
with other partners and clients. Please
feel free to contact me at (902) 426-6692
or email [email protected] . I will
be happy to assist you.
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by: Carol Dobson
Tummy to
Mummy
Maternity & Baby Shop
Francis and Simone Chia-Kangata
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Paul Adams
I
t’s a long way from international development work in
Somalia to running a specialty
store in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia,
but that’s the challenge Simone ChiaKangata and her husband Francis
have taken on.
They decided to move back to Nova
Scotia when their last contract
ended. When Simone was pregnant
with their daughter Naomi, who was
born last spring, she found there
was a gap in the local marketplace
for unique maternity fashions and
for specialized nursing and baby
accessories and decided to fill it. The
products she carries are a mixture of
unique, hard to find items and locally
made items. To make things easier
for grammas, aunties, and friends to
buy the perfect gift, there’s even an
online registration service on their
Facebook page.
“We decided in June [2011] to
investigate the concept and opened
at the end of November,” Simone
says.
They’ve divided the duties – Simone
is the “front end person.” She
looks after sourcing and buying the
products they sell, the store’s layout,
and sales.
“I work on the information technology
side,” Francis says.
However, Simone admits that her
husband probably does more than he
admits in the store. They’re a good
team.
The reason for their decision to open
this business, their daughter Naomi
is already playing a big part in the
store. She’s a model for their
products and is featured in a
number of photos about the
shop.
“She’s showing me how to
organize the merchandise
so it can’t be pulled off the
shelves by a toddler,” Simone
says. “She’s a very social
person so she gets to interact
with the children who come
into the store. She’s learning
how to play with children
who are younger than she
is and how she can act with
older children.”
Running a business is clearly a
lifestyle choice, and the ChiaKangata’s have structured
the business operation to suit
how their lives operate. The
store is closed on Monday
and opens a little later than
most, at 10 a.m.
“It allows us to catch up on
sleep and do the things we
need to do before the store opens,”
Simone says.In fact, they heard
about the Black Business Initiative
when a BBI staff member, Shakara
Russell came in to shop. That
led to introductions and learning
about the services the BBI offers
entrepreneurs.
The Chia-Kangatas have embraced
the entrepreneurial lifestyle and
Simone sees this store as the first
of a number of endeavours that
they will pursue.
“We are where we want to be, visà-vis the business and the number
of employees we have,” she says.
“We’re thrilled to be living our longterm dream and we believe this is the
first of many ventures to come.”
Tummy to Mummy
Maternity & Baby Shop
Simone and Francis Chia-Kangata
479 Main St., Mahone Bay
(902) 624-0882
[email protected]
Fun Facts
Favourite Quote: Be the change
you want to see in the world
Last Book Read: The Birth House
Most important person I have ever
met or known: my husband and my
daughter - tie
A message to new business
owner: Owning your own business
is awesome, rewarding, crazy, and
exhausting.
14
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People & Business
on the Move
Congratulations to Custio Clayton
on his dignified performance at
the Olympics in London. He was
an excellent representative of the
province of Nova Scotia and all
Nova Scotians can be proud of his
performance in the boxing ring.
BioMedica Diagnostics Inc. of
Windsor, headed by Dr. Abdullah
Kirumira has tripled its manufacturing
capability with an already-completed
$2.5-million expansion. The space
in a reconfigured community college
building is being used to make a
product to monitor cardiovascular
disease called QuikCoag that is
exported to 50 countries.
Congratulations to the North Preston
Senior Citizen’s Society which marked
its 50th anniversary in late June. The
anniversary celebration was held at
the North Preston Community Centre
on June 30.
Garnet Wright, of the Stone Gallery,
has been elected as one of the
members of the board of directors of
the Halifax Chamber of Commerce for
2012-3
From May 22-June 4 an exhibit of
African-Nova Scotian quilts was
featured at the Public Archives of
Nova Scotia as part of Quilt Canada
2012 — Seams Like Home. The Vale
Quiltmakers - 24 quiltmakers and
lenders contributed to ‘The Secret
Codes’, an exhibition of African Nova
Scotian narrative and picture quilts.
The exhibition was also featured
on CBC TV, CBC Radio and in the
Chronicle Herald.
Deep sea divers, Steve Brown and
his daughter Nicole were featured
in a Father’s Day feature in the
Chronicle Herald. Daughter Nicole
says her father was a big influence
on her life and has helped her with
15
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her life choices, including taking a
scholarship at a Texas university.
The rededication of the monument to
the No. 2 Construction Battalion in
Pictou was held on July 7.
Craig Gibson has taken charge as
the RCMP’s first Black commanding
officer on Prince Edward Island.
The Gibson’s Woods native has been
posted in many communities across
the country during his 31 years of
policing.
21inc,
in
partnership
with
Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette,
announced the next cohort of 21inc
Leaders from New Brunswick,
and, for the first time ever, 21inc
Leaders from Nova Scotia. Two of
the N.S. winners are Monica Njoku,
the Alumni Officer at Saint Mary’s
University in Halifax, and Mufaro
Chakabuda, the CEO, Maritime
Centre for African Dance Inc. of
Halifax.
The Demetreous Beals Project was
one of the winners of the Awesome
Halifax programme in July. By 14,
Demetreous Beals was raising
money to improve a basketball court
in his community. He passed away in
2007 due to a drowning accident but
in partnership with the First Baptist
Church, the HRM Police Community
Constables, and the Demetreous
Lane Tenants Association, the
project participants learned about
leadership and created the ‘What
Leadership Means to Me’ mural in
Demetreous’ honour at the basketball
court that Beals cared for.
The replica of Nova Scotia's
historic Africville church, which
was revealed in September 2011, is
now complete. As the 29th Annual
Africville Summer Reunion was
held in late July, many of the former
residents celebrated the completion
of the Africville Church and Museum.
Inside the church is a museum, with
exhibits portraying what life was
like in Africville from the start of
the community in the 1800s to the
eviction of its residents in the 1960s.
Halifax said goodbye to jazz icon
Bucky Adams, the well-known
saxophonist, who died on July 13 at
the age of 75. A group of his friends
performed an emotional Going
Home celebration at St. Patrick’s RC
Church in Halifax in July. Adams’
children were also a major part of
the commemoration of their father’s
life.
There was a ship side concert billed
as ‘A Tribute to the Arrival of the Tall
Ship Amistad’ at Alderney Landing
in Dartmouth during July’s Tall Ships
Festival. The artists performing
included the Umoja Cultural
Diversity Drummers, Linda Carvery,
Corey Adams, and The Sanctified
Brothers.
A large community garden has been
cultivated on the site of the old Nova
Scotia Home for Colored Children
(NSHCC). It's part of a celebration
of the 91st year of the NSHCC.
Twenty free plots were assigned at
the garden. The site was officially
opened this summer with the planting
of the Akoma Peach Tree and a
celebration around the barbecue
with NSHCC staff, volunteers and
community officials.
