What motivates you to continue to run your business?
I am, in general, a very busy person. Anyone who knows me laughs because I don’t know how to sit still. I like to keep busy and thankfully with that extra energy, I can put it into my efforts for the businesses. I also take a ton of pride in being able to gather a team of people that work with me and create jobs for the community. The fact that we can create jobs for these people so that they can make a living is just an honour.
Why did you start your business in the Pontiac?
I’m actually the fifth generation on our family farm. My children are the sixth generation. So I was quite literally born and raised here, and so I’ve been raised to have a lot of pride and community spirit and I couldn’t imagine doing business anywhere else.
What has been the most fulfilling aspect?
Not only can I walk to work and get to work, but I also get to provide a place of work for a lot of people. Because we work so hard we’re able to bless the community with sponsorships and soccer teams and anything that we can do, we always try to do…It’s a lot of pride sitting back and seeing that.
What has been the toughest part about starting your business/career?
The toughest part is finding that balance between family and work. COVID definitely made me realize that, especially because of virtual learning, all of a sudden I have to be a teacher. So not only do I have to be a mother, a wife, and a business owner, but now all of a sudden I have to be an educator to be on top of that.
And also I remember very clearly, during COVID with all of our employees at Gemma and Mountainview, with the first wave we had to let go of about 90 per cent of our staff. And seeing their name at the top of that unemployment sheet person after person after person was probably the worst moment in business I’ve come across so far.
What advice do you have for young women wanting to start their own business/career?
I would absolutely tell them 100 per cent to do it, But to be cautious. You have to push through the catcalls, you have to push through those people who are going to doubt you, you have to push through those people who are going to tell you you can’t do it you should be at home. Because those people are going to be there and they’re going to doubt you because you are a woman. Don’t let them deter you.
What are your goals for your business/career?
We hope to obviously continue with Mountainview and Gemma, we continue to grow year after year there. With the garden center, we hope to open this spring and survive year one. But also we have plans in the next five years for an expansion. So an additional greenhouse on top of it and to finally bring this green space to the Pontiac.
What motivated you to start your business?
I felt like it was an untapped market. It was created selfishly because I wanted to have this amazing planner that I could organize my life in. I have a day job, and I have four kids,and I just wanted a centralized place, but I didn’t want to have to spend $120 for it. And so I was like, I can do this better, I can do it Canadian, and I can do it locally.
Why did you gear your business locally or within Canada?
I do not ship out of Canada, so it’s very important to me that I am a Canadian business, and my product is made for Canadians. I love the idea of keeping it small and local and supporting the small businesses because that’s essentially what keeps our economies and our little towns going. I know the hands that have gone into putting that together and I just feel that it elevates the quality of the product.
What has been the most fulfilling aspect?
Just bootstrapping it and doing as much as I can myself I think that has been really fulfilling, but also just the connections I’ve made. It’s just the sense of community that I’ve found, through this and all of the amazing businesswomen in this industry. I pretty much only dealt with women through the making of this.
What has been the toughest part about starting your business/career?
Probably trying to get my name out there organically, without having to put a whole bunch of money into social media ads. The cost-benefit wasn’t there at the time, and so really just that consistent daily grind of adding a social media post just to keep generating interest, that’s been kind of the hardest part.
What advice do you have for young women wanting to start their own business/career?
Have a plan, which sounds so simple, but this started in a spreadsheet. Sit and think about it, and figure out the different aspects. Because in my mind, without a plan, you’re going to start investing all this time. I just wanted to figure out all the different pieces of the puzzle before I jumped in with both feet because then I could anticipate what to expect.
What are your goals for your business/career?
I want La Belle Vie to become like that Canadian household name for planners, that’s my ultimate goal. I don’t know if we’ll get there, but even if I’m just the name in the Pontiac that will be a huge win. I want to continue to grow but do it organically. I don’t want to shoot up and have to start outsourcing a lot of the production I don’t want to lose sight of that meaning behind the business and why I created it, and why it makes me feel good to do it.
What motivated you to start your career?
I was always surrounded by strong willed women.
My grandmother was a business owner and her kids worked hard. So, I would watch her and my mom and her sisters. That was the source of my motivation and determination from a very young age.
Why did you start your career in the Pontiac?
My roots are in the Pontiac, I did have to leave to work in Gatineau but I had the chance to come back. My hope is to find ways to keep our youth here in the Pontiac, which is a challenge. We need to work in bringing business back in the region and the most important step is to listen to our youths.
What has been the most fulfilling aspect?
In my personal life I would definitely say being a mother.
In my career I would say being in customer service for over 40 years. I was trained to give the highest customer service.
Mentoring a team greatly enriched my life. When you help someone to achieve their development it is rewarding to both you and the person you helped.
What has been the toughest part about your career?
I would definitely say leaving the Pontiac to secure my job. I mean there were other challenges but they are a part of life and for me that’s what keeps me focused, determined and motivated.
What advice do you have for young women wanting to start their own /career?
Believe in yourself.
Set specific goals and
stay focused on them.
Be determined to
follow up on your
vision.
Finally don’t quit,
start over and be
resilient.
