Member Talk
- December 19, 2024
The KWBWA hosted its last lunch meeting of the year today. Member Irene Davaris, of Meals in a Jar, spoke about the 15 year trajectory of her business.
From the humble beginning of sharing her leftovers in a jar online, to the spur of the moment decision to launch as a business, we followed her fascinating journey.
She shared of her experience on The Dragons Den, and having her meals in grocery stores.
Now back to her roots with online orders and staying within the community, she has branched out to serving hot lunches to needy children in local schools. Thank you for sharing your business story with us.
Website: https://mealinajar.com
Holiday Market
- December 5, 2024
Our vendors had goods and services available for us to purchase while we networked in an informal atmosphere, enjoying a lunch spread of canapes, meat, cheese, fruit & veggie platters.
- Emily Boone (Architect, Alter Studio d'Abri) So many of us daydream of creating our dream home, whether it’s renovating or adding on to an existing home, making that home more energy-efficient, adding a mother-in-law unit in the back yard, or purchasing a home to renovate or lot to develop. I will be offering free 10-minute mini consultations to help shape those daydreams into concrete project plans or answer questions on concrete plans you may already have. I can give general guidance to help you brainstorm possibilities on your site, understand basic zoning requirements, figure out a ball-park budget to start saving towards, and plan for how long the project might take to design and construct. I can advise on choosing an architect or contractor and the roles each plays in the process. Come prepared with images, real estate listings, and specific project or general process questions.
- Sylvie Drader (Stampin' Up, Cards and Papercrafts) Handmade cards (Christmas and others); cutely decorated Post-it notes. Pay by tap or cash.
- Trudy Fraser (Professional Organizer, Tartan Spaces) For this market, I'm all about trees :) I have wood craft trees (indoor & outdoor), yarn wrapped trees, button tree ornaments. Great gift ideas and unique decor as well!!! I also have some upcycled Christmas decorations that I have fixed or updated to save them from landfill. I also offer gift certificates for my (organizing/moving) services. Payment by cash or etransfer preferred, but can accept credit or debit.
- Kristin Moore (Buy Moore, Custom Designed Jewelry) Sterling silver jewelry: rings, earrings, necklaces, brooches, and bracelets. Payment by debit, credit or e-transfer or exact change in cash.
- Brenda Schrader-Sanders (Life Coach, Jumpstart Your Success) 10 minute Hypnosis sessions as a "taste" to what Hypnosis is. $20 cash per session.
- Delia Simu (Homeopath, Loving Health Clinic) Gift certificates can be purchased by e-transfer. My friend SueAnn (Death Doula), will be selling healing bracelets. Payment by square/cash.
KWBWA Holiday Party
- December 2, 2024
Thank you to all of you that contributed to the Christmas gifting initiative for Stuffin Stockings xo
We collected over $500 in donations, plus these stocking stuffers and another 12 pairs of gloves and 30 pairs of socks!
In total, our Stuffin Stockings committee was able to provide 3,450 stockings this year, our biggest year yet!! Thank you very much for your generosity, it means so much!
We wish everyone a healthy and safe holiday with loved ones.
Out of the Box Luncheon
- November 7, 2024
Last Thursday the KW Business Women's Association had an "Out of the Box" lunch at the Gaslight District in Cambridge.
About once a quarter, our meetings take place out in the community exploring local businesses.
After enjoying a boxed lunch in the Foundry Tavern, our tour began in the foyer under the Meander, a living architecture sculpture inspired by the Grand River.
We examined the sculpture up close, while exploring the main floor and upper rooms of Tapestry Hall.
Next we headed outdoors. This is Waterloo Region's largest public square with a permanent stage, the biggest outdoor video screen and patios for the restaurants that surround the square. This 1-acre public square, is surrounded by century-old limestone foundry buildings.
Thank you to Joanne Atkins, our Special Projects coordinator, for organizing this lunch out for our group!.
The Gaslight District endeavours to be a one-stop shop for entertainment and dining, with Tapestry Hall, Foundry Tavern and Foundry Brewing, Underwing, The French and coming soon, Pizzeria Motola.
Check their website for upcoming events, gaslightdistrict.ca. This is definitely a gem, and worth visiting.