The Hope Blooms kids, from the
North End Community Garden in
Halifax, premiered their 2012 batch
of salad dressings during the Tall
Ships Festival in mid July.
A Taste of East Preston was held
on June 9th at the East Preston
Recreation Centre.
The event
included everything from “downhome Southern cooking to some of
the most unique dishes you’ll ever
find!” The event included games;
face painting; prizes; and cake walk.
At the 2012 REP Provincial Spelling
Bee, Oluwatomisin Akinkunmi,
of Chebucto Heights Elementary,
placed first. Paul Esemu-Ezewum,
of Duc d'Anville Elementary, placed
second, and James Esemu-Ezewu,
of Duc d'Anville Elementary, placed
third. Each winner took home
education awards of $500, $300
and $200 along with trophies, gift
certificates and educational goods
from local businesses. The contest
drew 133 student competitors from
across the province. More than 300
audience members watched Tomi
Akinkunmi clinch the trophy with
the word ‘salmonella’.
Congratulations to Kieran Bhaskara
and Malik Farhat on their winning
entry for the 2012 Africentric
Learning Institute and Heritage
Awards. Malik and Kieran chose
to create a video which depicted
the contributions African Nova
Scotians have made to our province
and country. Their video, which was
a news interview of Kirk Johnson,
was chosen from more than 100
entries.
Nelson Whynder Elementary School
(NWES) was recently awarded an
Indigo Love of Reading grant for
$30,000 to purchase books for the
school library. NWES is one of
20 schools across Canada that will
receive the grant this year.
New
BBI Staff
Kerry C. Johnston
Regional Business
Development Manager –
Central Region
I am a native of the
community of Cherry
Brook. As Regional
Business Development
Manager for BBI
Central Region, I bring
to the table a diverse
background in finance, administration,
marketing and customer service.
I have worked in the telecommunication
industry for 22 years with Bell Aliant
and the Canadian Coast Guard for three
years in various roles. I have had the
opportunity to sit on various boards
and committees throughout the African
Nova Scotian Community and the wider
community including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Treasurer/Finance Chair – Preston Area Housing Board of Directors
Treasurer – Cole Harbour Jets
(Atom House Hockey)
Trustee Chair, Planning/Finance Committees Member African United Baptist Association of Nova Scotia
Treasurer & Planning Chair - Laymen’s Council of the African United Baptist Association of Nova Scotia (18 years)
Fundraising Chair – Cherry Brook Boundary Action Reversal Committee
Program Chair and Former President – Cherry Brook Men’s Brotherhood
Past Treasurer – Cherry Brook United Baptist Church (21 years)
Past Church Renovation Chair
- Cherry Brook United Baptist Church
Past Monitoring Committee Member – Halifax Regional School Board
Past School Advisory Committee – Auburn Drive High School
Past Treasurer/ Finance and Personnel Member - The Black United Front of N.S.
I am looking forward to serving the
African Nova Scotian Community and
helping the BBI reach new heights in my
new role.
16
...
Black Business Summit 2012
World Trade and Convention
Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia
June 21 -22, 2012
The Race to Business Success
Thursday, June 21, 2012
OPENING PLENARY
Climbing to New Heights
The panelists for the Opening Plenary were John Grant, CEO, 100 Black Men
of Atlanta Inc, and Farley Flex, President and CEO, Plasma Management and
Productions. The facilitator for this session was Cassandra Dorrington, President,
Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC).
John Grant spoke on the concept of the 20 Mile March –
steady but sure. He began by recognizing the triumph of
the people of the Prestons over adversity when they faced
discrimination. He said business owners need to have a
consistent plan and follow it, never overstretching – set
annual goals and meet them. He also spoke about his
great-grandfather Augustus Grant, a former slave who overcame a lot of adversity
to become a successful businessman after buying his freedom.
Grant gave participants principles to live by that included:
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Never let anyone tell you what you cannot do, and even more, never be
that person.
Empirical creativity – imagine something, see it in your mind; take action – action with fact; set goals and execute your idea.
Be around people who are smarter than you.
Unleash your own individual creativity.
It’s not personal – business is done successfully if it’s not personal.
Foundation of success is through collaboration, business people ought to collaborate with others in order to succeed.
Farley Flex shared his work with a consortium planning to
launch the Afro Global Television Network, Canada’s first
Black television station. Flex believes that every great
thing starts with an idea. The idea does not need to be a
great one, it just needs to be executed, which is where a
lot of people fail. He also believes the African culture is
the most influential culture in the world.
Flex’s plan for success includes:
The Race
to Business
Success
Summit
17
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-
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Execution – Seeking out investment, teamwork and having a playbook to
go by.
Vision – His vision is to build a media school.
Be bold, ask questions, be engaged, pay attention, be visible.
We are influential people with a proud history and should not be burdened
by it.
Collaboration is multifaceted, businesses succeed more with it.
Hip Hop artists in the US realized this.
Set your sights global.
Workshop 1:
Whole Brain Thinking:
Creativity at Work
Jocelyn Dorrington
Facilitated by BBI board member Jocelyn Dorrington, the workshop explored
how organizations can generate fresh solutions to problems and the ability
to create new products, processes or services for a changing market. The
dialogue hit on the concept of the importance of creating an environment that
allows innovation and creativity to happen, not just the practice of hiring more
creative people.
The panelists included:
Mahogany Lucas
‘Whole Brain Thinking’ captured
Will Njoku, Inspirational Speaker, Will2Win, believes
we should create an environment that allows for
innovation and creativity to take place. He said
Smartphones are changing the way businesses
operate and as we seek momentum we must grow
quicker, faster and stronger, embrace change and take
risks in order to stay competitive. Even with technology, Njoku said we must not
get tied to our smartphones. We must not manage people only as processes and
systems, but create an environment that’s open to and invites innovation from
employees.
Mercy Mureithi, Manager of Economic Development,
National Youth Development Agency, South Africa,
proposed Nova Scotia businesses reach across its
borders. Mercy indicated that with globalization the
world is more connected, and as the developing world
learns lessons from the developed world, in the same
manner the developed world must learn from the developing world.
Of interest was the African Leadership Academy, an organization that seeks to
transform Africa by identifying, developing, and connecting the next generation
of leaders. The organization brings together the most promising 16-to-19-yearold leaders from across Africa for an innovative two-year program designed to
prepare each student for a lifetime of leadership on the continent.
Toronto African Canadian Legal Clinic
delegates
Mike and Rustum share a joke
Mike Wyse, CEO, Black Business Initiative, challenged
companies to be better, faster, work cheaper and with
a better story. He said, “Some people make things
happen; some watch things happen, while others
wonder what has happened.” He said average isn’t
good enough. Creativity and innovation comes from
dialogue and for companies to be innovative, they must ask how can they serve
you better. He suggested we look at our business plans, research best practices,
and look at what your competitors are doing. If companies don’t do that, they’ll
be left behind. Mike also suggested that if you have skill gaps in your business,
hire people smarter than you so you can have the skills internally.
