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February 8, 2018
Why Your Story Matters in Business

Many years ago Dave, my college instructor and mentor when I worked in the Correctional System, said, “Stories connect people.” This was 1984 and this mentor moment has become one of the foundations of my life and business.

I quickly learned in my first week of working on the violent offenders unit that everyone has a story. These stories give us insight into a person’s life and his/her choices and help us connect in a way that can transform lives and pave new futures.  

Jerry, an inmate who had spent more of his life on the inside of the bars than the outside, was an incredible artist. This inmate was verbally abusive and physically aggressive to staff and other inmates. Shifts on his cell block unit were ones I did not look forward to.

One afternoon, I noticed him sketching on the back of a napkin. His art was compelling, emotive, and told a story… a story that told a different side to Jerry. This drawing (and many others) became the door to building trust and respect with Jerry. It also became the outlet for him to deal with the issues that led to him spending half a lifetime in jail. It is a strange lesson that to learn peace he had to go to prison.

I kept that nugget about “stories connect people” front of mind many years later when I opened my own dispute resolution company.

As a mediator, I again discovered that stories help build understanding between people in conflict, and stories also became the bridge to some of the most difficult relationship building processes. Stories connected people. While they may see the world differently and their life experiences are nowhere close to similar, there are always touch points in stories where people connect.  

Fast forward to Raise a Dream, a business I co-founded with serial entrepreneur Rebecca Kirstein. Every day, we see in the work we do with entrepreneurs and our programs that stories connect the audience.

Stories are also what connect entrepreneurs to sponsors. When corporate sponsors are considering backing a project, it is the story behind why you do what you do that helps build a more meaningful (and often more immediate) connection with the sponsor.

As you meet people through your business, at networking events, etc. remember that stories connect people.  

Charmaine Hammond, Raise a Dream

www.raiseadream.com

November 2, 2017
A Day in the Life of Women Serving in the Canadian Navy

I grew up in a military family. My Dad proudly served in the Canadian Air Force for 25 years. This career gave him an expertise, and our family a stable paycheck. Yes, we moved a lot but new schools aside, I loved our life.
It was probably hardest on my mom as she had to pack us all up, leave the house so clean that the floors gleamed, (yes, we had a military inspection), and then help us all to adjust to new communities. Being a kid, it never occurred to me that she also left friends and great jobs behind. Society dictated that she be a good wife. Mom never let on if she felt resentful. She supported Dad’s career with an attitude of ‘here we go, off on another adventure.’ I am grateful to her.
 

 
On July 5th, I had the amazing opportunity to experience life on board the HMSC Regina as part of Women Leaders at Sea. When the invitation popped into my email box, I couldn’t respond fast enough! This would give me an opportunity to see our modern military in action, and introduce us to the changed role of women serving our country.
 
Women are now serving equally alongside men in battle, flying rescue helicopters, or posted to positions in the submarine service and navel ships. By spending the day at sea with VIP’s such as Rear Admiral Art McDonald, Commodore Marta Mulkins, and Honourary Colonel Diane McCurdy, the day gave myself and 100 other professional women the opportunity to see both women and men contribute equally in day-to-day working operations of the ship.
 

 
In addition to traditional roles such as medicine, we were introduced to women serving as Engineers, Fire Fighters, Gun Operators, and Military Tacticians. The culture on board the ship was that everyone is equal, with each person playing a part in the safety and security of the ship, along with their team members. We were given tours of the numerous departments of the ship, and experienced how the modern-day military fights, but more importantly, protects and defends. Canadians should be proud that we still encourage our military to serve as peacekeepers.
 

 
I am grateful to the Women Leaders at Sea day with the Canadian Navy. It gave me lessons that translate to my business. We saw the navy demonstrate team building and negotiation skills, create a positive and respectful workplace, train in non-traditional careers, and best of all, actively support the belief that women can do any job. It validated that we just need to be given the opportunity, then trained and supported in our roles.
After an amazing day at sea, I now know that there really is, “No life like it!”

August 29, 2017
Keller Williams Realty & Queer as Funk: An Interview with Connie Buna, Featured Speaker

Connie Buna will be one of the featured speakers at the upcoming Women in the Spotlight Dinner presented by Pink Velvet Couch Productions and Pamela Chatry at the Best Western Plus Chateau Granville in Vancouver, BC on September 27th.

