Today, at our #networking lunch we had the pleaure of hearing from Delia Simu Hom., RBIE, IMG and her son, Dr Michael Simu who recently joined her practice at lovinghealth.

They told us all about the services they can offer as a shared practice. If you’d like to take a natural approach to a health concern, give them a call (519-581-7111) to book an appointment. Delia has helped many members and their families and we’re all looking forward to working with Michael as well!

If you are looking to expand your circle of influence and increase your business potential, join KWBWA today.

Networking and connecting with professionals in business is imperative to success.

The KWBWA enjoyed hearing Andie Cartwright's entrepreneurial journey today. Starting with selling lemonade as a child, Andie has reinvented herself with a variety of businesses. After she made a decision to focus on her health, and the passing of her husband, Andie pivoted to become certified as a nutritionist and personal trainer.

As someone who has struggled with dieting and disordered eating, Andie connects with her clients and is able to coach from her own experience and struggles..

We thank Andie for sharing her story of persistence, strength and adaptability with us today.

Shanna Koetsier spoke to us about creating custom photo books, converting photos to digital copies and organizing boxes of photographs. It was interesting to hear how she can organize a client's photos from a variety of sources, like flash drives and phones, to one digital location.

She stressed following the 3-2-1 storage source idea: have 3 copies (phone, hard drive and cloud), use 2 media and 1 off site source.

There was much discussion among the group. Memory keeping has changed in our lifetime. Most of used have baby books and boxes of photos from our own childhoods.

If the thought of sorting all of your photographs or reducing your digital clutter seems overwhelming, then contact Shanna at GingerSnaps. She has some online courses and offers a variety of packages for her services!

Today, Jenn Hanna talked to us about her 20 year journey with RBC and the different roles she held on her way to becoming a Mortgage Specialist.

She definitely has a wealth of knowledge for anyone looking to get approved in this crazy market.

We can't wait to support Tina as she grows her new business, but also...to eat her food!😋

January 9 is International Choreographers Day. We wanted to take this opportunity to highlight KWBWA member, Kristin Werner, owner of Star Performance Academy!

We asked Kristin a few questions about her journey as a choreographer and dancer.

KWBWA: What skills have you learned as a dancer that make you a good choreographer?
KW: Studying as many styles as possible that were accessible to me in my youth as a dancer, gave me a broader selection of movements to use and tell a strong story. Additionally, my education in various acting styles helped me to understand how to connect storytelling to dance movements so these movements have the potential to speak to an audience. And finally having a strong understanding of music theory has also helped me to hear music and connect it to movement qualities, staging and group work to hopefully create a stronger piece. In my genres, I only have 2-3 minutes usually to make an impact, so the more detail I can bring to each second, the more I can communicate in a clear and meaningful way.

KWBWA: A performer is struggling to learn the routine. How do you proceed?
KW: The first big question is, "Why?". A struggle can come from a challenge in coordination, in translating the movement from what they see to what they feel in their own body. It can be really difficult sometimes. A struggle can also be emotional. It is so easy to doubt oneself, to feel discomfort in portraying certain emotions, or to do something new and out of one's comfort zone. So I like to first try and talk about it, and move on from the results of what we discover together. Communication is key, followed by breaking down the challenge into smaller, more manageable parts. It's my favourite thing, to watch a dancer break some of these barriers!

KWBWA: What have been the greatest challenges in your dance/choreography career?
KW: I would have to bring up Covid for this! We practiced socially distanced choreography which meant that so many of our human movements, group work, partnering...even hand-holding, were off limits as we navigated the safety protocols through the pandemic. The silver lining was how much we appreciated the return of our normal ways of moving and communicating through dance. You can see it in the dancers.

KWBWA: Who are your favorite dancers, and who are the dancers that most influenced you and your dancing? This goes both for dancers you are simply inspired by, as well as dancers you have studied with.
KW: My teacher growing up, Ms. Deardra Leslie (a former member of the KWBWA) always tried to think outside the box, which I think is so important for art to keep breaking into new territory. She will remain a big inspiration for me in this regard. I love and appreciate so many dancers and choreographers from many eras, but today I'll mention Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Bob Fosse, Gregory Hines and Michelle Dorrance. I also am always inspired by the choreography of my students when they get to work on pieces of their own.

