(Originally published in the June 2011 issue of the Nova Scotia Business Journal - Women in Business Awards feature)
Deep in the heart of Cape Breton at Baddeck’s Inverary Inn, over 140 people recently met to honour and celebrate the Island's women in business.
The 6th annual Women in Business Conference and Awards Gala was hosted by the Cape Breton University Small Business Development Centre (SBDC).
The 2011 winner’s circle included:
Business Woman of the Year - Valarie Sampson: In just one year, Valarie — a broker and owner of ReMax Park Place Inc. — created one of Sydney’s fastest growing real estate companies. The business currently employs six full-time realtors and two administrative assistants. Valarie prides herself on incorporating the most effective and innovative market strategies and strives to consistently meet or exceed the needs of her clients.
Arts and Culture Achievement - Rosemary MacIsaac: Co-owner of MacIsaac Kiltmakers, Rosemary grew up in St. Peter’s. After raising a family with her husband Mac in other parts of the Maritimes over the years, they decided to return to Cape Breton and pursue a new business venture. Rosemary had been making kilts for five or six years, so she and Mac decided to move back to St. Peter’s to expand on that theme by opening a celtic gift shop to augment the kilt making side of the business. That was in 2000, and she hasn’t looked back since.
Start Up Business - Laurie Doucette: Laurie is the owner of Wentworth Perk located in Sydney, a venue for local musicians and artists to showcase their talent. She and her husband John created this business from the ground up. Laurie is dedicated to buying local goods and creating spin-off employment. Wentworth Perk itself has seven full-time and three part-time employees.
Aboriginal Woman of Distinction - Judith Bernard Googoo: Judith is dedicated to preserving and nurturing the Mi’kmaq culture and traditions. She owns and operates First Chief Trading Post located on the west entrance to the Wagmatcook First Nation. First Chief Trading Post has a gift shop that features authentic artifacts, a workshop area, art gallery, petting farm and more. She is a role model to young and elder Mi’kmaq women alike.
Continuity in Business - Marilyn Duchesney: Marilyn owns and operates Morgans Brook Landscaping Inc., a successful landscape design, consulting, construction, maintenance, snow and ice management service in the Baddeck area. One of the keys to Marilyn’s success is her knowledge of the land and the people around her. She works hard and is not afraid of manual labour. Marilyn has been operating Morgans Brook since 1997.
Impact in Business - Eileen Paul: Eileen, manager of the Membertou Enterpreneur Centre, is passionate about helping the young entrepreneurs of Membertou. She offers them guidance and stands behind them to let them know they’re heading in the right direction. Eileen also actively promotes the accomplishments of these women to create awareness of the hard work they do.