18
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KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
Roland S. Martin,
Nationally Award-Winning
and Multifaceted Journalist
Ron Kronstein of Global Maritimes
introduced Roland S. Martin.
Ron Kronstein
Martin’s topic was ‘It’s All On You’ and included the following tips:
• If you want your business to be successful, it all depends on you
- ask yourselves where you want to be in five or 10 years and focus on how
to get to where you’d like to be.
• Have strong work ethnics.
• Key areas in your business life must be developed e.g. how you apply yourself, your attitude, your focus, and your motivation to move on to the next level.
Luncheon guests
• Build a strong economic base - you must become a prime contractor in order to make a lot of money and focus on increasing revenue flow daily.
• More focus/discussion on growing businesses versus starting a business.
• Think Big!
• Maximumize your relationships - connect and network with like businesses/interests to build your business
• ME Inc – you must stop thinking as an employee and start thinking as a business owner, by living a Me Inc life everyday your business will take on
new roots.
Roland Martin with Hector Jacques
• You must have a ‘no fear’ attitude, let everyday be another opportunity to build a strong and vibrant business.
SUMMIT BOAT CRUISE 2012
It was all aboard and smooth sailing for the 2012 BBI Summit Boat Cruise around
the Halifax Habour on Thursday evening. For the first time in many years the
weather was on our side and we had a beautiful view on all sides of the harbour.
Pair the view with great food, great entertainment, and great cruisers and you
have a winning combination.
Enjoying the boat cruise
Once again our lovely and quick-humoured host Charla Williams got us into a
cruising mood and DJ RS Smooth helped us lay it all out on the dance floor for
our dance competition on the upper deck.
The crowd was also entertained by the tremendously talented spoken word poet
El Jones who reminded us of our past and future journeys through words and
emotion.
Dancin’ the night away
19
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Joining us on the cruise were plenary speakers John Grant, CEO of 100 Black
Men of Atlanta and Farley Flex, President and CEO of Plasma Management and
Productions and former Canadian Idol Judge.
Friday, June 22, 2012
KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
Rustum Southwell vs.
Ross Simmonds (RS vs. RS)
The keynote luncheon RS vs. RS proved to be both inspiring and motivating. The
delegates enjoyed the luncheon along with the banter between our outgoing
CEO Rustum Southwell and young entrepreneur Ross Simmonds. Rustum looked
at things in the traditional sense while Ross presented a more modern lens from
which to look through. They discussed the secrets of success with emphasis on
getting started and not quitting.
Workshop 2: Raising the Bar
Black Business Initiative board member, Eleanor Beaton introduced the
panelists participating in the session that covered “How an entrepreneur, by
setting high standards, can continuously outpace his/her competitors”.
Rustum Southwell, Mike Wyse and
Ross Simmonds
Eleanor Beaton (BBI Board), introduces panel
The panel included:
Carlo Simmons, Vice President of Operations and
Controls at Simmons Paving Co. Ltd, the oldest Black
construction company in Nova Scotia. The business is
a family-owned company, founded by Carlo Simmons’
father, Wilfred. An avid proponent of the Total Quality
Management (TQM) approach, Carlo strives to assure quality that meets or
exceeds his customers’ expectations. He strongly believes that by setting the
bar higher than his competitors, he attracts a sizeable clientele who are looking
for quality and reliability instead of the cheaper product or service.
Panelists: Paul Adams, Carlo Simmons, and
Mo Handahu
Mo Handahu, designer and founder of Clutch Culture
started her business in her apartment three years ago.
When she could not find something she liked to wear,
she started making her own clothes. Her designs were
expressions of her look - cool and colourful. Mo shared
her first trip to Toronto Fashion Week and said that
even though she felt a bit intimidated by all the glamour, she introduced herself
to some of the most influential people in the industry. Mo’s advice was to be
yourself, don’t be afraid to think outside the box, and push yourself to excel.
Summit participants
Paul Adams, the winner of the 2012 BBI’s Entrepreneur
of the Year Award decided in 1998 to follow his passion
for photography by launching Adams Photography
Services Inc. He explained, “I knew from the start that I
had to do high end photography.” Paul strongly believes
that photography is not just a record of some images
at a certain point in time but also an art form, pure and simple, therefore, the
possibilities for creativity are endless. That mindset allowed him to go beyond
what was expected by his clients and to gain the industry respect he has today.
20
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Workshop 3:
Competitive Edge – Drivers of Success
Paul Walter, CEO, Waterbury Newton facilitated the workshop. He began
by introducing the panel and the topic by saying that in today’s business
environment, businesses should strive to go from good to better to best and that
businesses need to adapt, attain and retain a competitive advantage.
Paul Walter
Deanne MacLeod, Albert Louis, and Andre
Levingston
Summit attendees
Karen Hudson and Barb Hamilton-Hinch
Summit attendees taking notes
21
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The panelists for this workshop were:
Andre Levingston, President and CEO, Halifax Rainmen,
chronicled his life as a young man growing up in an
impoverished neighbourhood of Detroit, in a community
that had a lot of dreams. He said he participated in sports
because it gave his life direction. Because he grew up
lacking entrepreneurial role models in his life, he wants his Rainmen to serve as role
models to Black youth. Levingston always wanted to work for himself. He remembers
when he first landed in Halifax, arriving in a place he knew nothing about to run a
business he knew nothing about. In basketball he has found his passion. His advice
to business owners is:
- Be passionate.
- Never be too afraid of challenges or failing.
- Surround yourself with good advisors.
- Great relationships make successful businesses.
- Understand the “way business is done” in the area where you operate your business, as business is conducted differently depending on where you are.
Albert Louis, Director of Supplier Diversity, Business
Development, Johnson Controls Automotive Experience
Group, pointed out that in seeking drivers for success,
business owners should ask themselves whether their
product or service provides a solution for the customer, is it
helping maintain a competitive advantage.
His advice is:
- Get to know your customers and potential customers.
- Understand customer’s procurement strategies and evolve to match them.
- Business owners should be visionaries of their organizations.
- Seek the most effective and most efficient ways to operate your business.
- Stop viewing your business as a minority business.
- Pay attention to market signals.
- Success requires you to understand the number one reason you are in business
is to build wealth, make money, manufacture cash and grow equity.
Deanne MacLeod, Partner, Stewart McKelvey shared
that the entrepreneur should be able to define their own
success, whether it’s growing equity, being able to have a
particular lifestyle or a certain amount of wealth. Success is
being able to meet or achieve your goals for your business.
Her five drivers of success are:
- Strong leadership – leaders must be able to build a business culture that
embraces leadership with goals and a vision that they are able to communicate
internally and externally
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Adaptability – businesses should be able to rapidly adapt to change.
Creativity and innovation – think outside the box, have ideas without restrictions.
Discipline – know your business inside out and have a disciplined approach.
Confidence – set goals, have a strategy, dive in fully and do not be afraid to fail.