KWBWA: Any special moment or memorable experience in your dancing career till date that you would like to share with us?
KW: I have to mention dancing with my sister, Lori. We did tap duets as we grew up dancing together. Those are special memories for me, dancing locally, and for Team Canada. Dancing with a sibling is so awesome because you have this connection. The unison for tap is easier and you already know what the other is thinking, which got us through a few challenges on the stage! If those songs come on, we just look at eachother and the memories come flooding back!

Thank you, Kristin, for being a valued member of the community and the KWBWA!

To check out the dance styles that Kristin offers, check out www.starperformanceacademy.com or give them a call at 519-886-8600.

It was wonderful to see so many of you at our Annual Holiday Party!

This year we decided to do a group donation to a local charity and chose Monica Place. They offer two shelters that home young mothers 12-21, many of whom are victims of sex trafficking and sexual assault. They give them a safe home, have a high school and daycare on site, and offer multiple services and programs to support and rehabilitate the victims. A deserving and essential service in our community.

We also packed up the leftover food and were able to donate it to Lutherwood.

We are so fortunate to have a kind and generous group who support one another, and also help support the causes that are dear to us. Last evening was a testimony to that kindness.

“Ah, kindness. What a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in the world.” -A. A. Malee

Thank you to...
...those who were able to contribute to Monica Place.
...Rachelle Garcia who has been working hard collecting items and cash donations to buy much needed items.
...Joanne Atkins for organizing the evening and for all our “Facinators” for the group picture. Evenings to not happen without exceptional leadership and organizing.
...Nancy Koebel for your kind offer to deliver the food to Lutherwood.
...Karen Savage for making the contact @ Lutherwood for us!

We raised $500 to spend. And that doesn't include the purchased donations that were brought to the party. WOWZERS, KWBWA!!

With your generous donations, here’s what we were able to donate!

• 27 packs of wipes
• 10 boxes of diapers
• 10 books
• 10 sets of PJs for the mothers
• 8 body lotions from Bath and Body Works
• 4 body care sets and 4 bath sets from Winners
• 1 robe
• 1 period Care kit
• 1 gift card
• 2 boxes of Ferrero Rocher chocolates
• 1 hat
• 2 pairs of socks
• ...and one member made a financial donation directly to Monica Place

Wishing we could see the smiles on their faces when they open their gifts!!!

Today, Sue Meertens talked to us about the power of healing touch and energy healing, and even walked us through a short exercise to relieve anxiety and stress.

Sue is a Certified Eden Energy Medicine and Healing Touch Practitioner. Once in the Corporate Marketing and Sales Management field, she found her passion for Energy Medicine mid life, and currently has remote and in person practice based in Cambridge. The goal of this nurturing healing is to restore balance in your energy system, which supports your body's natural ability to heal. It's safe, effective and everyone can benefit.

Stay in touch and follow us at:

• www.facebook.com/KWBWAConnect
• www.instagram.com/kwbwaconnect
• www.linkedin.com/company/kwbwa/
• www.twitter.com/KWBWAConnect

If you are looking to expand your circle of influence and increase your business potential, join us for a luncheon meeting.

Network effectively with business owners, entrepreneurs and other like-minded women.

Learn from collective experience, knowledge and creativity of business women.

It's an environment to learn, grow and connect.

Today networking and connecting with professionals in business is imperative to success.

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Christina and Teri from 21 Tours + Events Co. Inc as our guest speakers today.

They offer curated group excursions all along Hwy 21 on the Huron coast.

Want a wine tour? A helicopter ride to dinner? A weekend cottage getaway?

Just tell them what you’re looking for and they will build a tailored experience for your group.

These fabulous and vibrant women quit their jobs and built a business out of their passions.

Check them out!
Website: https://21tourseventsco.ca/

Congratulations to #kwbwa members on their Readers Choice Award 2022!

• @karensavage.heffners of @heffnertoyota
  Best Auto Salesperson - Diamond
• @marie_d_wolf of @promysehomecare
  Senior Services - Diamond
  Best Home Health Care - Platinum

Way to go ladies!!!

Another great lunch with the Kitchener-Waterloo Business Women's Association at Charcoal Steakhouse. Today, President Rachelle Garcia led us through a discussion of the results of a recent survey of our members.As business resumes "post COVID", we are looking to make changes to our organization. We have decided to meet biweekly, and will resume having guest speakers. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to us.

The KWBWA members spent time catching up at our first networking lunch after much time apart. After the initial mingling, each member spoke about changes in their business or industry from the past 2 years. We look forward to seeing each more regularly, as we plan to meet biweekly, going forward this fall. We are meeting at Charcoal Steak House on Thursdays at noon. Guests are always welcome.