Call to Support
- October 30, 2024
Several of our members are participating in the November 30 Voices Empower Walk, 
a fundraising event in support of Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region - Anselma House & Haven House.
This is just one of many community initiatives that KWBWA members are involved with.
20241208 - UPDATE:
Thank you so much for participating in Voices Empower: Walk to Break the Silence this year! While event day was a chilly one, it was also one of our biggest successes. Thank you for showing up to honour the women we have lost, and to advocate for an end to violence against women. The KWBWA members raised $3,000.00 and our goal was $1,500.00. Together, we raised an outstanding $150,000!
Guest Speaker
- October 10, 2024
Logan Koeth from Canine Consulting, explained to our members all about her business, Canine Consulting.
Logan helps many types of animals and their owners overcome problems like separation anxiety and behavioural issues.
If you’re interested in Logan's Canine Consultation services, please feel free to schedule a complimentary 30-minute informational call via her website: https://logankoeth.com
Member Talk
- September 26, 2024
Trudy Fraser from Tartan Spaces spoke to our members on her business which specializes in reclaiming spaces in your home (big or small) from clutter to love your home again and helping seniors and families prepare and transition to a new home!
Tartan Spaces is company that is focused on helping families and upporting them with the sorting and de-cluttering process, managing the packing, moving and unpacking of new spaces.
Just like tartans that are unique to each clan, your space is specific to your family and how you live.
We take a practical approach to organizing and ‘right’ sizing into a new space.
With years of experience working with seniors, we understand the special requirements of helping elderly clients, their families and POAs find good solutions.
Visit Trudy's Business Website: https://tartanspaces.com
First Meeting for 2024 - 2025
- September 12, 2024
Today's KWBWA lunch was at the Charcoal Steak House.
Our first meeting for 2024 - 2025!
We all were excited to catch up with one another after a busy summer!
We enjoyed having a round table session and each sharing one thing that we learned this summer, with a little extra background/information so we can learn from and get to know more about each other.
We enjoyed Jennifer Carter entertaining us with a taste of her opera singing!
Member Talk
- May 30, 2024
Today's KWBWA lunch returned to Charcoal Steak House. We had a career talk presentation from Carolyn Drummond, who is a stylist with Cabi International Clothing.
She shared her knowledge of women's wear, with tips on how to create a capsule wardrobe with 10 items. She discussed figuring out the "cost per wear", when investing in more expensive pieces.
She reminded us to throw out the colour charts and to wear colours that we love, in styles that feel comfortable. Embracing confidence helps us look our best. When we look good, we feel good, and then we do good!
Check out their online catalog at https://carolyndrummond.cabionline.ca/
And...
We appreciate the hard work and efforts by our board members and in particular our President, Kristin Moore for graciously taking on this role during a busy time in her life – we appreciate you stepping up and helping us continue to grow.
To each of the KWBWA board members, your contribution was key to our success. Thank you for dedicating your personal time and behind-the-scenes efforts to help follow that vision through. Our achievements would not have been possible without you!
While Rachelle had to step away during the end of the term, we are eternally grateful for her role in helping us evolve as an association. Your contribution and tireless efforts will have lasting positive changes for our members. Thank you!
We all want to send out love and thanks to Emese for her contribution to the board over the past year and to wish her the very best in her new life in the Maritimes (who just gained a wonderful force of nature). We can’t wait to see what you do next!
Out of the Box Luncheon
- May 16, 2024
The ladies of the K-W Business Women's Association had lunch out at Bodega Rose in Uptown Waterloo! It is a beautiful venue, accessorized with roses in their decor.
The specialty coffees and buffet lunch were delicious.
Our networking group enjoys exploring new places in the community. View the video!
Thank you to Joanne Atkins, our Special Projects coordinator, for organizing this lunch out for our group!!
.Member Talk
- April 4, 2024
The KWBWA's most recent meeting at The Charcoal Steakhouse, included a talk from our Membership board member Shanna Koetsier.