How did you know you wanted to become a realtor and a lead singer?

Music has always been a part of my life. I come from a musical family where singing and playing music together was an almost daily occurrence. To be honest, prior to singing in Queer As Funk, I’d never been in a band. This experience has come about out of a series of serendipitous events paving the way to a really incredible opportunity.

When I purchased by first home I was 25 years old and had recently graduated university with an ever-so-marketable Political Science degree. I was working at Bell Canada in a sales capacity and was really impressed by the care and diligence of our Realtor. What occurred to me at the time was that he was doing a job that clearly required a high degree of skill and care, however I too could do this work. Being a Realtor has allowed me to take complete control of my career and my opportunities as an entrepreneur.

How do you juggle the two passions while maintaining a family?

Juggling is the perfect analogy to describe the balance between owning a brokerage, running a real estate team, singing in a band and being a mother and wife. One word: leverage, makes this possible. I have surrounded myself with people who believe in a shared vision and together we can handle all of the work that is required to keep these areas healthy, successful and thriving. Very truly none of this would be possible without the unwavering support of my wife Taryn who is my closest confidant. She genuinely keeps our keeps our ship sailing on an even keel. This stability allows everything else to be possible.

What’s your biggest achievement in your business?

Keller Williams Realty is the largest Real Estate Company in the world. My biggest business achievement thus far has been opening the first Keller Williams brokerage in Vancouver, BC.

What are the most important skills to have in leading and motivating people?

Talk less, listen more and lead by example.

What is your goal for your real estate dreams?

I have a number of different goals with respect to real estate. For our brokerage, we will be the agency of choice for Realtors that want to build a stable and reliable real estate business build on a foundation of cutting-edge technology and continual education. For our real estate practice, to continue to service our clients with the utmost still and care, while pushing the industry in a direction where we can all be proud of the professionalism and expertise we offer to the marketplace.

What inspires you to keep going in your day-to-day business life?

My inspiration is in the people around me who share my vision. We are working hard together to make an impact on our families, our community and our industry.

Are you currently reading any books that inspire you?

I’m reading an excellent book right now called “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss. It’s a fantastic book by a former hostage negotiator and FBI agent that shares practical negotiation tools that you can use from the boardroom table to the kitchen table.

On social media, who do you follow?

I’m all over the map with who I follow on Social Media. I love Frances Bula, Imani Gandy, Lanefab, Roxane Gay, Anna Kendrick, VancouverIsAwesome, and Scout Magazine to name a few.

If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself before entering the world of business?

Set BIG GOALS! Focus on abundance, not scarcity.

What’s your favorite business quote?

“Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls– family, health, friends, integrity– are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered.” Gary Keller

How has failure helped you?

Failure is an amazing teacher. It keeps me humble, focused and determined. We are failing forward every day.

Tell us a little about how your band came to be.

Our band came together as a few good friends getting together for drinks and laughing about an audacious idea. At my wedding, around that same time, I sang a song to my wife. It was a song and a style of singing totally out of my comfort zone and to the surprise of all of my friends and family (and me too frankly) I can really belt out a tune. And the rest, as they say, is history.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Connie is an entrepreneur with a passion for housing stability, LGBTQ/2S rights and social justice. As a brokerage owner she is changing the business of Real Estate in Vancouver one agent at a time. Keller Williams Realty is built upon a foundation of education, ethical business practice and collaboration.

As a Realtor, Connie is best known for her integrity, strategic insight and commitment to the best interest of her clients above all else. Connie is also an entertainer in the popular Vancouver-based cover band Queer as Funk and delights in getting a room off their feet, dancing and singing to soulful tunes both old and new. Connie lives in Vancouver with her wife Taryn and their daughter Maelle. 

Join us September 27th at the Women in the Spotlight Dinner at the Best Western Plus Chateau Granville and hear more from Lori Joyce and Connie Buna!

April 28, 2015
Five Ways to Sleep Through the Night

by Mary Cantando, Founder of The Woman’s Advantage, Guest Contributor

A friend was recently discussing her inability to sleep through the night and other women present chimed in to report the same problem. With everything we’ve got on our minds these days, a lot of women struggle with this; imagine how much more effective you could be with a sound night’s sleep.

Here are five suggestions offered by other women in that conversation. I’m not saying that I’ve tried these products, or that any of them work, but you might consider them.