BIZ SHOW
Hosted by Robert Upshaw
Mike Wyse & Pixie (Rustum Southwell’s
sister)
To wrap up the summit, the ever upbeat and effervescent Robert Upshaw did
not let us down with his panel of guests and jokes, and of course questions
about the boat cruise and the missing scallops. Robert had a variety of guests
on his panel including incoming CEO, Mike Wyse; Rustum’s sister, Pixie; a youth
delegate from Toronto, Segan; and the guest of honour, Rustum Southwell.
Everyone was a good sport with Robert’s quick wit, wisdom and whimsy.
AGM GALA DINNER & DANCE
Gala Dinner guests
Electric Slide
Always a favorite and well attended, this night was also bitter-sweet as it
marked the exit of outgoing CEO, Rustum Southwell. To lighten the mood and in
true BBI tradition there was a comedic video tribute to Rustum complete with an
American-Idol theme to how we “found” the new CEO, Mike Wyse. The video
was also filled with tender moments of reminiscence from colleagues, staff,
board and community members, expressing their appreciation for Southwell’s
16 years of service and well wishes for his retirement. Rustum graced the stage
and reciprocated the appreciation for the support of everyone and expressed
that being CEO was not just a job but a passion for seeing success in the African
Nova Scotian community.
Last, but certainly not least, the Chair of the Board welcomed the new CEO of
the Black Business Initiative. No stranger to the organization, Mike Wyse took
to the stage and addressed the audience expressing how excited he was to lead
the BBI in continuing its mandate. And with that everyone was ushered to the
dance floor to enjoy the rest of the night with music provided by DJ RS Smooth.
AWARDS
Rustum, Darla Johnston and Paul Adams
During the Gala, the 2012 Entrepreneur of the Year Award was awarded to Paul
Adams of Adams Photography. The other finalists for the award were Evolution
Massage Therapy and Paula’s Place Tailor Shop.
During a summit year, BBI also presents the Hector Jacques Award of Business
Excellence and this year’s award recipient was Darla Johnston of SLIC Laser
Hair Removal Clinic. The other finalists in this category were Stone Gallery and
Adams Photography. (Read more about the nominees in this issue of Black to
Business)
Jocelyn Dorrington receives appreciation gift
Every few years we also seem to have to say goodbye to board members who
have completed their terms. An appreciation presentation was made to Jocelyn
Dorrington for her nine years of service as a member of the Board of Directors.
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by: Carol Dobson
The Race
to Business
Success
Summit
Global Television Maritimes
“Our community partnership with the Black Business
Initiative is one of our longest and most important at Global
Maritimes,” Andy Rice, Global’s manager of marketing and
production, says.
Global and the BBI have been working hand in hand for at least 10 years to
tell the BBI’s story on television. Rice estimates that the broadcaster has
produced between 35 and 40 one-minute spots profiling BBI clients – usually
to the tune of four or five per year. He’s the master storyteller behind the
scenes and some of the members of his crew have been there since the very
beginning of the relationship.
23
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Peter Marsman
“It’s a good body of work and these
are stories that might not be told
otherwise.”
He remembers the first presentation
Global made to the BBI. It was in
a boardroom at the World Trade and
Convention Centre. What began as
a meeting between strangers has
developed into a strong bond of
friendship.
“I’d go to Rustum’s office for a business
meeting,” he says. “We’d start off
discussing serious business topics and
the whole thing would evolve into a
longer session of talking about all the
problems of the world, with a lot of
laughter in between.”
He’s sure that the same thing will
happen with Mike Wyse now at the
helm.
“It’s been fascinating watching the
staff that has been involved at the BBI
through the years,” says Rice. “I’ve
seen people start off at the reception
desk, who have moved up the ladder
to positions of more responsibility.
Sometimes they’ve moved off to other
positions and it’s been wonderful to see
their personal growth.”
Global’s work with the Summit is a
natural progression of the partnership
between the BBI and the broadcaster.
“Our contribution to the Summit involves
some communications advice and some
marketing advice, as well as our help in
promoting the event,” he says. “Tracey
Thomas (event planner) and I will look
at the material she has available, and
we’ll provide our recommendations on
how to use it on the air so we can
promote the event as best we can.”
He speaks about the level of trust that
has developed over the past decade.
The relationship between the BBI and
Global is more than “the BBI printing the
Global logo on promotional materials
and Global putting something on air.
It’s much deeper than that.”
“Our relationship with the BBI is one
of our longest community partnerships
and I am looking forward to many more
years of working with the BBI,” Rice
says.
Regional
Report
Northern 1
Emma Otuki
I have recently acquired the Cape Breton
and Guysborough region from Njabulo
Nkala. I am working on meeting clients
and partners in the region. While there
recently, I met a new client Whitney
Green who will be operating Touch of
Soul Fries, a food truck based on Victoria
Road. She’s a remarkable young woman
and is looking to take the business to the
next level. If you’re in the area please
check Touch of Soul Fries. A coupon for
the business is included in this issue of
the magazine.
I also had the pleasure of meeting with
Corey Katz a youth entrepreneur who
has been featured in this magazine
before. Corey was busy this summer with
weddings but he also does commercial,
advertising, music/musicians and
corporate events. If you’re looking for
someone to capture your memories
in the Cape Breton area Corey Katz
Photography comes very highly
recommended. He also has a coupon
featured in this issue of the magazine for
your photographic needs.
I am very excited to work in the Cape
Breton/Guysborough region and look
forward to meeting more clients there.
If you a Cape Breton client looking to
start a business or looking to expand
your business please get in touch with
me. [email protected]
24
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BBI 2012 SUMMIT
Greg Browning presents Rustum with putter
DJ RS Smooth prepares for boat cruise
Vendor Fair participant Russell Wyse, Wyse Photos
Vendor Fair participant Jessica Bowden, Teens Now Talk
DIVAS on the GREEN
July 11, 2012
Kuch Photography
25
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Adams Photography
Out with
&theAbout
BBI
June 21-22, 2012
Glynis Simms, Eleanor Beaton, Barbara MillerManning, Jessica Bowden, Cynthia Dorrington
Jessica Bowden, Bernadette Hamilton-Reid, Glynis Simms,
Barbara Miller-Manning, Tulsa Beazer, Cynthia Dorrington,
Cheyanne Gorman-Tolliver, Eleanor Beaton
Glynis Simms, Hot Air Balloon ride winner
Cheyanne Gorman-Tolliver & Jessica Bowden
25
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Greg Browning, BBI Chair, Mike Wyse, BBI CEO and Cassandra Dorrington, President, CAMSC, signing the MOU at the 2012 BBI Summit
CAMSC, the Canadian Aboriginal and
Minority Supplier Council and the
Black Business Initiative (BBI) signed
a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) preceding the keynote address
by Roland Martin. CAMSC is a private
sector led, non-profit organization
composed of major Canadian and
global corporations. CAMSC’s mission
is to deliver programs to facilitate
purchasing opportunities between
major corporations and suppliers
owned and operated by minorities and
aboriginal peoples.