What are your goals for your career going forward?
As I am retiring from my management job. I will become a full-time mayor as of April 2022, I will be at the municipal office more often to work on files and meet peoples needs working on different committees.
Have a good International Women Day.
What motivated you to start your career?
I am not going to answer the first question because I have been answering that for 19 years now (I am kind of cranky like Meatloaf when reporters kept asking him where he got his nickname. He just refused to answer them).
Why did you start your career in the Pontiac?
As for why I started my career in the Pontiac, simply because it is home.
What has been the most fulfilling aspect?
Most fulfilling aspect would have to be getting to know my staff personally and watching them grow into diligent workers.
What has been the toughest part about your career?
Toughest part would have to be time spent away from my family.
What advice do you have for young women wanting to start their own /career?
If the past two years has taught me anything about business, it would be to remain very patient and flexible.
What are your goals for your career going forward?
My goal from the beginning remains the same—just put my best foot forward and make my family proud of what we have achieved.
What motivated you to start your business?
I didn’t start from scratch, but I have taken over Mr. Yvon Hamel’s business upon his death. I’ve always known that I wanted to own my own business, but it happened in an accelerated way. I didn’t know much about managing a business but had to learn quickly. I made the move to a newer building three years ago where I have more space and can offer new services to my clientele.
Why did you start your business/career in the Pontiac?
I got established with my family here in Pontiac at the age of 12. I attended Ecole Sieur-de-Coulonge and pursued my post-secondary studies in Hull and Québec.
I came back to Pontiac because my family was here and I also enjoyed the region. I adore the outdoors and tranquility all while being within proximity to urban centres. I worked for Mr. Hamel while I was finishing my studies and knew that this is where I wanted to be upon completing them.
What has been the most fulfilling aspect?
The most rewarding aspect of my job is that I get to help people on a daily basis. But I am not alone in doing so, I am surrounded by a dynamic team of employees who are working toward the same goal, who help each other out and respect each other. Not only are we there for the clientele that we serve, but we are there for each other. My employees are my second family.
What has been the toughest part about your career?
The last two years have not been easy for anyone and I think all businesses have been affected either by financial losses, recruiting problems, reduced staff due to confinement obligations, etc. It is very difficult to find trained personnel (pharmacists) at the moment. It was difficult before the pandemic, but now it is virtually impossible. The pharmacist is the pillar of my entreprise and cannot exist without one.
What advice do you have for young women wanting to start their own business/career?
We must all believe in our dreams, despite our daily obstacles. We often impose our own limitations without having even tried our best because things are difficult. But there are people who are willing to help by sharing their experiences or those willing to help financially. Nothing is impossible. It won’t always be easy, but we must not quit and it helps to surround oneself with positive people.
What are your goals for your career?
I believe in being present and in helping people on a daily basis, to answer their questions, listening to them when they’re not having a good day or have good news to share. I enjoy being part of people’s weekly or monthy outings and try to bring a bright little ray of sunshine to their day despite illness. I believe if I achieve all of that, I’ll have attained the goals I have set for myself.
What advice would you give young women who are just setting out into the business world?
There are times when we must learn from our errors in order to grow and evolve. It is important to remember to keep an equilibrium between our personal/family and our professional life to avoid getting stressed. I am not saying that it is always an easy feat, or that I can do alway do it in a perfect way, but I try to be conscient about it and always strive to do better. Finally, I would congratulate anyone setting out into the business world for their determination, and wish them a lot of success.
What motivated you to start your business?
I started at SADC Pontiac CFDC in 1998 as a youth business advisor. I was interested in helping people and rediscovering the region. I returned to my hometown, Waltham, in 1996 after completing my studies. I knew SADC Pontiac worked with small businesses, municipalities, and economic development projects. I was eager to learn the different programs, help entrepreneurs and be involved in local development initiatives.
Why did you start your business/career in the Pontiac?
After studying and living in Ottawa, I knew I wanted to work and live in a rural region. I was intrigued by SADC’s mandate in economic development and how the organization played a role in regional development and entrepreneurship. I have developed a passion for regional and local economic development, municipal politics, and entrepreneurship.
What has been the most fulfilling aspect?
The people. The most important aspect has been the people. I work with some of the best people, from the team to the members of the Board of Directors, clients, and partners. Everyone is 100 per cent committed to helping entrepreneurs, supporting local business initiatives and regional economic projects. To be able to work with individuals and decision makers who care and want to make a difference for our businesses and communities is extremely rewarding.
What has been the toughest part about your career?
When decisions are made beyond our organization, and they are not adapted to our realities whether it is for entrepreneurs or the region.
What advice do you have for young women wanting to start their own business/career?
Have an open mind, be critical, ask questions, stay true to oneself, accept help, surround yourself with people with different views, ask people for their opinions on your business model and listen.
What are your goals for your career?
I have many.
-maintain a healthy and productive
-work environment
-provide an excellent client experience
-listen to all feedback
-advocate for SADC Pontiac to obtain
-and deliver programs and financial
-tools that are adapted for our entrepreneurs and communities
-be an economic advocate for our
-region at all levels of government
-work hard, be adaptable to change
-and lead by example
What advice would you give young women who are just setting out into the business world?