Five Ways to Sleep Through the Night

1. L- Tryptophan

This is the enzyme in turkey that makes you sleepy. Several versions of this exist on the market; try the purest kind without other additives.

2. Magnesium liquid concentrate

Start out with a minimum dose as magnesium can cause stomach or bowel problems.

3. Natural Calm

This is a powder from the health food store that you mix in hot water. (Watch out, it can bubble up out of the cup!)

4. Original Flower Essences by BACH

Many women I know swear by this. BACH makes two versions, Rescue Remedy and Rescue Sleep, which are each available at health food stores.

5. NATURAL Zzz’s

This works for many women, but has valerian which may make you feel a little drowsy and hung-over in the morning.

December 23, 2014
Five Ways to Cut Down on Holiday Stress

by Mary Cantando, Founder of The Woman’s Advantage, Guest Contributor

For many of us, the craziness starts this Thursday and continues through the first day of 2015. But you don’t have to get tied up in all the nonsense. Here are five practical ways you can tone down stress over the holidays.

Five Ways to Cut Down on Holiday Stress

1. Think PEACE.

Rather than losing your temper, worrying about petty things and getting stressed out in general, consider that peace is a gift you can give to yourself and others. Rather than stressing out…stop, take a deep breath and think PEACE.

2. Analyze how you spend your time.

Is your holiday season unsustainable? Do you keep filling your calendar with unimportant events? Unless your granddaughter is part of the ensemble, it’s perfectly fine to turn down that invitation to see the Nutcracker.

3. Take a vacation from people pleasing.

It’s not your job to keep everyone in your life happy all the time. While you don’t want to be rude or nasty, don’t feel you have to please everyone else at your own expense.

4. Err on the side of simplicity.

Rather than adding more stuff to your life and that of others, consider ways you might relax and spend time with them instead.

5. Let peace be your roadmap.

If a decision or activity doesn’t bring peace into your life, take a different path.

December 2, 2014
5 Great Ideas from the 2015 Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar

As published in the 2015 Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar

1. The distance between dreams and reality is ACTION.

2. One idea, executed brilliantly, is worth more than a million brilliant ideas.

3. You have permission to change the world.

4. Deliberately work toward amazing things.

5. People do what you reward.

If you’re interested, the Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar offers daily tips and can be bought here.

February 18, 2014
Gold or Bronze for Boomer Business

Watching the 2014 Olympics in Sochi is addicting! The time zone difference means that many of the sports take place during the day. It seems that every restaurant, food court, and office Canada has Olympic sports on TV and folks are stopping in their tracks to watch the action.

We are celebrating their successes but also share their pain as we watch them incur injuries, take personal risks and financial losses. We also watch their public struggle to stay inspired, often after enormous defeat. Don’t these athletes motivate you to push a little harder and want to commit to playing a bigger game? Don’t you want a little more gold in your business?

It occurred to me that an Olympic athlete is similar to a being a Boomer Business Owner. Do you know of someone who has been a business owner for so many years, has no more excitement and who has run out of business energy? Someone who chooses to now play it safe or has given up trying? They go through the motions every day, accept mediocrity and small financial gains. Many don’t want to work anymore, learn anything new, hire younger or more talented employees, or are willing to consult and listen to others.

They say it takes a community to raise a child. While watching the Olympics, it is obvious that it takes a huge team to raise an athlete to the championship level. Can you imagine if a young athlete wasn’t willing to change or listen to their coaches or one who gives up after one defeat? There would never be any gold on their horizon.

You’ve heard the expression; “Go big or go home”. If you are that Boomer Business Owner who hates what they are doing, isn’t it time to be honest with yourself? If your business isn’t being led by a ‘Gold Medal’ leader, do you need to identify who and what resources you need on your team to help you achieve a new vision? If you don’t have the energy to drive the business, surround yourselves with those that do. They should be the best and the hungriest for success. Hire them and let them go for it. Let them teach you and for heaven’s sake, don’t always try and control them. As Sandra Yancey, CEO of eWomenNetwork always says, “You should never be the smartest in the room”.

Boomer Business Owners, strive for the ‘Gold’ and find your passion again. If you can’t, then retire. If you can, then do it for more ‘Gold’ in your retirement. You owe it to yourself.

Copyright Pamela Chatry 2017. All Rights Reserved