The MOU establishes that both parties
agree to collaborate to link Black-owned
companies with large corporations
who have acknowledged an interest
in enhancing their supplier diversity.
Michael Wyse expressed great pleasure
in the newly established relationship. “We
are very pleased to have this opportunity
to collaborate with CAMSC to seek out
mentorship, training and contract bidding
opportunities for Black-owned firms.”
This relationship will help local firms
better appreciate what contract and
expansion opportunities are available. It
will also establish the process required
to build needed capacities to participate
in global supply chains.
If you are interested in exploring
business opportunities through
CAMSC, please contact Cassandra
Dorrington at [email protected].
Cassandra Dorrington, President of
CAMSC stated, “It is an opportune time
for more Black-owned firms to reach
beyond Nova Scotia’s borders and
compete globally. If you are growing
your company in this direction, we want
to hear from you.”
26
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Ask the BBI
???????
??????? Entrepreneur’s Tool Kit
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When starting or growing a business,
every entrepreneur has one question in
mind. Where do I get the money from?
Whether it’s for financing working capital
or for a long-term investment, identifying
the cheapest source of funds for supporting
your activity should be your number one
priority. Unless you have an established
business with considerable resources, it is
always a challenge for entrepreneurs to get
critical information about government loans
and grants. The information in many cases
is disseminated through informal channels.
Governments (federal or provincial) as one
of the primary stakeholders have several
ways to help businesses to start or grow;
among them financial help, whether it is
grants or subsided loans.
by: Greg Nazaire
RBDM - Southern
applicant’s credit performance. However, some minimum
credit standards apply.
Nova Scotia Business Inc. has no official limit, but a
business manager will tell you their most common loan
guarantees range between $250,000 and $1 Million. They
charge the provincial borrowing rate (what costs to the
province to borrow money) plus a client risk premium.
We also have the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program
from the Province of Nova Scotia in partnership with the
Nova Scotia Co-operative Council and participating credit
unions. The government guarantees 75 percent of the value
of the loan up to $500,000.
Finally, we should mention the Aerospace and Defence
Loan Program for defence contractors. It helps Nova
Scotian businesses to be competitive in the aerospace and
defence industry by financing costs such as support for
advanced training and workforce development, to develop
Canadian Small Business Finance
new technologies and innovations and some sunk costs,
Program (CSBFP)
including feasibility studies, consulting, etc. It is repayable
This program aims at easing the access to based on the progress of the execution of the project,
credit for businesses that are perceived since most defence contractors deal with very long-term
by financial institutions to be risky (e.g., contracts to be delivered
little collateral, no credit history). These
businesses usually have their application Subsidies
either denied or approved with very Besides low rate and loan guarantee programs, an
expensive terms. To address those issues, entrepreneur can also take advantage of some grants and
the federal government through the CSBFP financial support as listed below:
helps these businesses by guaranteeing
the loan of up to $ 500,000 for capital • Nova Scotia Business Development Program: This investments. The business has to provide 10 subsidy covers 50 percent of the costs, up to $10,000, for qualified consultant services.
percent of equity.
Nova Scotia Loans and Guarantees
At the provincial level, business support
organizations such as Black Business
Initiative or Nova Scotia Business Inc. have
a loan guarantee program as well. However,
there is more flexibility as to the type of
assets to finance. From working capital to
fixed assets, these two organizations offer
their financing based on the social and
economic impact of the business on the
community.
•
Service Export Program: This covers the costs of reaching clients or prospecting. These costs include:
travel by potential clients, in-market meetings, translation costs.
•
Payroll Rebate: The qualified business should have an economic impact on the community. The rebate ranges
between 5 and 10 percent of a business’s gross payroll
taxes.
•
The Black Business Initiative offers a loan guarantee up to $25,000 and the interest is prime plus 1 percent regardless of the 27
...
The Capital Investment Incentive: An export-
driven business that plans an innovation-based capital
expenditure that ranges from $25,000 to $1 million may
qualify to receive a subsidy of 20 percent of the total
investment cost. These investments include: high-tech
machinery, green technology, software and hardware.
Summer Program 2012
F
OR more than 10 years Business is Jammin’ has offered
summer programming for youth
aged 8-12 in communities across Nova
Scotia. Our activities are fun, educational, and always include a theme of
entrepreneurship through a variety of
activities such as workshops, presentations, and our most popular activity;
Break into Business Camp. This year
Business is Jammin’ provided six Summer Youth Coordinators the opportunity
to work in their communities gaining
valuable work experience while also
delivering programs in and around the
communities of Sydney, Truro, Halifax,
Dartmouth, Kentville, and Yarmouth.
“where innovative ideas meet potential for
successful Black youth development.”
This year we are extremely proud to
say that from May to August 2012 more
than 800 youth have participated in our
Summer Program. An outcome like
this does not happen without support
and so we would like to thank our
host partners, volunteers, funders, and
sponsors.
Community Gardens
Halifax
BIJ 2012 Summer Youth Coordinators
BIJ Truro Summer Camp
l to r: Robyn Martelly-Cape Breton, Leah Jones-Halifax,
Rene Boudreau-Truro, Marissa Walter-Kentville,
Lysa McGrath-Dartmouth, Kayla Fells-Yarmouth
Dartmouth
BIJ Kentville
Summer Camp
BIJ Cape Breton Summer Camp
BIJ Halifax
Summer Camp
Yarmouth
BBI and BIJ would like to thank the RBC & NS
Power for their support and contribution to the
success of our Community Garden Program.
For more information on how to get involved with Business is Jammin’ contact:
Mahogany Lucas, at 902-426-8688 or by email [email protected].
Visit our Facebook page. Also, if you
have any suggestions or would like to
launch your own community garden,
contact Mahogany Lucas – 426-8688,
for more details.
28
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The 8th Black Business Summit was definitely a pinnacle event for the Black Business Initiative.
Among the highlights were the recognition of the successful transfer of the Chief Executive
Officer responsibilities from Rustum Southwell to Michael Wyse and informative talks by all of
the speakers and panel participants. Kudos to our local entrepreneurs, Andre Levingston, Mo
Handahu, Paul Adams and Carlo Simmons for sharing their experiences and business tips with us.
The
Law
& Your Business
M&A as a means to Climbing to New Heights in the Race to
Business Success
29
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Roland Martin offered us sage and bold
advice in his inspiring key note address.
He suggested that Black entrepreneurs
(or those with such aspirations) must
start thinking about “mergers and
acquisitions” rather than starting a
new business from scratch or toiling
tirelessly to grow an existing business.
As a corporate lawyer, these words
resonated with me and I thought it would
be useful to the readers of Black To
Business to have a better understanding
of what is meant by them.