Shanna's red hair makes for a catchy business name: GingerSnaps. As a photo curator and organizer, she offers a variety of services, from creating custom photo books, converting photos to digital copies, or organizing boxes of photographs. With the changes in technology over the past few decades, it was interesting to hear how she can organize a client's photos from a variety of sources: flash drives, print photos, slides and phones, to one digital location.
Memory keeping has changed a lot in our lifetime. Most of us have baby books and boxes of photos from our own childhoods, compared to present day, and having most of our photos on our phones, or in the Cloud. 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!
Guest Speaker
- April 4, 2024
Elena Haskell from Raw Carrot spoke to our members at our recent meeting. "The Raw Carrot is a social enterprise that empowers people who face barriers to traditional employment to secure their own livelihoods through the dignity of work. We partner with churches and nonprofits to employ adults on social assistance to make handcrafted gourmet foods."
The Raw Carrot first produced soup. They currently offer 8 different varieties. "Our soups will fill you up with healthy goodness as ingredients are sourced locally from farmers who support our program! We ensure that our recipes are healthy, lean protein meals, that are free of any added preservatives. They are frozen making it an easy and nutritious meal anytime."
Elena had a display of the new breakfast boxes that they sell, as well as the individual items that we could purchase. The breakfast box includes: Better Batter Pancake and Waffle Mix (The Raw Carrot), Granola for Good (The Raw Carrot), Maple Syrup (Hunters Maple Bush), Gourmet Coffee and a spatula.
Special thanks to Elena Haskell for sharing about this wonderful community-minded company. For more information, please visit their website: (www.therawcarrot.com)
Guest Speaker
- March 21, 2024
Today our guest speaker Fortunato Restagno, Chief instructor of Grand River Karate in Waterloo demonstrated personal safety and gave us various situations to problem solve. He then did a demonstration of self defense techniques, involving our VP Emese Fabry. There was so much good content.
We all left feeling like this is something we need to practice in order to be prepared for any situation. Fortunato reminded us to trust our intuition if something feels off.
Fortunato is a direct student of Seikichi Iha, Hanshi 10th Dan who is the highest rank master in North and South America and is currently 92 years old. He follows his teachers vision of Friendship, Cooperation and Learning. "The more friends you make the less enemies you will have." Fortunato is a retired Brand Strategist and a Speaker on Brand Creation. He has a passion for nature photography and travel.
Thank you so much for the informative session!
Grand River Karate in Waterloo is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year. (www.grandriverkarate.com)
Guest Speaker
- March 7, 2024
Today’s guest speaker was Sarah Kinlin of @pearlperformanceinc. Sarah gave a captivating presentation about her career journey, and how she set goals and manifested the outcome she wanted.
Through her coaching, Sarah teaches how to balance grit and grace to achieve your goals.
She chose "Pearl" for her company name as making a pearl requires grit, and pearls are unique and valuable. So Pearl was easy.
The performance came because Sarah is an expert in performance management, and has a passion to improve the performance of people, machines, and processes.
So the name stuck - Pearl Performance Incorporated.
Please visit Sarah's website to learn more about all she does
and how she can help you achieve your goals! sarahkinlin.com
Out of the Box Luncheon
- February 22, 2024
A fabulous “Out of the Box Career Talk” today with Kim Jackson of Distinctly Patio. As promised, it was entertaining, informative, and fun.
Kim, we appreciate all the work you and your staff did to create summertime vibes with cocktails, umbrellas and summer themed cookies and cupcakes. You are a gracious host!
Thank you as well for the generous prizes... a beautiful Easter Gift Basket (winner Joanne Atkins) and Canadian made CRP Turquoise Adirondak Rocker (winner Nicole Hacock). We are grateful for your kindness.
Our thanks to Irene Davaris of Meals in a Jar for the nutritious and delicious lunch.
Thank you all for attending!
Member Talk
- January 25, 2024
Brigitte Gingerich spoke to us about two upcoming trips. They sure sounded enticing to escape the snow and cold!
She spoke to us too about Gadventures that has a program so singles...they will match you up with a room mate so you don’t have to pay the single supplement!
She is a wife, mother and lover of golf and anything travel related! Brigitte can help you successfully plan your getaways without stress!
If you have any questions, please contact Brigitte at Northstar Travel & Associates. bgingerich@northstartravel.ca.