Barrie's Business Is Our Business! Wonder Wonder Wonder Wonder Wonder Women Women Wom en Women Women November 2011 www.barriebiz.com Celebra ting women. Pages 4-5. The award winners at Barrie's fifth annual Women in Business luncheon were, from left, Yolanda Gallo, Patricia Lechten and Emily Gill. 7 SOCIAL MEDIA MAYOR Jeff Lehman more than willing to embrace new technology 8 HOLIDAY SALES Retailers hoping for increased Christmas season windfall 14 BED BUG HUNT HOT Barrie business can rid your residence of nasty creatures ...

PAGE 2 NOVEMBER 2011 BARRIE BUSINESS FREE PATIO DOOR BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Submitted The Innisvale Cemetery still offers the only community mausoleums in Simcoe County. Innisvale Cemetery and Crematorium The Innisvale Cemetery and Crematorium was established in 1983 with a vision of being an affordable premier cemetery of choice. When choosing a cemetery for generational needs, we believe people should ask some very important questions: 1) Is the cemetery conveniently located? 2) Is there a variety of choices? 3) Does this business support our local community? 4) Does the cemetery operate year-round and are they fully staffed and professional? Innisvale can proudly answer yes to all of the above and more. We are currently expanding our building facility to serve you better and still offer the only community mausoleums in Simcoe County. Visit their website at www.innisvalecemetery.com, or stop by (located beside Georgian Downs) and see why people choose Innisvale. FREE E ...

BARRIE BUSINESS BRUCE CAMERON Special to Barrie Business NOVEMBER 2011 EDUCATION: The Simcoe County District School Board and its many partnerships Bridging the community The Three R's are only a start. These days, schools are more and more playing an active role in the community and according to the Simcoe County District School Board Superintendent of Education Paul Sloan, it's always a "win-win" proposition. It means opening the doors to everything from a shared library with the community, to daycare service, to allowing food providers like Pizza Pizza into the hallways and classrooms. In terms of numbers, the board honoured more than 175 organizations at a partnership recognition event in May of this year. One very practical bridge with towns and cities in the county deals with the use of much-needed space. "A perfect example of that is at Midland Secondary School," Sloan said. "It had a bit of unused space so the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit partnered with us, and has taken ...

PAGE 4 NOVEMBER 2011 BARRIE BUSINESS EVENT: The Barrie Examiner's Women In Business luncheon paid tribute to those making a difference MARK WANZEL Photos The fifth annual Women in Business luncheon was held at the Barrie Country Club, recently. This year's award winners were recognized for their ongoing contributions to the community. Celebrating women in business (STAFF) - There was never any question, Patricia Lechten always knew that she would become a doctor in veterinary medicine. After 25 years practising in Barrie, she was named Barrie's 2011 Business Woman of the Year during a recent luncheon. "It was a wonderful day," she said, after being granted the tribute from among the 17 nominees. "I was very honoured to be included with so many talented and dedicated women." Lechten owns Allandale Veterinary Hospital, which has a staff of more than 25, and expects to move into a state-of-the-art hospital next month. She helps rescue groups with surrendered animals and has donated oxygen ...

BARRIE BUSINESS NOVEMBER 2011 EVENT: The Barrie Examiner's Women In Business luncheon paid tribute to those making a difference 'Sometimes, as adults, we forget to dream...' FROM PAGE 4 GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS Gill is a socially conscious student who raised more than $7,000 for childhood cancer research through her school's Inside Ride Campaign. The event was presented by The Barrie Examiner. The day's featured speaker was three-time Olympian, Sami Jo Small. The Winnipeg native told the crowd how she persevered in hockey, a sport that she adored, despite the many setbacks, which included being a girl in what is sometimes perceived a boys' sport. She proudly displayed the gold medal she won as the goalie in the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002. "I still can't believe it's mine," she said, sending it through the crowd, encouraging all the audience members to touch it, wear it, even pose for pictures with it. "Sometimes, as adults, we forget to dream." Small grew up on the outdoor hockey rinks ...