In past columns I discussed 10 things
to consider before purchasing a
business. The number one item on my
list was: What do you want to buy? The
answer to this question will help define
whether the transaction you embark
upon is characterized as a merger or an
acquisition. The purchase of an operating
business that you will take over as the
new owner is an acquisition. This may be
your first business or a means of growing
an existing business. On the other hand,
you must already be a business owner
in order to be part of a merger, which by
definition requires the joining of two or
more existing companies. The objective
of a merger is business expansion – it
is not a start up. When considering a
merger, it is important to assess several
factors, including how to best grow your
business. You can look at merging with
one of your competitors to increase
market share or, alternatively, you can
29
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reduce costs and/or add product lines by merging with
a supplier within your industry. I do want to relay one
important caution to those bold enough to pursue this
route, mergers must be very carefully planned from
beginning to closing the deal, to post-merger, in order
to be successful.
Achieving business growth through mergers and
acquisitions may require a new way of thinking for
some of you. Roland urged you to “think big” and use
mergers and acquisitions in your climb to new heights of
business success. In Roland’s words, “it’s all on you.”
This does not mean you have to do it all by yourself. Once
you have envisioned your goal, engage your mentors,
professional advisors, the Black Business Initiative,
and other key individuals to help chart the course to
launch a business or take an operating business to the
next level. Thinking small and inaction may be all that
is keeping you from climbing to new heights of business
success.
Disclaimer:
The information presented above is for informative
purposes only. All information provided is of a general
nature and is not intended as legal advice and does not
address the circumstances of any particular person or
business.
Candace L. Thomas,
Partner,
Corporate Group,
Stewart McKelvey,
Barristers, Solicitors
& Trademark Agents
New BBI Staff
Ed Matwawana
Managing Director,
Training
Ed Matwawana
moved to Nova
Scotia in 1983 from
the Democratic
Republic of Congo.
After graduating from
Acadia University in
1988, he focussed
on people development and advocacy
through Regional Residential Services
Society (RRSS) and later the Black
United Front of Nova Scotia (BUF) until
the mid 1990s.
From 1995, Ed served as the director
of the African Nova Scotian Training
Centre (ANSTC) before moving on
to the Centre for Entrepreneurship
Education and Development (CEED)
where he served as regional manager
and oversaw the delivery and
expansion of the Second Chance
Program. After a short period with
American Income Life Insurance
Company, Ed joined the Black Business
Initiative as Managing Director of
Training.
As a consultant, Ed has provided
expertise in youth work and
entrepreneurship Education in
Portugal, Bahamas, South Africa and
Angola. He has served on boards of
several organizations in Nova Scotia
such as Music Nova Scotia, Nova
Scotia Talent Trust, African Nova
Scotian Music Association, North
End Health and Community Clinic, and
is currently serving on the inaugural
board for the BDB Africentric Learning
Institute.
In 2003, Ed received the National
Humanitarian Griot Awards for his
work with youth, community and the
enhancement of African countries’
education and health systems. In
2009, he was featured on the CBC TV
program “Living Halifax” as one of
Halifax’s Heroes.
Tulsa Beazer
Executive Assistant
Tulsa Beazer graduated from Saint
Mary’s University with a Bachelor
of Commerce Degree, majoring in
Accounting. She has over seven years
of experience in the Banking Industry
and was most recently a Client
Portfolio Analyst for one of Canada’s
top five banks. In early 2012, Tulsa
decided to become a part of the BBI
team in order to gain exposure and
share her knowledge and experiences
with the African Nova Scotia
Community. She is extremely excited
to be embarking on a new career path
and looks forward to a productive and
successful future with the BBI.
Regional
Report
Southern
Greg Nazaire
The southern region was busier than
usual this summer. During my last regional
visit, I have come across several bustling
businesses. From niche retail stores to
restaurant businesses, one can easily see
dedication, enthusiasm, and creativity in
each.
However, in some towns businesses
are struggling and not hiring, which has
affected Black youth looking for jobs. But,
in any uncertain situation, an opportunity
to do something bold can emerge.
As I mentioned in my previous report,
many retiring business owners are ‘the
succession dilemma’. This presents a
perfect occasion for young and dedicated
individuals to be in business without having
to go through, in most case, the hassles of
starting a new one.
We are getting ready to launch another
series of workshops with Candian Business
Development Corporation (CBDC)Yarmouth and a seminar on financial
literacy and personal finance in Kentville
in partnership with the Valley African
Nova Scotian Development Association
(VANSDA). We are hoping that attendees
will find them helpful.
Finaly, I would like to congratulate Simone
and Francis Kangata, owners of the thriving
Tummy to Mummy Maternity and Baby
Shop in Mahonne Bay on 479 Main St.,
(902) 624-0882 / Email: mahonebaybaby@
gmail.com
Should you require any further information
or to book a regional visit please contact
me at: (902)426-1625 or the toll free number
1(800)668-1010.
30
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The Race
to Business
Success
Summit
JONES has been the featured special guest at
various events throughout the province in the
past few years, sharing her powerful musing on
everything from race to politics, to gender and
societal issues, all in versatile prose.
She’s been called an activist, teacher, and academic. Arriving
in Halifax from Winnipeg less than a decade ago, Jones started
performing in the open mic for Word Iz Bond SPEAK! Series and
is now a member of the spoken word artists’ collective, where
she goes by The Professor. Her platform is in clubs, classrooms
and at community events, performing in Ottawa, Montreal and
Vancouver, as well as Nova Scotia. She captained the Halifax
Slam Team for its two national championships in Halifax in 2007
and Calgary in 2008.
El Jones is pursuing a PhD in English at Dalhousie University
and is teacher in the Foundation Year Program at King’s. This
spoken word artist recently performed an original and powerful
poem at the recent Black Business Summit that riveted the
audience with its truth and power.
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It Can Be Done
in honour of Rustum Southwell
El Jones
Poverty is a disease that crushes our
communities
It steals our dignity from us
We become dependent on assistance
like insulin for diabetes
But the chronic problems go untreated
Poverty is the disease that kills our
people at 50 and 60
It is the cheap microwave meals that
plug our arteries when we can’t afford
groceries
The stress that stops our hearts from
beating
Poverty is the disease that puts guns in
the hands of teens
When the game is the only industry
hiring
Poverty is our young men becoming
commodities in the prison system
Poverty is our children going to school
hungry
Paul Adams
It is the disease that fractures families
Takes fathers from their responsibilities
Makes mothers treat the children angry
Poverty is 500 years of post traumatic
slavery disorder pressing on us like a ton.
But it can be undone.
Our agency has been taken from us by
government agencies
Until the only work we think we can do is
seeing the worker down at the agency
And our creativity has been stifled by years
of complacency
Until we resign ourselves to not having the
dreams we’ve been chasing
See I know we succeed when we’re given
the vacancy
One opportunity to compete is all we’ve
been waiting
When we get in the race you’ ll see how far
we can run
It can be done.