Ask questions, surround yourself with individuals who have different expertise, never be afraid to try something new and out of your comfort zone, learn to balance work-family life, do not be afraid to ask for help and be kind to yourself.
What motivated you to start your business?
When I was a child growing up in Hamilton, Ontario, a very wonderful family physician came through for me in a couple of situations where I really needed his help. His kind words, his gentle manner and his wise experience not only got me through my illnesses, but they were a true inspiration to me.
Why did you start your career in Pontiac?
I did my medical training at Laval University in Québec city. At the time, the Québec government was guiding new physicians to rural areas, and so I visited the Pontiac. It was the cleanest, friendliest, and most cheerful place I could imagine to set up my career. Once I visited, my choice was clear.
What has been the most fulfilling aspect?
Helping make a difference in patients’ lives is such an enormous privilege. I really enjoy accompanying people through various experiences and stages of their lives. One particular condition or disease could affect each person differently, because everyone is so unique. This makes medicine a new challenge every day for everyone.
What has been the toughest part about your career?
Helping good ideas stick and then spread can be very challenging. Happily, I have been able to participate in several initiatives where the Pontiac has been at the forefront of major province-wide initiatives. One of these was the Medical Levels of Care, now a provincial standard and an example of the benefits of centralizing efforts in the interest of improving patient care. Another is the Family Medicine Access Program we started here about 15 years ago, which also spread across Québec, but which became denatured by centralization, paradoxically resulting in decreased access to care.
It seems that too often our governments want to go fly fishing off the Titanic, when they would be so much better off getting in boats that fit in the rivers and lakes and adapting their fishing techniques for the type of fish they’re trying to catch. Community organizations, local politicians, MRCs, patient users’ committees – everyone needs to get involved to make their health system their own. The Pontiac is a unique place and our health care needs should be met right here in the region whenever that is possible.
We are one of the poorest, most elderly populations in the province and our life expectancy is lower than what it should and could be.
Despite these facts, our services are continually decreasing, and health care is being increasingly centralized while patients spend more and more time on wait lists. I really hope I can play a part in turning this situation around so that Pontiacers can once again be born in the Pontiac and live longer and healthier lives.
What advice do you have for young women wanting to start their own /career?
Follow your heart. Know yourself, trust yourself, reach out, foster networks around you, and go for it. It will be fun (almost) every step of the way, even when it’s tough. What is fun about hanging back and thinking about what you might be capable of, when you can step up to the plate and take a whack at the ball!?
What are your goals for your career going forward?
I hope to continue to serve the needs of the people of the Pontiac for years to come.
This has often meant going outside the Pontiac to advocate for principles that will help us move forward. In my opinion, the most important paradigm shift that needs to take place is decentralization and the next is synchronizing care in order to reduce wait times and increase quality of care. If I can help prioritize these concepts, I believe health care in the Pontiac will be in a better place.
What motivated you to start your business?
I started with electrolysis, I was having electrolysis done myself and I saw a need for it here so that’s why I started.
Why did you start your business/career in thePontiac?
I wanted to give back to my community. I’m a foot care nurse, so my pedicures are nursing foot care.
So it’s advanced foot care. You might come in for a pedicure, but I’m also looking at your feet to see if there’s any problems starting.
What has been the most fulfilling aspect?
Making new friends? Lifelong friends too. I have regulars they’re here every six weeks, like clockwork.
What has been the toughest part since starting your business?
COVID and being shut down.
What advice do you have for young women wanting to start their own business/career?
Follow your dreams. Do what you want to do. Get into healthcare, because there’s a real shortage now, or even just beauty care.
You’ll find it really fulfilling. People come in and they talk to you about their problems and they just want someone to help them I guess get through it, and just talking about it helps.
What are your goals for your business/career?
I always upgrade my skills. There’s nothing I’m doing with the building I just renovated two years ago, so I am not doing anything for a while. But I’m just hoping to stay open as long as I can.
What motivated you to start your business?
I absolutely love numbers and spreadsheets. I like solving complicated problems involving finances and taxation. I was raised on a farm and always wanted to continue that part of my life so we have sheep. I enjoy working with the sheep and figuring out how we can raise the best lamb possible.
Why did you start your business/career in the Pontiac?
We moved here because it is a beautiful area and the land is suitable for raising sheep. Being in the Valley also offered lots of opportunities for growing my accounting career as I was specifically looking to work in the area and not commute to the city.
What has been the most fufilling aspect?
I get to watch other people accomplish their business goals with my support as their accountant. And watching the lambs we carefully plan out grow nice and strong is always a joy.
What has been the toughest part about starting your business/career?
There’s a lot of hours involved. It’s constantly changing and there’s always something new to learn.
What advice do you have for young women wanting to start their own business/career?
Try anything, all ideas big or small have merit and you should explore them. I didn’t set out to be an accountant or a sheep farmer specifically but I like where the journey has taken me.
What are your goals for your business/career?
To keep on going, help more businesses and raise more lambs.
