March 8 is International Women's Day — a day to recognize women's achievements and acknowledge the challenges they continue to face in the quest for gender equality.
This March 8, 2019 the City of Niagara Falls Business Development Department wants to celebrate 10 empowering entrepreneurial Women in Niagara Falls and share their stories.
For over 108 years the Patterson family has been providing caring and compassion to those who have lost a loved one with personalized and affordable funeral options.We pride ourselves on commitment to excellence, integrity and service.
What has Inspired you in Business?
Growing up in the family business, my mother played a major role in cultivating the skill set required to succeed in this challenging yet rewarding career. She was a women of principles, values, integrity and wisdom. Above all, she taught me to deeply and genuinely care about others. To do so, meant you needed to connect to others which requires strong listening skills, being genuine, paying attention to their needs and be willing to go the extra mile to serve.
Kemp Financial Group (KFG) is a Family Planning office that has three divisions; Wealth Management, Estate/Insurance planning, and Group/Employee benefits. Being its own Family Business, KFG has a strong focus on other family businesses and their transition of wealth from one generation to the next.
What Internal Motivation Drives you to Succeed?
I love the challenge of building and growing a business. Also, because I have so much love and passion for what I do, the motivation is always there to succeed.
Niagara Vision is a full service optometric clinic that prides itself on offering thorough medical eye examinations and vision corrective spectacles/contact lenses to patients of all ages.
What Internal Motivation Drives you to Succeed?
I believe in treating my patients the way I would expect to be treated. By having this as my daily motivation, it ensures that each and every one of my patients is cared for in a professional and friendly environment. It is my goal to help others see their best and keep their eyes as healthy as possible.
DiSanto & Gray LLP is Niagara Falls' newest law firm. The firm has combined legal management software and cloud storage to be as paperless as the Law Society of Ontario permits. The firm provides legal services to the Niagara Region in areas of law which include but are not limited to family law, wills and estates, estate litigation, employment, real estate, and tribunals. The firm officially opened for business on January 2, 2019 and hit the ground running with two lawyers and three staff members. The firm’s primary focus is to develop a longstanding relationship with its clients, to provide superior customer service and to advocate fearlessly.
What Internal Motivation Drives you to Succeed?
We motivate one another to succeed. With any business venture, it is important that you partner with someone who has similar traits and goals as you do. We never have to worry about one another as we’ve never met more hardworking individuals than each other. We both enjoy helping people and take pleasure in achieving a good result for our clients.
Founded in 1979, Criveller Company manufactures and supplies processing and packaging solutions to the food and beverage industry. Along with high-quality, long-lasting equipment, Criveller puts superior Customer Service at the forefront of their business by providing clients with pre and post sale service all across North America.
Who has Inspired you in Business?
Being a family-run business, I was inspired everyday growing up watching my Dad work so hard to ensure that the business was successful and that he could provide for our family. I was always encouraged to follow my dreams and was never made to feel that I couldn’t succeed. Now, as a mom and a woman in the business world I am constantly inspired by the presence of other women making their way to the top - it’s a true testament to perseverance always prevailing. I will always teach my children that success comes from hardwork, dedication and an open mind.
For over 50 years, Niagara Helicopters has been thrilling people from around the world with the highest, most scenic, most exciting sightseeing experience in the Niagara Region – all from the safety and comfort of one of five NEW meticulously maintained state-of-the-art Airbus H130 helicopters built in Fort Erie, Ontario.
Who has Inspired you in Business?
My greatest inspiration has always been my parents. My father was a foreman for the company he worked for. He was a leader to his crew and never hesitated when he needed to make a decision. He did what he had to do. He expected no less from me. He knew I could do it, so I never doubted I could. My mother is and will always be my Moral Compass – a true necessity for success in any endeavor. My second inspiration came from my mentor- one of the former owners of Niagara Helicopters, Ev McTaggart. She was a force to be reckoned with! Bright, strong and driven, she taught me that gender is simply a box on an information-gathering form.
Terrapure is a leading, vertically integrated provider of essential environmental and industrial services in Canada for industrial, commercial and institutional end markets, including the manufacturing, mining, construction, refining and petrochemical, waste management and remediation, institutional, transportation, pulp and paper, utilities and oil and gas sectors. Headquartered in Burlington Ontario, with branch operations in Niagara Falls, we employ over 2,100 people and operate an integrated network of over 70 locations, coast to coast.
What Advice Would you Give to Other Women Starting in Business?
In business new opportunities will be given to you everyday. It’s okay to be afraid of something you don’t know – but take that fear, and do it anyways. You have to be prepared to tackle things that are outside of your comfort zone. Strive to always be growing and learning as you progress in your career.
CanadaBW Logistics Inc. is a bonded warehouse in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Established in 2017, our company has established ourselves as a conduit for both local companies to develop their export potential as well as offering international companies an effective landing point in the Canada/US market.
What Advice Would you Give to Other Women Starting in Business?
Have big plans but take small steps. Success is measured from the tiny victories we achieve each day. As each victory builds on the other, you will see yourself moving towards your final goal.
International Sew-Right (ISR) is a solutions driven company igniting new ideas, creating patterns, and uniquely improved safety garments or products to suit your needs. Established in 1983 by Lyse’s mother, Claudette Gauthier, ISR became well known as a company committed to excellent customer service and high quality, custom designed safety apparel to protect their employees. In 2001, Lyse grew the company to new levels of productivity and customization in personal protective equipment, welding clothes, proximity suits, and additional work apparel using materials such as CarbonX, Aluminized fabrics, Arc Flash, and Hi-Vis products serving/ exporting to a wide-range of customers in the global market.
What Advice Would you Give to Other Women Starting in Business?
There is only one direction to go, and that is forward. Never look back. The business is your life and always comes first