Money is like a healthy cell. When earned
by us
It multiplies throughout the community like
blood running through the body keeping us
alive
Each dollar kept inside funds more
enterprise while each father hired
Is one family less likely to divide
One mother less likely to come home too
tired one self esteem that can climb and
their dollars supply
The businesses of others til the community
revives
It is money that inspires our people to rise
But like cancer it can metastisize and
disguise itself like a tumour in the center of
our people causing our communities to die
When supplied by trade in sex or drugs.
Without employment options our children
become thugs
It is businesses that are our chemotherapy
that burn out the gun
It can be done.
One single mother given one loan of a
few thousand dollars
To start one business with a plan that
is solid
Will create one home with children
more likely to attend college
And then they’re going to contribute
their knowledge
And given access to computers and
technology this equals
Exponentially more Black people
participating in the economy
And one Black owned business in any
one industry means
More Black employees and more Black
people seeing a role model
Which means more Black people will
follow. And then tomorrow
They’ ll be more Black people owning
property
Which equals more Black people with
money for the banks to borrow
Which means more Black people that
they have to acknowledge
And more wealth means more power
which means more Black people in
politics
Which means parliament addressing
more Black topics
Which means more Black issues that
they have to resolve
Which leads to more Black people
rising up out of poverty
Which means more Black people
whose dreams can evolve
Meaning millions of dollars when we
started with one.
It can be done.
There is more innovation in one black
thumb braiding
Using more calculation to perfect than
math is explaining
Just like each basketball shot aiming is
generating
More instantaneous computation than
is maintaining an aircrafts elevation
Just like each rapper creating is using
more improvisation
And more combinations conveying
more information
Than most CEOs could produce in ten
conversations
What I am saying is that our
community already contains
The skills and the talent for
globalization
Our expertise is all here for the taking
with the right education
And given the motivation the whole
world would be stunned
It can be done.
Everything in this world moves in a
cycle and our time has come
One leader retires leaving a legacy
behind him
Where lives were provided for and
others left wiser
His bio should inspire us to reach for
new heights
It should be easy when we stand on
the shoulders of giants
When the work’s already begun
It can be done.
The next generation steps up and
keeps feeding the fire
Driven on by the reminders of what
our elders aspired
We shall overcome
It can be done.
If a man’s life is defined in his
sacrifices
Then he’s paid his sum.
Who knows the prices so often kept
silent
The compromises and crisis he kept
going in spite of
All endured to ensure that our people
survive
And opened up new horizons for
futures to be realized
Made worth it by seeing the change
in our lives
And it all can be measured in how
we’ve arrived.
Here’s where we are. Now look
where we’re from.
It can be done.
32
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Foursquare: Elevating Your Social
Media Efforts into Mobile
Ever since Foursquare launched in Halifax, I’ve loved it. In fact, the crush I had for Foursquare when
it first launched was similar to my crush on Pinterest earlier this year. That said, sometimes I feel
as if I’m alone with my Foursquare obsession as not as many people here use it, unlike residents in
other parts of the country. And sadly, I have to blame the businesses.
One of the things many businesses are looking for from social media is an easy way to track and
monitor the return on investment (ROI). They often say the time required to start and continuously
manage a blog is not worth it, because they can’t see the return. The same excuse is made about
Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. When it comes to Foursquare, the excuse holds no
validity what-so-ever. The application is used when, and only when, someone is physically at your
business. That is, ROI at its finest.
with Ross Simmonds
If you’re unfamiliar with Foursquare, it’s a smart phone location-based app that allows you to
“check in” to businesses and specific locations you’re currently visiting. From there, Foursquare
shares your “check in” with your friends and rewards you with points, along with special merit
badges. In a nutshell, this is a fun social app for your customers and a powerful business tool if
you’re looking to improve the customer experience.
That said, there are only a handful of businesses in Nova Scotia utilizing the power of this channel.
It’s a huge missed opportunity and one that I’m here to explain. Here are two easy ways to get
started
Tip # 1: Create Offers for Your Business
As soon as you sign up and claim your business
on Foursquare, you will have the ability to offer
special discounts when someone checks in at your
location. The process for claiming a business on
Foursquare costs nothing but a few minutes of
your time. All you need to do is visit the Foursquare
merchant page (foursquare.com) and sign up! And
like that, you’re in!
As a consumer, you will often search for nearby
businesses that are offering deals to take advantage
of the Foursquare Privilege. The Foursquare
Privilege is the concept built on the “old school”
approach to a customer loyalty program, where
players are competing to become the “mayor”
from gaining points when they check in at as many
places as they can. As a business owner, this is
great because for every check-in at your business,
they are sharing it with a network of friends.
The privilege comes from the fact that many
businesses reward customers who “check-in”
with discounts and perks. These perks and offers
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tend to be strategically developed to encourage
repeat business, new visitors and large groups
of people. To put it simply, this can act as a great
loyalty and/or couponing platform. What type of
offers can you provide your customers? Here is an
example:
• Friends Special – Many things are better with
friends, and specials are no different. So why
not offer a special for customers who check in
together, like a free appetizer for the table or a
15 percent discount on accessories to facilitate
loyalty and word of mouth?
Tip # 2: Encourage & Embrace Free Advertising
Earlier this summer I decided I was going to start
up my second year of golfing and see what I could
do. When I arrived at the golf course the first thing
I did was pull out my smart phone and check-in
using Foursquare. Before I did that however, I took
a picture of the green and only then did I upload it
to Foursquare, Twitter and Facebook.
This form of always being connected
isn’t limited to me. This is a shift in the
way we communicate that’s happening
across the board. For this reason, it
makes sense for you to at least consider
Foursquare. You see, by me sharing this
“check in” not only on Foursquare but
also on Facebook and Twitter more
than 1,000 people saw it. That is, more
than 1,000 people were informed that
golf season was here and on top of all
that, the name of the golf course was
promoted.
So there you have it.
Most users will check in without
thinking, but others may need to be
asked or encouraged. The most
effective way to encourage users to
check in is through signage and by
promoting check-in specials or deals.
You may not realize it but you’d be
surprised how easy it is to get a
customer to do something that costs
them nothing.
For more information check out
Foursquare.com. If you’re interested in
more social media tips and tricks check
out my blog at:
www.RossSimmonds.com.
Regional
Report
Northern 2
Njabulo Nkala
Over the summer, BBI has continued
to find ways to help Black-owned
businesses succeed. This ranged
from the jam-packed Race to Business
Success Summit in June that provided
potential business opportunities to
strategic partnerships to mentorship
and training opportunity.
In July, along with BBI CEO Mike
Wyse and staff from the Centre for
Entrepreneurship Education and
Development, (CEED), I travelled to
Antigonish and New Glasgow in the
northern region to meet with various
stakeholders and partners including
Community Business Development
Corporation (CBDC),
Northern
Opportunities for Business Limited
(NOBL) staff, the dean of Saint Francis
of Xavier University’s business
school, employment counsellors and
business development professionals.
This trip not only provided us
with an opportunity to strengthen
partnerships, but identified other
resources and opportunities available
by working together and leveraging our
abilities and resources in the northern
region.