PAGE 6 NOVEMBER 2011 BARRIE BUSINESS ADVICE: Starting or managing a business during times of change presents a number of unique opportunities Developing your business in a changing marketplace While the recession has had a significant influence on small business over the last few years, it hasn't been all doom and gloom. Many entrepreneurs have taken the challenge to start, grow, and even expand their businesses when the economy showed signs of strain. While it can be a very stressful endeavour at any time, starting or managing a business during times of change presents unique risks and challenges. But it also presents opportunities. When the business environment or economy changes, it influences different target markets differently. That can be bad news for some enterprises, but great news for others - providing opportunities for new businesses to start and existing businesses to grow or expand. The important thing to remember is to be prepared for those challenges and opportunities t ...

BARRIE BUSINESS BRUCE CAMERON Special to Barrie Business NOVEMBER 2011 There's a reason for all the books that have been written about the relationship between politicians and the press. Sometimes it's a symbiotic deal with the press looking for a hot story and the politician in question looking to send a particular message. And sometimes, (just ask Toronto Mayor Rob Ford) it's downright cantankerous. For Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman, the use of written and video blogs, along with the embracing of social networking devices such as Twitter and Facebook, is now a part of the job. He began his political blog during the 2010 municipal election and has continued ever since on the city's website so he can do what's called "politics in complete sentences." "One of the biggest challenges is getting your message out in a world where the opportunities to do that are increasingly shorter," Lehman said. "With the blog, it gives you a chance to go into more depth and detail." Lehman said there are two ...

PAGE 8 NOVEMBER 2011 BARRIE BUSINESS BUSINESS: Live entertainment and other incentives designed to keep customers shopping Retailers hoping for holiday boost Christmas season sales can make or break shop owners SUSAN DOOLAN Special to Barrie Business Local retailers are looking forward to the Christmas season with cautious optimism. Even though this month and the next are the most important of the year for sales, no one is taking success for granted. Most are stepping up their efforts to attract shoppers with speciality merchandise, entertainment and events. That is certainly the case at the Kozlov Centre, which has a jam-packed lineup of events for November and December. It runs the gamut from an interactive magic show Nov. 25 to bingo; a guitar workshop called Beatles for Beginners; a spelling bee (open to students in grades 1-8) Nov. 19 and 26; a pet photo night and more. "We're hoping for a good season. All my stores are gearing up," said mall manager Roger Godin. "We've got to kee ...

BARRIE BUSINESS FROM PAGE 8 NOVEMBER 2011 BUSINESS: Customers more frequently looking to outlets or other discount stores to do their shopping Appealing to wider audiences key Cautious optimism the name of the game for some Santa Claus arrives Nov. 19 and in honour of the occasion, Georgian Mall is offering customers $10 off certain photo packages (double what is normally offered). Nearby is an large oversize Santa sack for Christmas Cheer donations. "We really wanted to put an emphasis on Christmas Cheer this year," said Bullis. "The 2011 campaign goal is $225,000. Last year they helped support over 5,100 people including 2,600 children and teens. With Barrie and Simcoe County growing we know that this number will grow this year so we want to do what we can." She suggests using a Georgian Mall's 'Shop Card' for Christmas Cheer donations for teenagers. The mall itself donates $2,500 to the program. While many of the retailers have their own gift cards, Georgian's Shop Cards can be used ...

PAGE 10 NOVEMBER 2011 BARRIE BUSINESS INVESTMENTS: Tips for building wealth later in life so you can pass on the benefits to those you care about Tax exemption doesn't have to be a pipe dream Section 148, of the Income Tax Act, is one of the few remaining tax sanctuaries How to build a tax exempt estate with insurance? Ronald and Sonia are ecstatic. At 55 and 50 respectively, they're the proud grandparents of Victoria, their first grandchild. They're already planning sleepovers and outings. But having their first grandchild has got them thinking about estate planning... Robyn Latchman Apples to Apples Ronald, an engineer, and Sonia, real estate broker, earn very good incomes and they pay a healthy amount of income tax, too. They told me that, over the years, they've worked with several advisors as they could not find the appropriate one. Thank goodness that both of them had been careful money managers, as it has put them in a fortunate position and they have extra funds they want to us ...