The Business is Jammin’ summer
program has ended. Additional
information on the camps can be found
on our website and in this issue.
Finally, I would like to congratulate
Lyndon Hibbert, owner of Caribbean
Twist restaurant on opening a new
location at the Discovery Centre on
Barrington Street in Halifax. Please pop
in to get a taste of authentic Jamaican
cuisine while supporting and investing
in a Black-owned business
Please contact me at (902) 426-4281
or email [email protected]
regarding events in your area or if
you have questions about the BBI’s
programs and services.
Ross Simmonds
www.rosssimmonds.com
Ross Simmonds is
a graduate of Saint
Mary’s University
with a double major
in Marketing and
Human Resources/
Industrial Relations.
The East Preston,
Nova Scotia, native
has his own digital marketing company,
targeting small and medium-sized
businesses. He’s also a member of the
digital marketing team with the Halifax
advertising agency, Colour.
For information on business opportunities
with Encana’s Deep Panuke natural gas
project in Nova Scotia’s offshore, visit the
Deep Panuke pages on the Encana website at
www.encana.com/deeppanuke/business
For information on career opportunities
at Deep Panuke, visit the Careers section
on Encana’s website or the Career Beacon
website at www.careerbeacon.com
www.encana.com
twitter.com/encanacorp
facebook.com/encana
youtube.com/encana
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Community &
Business Events
September 28 -29
October 25
Holiday Inn and Conference Centre, Truro
8:30am - 4:30pm
Info: 902-893-3265 / email: [email protected]
World Trade & Convention Centre
For more information contact:
Melissa Hawkes, Senior Event Manager
[email protected]
902-481-1350
Sharing the Knowledge in
Hospice Palliative Care
September 29
Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children
Idol Auditions
New Beginnings Church, 26 Cherry Brook Rd
10am – 4pm
Successful candidates will be featured on the NSHCC
Annual Broadcast for Funds (Dec. 9, 2012)
Info: (902) 434-0674 x2 / [email protected]
Solo & Group Performers Welcome
October 2
Atlantic Prosperity Summit
World Trade & Convention Centre / www.apcc.ca
October 3-8
Maritime Fall Fair
All Ships Rise Conference
November 1
Halifax Chamber of Commerce
- Annual Fall Dinner
Averting the Health Care Crisis:
Are we Ready for Radical Change?
For more information contact:
Melissa Hawkes, Senior Event Manager
[email protected]
902-481-1350
November 6
Watch Us Grow!
2012 Conference
Centre for Women in Business
Exhibition Park, Halifax / www.maritimefallfair.com
Rosaria Student Centre, MSVU Campus
Info: (902) 457-6449 / [email protected]
October 6
November 16
Halifax Metro Centre
Noon Tip-off (General Admission)
Info: 1-888-493-3388 / AMLCares.com
World Trade and Convention Centre
10am - 4pm / www.cardiohealthshow.ca
Toronto Raptors Intra-Squad Game
October 10
Coady Celebrates’ Gala Dinner
World Trade and Convention Centre
Keynote Speaker: The Right Hon. Michaelle Jean,
UNESCO Special Envoy to Haiti
6pm Reception / 7pm Dinner
Tickets: $150 per person ($75 tax receipt) /
Table of 10: $1,500 ($750 tax receipt)
Info: 902-867-5264 / [email protected]
www.coady.stfx.ca/coadycelebrates
October 11
Halifax Chamber of Commerce
- Business After Hours
Presented by Neptune Theatre
Spatz Lounge, 1593 Argyle St., Halifax / 5 - 7pm
October 21
Recognizing Learning, Skills and
Competencies
Westin Nova Scotian Hotel, Halifax
Info: Alexia McGill (902)422-1886 /
[email protected]
35
...
Cardio Health Show
November 24
HRM Christmas Tree Lighting
Grand Parade, Downtown Halifax
6pm - 7pm / www.halifax.ca/events
December 2012
Black Business Initiative
Christmas Social
TBA
December 2012
Feed Nova Scotia’s Learning Kitchen
16 week program covering life skills,
pre-employment and culinary training
For more information contact:
Robert Lundrigan 464-3031/
[email protected]
To submit items for Community and
Business events, please contact :
Beverley Parker (902) 426-8683;
Fax: 426-8699 or email bbi@ bbi.ns.ca
COUPONS
Welcome to a new feature of Black 2 Business - The Coupon Page.
Each issue we will include valuable discounts offered by a variety of businesses.
If you are interested in including a coupon, please contact us at [email protected]
SPEND SPEND
Shop Online
Shop Online
www.bindoctor.com
www.bindoctor.com
Drop intoat
our showroom at
Drop into our showroom
75 Akerley
Blvd. for more savings
75 Akerley Blvd. for more
savings
Innovative
Recycling Solutions
Lunch Special
25
25
$$
or more
or online
more online
nownow
and receive
and receive
%
%
15
15
R E STU R A NT
Redeem Voucher
Code “ Voucher
RECYCLE” Code “
Redeem
RECY CLE ”
at the checkout. at the checkout.
This special is only available
Monday- Friday 11:00am to 3:00pm
OFF
OFF
462-7468
462-7468
Limit one per
customer.
Limit
one per customer.
Two Can Dine
for $12.99
Your choice of
Jerk or Curried Chicken
served w/ Rice & Peas
& two cans of Pop
5467 Cornwallis Street, Halifax NS
www.passagetothecaribbean.ca
Not valid with any other offers or coupons
Expires December 31, 2012
Your one stop shop for all your wedding and event decor/linen rentals
902 719 8584 • www.beautifullinenrentals.ca • [email protected]
Present this coupon and receive
20% OFF your rental items
Servicing Mainland Cape Breton
Valid until Dec. 2012 • Not to be combined with any other promotions
Buy One
Get One
1/2 Everything!
Facebook.com/touchofsoulfries.
Buy one, get 2nd of equal or lesser value for
1/2 off the Touch of Soul Fries menu price.
Please present coupon upon ordering.
One coupon per person per visit. No cash value.
3 Pinehill Drive
902-865-1516
Lr. Sackville, NS [email protected]
"CELEBRATING 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS"
50% OFF ALL SERVICES
At SLIC LASER Hair Removal Clinic
Mention the Fall Issue of the B2B Magazine
and receive 50% OFF ALL SERVICES At SLIC LASER
Expiration: December 31, 2012
Book Your
Home Carpet
Cleaning &
425-5619 - 830-1113
Receive
15% off
Deodorization is
always Free!
Mention this coupon when booking. Must provide coupon
at door. Coupon valid until December 15, 2012
The BBI is not responsible for any incidental or consequential damages that may be incurred by users of these Coupons. The BBI offers no guarantee of the
information contained on these coupons. Please direct any questions or concerns regarding these offers directly to the coupon vendor.
If undeliverable return to:
The Black Business Initiative
Centennial Building
Suite 1201,1660 Hollis Street,
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1V7
Agreement No.
0040026687
numéro de convention
0040026687